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Which classic car for New York City?
I'm kind of confused about what kind of car I want to buy and the manager for this discussion board suggested that I post my message here and that many of you would have useful thoughts - any and all would be appreciated!
I currently have a 1992 Lexus es300 which I'm planning to sell and just not sure what to replace it with. I live in Manhattan and park my car on the street. I work in New Jersey and commute about 20-30 minutes each way and I'd say 1/4 of the weekends I use the car to drive out of the city. I really like vintage cars (saw a Volvo 1800s recently that I really liked) - in general I like sporty, low to the ground cars, "sleek" cars - usually foreign. the old sl Mercedes is appealing to me. But, I do want to have at least back seats so that I could fit 4 (even if it may be a bit uncomfortable for the 2 in the back seat). Also, I'm not a car guy - don't really know anything about cars besides driving them...and I'm fairly busy, so having a car that doesn't break down all the time is very important to me. Lastly, I'm willing to spend anywhere from $5-10k up to $20-25k. The key is that I want a car that can make it through the snow, sun, and rain of the city streets and will be easy (and not too expensive) to maintain.
so...my key questions are:
1. do you think it makes sense having a vintage car at all given my circumstance (everyday car, low maintenance desire, etc...)
2. if it does make sense - what cars / models would you recommend I look into?
3. where would you recommend I look?
Appreciate any help you can offer!
-Tushar
I currently have a 1992 Lexus es300 which I'm planning to sell and just not sure what to replace it with. I live in Manhattan and park my car on the street. I work in New Jersey and commute about 20-30 minutes each way and I'd say 1/4 of the weekends I use the car to drive out of the city. I really like vintage cars (saw a Volvo 1800s recently that I really liked) - in general I like sporty, low to the ground cars, "sleek" cars - usually foreign. the old sl Mercedes is appealing to me. But, I do want to have at least back seats so that I could fit 4 (even if it may be a bit uncomfortable for the 2 in the back seat). Also, I'm not a car guy - don't really know anything about cars besides driving them...and I'm fairly busy, so having a car that doesn't break down all the time is very important to me. Lastly, I'm willing to spend anywhere from $5-10k up to $20-25k. The key is that I want a car that can make it through the snow, sun, and rain of the city streets and will be easy (and not too expensive) to maintain.
so...my key questions are:
1. do you think it makes sense having a vintage car at all given my circumstance (everyday car, low maintenance desire, etc...)
2. if it does make sense - what cars / models would you recommend I look into?
3. where would you recommend I look?
Appreciate any help you can offer!
-Tushar
0
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
1. Can live outdoors
2. Reliable enough for 4-season driving
3. Roomy enough for occasional back seat passengers
4. Budget up to $25K maximum, preferably less.
5. Somewhat sporty or at least fun to drive, also sporty-looking or at least distinctive.
Have I got that about right?
Okay, my suggestions:
1. Mazda RX-7
2. Volvo P1800 ES sport wagon but with a custom grill-guard
3. BMW 635 CSi sport coupe
4. Saab Turbo 3 door coupe, 16 valve (1986 on up I believe).
I eliminated all convertibles and all cars with tiny or no back seats, and all fussy and unreliable type cars.
I might think of more in a minute. Anyone else have any ideas?
That's probably not helpful.
The Saab might work 'cuz it has big black bumpers
which won't scratch (New Yorkers park by Braille).
BTW-they damaged the dainty bumper of my 124 Spider when I forgot what day of the week it was
and got towed. Got nowhere trying to claim damages.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
As a Saab 900 owner several times over, here are my thoughts about the 900 turbo:
1. they're roomy and versatile (fold the back seat and you have mini SUV cargo capacity)
2. they're relatively small and quite agile (great turning radius), so parking and city driving are easy
3. the aforementioned black bumpers are durable
4. they're cheap to buy; probably the nicest old-generation ('93 and before) 900 Turbo coupe you can find will cost about $10k; there are plenty around for less than $5k
5. they are RELIABLE, but can 'nickel and dime' you on other stuff (heat and a/c repairs, broken power window motors, etc.); this car is likely to be more 'labor intensive' than a same-vintage Lexus, for sure; avoid the automatic transmissions on these, they rob performance and gas mileage and are not very durable
6. they're fun to drive and very good in snow
7. if you find one you deem acceptable upon basic inspection, take it to a SAAB (not general, I can't emphasize this enough) mechanic and have him check it out thoroughly.
Another car to consider here might be a Mercedes 380/500/560SEC (1982-91, the big S-class coupe), though they're not terribly 'sporty', they are well-built, quick (the 500 and 560, anyway), nice looking and hold four in comfort. Prices vary from ~$6k for an OK 380 to about $20k for a 'gem' 560. Mercedes are not cheap to maintain, though, and I don't know how I'd feel about parking one on the street in Manhattan.
Sounds like you want something European? Though far from 'sleek', maybe a Volvo 240 Turbo (hard to find) or 850 Turbo would be a decent choice (neither even border on 'classic' at this point).
Or if four seats and Japanese you want, how bout a Supra Turbo (though the last-gen are still quite expensive)? Or a 300ZX 2+2?
Good luck, and keep us posted!
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Still, this would be first on my list too! Great cars that aren't expensive.
Great looking truck but nasty to drive in New York rush hour.
How about a Mustang? Also fun, great value, and expendable and easy to get dented parts replaced.
Only edge the Mazda has is that nobody steals Mazdas.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Know anything about 240z and 280z?
That's a good suggestion, a Nissan 280Z---like the early RX7, they are cheap and disposable. You could buy 3 for the price of one clean low mileage used Miata, and they are a bigger and sturdier (body wise) car. A 260Z is troublesome, and a 240Z is really too nice a car to sacrifice on the bloody altar of NYC.
Also a 300ZX is a possibility. Very attractive, fast car and pretty trouble-free.
The apex seals cause no problems unless the car gets overheated...sooooo, make sure your cooling system is in good condition.
They like clean oil and they will burn a quart every 1000 miles or so. This is normal.
And for the size of that tiny engine, they are extremely fast even without turbos.
3rd generation? In my opinion they went way overboard and lost their market.
Others will disagree....
Yes, I agree, most people do misunderstand the early RX7s. They are a drop dead bargain right now. All they need is just some normal maintenance, clean oil and as Isell says, never, ever overheat one.
1982-87 Audi Coupe GT or 1990-91 Coupe Quattro
Any BMW 3-Series coupe 1988-up
1986-88 VW Scirocco 16V or 1990-94 Corrado
'90s Alfa Spiders?
1993-up Camaros
On the plus side, I'd guess the maintenance wouldn't be too bad.
Uh-uh. The frames are steel and they can rust badly, basically rendering the car useless.
NYC isn't quite the Gaza strip. I think any number of decent cars can survive there but don't expect them to remain cosmetically attractive.
This is why I suggest disposable cars like Japanese ones or old German sedans or yes, even Alfa Spiders. These are not going to be valuable so no need to worry about them, presuming you are insured of course.
Reliability may be a problem, but the repairs should be cheap.
Take it from one who's been there, done that.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
My only experience with the streets of New York was a taxi ride on two wheels to the airport.
I just looked up the length of an Eldo in an old used car guide I have from that era. It only covers the '77-78 Eldos, which were all closed coupes by that time, however, I'm sure the '76 was the same length. 126.3" wheelbase, 224.1" long, overall. Funny though, but as much as the Eldo gets picked on for its mammoth size, it was relatively small compared to some other cars back then. It does have the distinction of being the heaviest FWD car ever produced though, so maybe that may be where some of the ridicule comes from.
Anyway, here's something that shocked me, unless this is a misprint. The sister Olds Toronado back then rode a shorter 122" wb (I knew that), but is actually LONGER, at 227.6"! Not that 3-4 inches makes much difference when you get to sizes like that, though. The longest car listed in this book, which spans 1977-86 cars, is the Lincoln Continental 2- and 4-door sedan (Not the Mark V coupe)...233". The Mark is close though, at 230.3"! The biggest thing Chrylser could muster up by that time was 225", from the Newport/New Yorker in '77-78.
These cars may be great for pushing obstacles out of the way, but I'd forget about parallel parking in a big city if you want to leave surrounding cars unscathed!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1826509795&r=0&t=0
My suggestion of an Eldorado was made partly in jest, given the car's enormous size and the limited parking space available.
We are all just throwing ideas around - take it easy.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
Another suggestion is an Alfa Romeo 164 (if you can find one, they were rathe good in their last few years here) or an Alfa Spider. Spiders are actually reasonably reliable, not especially though. I would recommend one of the RX-7 convertibles, or an Audi cabriolet if you can find one.
You can't lock a convertible as the thieves will just cut the top to get inside, adding insult to injury.
While it's true that thieves can get into any vehicle, convertibles are especially tempting for them, in my experience, and a new window or lock is cheaper than buying a top.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93