Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 22]

[macron]

E90_M3Ross said:

Touche! Yes, I did assume barge, my apologies, mon ami!

No need to apologise old fruit, it's quite a reasonable assumption!

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Yeah, that thread gained no traction whatsoever. Always seemed odd to me as most buys for most of us seemed to be in that bracket, but it's nice to have a single focus for saddos I guess.

I suspect the average is a lot higher these days, "luxury" car tax seems to apply to an awful lot of not luxurious cars!

Anyway, barges, park in the gap between the wing and bonnet in this V8 A8, still, inside actual thread limit and cheap tax. Just don't look at the alloys.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024012558...

Glad to see 7's are still cheap. Location looking like a Layer Cake scene, no interior shots , random diplomatic car in a pic. Say what?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023082511...

Half thread sensible engine XJ, staple the headlining back up as ever...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024022569...


Alternatively, take the FarrageMobile. A great way to replace the headlining...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023090415...

[bolidemichael]

Just to opine, the issue with the £5-£10k barge thread is that it’s sensible and the appeal of the £1-£5k barge thread is that it’s aspirational; yes, that’s an odd statement on the face of it, but we all love to come across the faded grandeur of a once magnificent vehicle and available on a lemonade budget.

[Nuisance]

W00DY said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116087482950

I would love to smoke about in that. There is not a single thing about it that I dislike.

[TommoAE86]

W00DY said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116087482950

Seat doilies!!

GeniusOfLove said:

This whole "Japanese cars are boring" thing is largely a construct of motoring journalists I think, going right back to claiming a Sierra was a better car than a Carina E because the Sierra was so much more scintilating, and probably before then. Nothing to do with the Ford marketing budget and jollies vs Toyota/Honda/Mazda/Nissan then guys?

Edited by GeniusOfLove on Saturday 2nd March 15:05

Anything Japanese sold over here I think is going to struggle against the “home” grown competition as we miss out on some great cars. I tried everything including Lexus’ but like Ross said they don’t set the world on fire in the fun dept. Sorry for another Crown thing but it’s been an amazing car for the 6 years I’ve owned it and it’s the only car I still look back at it whenever I park it. It’s a model that I didn’t know existed until I bought it from Japan and it’s been amazing since I picked it up.

[Hippea]

That is amazing, surely 30+ year old air suspension has significant bork factor?

[ingenieur]

Earl of Hazzard said:

Oh hello...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235453779050?mkcid=16&a...

Jesus... how much? How many miles?

[ingenieur]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

biggbn said:

AlexNJ89 said:

You're tasked with delivering a package 2,000 miles across Europe. It needs to be delivered asap so it's a lot of hours behind the wheel.

The package is about the size of a guitar case.

You have £10,000 to spend on a car to carry out the task.

Your petrol can be claimed back from the company so MPG is not an issue.

Which car do you take?

Best LS400 I could find....or an SC430....guitar case could go on passenger seat. Honorable mention for best citroen cx, or xm I could find or a potentially ropey series 3 xj6....

There are certainly things we disagree on, but your respect for the SC430 makes us lifelong buddies.

I'm quite a fan of the off-brand GTs. I like the Chrysler Crossfire as well.

[E90_M3Ross]

macron said:

Glad to see 7's are still cheap. Location looking like a Layer Cake scene, no interior shots , random diplomatic car in a pic. Say what?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023082511...

These E65s will never reach classic status. You always want the V8 or V12, but the V8s have some serious design flaws, and the V12 isn't without a few flaws either. Couple that with electronics and nobody will touch them. It is a shame because, truly, they are very, very good cars.

[biggbn]

TommoAE86 said:

W00DY said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116087482950

Seat doilies!!

GeniusOfLove said:

This whole "Japanese cars are boring" thing is largely a construct of motoring journalists I think, going right back to claiming a Sierra was a better car than a Carina E because the Sierra was so much more scintilating, and probably before then. Nothing to do with the Ford marketing budget and jollies vs Toyota/Honda/Mazda/Nissan then guys?

Edited by GeniusOfLove on Saturday 2nd March 15:05

Anything Japanese sold over here I think is going to struggle against the “home” grown competition as we miss out on some great cars. I tried everything including Lexus’ but like Ross said they don’t set the world on fire in the fun dept. Sorry for another Crown thing but it’s been an amazing car for the 6 years I’ve owned it and it’s the only car I still look back at it whenever I park it. It’s a model that I didn’t know existed until I bought it from Japan and it’s been amazing since I picked it up.

I don't 'get' the fun thing with barges. A barge is about being cosseted from the outside world. It should make you feel impervious to everything from road conditions to 'culture wars' and international politics. It is your haven of self, a hermetically sealed bubble where only you matter and you feel relaxed, confident and reinvigorated to face your next gathering of Powerfully built directors or the bustle of the middle aisles at Aldi. Fun doesn't come into it. Some are quick, sone are slower, but all are a panacea for life itself. You should be able to get a barge on the NHS to help your mental health. Fun? Pah, ill take the big Japanese saloon with the silent v8 and insulate myself against the many slings and arrows outrageous fortune tosses my way.....

Edited by biggbn on Sunday 3rd March 09:25

[ingenieur]

Nuisance said:

W00DY said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116087482950

I would love to smoke about in that. There is not a single thing about it that I dislike.

Having a subwoofer in 1992 is pretty impressive. I think in black and without the seat dollies like some of the others which have come up it has some appeal.

[ingenieur]

E90_M3Ross said:

macron said:

Glad to see 7's are still cheap. Location looking like a Layer Cake scene, no interior shots , random diplomatic car in a pic. Say what?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023082511...

These E65s will never reach classic status. You always want the V8 or V12, but the V8s have some serious design flaws, and the V12 isn't without a few flaws either. Couple that with electronics and nobody will touch them. It is a shame because, truly, they are very, very good cars.

When you say 'design flaws' are we saying EVERY one of these cars will be a nightmare or is it like anything else where it's common but not guaranteed that you'll suffer for buying one?

[E90_M3Ross]

ingenieur said:

E90_M3Ross said:

macron said:

Glad to see 7's are still cheap. Location looking like a Layer Cake scene, no interior shots , random diplomatic car in a pic. Say what?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023082511...

These E65s will never reach classic status. You always want the V8 or V12, but the V8s have some serious design flaws, and the V12 isn't without a few flaws either. Couple that with electronics and nobody will touch them. It is a shame because, truly, they are very, very good cars.

When you say 'design flaws' are we saying EVERY one of these cars will be a nightmare or is it like anything else where it's common but not guaranteed that you'll suffer for buying one?

It is guaranteed that every single one will become a problem. The cooling leak issue is a big one that will effect every car at some point. They will also all leak oil and eventually the issues with valve stem seals will catch up with all cars because of the materials used and the fact that these run at very high temperatures. Unless you have an owner that changes the oil regularly and specifically seeks out a thermostat at around 90C instead the 100C or so they typically come with, you might stand a chance on that one.

[ingenieur]

E90_M3Ross said:

ingenieur said:

E90_M3Ross said:

macron said:

Glad to see 7's are still cheap. Location looking like a Layer Cake scene, no interior shots , random diplomatic car in a pic. Say what?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023082511...

These E65s will never reach classic status. You always want the V8 or V12, but the V8s have some serious design flaws, and the V12 isn't without a few flaws either. Couple that with electronics and nobody will touch them. It is a shame because, truly, they are very, very good cars.

When you say 'design flaws' are we saying EVERY one of these cars will be a nightmare or is it like anything else where it's common but not guaranteed that you'll suffer for buying one?

It is guaranteed that every single one will become a problem. The cooling leak issue is a big one that will effect every car at some point. They will also all leak oil and eventually the issues with valve stem seals will catch up with all cars because of the materials used and the fact that these run at very high temperatures. Unless you have an owner that changes the oil regularly and specifically seeks out a thermostat at around 90C instead the 100C or so they typically come with, you might stand a chance on that one.

So the v12 is a better bet if anyone does feel like going for the E65?

[dscam]

Alfa 164 - says auto but it’s a manual.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/395240897564?mkcid=16&a...

[dscam]

One of my favourite Lexus, based on nothing more than the alloys…

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204677018374?mkcid=16&a...

[E90_M3Ross]

ingenieur said:

E90_M3Ross said:

ingenieur said:

E90_M3Ross said:

macron said:

Glad to see 7's are still cheap. Location looking like a Layer Cake scene, no interior shots , random diplomatic car in a pic. Say what?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023082511...

These E65s will never reach classic status. You always want the V8 or V12, but the V8s have some serious design flaws, and the V12 isn't without a few flaws either. Couple that with electronics and nobody will touch them. It is a shame because, truly, they are very, very good cars.

When you say 'design flaws' are we saying EVERY one of these cars will be a nightmare or is it like anything else where it's common but not guaranteed that you'll suffer for buying one?

It is guaranteed that every single one will become a problem. The cooling leak issue is a big one that will effect every car at some point. They will also all leak oil and eventually the issues with valve stem seals will catch up with all cars because of the materials used and the fact that these run at very high temperatures. Unless you have an owner that changes the oil regularly and specifically seeks out a thermostat at around 90C instead the 100C or so they typically come with, you might stand a chance on that one.

So the v12 is a better bet if anyone does feel like going for the E65?

I'd say so, yes. They still have their issues (including valve stem seals) but I think they're slightly less bork-prone.

[dscam]

Volvo 960 at £1.5k

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/386820718035?mkcid=16&a...

[TommoAE86]

Hippea said:

That is amazing, surely 30+ year old air suspension has significant bork factor?

My beardage struggles with the older ones and I would’ve thought that it could be a weak link, but my Skyline had its 4WD steering and automatic moving aero still working at 25 years old. With the newer model Crown’s it’s only the controller that sometimes gets out of sync and is easy to replace/reset.

[21st Century Man]

biggbn said:

I don't 'get' the fun thing with barges. A barge is about being cosseted from the outside world. It should make you feel impervious to everything from road conditions to 'culture wars' and international politics. It is your haven of self, a hermetically sealed bubble where only you matter and you feel relaxed, confident and reinvigorated to face your next gathering of Powerfully built directors or the bustle of the middle aisles at Aldi. Fun doesn't come into it. Some are quick, sone are slower, but all are a panacea for life itself. You should be able to get a barge on the NHS to help your mental health. Fun? Pah, ill take the big Japanese saloon with the silent v8 and insulate myself against the many slings and arrows outrageous fortune tosses my way.....

I have fun in mine. I drive it hard and throw it around a bit. It's hopeless of course, and the fun bit is usually in tandem with high anxiety too. My CG lock is a must when being uncouth.

[biggbn]

dscam said:

Volvo 960 at £1.5k

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/386820718035?mkcid=16&a...

Ooft...