Are older (but high end) cars classy and cool or embarrassing?

[93EB_SXR6]

I think series two XJ6 Jags are awesome... everybody else I know thinks they are horrible.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[4.0i OHC]

Originally Posted by Ben73

In BMW's the L stands for long wheel base. The 850 is just an i.
The more you know.

I have seriously considered buying an 840ci/850i.
But as damo said the electrics are a big problem when they go wrong, and they will.

When I graduate in 5 years time, and am able to afford the upkeep/maintanence of such a car, I would seriously consider owning one.

I'd also love an E36 M3, but would never cart my loved ones around in one due to it being so unsafe. Yes, I was carted around in one in my younger days, but some of the older individuals on this forum probably sat in the back of a wagon, rolling around with no seat belt!

[irish2]

Originally Posted by 302 XC

Id have a series 1,2 or 3 jag with a 350 chev, anyday of the week
Wouldnt cost a 1/3 of a new car
Dont care IF to some they look out dated

Old jags are classic in their look. A box shaped mid 80's Merc, Audi or Beema is not.

[RAPID_BA]

Originally Posted by plarazza

Same situation but the doctor gets into a new FG GT. The other guy jumps into a older XA GT. What your going to laugh at him too?

Seriously.

Point taken, maybe a mid 80s mercedes is regarded like a XA GT in mercedes circles.

Even so the FG GT owner would chuckle to himself if a XA GT owner acted like they are on par.

[irish2]

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

Point taken, maybe a mid 80s mercedes is regarded like a XA GT in mercedes circles.

Even so the FG GT owner would chuckle to himself if a XA GT owner acted like they are on par.

Why? Many XA GT's cost more to buy than FG GT's.

[Mr Hardware]

Originally Posted by irish2

Old jags are classic in their look. A box shaped mid 80's Merc, Audi or Beema is not.

And that is the difference between style and fashion.

[RAPID_BA]

Originally Posted by irish2

Why? Many XA GT's cost more to buy than FG GT's.

We both know they shouldn't. Its the demand from ford old timers wanting a time machine back to the 70s that create such value. Ask a non ford person what they are worth.

For the record I agree they are special cars but they do nothing better than a fg gt

[KPCresta]

Originally Posted by irish2

Welcome to the forum KPCresta. Or should we call you KPcart?

Thanks mate. I have been browsing for a week and saw an opportunity to contribute with a first post

These forums provide a lot of valuable information. Kudos.

[irish2]

Originally Posted by KPCresta

Thanks mate. I have been browsing for a week and saw an opportunity to contribute with a first post

These forums provide a lot of valuable information. Kudos.

No worries. You seem very well versed in forum etiquette which is what had me thinking you were possibly another member using a similar name.

[Danny]

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

Are older but higher spec cars classy and cool to own or just embarrassing.

I'm talking about 10+ year old cars and assuming they are in good condition. Cars like mercedes or bmw or audi, porsche even.

Are these sorts of cars classy and cool or hasbeens and embarrassing to own and drive. People that are wannabes but can't afford the real thing (todays model and as such todays fashion).

The real deal people offload these cars as warranty has run out and they consider them no good anymore and need to get the new model to remain relevant.

I've seen a few people boast about owning a bmw or mercedes and when you go and have a look its about 10 years old or more

Instead of being a pretender paying upwards of $30k for such cars isn't it more suitable to wear a shoe that fits your foot and buy a brand new ford/holden/toyota or slightly used etc?

Or am I wrong and these people are cooler and more upmarket?

Haven't read the thread so I don't know if this has been mentioned but this is how it goes in My opinion.

With high end cars, after about 7-10 years (so that's first gen facelift X5's, E46 M3's, F348 - 355 Ferraris with Chrome rims, Early SL55AMG's and early 2000 model Audi RS4's), they begin to become affordable to more people, so you end up with the gold chain tandoori tanned - can't string a sentence together Guido/Lebo/Bogan crews with their arm tatts and their Orange girlfriends with matching D&G sunnies.

They think becasue that they could afford the repayments on a 7 year old M3 100% borrowed loan that champagne will fall from the heavens, and people will throw rose petals where they walk. These are the turds that specifically drive places and crane their heads to see who is looking at them. It is at THIS point, that a car becomes uncool.

Of course the turnaround for this is that, in another 5-10 years (when the cars are over 15-20 years old), these cars if kept well, will become classic, and cool again, because true enthusiasts will buy into them becasue they were a classic of their era, while the Jersey Shore tossers move on into the next batch of "last years model high end cars".

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by Danny

Haven't read the thread so I don't know if this has been mentioned but this is how it goes in My opinion.

With high end cars, after about 7-10 years (so that's first gen facelift X5's, E46 M3's, F348 - 355 Ferraris with Chrome rims, Early SL55AMG's and early 2000 model Audi RS4's), they begin to become affordable to more people, so you end up with the gold chain tandoori tanned - can't string a sentence together Guido/Lebo/Bogan crews with their arm tatts and their Orange girlfriends with matching D&G sunnies.

They think becasue that they could afford the repayments on a 7 year old M3 100% borrowed loan that champagne will fall from the heavens, and people will throw rose petals where they walk. These are the turds that specifically drive places and crane their heads to see who is looking at them. It is at THIS point, that a car becomes uncool.

Of course the turnaround for this is that, in another 5-10 years (when the cars are over 15-20 years old), these cars if kept well, will become classic, and cool again, because true enthusiasts will buy into them becasue they were a classic of their era, while the Jersey Shore tossers move on into the next batch of "last years model high end cars".

That's GOLD, yet true. Thanks for the laugh.

[TUF_302]

My brother has an 86 560SEC Merc, it may be big and old, but it still goes like the $235000 car it was when new, in my eyes its a classic and is tough as they come, its so far ahead of Aussie cars of the time and gets alot of looks as it rumbles up the road

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

We both know they shouldn't. Its the demand from ford old timers wanting a time machine back to the 70s that create such value. Ask a non ford person what they are worth.

For the record I agree they are special cars but they do nothing better than a fg gt

I couldn't afford a Landau when I was 7 ........

and they do nothing better than an FG GT? For who? I could sell the Landau and buy an FG GT ...... I could wait another 3 years and buy 4! Possibly 6 in 8 years ..... but it doesn't matter. Its all for personal reasons, I dont care about the resale and if someone doesn't get it, it cannot be explained, which is the same as someone who likes a 15 year old Merc or whatever.

I have a 1995 LTD ....... does that mean I am a wannabe who cant afford the real thing or was it just a choice? Does it mean I cant afford a new one? (If they still made them anyways)

[irish2]

Originally Posted by TUF_302

My brother has an 86 560SEC Merc, it may be big and old, but it still goes like the $235000 car it was when new, in my eyes its a classic and is tough as they come, its so far ahead of Aussie cars of the time and gets alot of looks as it rumbles up the road

It still looks dated with it's 80's boxyness. That era from about 1980 through to 1995 produced some of the most boring designs ever. There are a few exceptions but almost everything turned into a box.

[Danny]

Originally Posted by irish2

It still looks dated with it's 80's boxyness. That era from about 1980 through to 1995 produced some of the most boring designs ever. There are a few exceptions but almost everything turned into a box.

Wrong, Wrong Wrong.

560 SEC is easily one of my favourite MB models ever to grace our roads. It IS the epitome of what I was talking about. A classic high end Merc nearly 30 years on, and a very cool car. My uncle had two of them brand new in the late 80's (one was written off by the secretary ), and I remember drooling over it profusely as a little boy.



Here is a vehicle released in 1984. I'm sorry, but that is one beautiful, clean, sporty, and elegant design, that does NOT in any way look like its nearly 30 years would have you assume..

You sir are wrong [/story]

[TUF_302]

Ah that looks just like my bros, his is blue over grey though and has changed the lights to all clear indicators front and rear

[atec77]

Originally Posted by GT0132

Just checked the web...1990 odd 850iL can be had for around 25-30k these days...but boy expensive to fix when something goes wrong.

I am surprised that expensive stuff is still going around , bimmers basically self diagnose and parts are no more than most foulcan parts once you buy them off line and not the stealer , coils plugs and regular parts are dead cheap

[smoo]

Originally Posted by TUF_302

Ah that looks just like my bros, his is blue over grey though and has changed the lights to all clear indicators front and rear

I had the same, was my 2nd car. Kiwi models had the unrestricted 300hp engines compared to the 260ish Aussie ones. She dealt to an AU3 XR8 a few times and mustered a decent twin spinner burnout, not bad for an old barge.



Since then I've had a few more S classes and 5 series, not for the image or badge, but because they are simply the best cars for their time, and money on the used market.
And people go on about parts being expensive, buy out of ebay UK or USA and they will be just as cheap to run as a Falcon or Commodore.
On this side of the Tasman the best value for money luxury car iks easily the late 1990s 740i or 540i, same price as a oil burning VX 5.7 Calais/Statesman and wheezing Fairmont/Fairlane, about 10 grand. No comparison between them.

[atec77]

Originally Posted by Danny

Wrong, Wrong Wrong.

. My uncle had two of them brand new in the late 80's (one was written off by the secretary ), and I remember drooling over it profusely as a little boy.



You sir are wrong [/story]

Did the Sechatary object to your drool all over ?

[Uncle Niceguy]

I think when it comes to comparing a high-end but older car to the brand new ones is the older for the sake of this example bmw 850iL and say a FPV GT you just look at the continuos length of the "standard items" the older beemer has compared what comes standard on a GT i'd take the beemer any day plus you cant beat the classic look of em either.

[Professor Farnsworth]

Originally Posted by EFFalcon

I don't think it matters, wgaf what other people think about your choice in cars.

this.

OP: if you honestly worry about what other people think about how 'cool' your choice of car is, and whether it's fashionable, maybe you should get into the latest range of man bags. Probably cheaper?

[XESP351]

I have a thing for old Mercs. From the sixties until the nineties (yes even the eighties) there is just something special about them, only if I had the room and the cash. Most are very reasonably priced too..

Let me demonstrate..

$10k 1967 250SE



$15K 1975 350SLC (V8)



$24K 1993 500SL



1998 CLK320

[KR1STO]

Originally Posted by EFFalcon

I don't think it matters, wgaf what other people think about your choice in cars.

This...!!!!!

[irish2]

Originally Posted by Danny

Wrong, Wrong Wrong.

560 SEC is easily one of my favourite MB models ever to grace our roads. It IS the epitome of what I was talking about. A classic high end Merc nearly 30 years on, and a very cool car. My uncle had two of them brand new in the late 80's (one was written off by the secretary ), and I remember drooling over it profusely as a little boy.
Here is a vehicle released in 1984. I'm sorry, but that is one beautiful, clean, sporty, and elegant design, that does NOT in any way look like its nearly 30 years would have you assume..

You sir are wrong [/story]

A car is classic when it stands out not only from it's competitors, but also its' previous iterations. In this case there are many better looking older Mercedes models out there. The newer models are also better looking, so that leads me to conclude that 80's Mercedes are ugly Mercedes.

Case in point.

[Landau Stable]

The only time i start thinking they are ACTUALLY pathetic, is when the foolly *** hektic boys get their hands on them and do the whole big sub woofer and 20 inch bling wheels and then think they are gods gift because they bought a merc or most commonly a beemer. Lets not forget the Gold chains etc as well. We've all seen those types. otherwise i just see them as another 80's or 90's generic box on wheels.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Danny

Wrong, Wrong Wrong.

560 SEC is easily one of my favourite MB models ever to grace our roads. It IS the epitome of what I was talking about. A classic high end Merc nearly 30 years on, and a very cool car. My uncle had two of them brand new in the late 80's (one was written off by the secretary ), and I remember drooling over it profusely as a little boy.



Here is a vehicle released in 1984. I'm sorry, but that is one beautiful, clean, sporty, and elegant design, that does NOT in any way look like its nearly 30 years would have you assume..

You sir are wrong [/story]

Looks like an early 90s car, I love the look of that.

Damn you for showing me that.

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by irish2

A car is classic when it stands out not only from it's competitors, but also its' previous iterations. In this case there are many better looking older Mercedes models out there. The newer models are also better looking, so that leads me to conclude that 80's Mercedes are ugly Mercedes.

Case in point.

SO under that logic (Which I am not following) Your 'Case in point' is suddenly ugly?

[Pis-ton broke]

Originally Posted by Professor Farnsworth

this.

OP: if you honestly worry about what other people think about how 'cool' your choice of car is, and whether it's fashionable, maybe you should get into the latest range of man bags. Probably cheaper?

i'll go along with that. its a personal thing and some people mightn't get it.
I real like those old mercs, i reckon a nice looked after one is cool,and i would own one. euro cars always seem to have good leather enteriors. my personal faverate is a 928 s4 porsche which in its day was a good sports car. today, maybe 20- 30k and its mine. if your ok with a spanner you can maintain it yourself and save a packet.

[Sep 97 EL XR8]

It's definately an easy (cheaper) way to get the car you wanted when it was new. The main problem is cost of repairs. If you have a well maintained car, it shold be OK.

If i had the money i would buy a M coupe, i loved the big fat rear flared guards, and the squat rear end.

Looks tough, and go like the clappers.

[Resurrection]

My father has an immaculate 1984 W126 Mercedes Benz 380SE which will one day be mine.