View Poll Results: Which Car?
1997 BMW 750iL
20
31.25%
1998-1999 Mercedes-Benz ML320
1
1.56%
1998 Mercedes-Benz S500
6
9.38%
1997-2002 Range Rover 4.6
0
0%
None of the above
37
57.81%
Voters: 64. You may not vote on this poll
Living a Childhood Dream
06-07-2010, 04:57 AM
#1
Evil Mazda Driver
Thread Starter
Living a Childhood Dream
There were many cars I lusted after in my childhood but unfortunately many of them are still out of my price range. There are a few that have settled down into the low five-digit, upper four-digit price range and I would like to have one for a year or two, just to live my dream.
This probably won't become practical for another six months to a year but I'd like to get everybody's opinion of these cars.
This probably won't become practical for another six months to a year but I'd like to get everybody's opinion of these cars.
06-07-2010, 06:22 AM
#2
Registered Member
None of them. There are a number of cars which stand out from my youth and most of them are American supercars of the mid 60's.
'66 Chevelle L78 SS 396/375 (I was original owner of one with the L34 360HP engine).
'66 Plymouth Satellite Belvedere 426 Hemi
'64 Ford Galaxie 500 427/425 side oiler engine (not a supercar because it was full sized)
'65 Pontiac Tempest LeMans w/GTO package (Pontiac didn't make a GTO model until '66)
'66 Chevy II Nova SS with the L79 327/350 engine
'65 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 (just loved the look of this car)
Neither of these cars were classed as supercars as they were sports cars.
'66 L74 427/450 Corvette (ordered one but didn't get it)*
'66 Shelby AC 427 Cobra
* In Novemeber 1965, I ordered a Corvette with the L74 427/450HP engine. Two weeks after placing the order, my stepfather talked my mother out of signing for the loan for this car. His argument was that it was too much car for a teenager (no doubt true). Eight weeks after the order was placed, the car came in to the dealer. I never saw it but on of the guys in the car club did see it.
It was Laguna Blue with bright blue interior. It had both convertible tops, the side exhaust (Lakes) pipes, 3.70:1 gears, close ratio Muncie 4-speed, AM/FM radio, transistor ignition (required but listed as optional). There were a few more options but I don't recall what they were. The car was a beast with this engine and with much lower gears, headers, and slicks, was capable of running the very low 11's to very high 10's. I saw one run the weekend after I placed the order.
'66 Chevelle L78 SS 396/375 (I was original owner of one with the L34 360HP engine).
'66 Plymouth Satellite Belvedere 426 Hemi
'64 Ford Galaxie 500 427/425 side oiler engine (not a supercar because it was full sized)
'65 Pontiac Tempest LeMans w/GTO package (Pontiac didn't make a GTO model until '66)
'66 Chevy II Nova SS with the L79 327/350 engine
'65 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 (just loved the look of this car)
Neither of these cars were classed as supercars as they were sports cars.
'66 L74 427/450 Corvette (ordered one but didn't get it)*
'66 Shelby AC 427 Cobra
* In Novemeber 1965, I ordered a Corvette with the L74 427/450HP engine. Two weeks after placing the order, my stepfather talked my mother out of signing for the loan for this car. His argument was that it was too much car for a teenager (no doubt true). Eight weeks after the order was placed, the car came in to the dealer. I never saw it but on of the guys in the car club did see it.
It was Laguna Blue with bright blue interior. It had both convertible tops, the side exhaust (Lakes) pipes, 3.70:1 gears, close ratio Muncie 4-speed, AM/FM radio, transistor ignition (required but listed as optional). There were a few more options but I don't recall what they were. The car was a beast with this engine and with much lower gears, headers, and slicks, was capable of running the very low 11's to very high 10's. I saw one run the weekend after I placed the order.
06-07-2010, 07:17 AM
#3
Someday, an RS6 Avant+
Gotta agree with Southerboy. All of those cars he picked would be cheaper to maintain, I think.
But out of your list, hmmm....All of them will ass rape your wallet like a woman with a credit card. But I would have to say the S500. I like the BMW, but the 2001 version was the last one and it had a few more styling cues I like.
The S500 shouts out "I have arrived, bite me".
But out of your list, hmmm....All of them will ass rape your wallet like a woman with a credit card. But I would have to say the S500. I like the BMW, but the 2001 version was the last one and it had a few more styling cues I like.
The S500 shouts out "I have arrived, bite me".
06-07-2010, 07:31 AM
#4
Drifting
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I say either the 750iL or the S500, then again the ML320 is supposed to be a tank, just one built to break down every once in a while. Either way, as far as older cars go for reliability, I feel it's German > British...
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i would never recommend any of those.
06-07-2010, 10:28 AM
#14
Registered Member
Example. My '66 SS396/360 L34 Chevelle, which I ordered, had a list price of around $3668 which included over $800 of options. That car, if restored and carrying all original parts would go for around $125,000 today.
06-07-2010, 10:38 AM
#15
The sizzle in the Steak
none of the above
06-07-2010, 11:12 AM
#17
I drive a Subata.
iTrader: (1)
none of the above.
06-07-2010, 11:22 AM
#19
Really. A lot of work for that little bit of money. If you ever watch the Barrett-Jackson auctions, you know what cars like this sell for.. especially if everything is original with matching numbers.
Example. My '66 SS396/360 L34 Chevelle, which I ordered, had a list price of around $3668 which included over $800 of options. That car, if restored and carrying all original parts would go for around $125,000 today.
Example. My '66 SS396/360 L34 Chevelle, which I ordered, had a list price of around $3668 which included over $800 of options. That car, if restored and carrying all original parts would go for around $125,000 today.
How are you?
Respectfully, you may be a little generous with your estimate. Four years ago perhaps, but the collector car market continues to soften. It's not in a downturn, but merely returning to realistic values.
There will always be the demand for specific cars, but the trend of paying top dollar for a "big block anything" is finally over. One just needs to look at the plummeting values of 426 cars, all the rage a few years ago.
Personally, I'm glad that things are finally dropping, giving the chance for the true enthusiast to enjoy a car they've always wanted.
Take care,
Terry
06-07-2010, 11:36 AM
#20
There were many cars I lusted after in my childhood but unfortunately many of them are still out of my price range. There are a few that have settled down into the low five-digit, upper four-digit price range and I would like to have one for a year or two, just to live my dream.
This probably won't become practical for another six months to a year but I'd like to get everybody's opinion of these cars.
This probably won't become practical for another six months to a year but I'd like to get everybody's opinion of these cars.
To be honest, none of those cars really appeal to me. That certainly doesn't mean that they're not desirable cars. The wonderful thing about true enthusiasts is that they all have their own preferences and aren't swayed by the opinions of others. Hell, I know some guys who lust after stuff that I just don't understand, but they pursue these specific cars just as much enthusiasm as I do for the cars that appeal to my tastes. Nothing wrong with that.
My best advice to you is to find something you like and go after it. Doesn't need to be what everyone else likes, but instead what you like. And don't forget about the DeLorean you've always wanted. The collector car market is going through a transitional phase at the moment, and cars like the DeLorean will remain affordable for the next few years.
Good luck.
Terry
06-07-2010, 11:55 AM
#23
Drifting
850i with a 6 speed. Just as annoying as the 7, but a little more special.
But it kinda seems like this will be your daily driver? If that is the case I would just say to forget it. My dad still drives his 12 year old 740i with 213k miles daily, but my knuckles are still bleeding from the last two weekends.
But it kinda seems like this will be your daily driver? If that is the case I would just say to forget it. My dad still drives his 12 year old 740i with 213k miles daily, but my knuckles are still bleeding from the last two weekends.
06-07-2010, 12:13 PM
#24
Registered Member
Hi P
How are you?
Respectfully, you may be a little generous with your estimate. Four years ago perhaps, but the collector car market continues to soften. It's not in a downturn, but merely returning to realistic values.
There will always be the demand for specific cars, but the trend of paying top dollar for a "big block anything" is finally over. One just needs to look at the plummeting values of 426 cars, all the rage a few years ago.
Personally, I'm glad that things are finally dropping, giving the chance for the true enthusiast to enjoy a car they've always wanted.
Take care,
Terry
How are you?
Respectfully, you may be a little generous with your estimate. Four years ago perhaps, but the collector car market continues to soften. It's not in a downturn, but merely returning to realistic values.
There will always be the demand for specific cars, but the trend of paying top dollar for a "big block anything" is finally over. One just needs to look at the plummeting values of 426 cars, all the rage a few years ago.
Personally, I'm glad that things are finally dropping, giving the chance for the true enthusiast to enjoy a car they've always wanted.
Take care,
Terry
But Terry, you have to admit. My list is a pretty good one. There were more, but these came to mind quickly.
Last edited by SouthernBoy; 06-07-2010 at 12:17 PM.
06-07-2010, 12:35 PM
#25
Thanks for the correction. While it is a little hard to imagine a softening of this market as there are only a fixed number of these cars out there. But economic downturns do affect a lot of things.
But Terry, you have to admit. My list is a pretty good one. There were more, but these came to mind quickly.
But Terry, you have to admit. My list is a pretty good one. There were more, but these came to mind quickly.
You kiddin'? I love your list. Nice stuff.
I think people became a little nuts over certain cars. I can remember while at a sale I saw a reproduction 426 car, all tarted up, sell for more than a surviving, unrestored 426 car that followed a few cars back. It seems up until 2007/early 2008, people were buying stuff that defied any sort of logic.
You know the old adage: "3564 were built, but unfortunately only 4734 survive." Documentation is everything. When the economy finally goes on the upswing, I hope that cooler heads will continue to prevail.
Terry
06-07-2010, 02:05 PM
#26
Registered Member
You kiddin'? I love your list. Nice stuff.
I think people became a little nuts over certain cars. I can remember while at a sale I saw a reproduction 426 car, all tarted up, sell for more than a surviving, unrestored 426 car that followed a few cars back. It seems up until 2007/early 2008, people were buying stuff that defied any sort of logic.
You know the old adage: "3564 were built, but unfortunately only 4734 survive." Documentation is everything. When the economy finally goes on the upswing, I hope that cooler heads will continue to prevail.
Terry
I think people became a little nuts over certain cars. I can remember while at a sale I saw a reproduction 426 car, all tarted up, sell for more than a surviving, unrestored 426 car that followed a few cars back. It seems up until 2007/early 2008, people were buying stuff that defied any sort of logic.
You know the old adage: "3564 were built, but unfortunately only 4734 survive." Documentation is everything. When the economy finally goes on the upswing, I hope that cooler heads will continue to prevail.
Terry
Just got the newest issue of Motor Trend and they are featuring a comparo of the 20111 Mustangs (both) to the Camaro and Challenger counterparts. Nice article. The more I read about the new V8 Mustang, the more I like what Ford did with this car. It has moved up to my prime choice if I were in the market. Definitely satisfies that visceral side of me.
06-08-2010, 12:59 AM
#29
05/5AT/Navi/ABP/Quartz
Some of our better dreams work much, much better as dreams. Enjoy them in your mind, as you see, the reality sucks! 
06-08-2010, 01:23 AM
#30
Needs more Lemon Pledge
Ouch. Sorry man.
Steal an M3?
Steal an M3?
06-08-2010, 03:56 AM
#32
Evil Mazda Driver
Thread Starter
If I were to pursue this, I would go after a low-mileage example. Also, keep in mind that I'm very good with cars and my hands and can work out most mechanical and electrical problems. I'm fully aware that these cars are very maintenance intensive and can be expensive to fix when stuff goes awry. I was just looking for an opinion on the cars, not the trouble they cause.
06-08-2010, 07:35 AM
#33
Drifting
Join Date: Jul 2007
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If I were to pursue this, I would go after a low-mileage example. Also, keep in mind that I'm very good with cars and my hands and can work out most mechanical and electrical problems. I'm fully aware that these cars are very maintenance intensive and can be expensive to fix when stuff goes awry. I was just looking for an opinion on the cars, not the trouble they cause.
06-08-2010, 09:18 AM
#34
If I absolutely HAD to choose one... I'd pick the 750iL. One thing to keep in mind though.... you may be extremely handy with cars, but the ones on your list are typically known for their electronic gremlins. Diagnosing and fixing those isn't like repairing manual parts like pulleys, etc. Unless you're an actual BMW or Mercedes certified technician... I'd still stay away.
06-08-2010, 10:08 AM
#35
Senior Moderator
you're dream = my nightmare 
06-08-2010, 10:25 AM
#37
Back From The dead
nota here too
06-08-2010, 11:05 PM
#38
05/5AT/Navi/ABP/Quartz
If I were to pursue this, I would go after a low-mileage example. Also, keep in mind that I'm very good with cars and my hands and can work out most mechanical and electrical problems. I'm fully aware that these cars are very maintenance intensive and can be expensive to fix when stuff goes awry. I was just looking for an opinion on the cars, not the trouble they cause.
06-08-2010, 11:44 PM
#39
Don't really care for any of them. Maybe the S class but None of the above.
First you gotta narrow it down from SUV and Sedan to just one of them. We can't choose for you.
First you gotta narrow it down from SUV and Sedan to just one of them. We can't choose for you.
06-09-2010, 02:59 AM
#40
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way to crush his dreams 
IMO the S500 looks much better than the pre-facelift e38 and is the most reliable, the ML is something only a housewife would dream about, and the Range Rover rides nice..but the air suspension fails alot.
I always liked that S-class, they had so much presence.
IMO the S500 looks much better than the pre-facelift e38 and is the most reliable, the ML is something only a housewife would dream about, and the Range Rover rides nice..but the air suspension fails alot.
I always liked that S-class, they had so much presence.