torn on cars

[jedovaty]

Originally Posted by Accumulator

This might sound nutty, but I'd rather have an S5 that's serviced by my Audi dealer than a Bentley Continental GT that's serviced by somebody I don't know.

This is what has me a little worried, and I can totally relate. I have a guy who is awesome for MBZ (especially the older ones), and both my jag service advisor and mech were fantastic and actually looked out for me - believe it or not, at the dealer. If I go into a different brand, how will I find someone good? I have found some great deals on used xkr coupes and I could continue an excellent professional relationship with that dealership, and although the car is sexy as hell - I'm just not drawn to it any longer? I dunno. Maybe I'm still traumatized by the accident and the "hate" portion of the love-hate with that car.

I haven't decided yet, but I think I will have to, soon. The pink s320 has problems - the rear bushings are shot, the left rear window is stuck open (I cannot take apart the door to fix this on my own without destroying the trim), the brakes are messed up, the amp is gone so no music, and etc etc. What makes the choice a little difficult is the fact that the car is free (despite the maintenance nuisance), and the girls who have ridden with me have enjoyed the better-than-limo-like experience of luxury That said, I could always get a similar car that's newer and has less miles... they are surprisingly cheap. No, I dunno about getting another used car though.

Accumulator: I must test drive the audi, I will try today or later this week, I'm curious to see this sun roof thing you talk about. I have driven a few 280sl's and they are fine, I enjoyed the ride, except the musty smell with the soft-top up (it's not very cushy, actually, somewhat bare-bones) - the first 8 years of my life were spent in a 1971 benz (4.2 v8 280sel or something like that), followed by an '84 300sd for well over 400k miles, so going to the 280 or even a 190 is like returning home

[Accumulator]

jedovaty- OK, the additional info clarifies things a bit, and I absolutely understand the familiarity aspect. And I also appreciate not-too-techie cars without all the bells-and-whistles.

And yeah, I'm an absolute sucker for W126 Benzes myself (well, gotta be the '86-newer ones with the telescoping steering wheel) but once we went with the Audis I never looked back (at least not much ).

But the dealer who took over the local Benz franchise has a lot to do with that; short/polite version: he and I can't do business and the nearest good independent guy is a long ways away.

Isn't that S320 mighty slow? Not like I can't go for underpowered Benzes, I like the '86-'91 300Se a lot.

[jedovaty]

If it helps clear things up a bit more, I'm in the late 20's early 30's age group - I don't care what kind of image others feel about me, however, that doesn't prevent me from creating an image of myself that I want to have (part of the reason I'm drawn to the xkr or a5). The S320 car simply makes me feel like I'm driving my dad's mercedes.

The car is "slow", but once at speed, it just cruises - there's so much room in the car, it is very quiet, great sound system (when the amp isn't busted!), and the back seats are marvelous if you have passengers. I get excellent mpg's for such a large car, too. Although kinda ugly, the w140 is one of the most comfy cars I've ever driven. Now, I've seen on craigslist some s600's from the late 90's selling for about $15k-20k with decent mileage.. that would be kinda fun I wonder if the a5 would make me feel yuppy - that's one reason I'm sort of staying away from the bmw's. The jag has more of an "I've arrived" rather than the bmw, "hey look, I'm becoming successful". Where would the audi fit in? A test drive will hopefully answer this dilemma!

The w126's look so stately and posh, which appeals to me. As do the older w113 (e.g. 280sl) or even the 190sl. But they are dated.

[Accumulator]

jedovaty- Heh heh, well, when I was your age a friend said some of my cars reflected the style of a constipated German banker If *you* like it, then that's that IMO.

And hey, I got my XJS when I was 25 and everybody thought I should've bought a 'vette or Porsche instead. Twenty-three years later I'm still glad I have *it* instead.

But no way I'd want a W140 600, I'd be terrified of the maintenance unless I knew a lot more positives than I do now; some guys I knew when they were new cars had endless trouble with 'em just like guys did with the first BMW 750 cars.

Audis never seemed like yuppie-mobiles to me (the way the M3 sure does ). Maybe it's because I was always playing rally-driver-hooligan with 'em in the snow They *can* have a sorta serious...almost cold, calculating vibe to them, but I like that.

FWIW, we went directly from a pair of 560 SECs to the Audis.

[lbls1]

Hey Jedo,
Was sorry to hear about your little incident, but you are fortunate that you are able to pick and choose another car afterwards.

I would only say to go with whatever you like the best, because you will have to live with it for awhile. That being said, still be careful. You can really be in love with something, and as time goes by when that something ends up being a pain in the tush, you'll wish you'd never set eyes on it. On the other hand, you could compromise and get something that you casually like, and in time your love could grow as the car gives you good to excellent service.

Lol it sounds like I'm giving some "other" advice, but the jist of it is to go with your best thoughts and what you like the best.

Oh and me? If its a primary car (meaning what you want to be seen in), then 9/10 times I'd prefer new than used or (certified...etc), but cost can also be a deciding factor. If its a car purely for reliable transportation, then go with something with an excellent reputation for reliability...new or used.

Good luck....and show us your pick.

Edit:.......maybe Accumulator will have something to sell you......maybe he'll make some money on it.....to buy himself some (fill in the blank). Sorry Accumulator, but its been awhile lol!!!!

[Accumulator]

Originally Posted by lbls1

.......maybe Accumulator will have something to sell you......maybe he'll make some money on it.....to buy himself some (fill in the blank). Sorry Accumulator, but its been awhile lol!!!!

Heh heh, hey lbls1, yeah..we haven't been having our regular exchanges recently

Heh heh#2, by the time I decide to sell something there are usually some good reasons why nobody here would want it!

And heh heh#3, *me* make *money* selling something?!? That'll be the day

[lbls1]

Heh Heh...

lol you make money....now why would you need to do that pal???? Lol!!!!!

I figured this would be a good tip in to relieve some of the crampness you have in your multi car garage! That way you can make room for the frige stuffed with a box of (you know....) ................lol!!!!!!!

Too much.....but I'm glad bc you're the only one here I can get away with this stuff for a little while!

[Accumulator]

Heh heh, people here probably live in fear of the lbls1/Accumulator thread jack "You never know when those two will resume their nonsense..."

And I'd hate to pay the electric bill for turning on the garge refigerator just to keep a jar of you-know-what nice and cool

jedovaty- Will you be driving this vehicle in winter weather?

[lbls1]

Originally Posted by Accumulator

Heh heh, people here probably live in fear of the lbls1/Accumulator thread jack "You never know when those two will resume their nonsense..."

And I'd hate to pay the electric bill for turning on the garge refigerator just to keep a jar of you-know-what nice and cool

jedovaty- Will you be driving this vehicle in winter weather?

Well you won't know what your missin'.......besides, who needs friges to keep you know what??

Oh well...another hijacked thread lol!!!!!

[jedovaty]

Accumulator: I'm in winter weather now, I had to put on a sweater this morning, it was about 50 degrees F outside I love california I may go to the snow some day... *shrug*

So I test drove the audi a5, s-line styling today. The dealer only had two s5's, both were stick, which I've never driven so couldn't really test drive it. Exterior: beautiful car, but it was much larger than I remember when I saw it on the road. The styling is very "in" right now, I see the curves and edges. Felt almost yuppy in the dealership while waiting for my guy - a few people in my age group that were unshaven and unkempt (obviously in the IT industry) were buying cars, too.

It was very comfy, a nice, sturdy, solid build. German's have taken on british humor with the so-called "back seat" I thought the cd changer element on the console looked very cheap. The huge vynil dash was kind of off. At first, all the buttons around the shifter appeared complicated, but within 30 seconds I figured them out. Placement is nice for use with the armrest. All well thought out.

Driving was interesting. Was very impressed with the handling. But after 400hp with my jag, the car was, uhm, slow. Peppy, but not what I expected. It was also a very hard ride. Good, stiff suspension, but I felt every little bit of the road, with sound effects - it was a quiet ride, but random elements of road noise were definitely audible. Much different than what I remember from the jag. The a5 had a small-car ride with a sports-car feel, with good engineering. The jag, on the other hand, has a larger, sultry muscle-car feel to it, with elegance. It's just sexier, even with the huge wood portions. I could drive the jag easily for more than 3 hours at a time, but not convinced I could do it with the audi.

Sadly, I'm not convinced. I'm going to have to find an automatic S5 to test. I mean, I could easily drive this car, but it seems overpriced when I can get a more kooshy jag for a lot less. No deals are offered on the car, either through financing, leasing, or etc, because it's limited production and in demand.

[jedovaty]

Oh, and the other thing.. the interior is black. Even with light seats, the dash, roof, etc, all is this black color, which although it looks nice, makes the interior very dark. It just struck me as odd, every car I've driven (excluding rentals) have had much lighter, more cheerful interiors. Hmmm.

Maybe I should consider a bug-eye sprite

[Holden_C04]

What would you think of a BMW 335d? They just arrived to North America and they have a 3.0l diesel with a tree-stump pulling 400-some-odd lb ft tq.

335d Review

YouTube - AutoSpies.com reviews the upcoming 2008 USA BMW Diesel's

0-260 km/h

YouTube - BMW 335d (E91) 0-260