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

[RAPID_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?

[Yellow_Festiva]

Depends. Some older cars still look the part as well as being very safe. I was toying with buying a Jag XK8 coupe once, $180K car now around 40-50K.

Didn't in the end because I had to pay for a wedding as well as go from a house to a unit and it wouldn't fit in the garage with the other car. Bought a Fiat Coupe instead for 10K.

Anyway. Buying the car as you suggested is for people who perhaps wanted it, dreamed of owning it but could never afford one new. The only worry is repairs and running costs. As for the coolness factor?? Not too sure to be honest. Cool to the owner for sure, but to others?? Well a person who knows cars will know it's X years old, to the rest it's a nice looking prestige car.

Who knows... in 10 years I may very well have a Bently Continental in the garage.. I love the look of a big powerful prestige coupe but won't be buying one any time soon!

[Chopped]

I would love a BMW 635CSI but lack the room to park it.

Some old cars will always be cool (some never were!).

[Ben73]

I think they are pretty cool, As long as you don't go around acting like you are rich because your car was worth 200K new. Even though you paid 30k for it.

I'd love an old BMW 840ci. It was over 200K new, but can be pick up for 20k these days.
Not sure about reliability. Apparently they cost massive amounts to repair.

[GT0132]

Originally Posted by Chopped

I would love a BMW 635CSI but lack the room to park it.

Some old cars will always be cool (some never were!).

either that or the 850iL very nice

[EFFalcon]

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

[Ibrox90]

Really hulk.........really???

ok I'll bite, It's the same as anything else, it's a matter of opinion, I grew up in the UK, So I find Audi's, Merc, BMW's, porsche and even Aston Martins boring and some what common. Yet here in Australia they cost and arm and a leg and are notoriously expensive to own and fix.

and as EFFalcon said, Its your choice, For example I have a BA XR8 and some guy in his EL XR8 might want my car thinking his is crap. Without realising ID LOVE AN EL XR8.

Different people consider different things desirable, when everyone finds it desirable then you have Value.

For example everyone would love a coupe, I'd Like one but I i had to choose between an XC Coupe and a Triumph Dolomite Sprint I'd take the sprint because I think its cool.

Triumph dolly: $4000

Coupe: 20k +

all a matter of your preferance as to whats cool

When I had my Chrysler Sigma I thought it was a crap run around, only to get thumbs up from the Jap import crews

[SteveJH]

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

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

And some people buy them new and keep them for 10 years because they like the car and there is nothing wrong with it.

As for your question, I'd say it depends on the car. Old Merc's just look dated, old 911's look 'classic'.

[irish2]

Had a guy tell me his BMW **** on my old 'stang, sight unseen. Well when we got out to the carpark he had this clapped out 80's 3 series. Needless to say it was good for a laugh.

[SteveJH]

Originally Posted by irish2

Had a guy tell me his BMW **** on my old 'stang, sight unseen. Well when we got out to the carpark he had this clapped out 80's 3 series. Needless to say it was good for a laugh.

But until you saw it, it could have been an original model M3. Possibly even with a bit of "work" done on it.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by GT0132

either that or the 850iL very nice

Damn right, looked awesome then, still look awesome now.

[b0son]

friend of mine has a V12 Toyota Century. when you see it, you think Yakuza

[irish2]

Originally Posted by SteveJH

But until you saw it, it could have been an original model M3. Possibly even with a bit of "work" done on it.

He meant it attracted more attention as it was a luxury car. Even if he did mean performance, a modded 80's M3 would be hard pressed.

[GreenR]

Completely personal choice. New is not always better.

[Autolite]

Hey HULK BA, I did exactly what you are saying.I purchased a 2000 CLK 320 because I have always loved this coupe and they still look good compared to todays cars. I dont give a damn what anyone else thinks. I could have purchased a number of newer cars but this is what I wanted. Does that make me pretentious or a laughing stock? Maybe the un-educated may think so.

[blueoval]

I love the older shaped Audi A4's and A6's. (about 2004-2005 models) They still look dam nice to me even though they are older. I remember when I first saw them, I thought I could never afford one. Now that they are older, and hence getting cheaper, I am considering one hopefully next year.

In the end, I am tired of buying cars that my mates thought were cool. We all tend to fall towards peer pressure of the 'what other people think are cool cars' category, and end up buying something that others like rather than yourself.

It's only that I am older now, that I want to by something that I like and enjoy rather than what other's consider 'worthy' etc.

[Franco Cozzo]

I wouldn't mind a mid-late 90s 7 series BMW, 740/750IL.

[atec77]

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?

Old Euros are cool , I own several of them in various stages of drivability and thats the rub , being very expensive when new doesn't mean they last any longer without maintenance , although the M3 when it's back on the road wll be a sleeper extreme

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

I wouldn't mind a mid-late 90s 7 series BMW, 740/750IL.

I love them. I was seriously considering buying one couple of months ago.


But it seams nearly all e38's have over 200,000kms on them which is a bit of a turn off for me.

[GT0132]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Damn right, looked awesome then, still look awesome now.

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.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Ben73

I love them. I was seriously considering buying one couple of months ago.


But it seams nearly all e38's have over 200,000kms on them which is a bit of a turn off for me.

The thing that turns me off big time is all the electrics, I'm an apprentice auto electrician, but damn, imagine something going wrong on that.

Circuits would be extremely complex, a metric assload of wires everywhere, eleventy billion sensors, 20 year old electrics etc.

[KPCresta]

HULK you cant judge a car just by its age. I recently purchased a 2000 model Lexus LS400. I got it for 22K and yes they retail for 150K.

Though I purchased it of the second owner who was a wealthy self-employed man and he had it since it was 4 years old. It is in exceptional condition both inside and out for its age.

It is also the smoothest and most luxurious car I have ever driven. At work we have a few upmarket company cars (VE Caprice / Statesman / FG G6E) and the ride quality and NVH levels are around the same.

For my price range of around 25K max I believe I made the right decision. As it is just essentially a re-badged Toyota reliability is second to none.

I would think twice about purchasing a 10 year old Audi / BMW / Mercedes though as parts are notoriously expensive and you wouldnt have much of a choice when it comes to choosing someone to service and repair them.

In around 3 years time I will decide to purchase either an FG F6 of FG GT. I love both cars. I predominantly am a fan of jap imports though I do have a soft spot for the 'Blue Oval'. The new 'coyote' GT is an absolute animal. Amazing how just a tune and cat back exhaust achieves easy 11 second 1/4's.

[irish2]

Originally Posted by KPCresta

Posts 1

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

[4.0i OHC]

After seeing a BMW 8 series (in white! when walking home today, it looked as impressive as it did in the days when I was drooling over them as a seven year old. Despite being approximately 15 years old now, it certainly appeared much more impressive than your standard base 3 series.

To use an example related to Fords, take a look at the AU Fairlane, and compare that with the FG XR6. You may think differently, I know which vehicle I'd be more proud to own, and it'd be the one with the luxurious interior and hectare of rear seat room.

In my opinion, most older high end cars appear classier than their newer lower-end counterparts.

I realise that there are many that will disagree with me, usually those that aren't particularly into cars.

[RAPID_BA]

I went to a party and there was a doctor who was chatting away sitting at a table. One guy noticed his mercedes keyring on the table and asked about his car. The guy said he also owned a mercedes and they would chat about their cars for a good hour. He thought he was on the same level as the doctor and above others at the party.

At the end of the night I saw the doctor get into a brand new mercedes and left, fantastic car. Then the other guy jumps into his big square mid 80s mercedes.

I seriously burst into laughter when I saw himm get in it. Talking like a big timer with the doctor. Maybe in 15 years time when the doctors car is 3-4 owners down the track he might pick it up. He thought he was king with his old mercedes.

Another time, my mate is a dealer principal and a guy was trying to trade in an early 90s mercedes. My mate wouldn't commit to a price and advised him politely to sell it privately. That guy was thinking around the 15-20k mark. My mate later told me he wouldn't pay $1000 for it.

[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

[Ben73]

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.

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.

[Jim Goose]

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?

What can one say?
Seriously?
So your saying someone with an "upmarket" car older then 10yrs is lame?
Gee wizz im sorry we all cant afford to keep throwing our old mercedes away once the warranty runs out and get the latest model...

[GreenR]

Originally Posted by HULK_BA

At the end of the night I saw the doctor get into a brand new mercedes and left, fantastic car. Then the other guy jumps into his big square mid 80s mercedes.

I seriously burst into laughter when I saw himm get in it. Talking like a big timer with the doctor.

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.

[fordnuttz]

It can be quite clever as what you are doing is letting someone else pay for the depreciation (which is ridiculous) and then get to enjoy a $150 000 car for a third or less of the price. Seems smart to me unless they are notoriously unreliable