"Bargeanomics"
Discussion
After the XJ thread and Garlicks LS400 I quite fancy a cheap barge, care to share your experiences ?
Am thinking
Jag XJ
LS400
Audi A8
7 Series
What is the prime barge, what are the pitfalls ?
Looking at the sales on Ebay, you could say its a buyers market as they don't seem to sell.
Cheaper the better, not chasing model years or anything, just something that has an MOT and no major faults, preferably with working aircon that isnt a bin.
What is barge insurance like as a rule, im 40 with full ncd and live in a low risk area, dont do many miles, three points and one small claim for inaccurate reversing technique....
Saab is averaging 20 mpg on my commute, but only fill it once a month or less, any idea what these things actually do MPG wise, surely they arent that much worse ?
Am thinking
Jag XJ
LS400
Audi A8
7 Series
What is the prime barge, what are the pitfalls ?
Looking at the sales on Ebay, you could say its a buyers market as they don't seem to sell.
Cheaper the better, not chasing model years or anything, just something that has an MOT and no major faults, preferably with working aircon that isnt a bin.
What is barge insurance like as a rule, im 40 with full ncd and live in a low risk area, dont do many miles, three points and one small claim for inaccurate reversing technique....
Saab is averaging 20 mpg on my commute, but only fill it once a month or less, any idea what these things actually do MPG wise, surely they arent that much worse ?
A bloke who i work with has just scrapped his lexus ls400 due to water pump failing. He had it for 7 years previous, and he got it off his father in law so he new the problems. Overall, it was awesome. He isnt one for looking after them and it kept going. The only reason he scrapped it was no one would buy it before the pump went, so he thought it would of been dead money to fix it (he also has 2006 jeep thingy).
It has done 170k miles, hadnt had a oil change in 7 years, yet was still smooth as a babys bottom. Unbelieve able really. But ironically, if anything needed doing, if a problem accured, he would always have it fixed! Only thing that went wrong was springs. It snapped all 4 in the last couple of years, and a rusty exhaust. I think springs were 110 each fitted.
It has done 170k miles, hadnt had a oil change in 7 years, yet was still smooth as a babys bottom. Unbelieve able really. But ironically, if anything needed doing, if a problem accured, he would always have it fixed! Only thing that went wrong was springs. It snapped all 4 in the last couple of years, and a rusty exhaust. I think springs were 110 each fitted.
J4CKO said:
After the XJ thread and Garlicks LS400 I quite fancy a cheap barge, care to share your experiences ?
Am thinking
Jag XJ
LS400
Audi A8
7 Series
What is the prime barge, what are the pitfalls ?
Looking at the sales on Ebay, you could say its a buyers market as they don't seem to sell.
Cheaper the better, not chasing model years or anything, just something that has an MOT and no major faults, preferably with working aircon that isnt a bin.
What is barge insurance like as a rule, im 40 with full ncd and live in a low risk area, dont do many miles, three points and one small claim for inaccurate reversing technique....
Saab is averaging 20 mpg on my commute, but only fill it once a month or less, any idea what these things actually do MPG wise, surely they arent that much worse ?
As per above, can't beat the E38 as a barge, and you'll probably find you at least equal your 20 mpg compared to your Saab! Insurance shouldn't be bad, though you are talking group 18-20. Nothing really to look out for, except cooling system (make sure it's all functioning OK, check out enthusiast forums for info on what to watch out for), and gearbox (make sure the 'sealed for life' gearbox oil has been changed, or get it done when you buy it.Am thinking
Jag XJ
LS400
Audi A8
7 Series
What is the prime barge, what are the pitfalls ?
Looking at the sales on Ebay, you could say its a buyers market as they don't seem to sell.
Cheaper the better, not chasing model years or anything, just something that has an MOT and no major faults, preferably with working aircon that isnt a bin.
What is barge insurance like as a rule, im 40 with full ncd and live in a low risk area, dont do many miles, three points and one small claim for inaccurate reversing technique....
Saab is averaging 20 mpg on my commute, but only fill it once a month or less, any idea what these things actually do MPG wise, surely they arent that much worse ?
E38 has a great enthusiast following, and you'll be able to diagnose most problems in 5 minutes on the interweb. If you like spannering you'll be surprised at how much you can fix yourself.
Somebody will come along in a minute and say 'remember it's still a £60k car, so you'll have repair bills to match', but you won't unless you're terminally stupid and take it to a main dealer service dept. and ask them to give you a good seeing to!
bozmandb9 said:
As per above, can't beat the E38 as a barge, and you'll probably find you at least equal your 20 mpg compared to your Saab! Insurance shouldn't be bad, though you are talking group 18-20. Nothing really to look out for, except cooling system (make sure it's all functioning OK, check out enthusiast forums for info on what to watch out for), and gearbox (make sure the 'sealed for life' gearbox oil has been changed, or get it done when you buy it.
E38 has a great enthusiast following, and you'll be able to diagnose most problems in 5 minutes on the interweb. If you like spannering you'll be surprised at how much you can fix yourself.
Somebody will come along in a minute and say 'remember it's still a £60k car, so you'll have repair bills to match', but you won't unless you're terminally stupid and take it to a main dealer service dept. and ask them to give you a good seeing to!
I am probably above average in the spannering stakes, its only a car after all, the suspension and brakes wont present any problems, a service isn't an issue, its just if there are any electronic or auto box issues then I would be a bit stuck, but then that is game over time isnt it, if the electronic issues prevent it being used, ok, would give it a fair crack of the whip with forums and secondhand bits but they key I guess is not to sink thousands into an old, practically worthless barge, look after it, enjoy it but be realistic if it comes to spending a grand on a grands worth of car, Ebay it for spares/repairs or scrap it, no matter how shiny and nice it is.E38 has a great enthusiast following, and you'll be able to diagnose most problems in 5 minutes on the interweb. If you like spannering you'll be surprised at how much you can fix yourself.
Somebody will come along in a minute and say 'remember it's still a £60k car, so you'll have repair bills to match', but you won't unless you're terminally stupid and take it to a main dealer service dept. and ask them to give you a good seeing to!
LS400 is the most reliable barge choice. My first one had 240,000 miles on it, paintwork was a little shabby but everything worked. I mean everything, I can't even remember half the toys it had but it was perfect. I did about 20k miles in it and it cost me £150 for a new alternator in that time, and £100 in depreciation.
Fast forward a few years and I now have an immaculate MkIV (last facelift version) LS400 with the dynamic handling package (DHP), more powerful VVTi engine and five speed autobox. Performance is markedly improved over the earlier one, economy a little better and handling transformed. The previous owner had done a great job of looking after it, which included fitting it with the recommended DHP tyres, I think they are Pirelli P-Zeros or something similar. Far less body roll than a non-DHP car and masses of grip for such a big car.
Of course, it is still silent and supremely confortable, and 99% of the time I just loaf about in it. And, again, nothing has gone wrong with it. Ever. It still feels far nicer to drive than a brand new "normal" car (eg Mondeo or similar). You can get great MkIV LS400's for under £3k now, the only thing that would tempt me out of mine would be an LS430
Fast forward a few years and I now have an immaculate MkIV (last facelift version) LS400 with the dynamic handling package (DHP), more powerful VVTi engine and five speed autobox. Performance is markedly improved over the earlier one, economy a little better and handling transformed. The previous owner had done a great job of looking after it, which included fitting it with the recommended DHP tyres, I think they are Pirelli P-Zeros or something similar. Far less body roll than a non-DHP car and masses of grip for such a big car.
Of course, it is still silent and supremely confortable, and 99% of the time I just loaf about in it. And, again, nothing has gone wrong with it. Ever. It still feels far nicer to drive than a brand new "normal" car (eg Mondeo or similar). You can get great MkIV LS400's for under £3k now, the only thing that would tempt me out of mine would be an LS430
andy-xr said:
Sheeeeit.That's a whole mahoosive hill of a car for the price of a pint in London.
tercelgold said:
aww999 said:
You can get great MkIV LS400's for under £3k now, the only thing that would tempt me out of mine would be an LS430
How is the in town mpg? anything over 20 as I'm looking at buying one , just would like something that isn't running on gold.You've got me looking now.
I want this: http://pistonheads.com/sales/2675516.htm
Reminds me of my 535 (non-Sport). It's a Manual, it'll have an LSD and those seats are just incredible. And the best thing is - because it's a 20-year-old barge it's actually small enough to park, while still having the road presence of a much larger car
I want this: http://pistonheads.com/sales/2675516.htm
Reminds me of my 535 (non-Sport). It's a Manual, it'll have an LSD and those seats are just incredible. And the best thing is - because it's a 20-year-old barge it's actually small enough to park, while still having the road presence of a much larger car
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