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

[The Yeti]

Personaly I beleive old luxo cars are cooler than modern ones

[RG]

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

I own a used ford and some may say I'm no better than an old merc driver. But I can confidently say that my car is one of the best cars available for sale in that price range. You can't say that about many of the old mercs or bmws (mainly due to extortionate imminant repair costs). People who buy these cars could have bought a new ford/holden/toyota with good warranty and good cars. But they are trying to buy a brand to be better than they are. Essentially trying on a shoe that doesn't really fit properly.

The doctor in my example was talking about a relevant modern machine, out of the grasps of many (untill its 10 yrs old). But the other guy tried to talk like he was on equal standing with the doctor and above other people who had a comparably valued but much newer ford/holden/toyota etc.

For the amount of money I want to spend ill always buy the best car available to meet my needs. But others buy to get maximum show off for their buck.

Ie buy a old merc instead of new ford or buy a clapped out xr6t instead of a mint xt

Go and have a look at how much parts cost for "older" Euro cars before you harp on with rubbish comments about imminent repair costs.

Take my Pug for example, it's near on 10 years old now. It's also French so according to your logic repair costs will be extortionate.

I can guarantee you that my Pug is cheaper to get parts for than your Falcon. It's the same with old school MB's and BM's, look at the price of parts from europe and the UK. Cheaper than Falcon parts here. The reason is there are a lot more cars sold over there so inevitably parts are cheaper.

You have no clue as to what you are talking about.

[sarrge2001]

Originally Posted by Gobes32

Now tell me I am not cool if I rocked up in this............

If you're Idi Amin........

[Ducati888]

Looks like the IRS out of a VT Commodore

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

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

Perhaps not only in Mercedes circles.

500E 1990 "German Taxi" 4.9litre NA V8. 0-100 5.5sec

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBZLs...eature=related

[FPV8U]

I'd jump at a C55 AMG from around 04-06.. love them, more than the C63 everybody loves these days.

9/10 time it's the guy with the newer model thats the poser having just picked up this months latest and greatest.

[RAPID_BA]

Originally Posted by MAD

The big question, to you Hulk, is.... Do you think the doctor is better because he is driving a new Mercedes?
And, do you think the other guy is beneath the doctor for driving an old one?

I think you have misread me. I didn't laugh at the bloke because of the car he drove, I laughed at the way he discussed mercedes as if they were superior. The way he was talking you would expect him to be driving a real machine. The doctor backup up his talk driving away in his new merc but that guy short changed us compared to how he boasted.

If the discussion with the doctor didn't happen I would not have laughed at his old merc.

Like in the movie true lies when that guy pretended to be a spy, but he was a used car salesman. Arnie laughed when he didn't match up to his talk. Same as the guy that tried to mix it with the doctor.

But that's the whole point, people who buy old bmws and mercs buy them to mix it with the new mercs and bmws. Otherwise they would buy a shoe that fits.

Case 1. I know someone who bought a 325 bmw coupe 02 model for about $35k from a dealer. Financed it too. The car had 90000km on it, an m3 lookalike basically. But he has been spending money fixing all sorts of stuff, electrics clutches, seats are a bit worn etc etc. He could have bought a fg XR6 and had a new car with warranty but in his view would not get ladies with it? He walks around with a notch in his belt thinking he is better because he has a bmw. Big timer haha that's my point.

[GT0132]

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

Case 1. I know someone who bought a 325 bmw coupe 02 model for about $35k from a dealer. Financed it too. The car had 90000km on it, an m3 lookalike basically. But he has been spending money fixing all sorts of stuff, electrics clutches, seats are a bit worn etc etc. He could have bought a fg XR6 and had a new car with warranty but in his view would not get ladies with it? He walks around with a notch in his belt thinking he is better because he has a bmw. Big timer haha that's my point.

My Mrs has a BMW X5 which is around 4 years old now and everytime we go out I take the GT and leave the BMW sitting there. I find it a POS and would rather be seen in my Ford than it. but to each his own - admittedly X5 not as sexy as the sportier models, but if he thinks the Beemer is a chick magnet let him have his fantasy

[Professor Farnsworth]

oh it's a chick magnet alright, if you don't mind attracting the sort of chick that will get with you purely for money.

[RAPID_BA]

Originally Posted by RG

Go and have a look at how much parts cost for "older" Euro cars before you harp on with rubbish comments about imminent repair costs.

Take my Pug for example, it's near on 10 years old now. It's also French so according to your logic repair costs will be extortionate.

I can guarantee you that my Pug is cheaper to get parts for than your Falcon. It's the same with old school MB's and BM's, look at the price of parts from europe and the UK. Cheaper than Falcon parts here. The reason is there are a lot more cars sold over there so inevitably parts are cheaper.

You have no clue as to what you are talking about.

You can get euro parts cheaper than falcon parts? New parts not old parts? Also can you get them within the hour or do your wait 2 months every time something is wrong? If you go to peugoet they will hit you for a home run! How much were your cam gears to replace (servicable item every 5 years 80000km)

I too had a peugoet gti sold it for exactly this reason, as soon as you get a few km big costs to maintain. But good cars

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by FPV8U

I'd jump at a C55 AMG from around 04-06.. love them, more than the C63 everybody loves these days.

9/10 time it's the guy with the newer model thats the poser having just picked up this months latest and greatest.

That's spot on.



But I definitely don't think a BA xr8 is the greatest car in that price range. I could find 100 others I would rather own then a BA.

[RAPID_BA]

Originally Posted by Ben73

But I definitely don't think a BA xr8 is the greatest car in that price range. I could find 100 others I would rather own then a BA.

Give me 5 cars better?

I bought a 05 ba2 fairmont in absolutely mint original condition with 51000km on it for $11k a year ago.

Mint condition. Give me your 100 types of cars better for that price.

Don't give me clapped out high km cars, mint low km cars

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

But that's the whole point, people who buy old bmws and mercs buy them to mix it with the new mercs and bmws. Otherwise they would buy a shoe that fits.

Or some of us buy them because we want a cheap (I paid $3000 for my '88 230E) car for work that will start first time in either -4c or +40c.

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

I too had a peugoet gti sold it for exactly this reason, as soon as you get a few km big costs to maintain. But good cars

I know what you mean here, I've only had my little red German Taxi for 2 years but I've already had to put a new battery in it!! (the old one was 7 years old)

On such a low Kilometre car as well!!

[RG]

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

You can get euro parts cheaper than falcon parts? New parts not old parts? Also can you get them within the hour or do your wait 2 months every time something is wrong? If you go to peugoet they will hit you for a home run! How much were your cam gears to replace (servicable item every 5 years 80000km)

I too had a peugoet gti sold it for exactly this reason, as soon as you get a few km big costs to maintain. But good cars

From Peugeot hasn't been too bad actually. Have you had a look at ford parts pricing from the dealer lately?

New parts too, order from Europe or the UK is quicker than when I used to have to order parts for the AU from the US.

How much is a 100k service for your BA? I can tell you how much mine would be, gotta love menu pricing.

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

Give me 5 cars better (than a BAXR8)?

Careful on asking that ......... very subjective as in ....... Better for who? I could ask my Mrs and she could rattle of 20 (with limited knowledge) and wouldn't even consider an BA XR8 as a choice. I myself could name 100 actually with the above car being close to the bottom ...... not getting into the whats better debate though as all I am trying to say is it is all very personal why someone thinks their 80's Merc is better than someones 'new' car or someones 'new' car is better than an 80's Merc, BM whatever. If a BA or a 25 year old Merc floats your boat ...... great!

[FGX-351]

Ferarri F40 for me, I love the over the top styling.

[galaxy xr8]

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

I think you have misread me. I didn't laugh at the bloke because of the car he drove,.

I think you have misread yourself Hulk, you say the above and you quote "I didn't laugh at the bloke because of the car he drove" Unquote, but yet the whole point of your thread is your topic, Quote "Are older but higher spec cars classy and cool to own or just embarrassing. Unquote.

So you are laughing at a person's choice of purchase which happen's to be different to your's.
Your the one that seem's to find it somewhat amussing and judge people on what they drive, maybe this said individual went home that night laughing about the chap that drove a XR8 but couldn't afford to buy an FPV, so in reality you yourself are driving around in a vehicle that is classed as a poor man's decision compared to the GT, maybe just maybe you were being ridiculed that night.

Or maybe was it because this chap had an inteligent conversation to another person that had some influence on you (being a Dr) and you felt left out ?, you felt 2nd rate ?, you didn't fit in at the table ?, they were discussing their passion and vehicles and you wern't involved in the topic ?.
Is this the case and you thought fit to embark on other's wisdom to make your judement better, a meaning of pleasing yourself ?.

[bingoTE50]

Hulk are you writing a book or thesis on the "Australian Car culture" ? Man ,you come up with some classics..

Are heated leather seats in European Cars contributing to infertility in Australia men ? This could be your next one ?

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

Give me 5 cars better?

I bought a 05 ba2 fairmont in absolutely mint original condition with 51000km on it for $11k a year ago.

Mint condition. Give me your 100 types of cars better for that price.

Don't give me clapped out high km cars, mint low km cars

I could give you mint, low km cars in the BA price range that are 20+ years old. But I guess that wont be acceptable, because they are old.


What Mercedes does this doctor own?

I could afford a brand new C-class if I really wanted to. Does that mean I can talk to the Dr about Mercedes since mine would be brand new?
Even if it was just one of the base 4 cylinder model.

By the way I would never ever buy a brand new C-class. Unless it was an AMG. But I couldn't afford that anyway.

[billy302]

What a load of old cobblers.
I like old cars, cars from the 50's and 60's.
Modern cars may be good to drive, but, older cars look good and some are even nice to drive.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

Give me 5 cars better?

I bought a 05 ba2 fairmont in absolutely mint original condition with 51000km on it for $11k a year ago.

Mint condition. Give me your 100 types of cars better for that price.

Don't give me clapped out high km cars, mint low km cars

Theres plenty, take your blinkers off. Not everyone wants a falcon and the world doesnt revolve around it.
As i said earlier, its about peoples needs as posted above, just because the XR8 is in your price range doesnt make it the best in the price range, hell i could have bought almost 2 BA XR8's for the same money i paid for my XR5 or i could have bought an FG XR8 for that matter, why didnt i? Because it didnt suit my needs. Its about what someone wants in a car, and just because what you have a is a good example (never seen it) doesnt mean its the best car for the money.

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

I too had a peugoet gti sold it for exactly this reason, as soon as you get a few km big costs to maintain. But good cars

Seems everytime someone has a car that contradicts your opinion, you've owned one to prove that its a crap car coincidence, i doubt it.

[GreenR]

deleted

[MITCHAY]

I really don't care much for older cars and would avoid like the plague but having said that I can appreciate a good example. I never really been into old cars.

I have an 8yr old one with 109,000kms and I think it is too old and will be trading up as soon as possible.

[JC]

Another quality thread from the Hulk.

Any car that a person buys, they do so for their own reasons. Not the same reasons as yours? That's lucky, otherwise there would be no second hand market, and no new market across different brands - we'd all be driving exactly the same car with exactly the same features etc.

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?

[2011G6E]

They've always said "Look at a new S-class Benz and you'll see what's going to be "normal" in ten years time", and they're pretty much right.

The things are bullet proof as well, and can be picked up for stupid prices now. You can get ones from the later eighties to early nineties with equipment levels that some cars still don't have today for good prices, and they always look cool.

[Gobes32]

Originally Posted by Ducati888

Looks like the IRS out of a VT Commodore

Very true, but the Merc does not go to it's normal ride height until you start it, due to the hydraulic suspension.

[drew`SEVNT5]

I feel dumber every time I read a post from one of the HULK's.

FWIW, I would take a older euro over a new/newer boganmobile 11 days of the week... If I had my time again, and it was 2006, I would have listened to my heart and my head and not my boss....

[Till_Lind]

I think the 90s was a golden era of motoring, so there will always be some classics from that time in my opinion. Practically most cars that BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Jaguar and Rover/MG made. Then there are the Australian classics we all know and love too...

[RAPID_BA]

Hope you all enjoyed the thread, just a bit of fun for us ford boys to debate. thread obviously came about due to my party experience with the doctor and that guy upnoting himself with his old mercedes that anyone at that party could easily own. im sure most of you see my point.

[SSD-85]

If I ever found myself purchasing an "older" eurotrash car, it would have to be a '98 750iL.

Just my 2c.