torn on cars

[jedovaty]

Holden, now that's cruel. Take something I really like (diesel) and mix with something I'm not too big a fan of (bmw). Heh.. head to explode in 5.. 4.. 3..



I really want to like the audi. But I've been spoiled by the 400hp of the jag and the good ride quality. Ugh.

[Accumulator]

jedovaty- See, this just goes to show how different people are, well, different and why soliciting opinions here might not *really* get you very far

I absolutely understand about how spoiled you are by certain aspects of the Jag. IMO nothing else is *quite* the same.

On the Audis, I *LIKE* very firm rides, I even firmed up my XJS (two weeks out of the showroom) bacause it wasn't firm enough. And yeah, my S8 has that black/dark wood black-hole type of interior and I'm sure it's a love it/hate it sort of thing.

Can't believe you just mentioned the Bug Eye, a pal of mine who has a zillion Jags (including an XKR) just finished doing one, not sure if it's really *his* or his wife's or his daughter's though. Interesting that you thought of it just now.

At the end of the day I sorta suspect you'll be happiest with another Jag, we'll see.

[jedovaty]

I like firm rides as well, but this audi did weird things in that firmness. It was a sound like rocks-hitting rocks. The jag was firm, but it handled the bumps and stuff more gracefully.

About a month ago, I toyed with the idea of picking up a restored british car like an austin healy, sprite, spitfire, etc, and swapping out the engine for something more reliable. Yeah, what a waste of time, I'm far too lazy for that

The problem with the audi is convincing myself that the huge price-tag is worth it, when I can get a more cooshy car that's faster for nearly half the price. Is new that much better than used?

I wish there were another step I could take, next after the jag where I'd move up instead of sideways or down. AM's are still far too expensive. The jag would be perfect if it were just a touch smaller and more nimble. What else is out there? I do not like the mbz slk's (I'd sooner go with a z4 if forced this route!!) or the clk, too feminine for me. Hmmm.

[Holden_C04]

Originally Posted by jedovaty

Holden, now that's cruel. Take something I really like (diesel) and mix with something I'm not too big a fan of (bmw). Heh.. head to explode in 5.. 4.. 3..



I really want to like the audi. But I've been spoiled by the 400hp of the jag and the good ride quality. Ugh.

I hated BMW's too...until I drove one.

[jedovaty]

Oh, I know. The two best rides ever for me were a 325i and a z4. I did one of those high performance test drives on the 325. But I know I wouldn't be happy with one regardless, everyone in this neighborhood has one I just cannot be pleased

[Holden_C04]

Originally Posted by jedovaty

Oh, I know. The two best rides ever for me were a 325i and a z4. I did one of those high performance test drives on the 325. But I know I wouldn't be happy with one regardless, everyone in this neighborhood has one I just cannot be pleased

Bet you not every neighbour of yours has one of these...

YouTube - Top Gear: E46 M3 CSL

[Accumulator]

Originally Posted by jedovaty

The problem with the audi is convincing myself that the huge price-tag is worth it, when I can get a more cooshy car that's faster for nearly half the price. Is new that much better than used?

It is to *me* in some instances but I get the feeling it wouldn't be worth the added $ to *you*. I bet you'll get a lot more satisfaction for your buck with something lightly used.

I wish there were another step I could take, next after the jag where I'd move up instead of sideways or down. AM's are still far too expensive. The jag would be perfect if it were just a touch smaller and more nimble...

What about those limited-edition XKRs with the big brakes. Or you could get some aftermarket suspension bits for one (those Konis utterly transformed my XJS, 23 years later my mechanic is *still* astounded by how well those, and better tires, make it handle).

.. What else is out there? I do not like the mbz slk's (I'd sooner go with a z4 if forced this route!!) or the clk, too feminine for me. Hmmm.

Eh...other Jags, older AMs (uh-oh on the maintenance though, IMO). The Stable Ltd. has a Bentley Turbo R (gray, factory debadged) that I'd be *all* over if I hadn't already bought my next project. Dunno your price range but they're asking ~$50K for it and IMO that's a lot of car for the money. Maybe too big for what you're after though...so I keep getting back to XKRs

I understand how you feel about the Bimmers; I just can't *love* my wonderful e36 M3 for some reason. I seem to like BMWs best when they're somebody else's car that I'm driving for a short while.

Ditto on the newer Benzs, but then I sorta lost interest in MBs after the W126. Some of the S-class coupes are kinda nice though..

About a month ago, I toyed with the idea of picking up a restored british car like an austin healy, sprite, spitfire, etc, and swapping out the engine for something more reliable. Yeah, what a waste of time, I'm far too lazy for that

As I've gotten older I've sorta moved away from changing out the OE drivetrains on cars like that. If you build 'em right the original stuff can do OK reliability-wise and IMO that sort of thing is part of what gives those cars their charm.

The idea of an older sportscar sorta appeals to me (maybe because I have that old RX-7 that I never get around to putting back on the road). Could be fun if you have some reliable dd that'll get you around.

If you like that W140 of your dad's, taking that and sorting out its more irritating issues might be a good move; you can keep and keep your eyes open for something that really speaks to you....a Jensen Interceptor, an Iso, who knows what you might run across!

[jedovaty]

Holden: hey, no heated seats? No a/c? Pfffft Damn, cardboard boot, hahahahahahahahahaha

Funny thing. I went in to my benz guy to get the window fixed, and while there, they finished working on a 250sl (like the 280) that was a show car - paint was in autopia style. Goodness, I found myself talking with the shop-owner's son for quite a while - he's convinced me it is possible to drive 15-20k miles on these w113's annually and keep maintenance low as long as I take care of any issues striaght away. Now I've waffled back to the old-school sl

Even funnier: my dad was out of town, and asked that I take his daily driver for a spin to see if I could pick up on an issue he's been having (some weird noises). It's a 2005 MBZ e320 CDI (diesel engine). I dislike its looks, but holy cow I forgot how much fun that thing is to ride. Zippy, nimble, and the torque is just amazing.

Just for laughs, I sent out a picture of the xkr and the s5 to some friends, with a simple question: "Which one". Nothing else. Here's the score thus far:
Audi: 4
XKR: 3
Undecided: 1

All those who liked the xkr, said, "it looks WAY better than the audi." Three of those who liked the Audi, said, "it looks better than that other car. What is it?" The fourth said, "I like the audi better, but whatever that other car is, it looks more like something you'd fit into." What an odd response

Limited edition xkr - not much difference from the standard but for what you mentioned. What I'm looking for, if this route: 2003-2006, recarro seats, handling package +. Rare combo, unfortunately, when you add coupe to it. The handling package adds additional support, slight lowering, and ever so slightly tighter suspension.

That bentley is a nice car, yes, but not my cup of tea. Old AM's are sweet, the old DB4 Zagato is one of my dream cars. Maintenance on any of them is probably more $ than I'm willing to afford.

Accumulator, what's your next project?

Hmm.

[Accumulator]

Originally Posted by jedovaty

Accumulator, what's your next project?

I'm gonna scratch my Crown Vic itch

I've wanted a (highly modified) one ever since the driving schools swtiched to them from the Caprices like I used to have. I'm a sucker for big RWD sedans, especially boring-looking ones that don't get a second glance from anybody, and I've always enjoyed stuff like souped-up copcars.

[jedovaty]

Crown victoria? To each his own, I guess

It's a shame your relationship with MBZ went sour (what happened?), because I might urge you to check out the w140 - the chassis is something else. Large and probably one of the most comfortable interiors I've ever driven. Late 90's models probably provide best bang for buck, too. Pick up a S600 v12... dude... Maybe I could find a 600 coupe....

I've been trying to get ahold of a seller (a used car broker) of this 280sl that looked spectacular, and was just about at a right price point. The guy was an absolute flake. Didn't return my first phone call, didn't respond to an email, but he did respond to an ebay inquiry from me. It took two weeks before he finally said, "sure, I can show you the car this weekend". I called him up yesterday to confirm our appointment, he sounded utterly stoned, "Which car again? Oh, the red 280sl. Yeah, just sold it earlier this week." Wow...

To make me feel better, test drove an automatic audi S5 today. It was FAR better than the A5. Something about the interior was nicer, though it's supposed to be the exact same. The ride was actually stiffer, but not harsh like the A5, and even with the same seats, it actually felt far more comfortable. It also had the audi "drive select" and we could change between comfort and "dynamic" (I bet it was either this option, the different wheel+tire combo, or a mix of both). Handling was superb as expected. I enjoyed the drive considerably - but it'd take some time to get accustomed to the gear/rev changing, it behaved a bit strangely compared to other automatics.

If the car weren't so expensive, I'd get it in a heartbeat. But I look again at the jag at just about half the price - yeah, the S5 is actually more exotic and rare than the XKR in this area, HOWEVER, there are just soooo many audis and bmws and mbzs, and most of the hip coupes look the same to me (bmw, infiniti, and audi especially). Here we go again, hahahahaha

Have a nice christmas

[Accumulator]

jedovaty- Heh heh, probably a good thing you didn't do business with that guy who had the SL...he sounds, uhm...unreliable.

And nah...no Benzes for me. I consider myself *so* lucky to have an Audi (and Porsche, should I get the sportscar itch again) dealer that I'm completely satisfied with and I'd be nuts to do business with any of our local MB dealers. It's really that whole dealer/service shop thing more than the cars, there *are* a few post-w126 Benzes I'd probably like a lot. Ditto for bimmers; the local dealer was hopeless the one time I took my M3 there. Guess the actual *car* isn't always the deciding factor when it comes to what I want to live with.

Not surprised you like the S5 that much better than the A5. I'm the same way with our A8/S8 even when not appreciating the additional performance; the S8 is just...*different*.

Thought on the price issue with the S5: what if it turned out to be a *real* keeper, a car you're utterly thrilled to own forever? I think of how expensive it was for me to buy both the A8 and S8 new in quick succession, but years later I'm sure glad I have them. Neither my wife nor I are remotely interested in replacing them with something new/better/whatever (the additional vehicles I *do* buy are just dog-haulers or toys by comparison). If the S5 did that for you, I think you'd get over the initial cost. Heh heh, the S5 also sorta reminds me think of my other real keeper- my '85 Jag XJS...luxo coupes are still cool after they're a bit dated too Now the Jag is starting to be considered a "classic" (scare-quotes intentional if you ask me, but people do see it that way).

[jedovaty]

See, that's one of the appealing things with both a benz and jag: I have people I can trust when it comes to issues. My jag service advisor and tech went out of their way several times to truly provide service, put up with my curiosity and incessant questions - they enjoyed doing even the simple things like changing the oil, and took pride in their work and efforts (this means a lot to me, as today, it's hard to find people like this).

Interesting comments about finding a "real keeper" - you hit the nail on the head, that's what I'm looking for. I don't think the S5 is it. The jag on the other hand? I'm afraid it may be a keeper. I know this is the car I should go with, but I'm fighting it. Why? (rhetorical)

If maintenance for Aston Martin's weren't so expensive.. mmmmm. I would go that route

All around the mulberry bush, the monkey chases the weasel....