Indestructable Saloon (mainly for the wife)
Poll: Indestructable Saloon (mainly for the wife)
Total Members Polled: 100
Discussion
What would be your choice as a tough durable saloon out of the above. It would have to endure harsh mid-west winters (so RWD not ideal however narrow winter tyres and the fact that land is pretty flat here should help)
I'm interested in hearing peoples experiences owning the above. I'll do most of the mechanical work myself. From a design perspective I know the AJ16 engine pretty well, the Merc M119 less so
I'm interested in hearing peoples experiences owning the above. I'll do most of the mechanical work myself. From a design perspective I know the AJ16 engine pretty well, the Merc M119 less so
Of those two, the W124 although as far as I'm aware we didn't get a 400E/E420 in the UK, the only M119 engined ones we see are the rare Porsche built 500E/E500s.
Other than those, I'd nominate a Volvo 960/S90 3.0 24v or the later first generation S80 in either 2.4 170PS NA or 2.5T form (avoiding the sixes as the autoboxes and steering racks are both costly liabilities on those models).
Or an E34 540i/E32 740i although I'm not sure to what extent the US was afflicted by the "Nikasil issue".
Other than those, I'd nominate a Volvo 960/S90 3.0 24v or the later first generation S80 in either 2.4 170PS NA or 2.5T form (avoiding the sixes as the autoboxes and steering racks are both costly liabilities on those models).
Or an E34 540i/E32 740i although I'm not sure to what extent the US was afflicted by the "Nikasil issue".
Not sure on your budget but these are good value. C5 Audi A6 4.2 Quattro.
A lot more modern than the other options, quicker, tough as old boots, fantastic engine, very well built and they go forever. Ideal for this part of the world what them being all wheel drive. Slap on a set of winters and they're unstoppable! I've got my eye out for the Allroad version as I reckon they're a clever buy.
A lot more modern than the other options, quicker, tough as old boots, fantastic engine, very well built and they go forever. Ideal for this part of the world what them being all wheel drive. Slap on a set of winters and they're unstoppable! I've got my eye out for the Allroad version as I reckon they're a clever buy.
I don't do modern Volvos.
Ever since working at Jag, with them trying to foist their anvil straight six into the Jag X250 and not knowing the frack about what they were doing and viewing the warranty on that tall I 6 of theirs it's biassed me against them. (Fortunately it never occured)
The 960 Volvo is a good idea.
My budget is very low as I'd rather spend the money on my toys
I don't do Lexus' either,worthy vehicles that they are, in the States their are so many that worship at the alter of Lexus that it's nauseuating. Besides my wife is from a 'buy American' kind of family and it took me ages to convince her to go european. It was not well received when I told her brother that her apparently American Chevy Truck had an Isuzu designed Duramax engine.
I like Audis and entertained that for a while, however with that big lump crammed in there into the overhang, I don't want to be changing alternators and starter motors.
Ever since working at Jag, with them trying to foist their anvil straight six into the Jag X250 and not knowing the frack about what they were doing and viewing the warranty on that tall I 6 of theirs it's biassed me against them. (Fortunately it never occured)
The 960 Volvo is a good idea.
My budget is very low as I'd rather spend the money on my toys
I don't do Lexus' either,worthy vehicles that they are, in the States their are so many that worship at the alter of Lexus that it's nauseuating. Besides my wife is from a 'buy American' kind of family and it took me ages to convince her to go european. It was not well received when I told her brother that her apparently American Chevy Truck had an Isuzu designed Duramax engine.
I like Audis and entertained that for a while, however with that big lump crammed in there into the overhang, I don't want to be changing alternators and starter motors.
EDLT said:
So you don't really want an indestructible saloon, you just want "A saloon with the right badge".
Indestructable saloon with the right badge and image, it's a balance.If badge wasnt important at all, we'd go for a Buick with the indestructable 3.8 litre cast iron V6, FWD. They're most reliable and cheaper to fix than many.
Marquis Rex said:
I don't do modern Volvos.
Ever since working at Jag, with them trying to foist their anvil straight six into the Jag X250 and not knowing the frack about what they were doing and viewing the warranty on that tall I 6 of theirs it's biassed me against them. (Fortunately it never occured)
X250, as in the current XF? Which straight 6 is this, surely not the AJ16 from the X300? That sentence is awfully hard to make sense of.Ever since working at Jag, with them trying to foist their anvil straight six into the Jag X250 and not knowing the frack about what they were doing and viewing the warranty on that tall I 6 of theirs it's biassed me against them. (Fortunately it never occured)
dme123 said:
Marquis Rex said:
I don't do modern Volvos.
Ever since working at Jag, with them trying to foist their anvil straight six into the Jag X250 and not knowing the frack about what they were doing and viewing the warranty on that tall I 6 of theirs it's biassed me against them. (Fortunately it never occured)
X250, as in the current XF? Which straight 6 is this, surely not the AJ16 from the X300? That sentence is awfully hard to make sense of.Ever since working at Jag, with them trying to foist their anvil straight six into the Jag X250 and not knowing the frack about what they were doing and viewing the warranty on that tall I 6 of theirs it's biassed me against them. (Fortunately it never occured)
Tallbut Buxomly said:
Is your wife going to be ok with such large barges ?
How about a b6 s4 disiesel PD tdi like mine. It wont die. EVER.
Yeah, she's cool. She's an American and likes big barges. I tried to convince her to get into VW Golfs (cars I grew up with)- was thinking of getting a nice clean one from California, but she just cant stand hatchbacks. I realised this is typically an American thing- they prefer 'sedans' and think of hatchbacks as utilitarian. I like the idea of a diesel- but there are not many diesels around here for sale. And certainly not with my budget. I'm going to view that 400 E Mercedes and it's up for only $2000. No rust on it.How about a b6 s4 disiesel PD tdi like mine. It wont die. EVER.
I'd rather get a cheap barge and then get her a classic 1976 Jaguar XJC (her favourite car along with the Rover P6 for some reason) as a suprise for the summer.
Marquis Rex said:
Yes as in the current XF. There were plans to shove that aweful Volvo 'short I6' into it and mount it longitudinally. This engine has a small bore, terrible flowing ports and an outdated deep combustion chamber. In addition it had terrible warranty figures with PAG. Lots of folks at Jaguar lost their jobs due to this, as these misguided plans overtook the original plans to upgrade the AJV6 with GDi and other host of goodies. Fortunately at the 11th hour this Volvo straight six deal did not occur, not least because the engine had to be boosted to make any serious specific power.
That is interesting. That volvo I6 really is s
t, so thank God it didn't happen. The lack of a smaller displacement petrol must really be hurting them in some markets, so I'm sure this mistake has had serious financial consequences. I like the AJ-V6 - an updated GDI version could have been great.wackojacko said:
For a Saloon I'd say W124 but surely an Estate would be better #?
W124 estate
Volvo 850/V70 Estate.
I dont mind estates, I like the Dodge Magnum for instance. My wife hates estates , minivans and squared off GMC Yukon style SUVs- anything that signals mundane family transport-she doesn't like. I count myself luck W124 estate
Volvo 850/V70 Estate.
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