Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 21]

[Paddymcc]

TyrannosauRoss Lex said:

I can't get past the st aerial.

You can if you buy from 2008 onwards

Aerials were moved into the rear spoiler instead of the quarter panel.

[nobrakes]

I think this qualifies

Toyota Camry
2002 (02 reg)
3.0 V6 CDX auto

100k miles

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209119...



The boot spoiler seems wholly inappropriate for this car, but that shouldn’t be a show stopper.

[TonyRPH]

Derventio said:

This has most of the ingredients required to qualify as a barge. 6 cylinders, slushomatic, leather aplenty. does being French cancel out being wrong wheel drive?



https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209189...

I have to admit, I wouldn't mind a go in some of these V6 propelled, posh repmobiles that seemed to be all the rage at the turn of the century.

My first visit to this thread.

That is lovely, even if it's an auto. I remember going on a business trip in a more humble version of this model Laguna (1.8 I think) and it was a very smooth drive.

[tobinen]

Congratulations StescoG66

[SpeckledJim]

StescoG66 said:

Finally a pic of my mini barge.

I took it on following the passing of my dad, and to be fair it was a typical OAPs car - bogging and a bit battle scarred, mileage was low at 75k but in the condition it was in worth buttons so decided to turn it in to a running project.

So far have :-
Full service done by me
New front drop links and brake hoses (story there)
Alloys refurbed
Various scratches and scars painted
Leather re-dyed where needed
Auto trasmission fluid changed
Exhaust leaks hunted and sorted

Still to do
Rear drop links
Roll bar bushes both ends
Full underbody clean and rust proof

You know, I actually rather like it despite its thirst. Like me, it's not the sharpest tool in the box and nowhere near as sure footed as my Alfa 159 was. However it's a great wafter/cruiser. Only let down for me is the ICE connectivity. Don't get me wrong, it has the Mark Levinson set up which sounds absolutely superb, just hate having to use headphone out and aux in

Anyway, will run this for a while and see how it goes. Not the best pic, but this morning after a wash, clay and polish.

Sorry to hear about your dad. This is a very nice car.

[Beaurepaire Canary]

SpeckledJim said:

StescoG66 said:

Finally a pic of my mini barge.

I took it on following the passing of my dad, and to be fair it was a typical OAPs car - bogging and a bit battle scarred, mileage was low at 75k but in the condition it was in worth buttons so decided to turn it in to a running project.

So far have :-
Full service done by me
New front drop links and brake hoses (story there)
Alloys refurbed
Various scratches and scars painted
Leather re-dyed where needed
Auto trasmission fluid changed
Exhaust leaks hunted and sorted

Still to do
Rear drop links
Roll bar bushes both ends
Full underbody clean and rust proof

You know, I actually rather like it despite its thirst. Like me, it's not the sharpest tool in the box and nowhere near as sure footed as my Alfa 159 was. However it's a great wafter/cruiser. Only let down for me is the ICE connectivity. Don't get me wrong, it has the Mark Levinson set up which sounds absolutely superb, just hate having to use headphone out and aux in

Anyway, will run this for a while and see how it goes. Not the best pic, but this morning after a wash, clay and polish.

Sorry to hear about your dad. This is a very nice car.

+1
Sad to hear about your dad. Looks like you're doing him proud there to me though.

[StescoG66]

Thank you all for your kind wishes. Appreciate it

To be fair, other than the phone connectivity for music it really is missing nothing compared to a new car. I can put that right with an Xtrons unit at £300..... we shall see

While it’s not my bag normally, it it working it’s way in to my affections. Long had a V6 itch I wanted to scratch ( although it was a Busso itch ) so it does that and some. Being an SE-L it’s really comfortable, and to be fair on a motorway cruise it’s quite economical at mid 30s.

Whether I hang on to it long term remains remains to be seen, but it was borderline shed material so it’s being saved.I have the Sprint as it’s antidote in the Spring and Summer months.

Anyway, rambling on but happy to be a bargeiste for now. This is PHs best thread along with the shed thread.

Edited by StescoG66 on Saturday 19th November 18:41

[Muncher]

W00DY said:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202172...

I think I'd want the price to start with a 3 though.

Hah, I was coming back to this thread to post an update, but hadn't realised someone had posted about my car before I did, I bought that a week or so after you posted.

I paid £3,500, the car is in very good condition for the miles, basically immaculate inside. The owner was great and I did a full inspection before the purchase which showed no issues.

So about 9 months in:

- no real issues with it of note
- superbly comfortable on a long trip, the radar cruise control is incredible.
- averages 19mpg on the short trips I normally take it on, the best I have seen is around 26mpg on a long trip
- I've changed the front discs and pads, ARB droplinks and bushes myself (£190), cabin filters (£24), wheels refurbed (£260), washer pump (£15) and last week I replaced the auxillary battery which was on its way out (£150)
- will be due a service and MOT in feb, I've put about 3,500 miles on it since buying it.

[james6546]

StescoG66 said:

Thank you all for your kind wishes. Appreciate it

To be fair, other than the phone connectivity for music it really is missing nothing compared to a new car. I can put that right with an Xtrons unit at £300..... we shall see

While it’s not my bag normally, it it working it’s way in to my affections. Long had a V6 itch I wanted to scratch ( although it was a Busso itch ) so it does that and some. Being an SE-L it’s really comfortable, and to be fair on a motorway cruise it’s quite economical at mid 30s.

Whether I hang on to it long term remains remains to be seen, but it was borderline shed material so it’s being saved.I have the Sprint as it’s antidote in the Spring and Summer months.

Anyway, rambling on but happy to be a bargeiste for now. This is PHs best thread along with the shed thread.

Edited by StescoG66 on Saturday 19th November 18:41

For connectivity you could get something like this (I've got a taotronics one in my saab, but I can't seem to find it for sale).

.

It plugs into the aux and cigarette lighter, then turns off and on with the car power and pairs like the car would.

The mic on the one I bought is perfectly acceptible and it's reasonably easy to get used to it being stuck to the dash.

[StescoG66]

james6546 said:

For connectivity you could get something like this (I've got a taotronics one in my saab, but I can't seem to find it for sale).

.

It plugs into the aux and cigarette lighter, then turns off and on with the car power and pairs like the car would.

The mic on the one I bought is perfectly acceptible and it's reasonably easy to get used to it being stuck to the dash.

Thank you

I had looked at this however only downside is you have to pick your phone up to change/select tracks etc which is - obviously - not advisable

[Crook]

Because we all love a CX

F1

[AlfaManc]

StescoG66 said:

Finally a pic of my mini barge.

I took it on following the passing of my dad, and to be fair it was a typical OAPs car - bogging and a bit battle scarred, mileage was low at 75k but in the condition it was in worth buttons so decided to turn it in to a running project.

You know, I actually rather like it despite its thirst. Like me, it's not the sharpest tool in the box and nowhere near as sure footed as my Alfa 159 was. However it's a great wafter/cruiser. Only let down for me is the ICE connectivity. Don't get me wrong, it has the Mark Levinson set up which sounds absolutely superb, just hate having to use headphone out and aux in

Anyway, will run this for a while and see how it goes. Not the best pic, but this morning after a wash, clay and polish.

Always liked these and seriously considered an IS250 Sport when changing my Alfa. Feels very well built and it's a nice looking mini barge. Kudos for taking it on and keeping it in the family.

[nobrakes]

Muncher said:

W00DY said:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202172...

I think I'd want the price to start with a 3 though.

Hah, I was coming back to this thread to post an update, but hadn't realised someone had posted about my car before I did, I bought that a week or so after you posted.

I paid £3,500, the car is in very good condition for the miles, basically immaculate inside. The owner was great and I did a full inspection before the purchase which showed no issues.

So about 9 months in:

- no real issues with it of note
- superbly comfortable on a long trip, the radar cruise control is incredible.
- averages 19mpg on the short trips I normally take it on, the best I have seen is around 26mpg on a long trip
- I've changed the front discs and pads, ARB droplinks and bushes myself (£190), cabin filters (£24), wheels refurbed (£260), washer pump (£15) and last week I replaced the auxillary battery which was on its way out (£150)
- will be due a service and MOT in feb, I've put about 3,500 miles on it since buying it.

Looks epic, what model?

[BigBen]

NomduJour said:

Might help if half the photos weren’t from a different car.

That would explain the wrong gearbox. Or I think you got some 3.6 TDV8s with the digital dash and that box but not as late as 2011....

[Patrick Bateman]

Paddymcc said:

TyrannosauRoss Lex said:

I can't get past the st aerial.

You can if you buy from 2008 onwards

Aerials were moved into the rear spoiler instead of the quarter panel.

Having just bought a 2006 XKR, it's really not that much of an issue.

It is a bit naff but so what. Lest we forget the BMW equivalent to these was the 6 series.

[Venisonpie]

Muncher said:

Hah, I was coming back to this thread to post an update, but hadn't realised someone had posted about my car before I did, I bought that a week or so after you posted.

I paid £3,500, the car is in very good condition for the miles, basically immaculate inside. The owner was great and I did a full inspection before the purchase which showed no issues.

So about 9 months in:

- no real issues with it of note
- superbly comfortable on a long trip, the radar cruise control is incredible.
- averages 19mpg on the short trips I normally take it on, the best I have seen is around 26mpg on a long trip
- I've changed the front discs and pads, ARB droplinks and bushes myself (£190), cabin filters (£24), wheels refurbed (£260), washer pump (£15) and last week I replaced the auxillary battery which was on its way out (£150)
- will be due a service and MOT in feb, I've put about 3,500 miles on it since buying it.

Are you thinking of selling it?

[Muncher]

nobrakes said:

Muncher said:

W00DY said:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202172...

I think I'd want the price to start with a 3 though.

Hah, I was coming back to this thread to post an update, but hadn't realised someone had posted about my car before I did, I bought that a week or so after you posted.

I paid £3,500, the car is in very good condition for the miles, basically immaculate inside. The owner was great and I did a full inspection before the purchase which showed no issues.

So about 9 months in:

- no real issues with it of note
- superbly comfortable on a long trip, the radar cruise control is incredible.
- averages 19mpg on the short trips I normally take it on, the best I have seen is around 26mpg on a long trip
- I've changed the front discs and pads, ARB droplinks and bushes myself (£190), cabin filters (£24), wheels refurbed (£260), washer pump (£15) and last week I replaced the auxillary battery which was on its way out (£150)
- will be due a service and MOT in feb, I've put about 3,500 miles on it since buying it.

Looks epic, what model?

S500

[nobrakes]

Anyone buying a £3500 car will need to spend £500 on it. Obviously it depends on if you can go some of it yourself.

Basically, you got a bargain.

Much congratulations - gohnads of steeeel!

[Macron]

nobrakes said:

Comparing

“It's a friday, so please forgive me. In my search for a fast estate car, my budget has crept up to circa £20k.

I've narrowed it down to 2 cars:

1) BMW 2016 340i Touring with 62k miles

or

2) Audi S6 Avant - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209220...

If you need an estate, get an estate. A 3series barely qualifies.

Have a hard think about your 8 year criteria and consider an E500 or E55?

(It’s easy to spend other peoples’ money!)

I can't work out if you meant to quote someone and missed, or are just realising half way through you answered your own argument about a 3 series...

Not sure if I'd go iron clad E55
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022101607...

Or

Full monty 63
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2022080785...

Either way, cash in your sky rocket!

[W00DY]

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/14211895

Outrageous spec. I didn't even realise you could get radar cruise on a 2005 E90.