Project Cars--You Get to Vote on "Hold 'em or Fold 'em"

ab348

I remember hearing that the 1st-gen Ford Edge ate rear brakes every 5000 miles or so.

qbrozen

Mr_Shiftright said:

If you're cooking weapons-grade Brembos, you are doing something wrong.

Or something very right. ;b

bhill2

fintail said:

Yes, W140. I think the W220 that replaced it is a bit softer, and if you want iffy design, find the 00s era Maybach. And the W126 was timeless and elegant compared to them both. I think W126 is probably the pinnacle, mixing tech and design.

Ouch. You’re right Fin. Our lovely and incredibly reliable 380SE suffered an undeserved death in the Santa Rosa CA fires. I am in deep mourning.

Mr_Shiftright

qbrozen said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

If you're cooking weapons-grade Brembos, you are doing something wrong.

Or something very right. ;b



you'll never win a race that way though.

fintail

Aaw damn, that's terrible. Going to be hard to replace something like that, I know you had it for years, and there are only so many truly nice ones out there anymore. Dealing with insurance will be a hassle too, no doubt. Good luck.

Here's a car for you, early 500SEL, high option car, low mileage (I believe around 10K miles), this is at the MB "All Time Stars" classic center at the museum, where they sell old cars. Take a look at the price. This car is deemed by them to be virtually perfect, and I think has a warranty, but you pay for it:

bhill2 said:

Ouch. You’re right Fin. Our lovely and incredibly reliable 380SE suffered an undeserved death in the Santa Rosa CA fires. I am in deep mourning.

xwesx

bhill2 said:

fintail said:

Yes, W140. I think the W220 that replaced it is a bit softer, and if you want iffy design, find the 00s era Maybach. And the W126 was timeless and elegant compared to them both. I think W126 is probably the pinnacle, mixing tech and design.

Ouch. You’re right Fin. Our lovely and incredibly reliable 380SE suffered an undeserved death in the Santa Rosa CA fires. I am in deep mourning.

Well, glad that you made it through! Condolences for you losses.

xwesx

fintail said:

Take a look at the price. This car is deemed by them to be virtually perfect, and I think has a warranty, but you pay for it:

Is that $53.4K Euros?! Ouch....

fintail

Yep, so roughly 60K USD. Of course, that includes fairly hefty taxes. Not sure how much room exists for negotiation.

The price you pay for probably one of the best survivors, offered by one of the most credible sellers in the world.

xwesx said:

Is that $53.4K Euros?! Ouch....

xwesx

fintail said:

Yep, so roughly 60K USD. Of course, that includes fairly hefty taxes. Not sure how much room exists for negotiation.

The price you pay for probably one of the best survivors, offered by one of the most credible sellers in the world.

xwesx said:

Is that $53.4K Euros?! Ouch....

I think I would rather just look at it there.

Mr_Shiftright

Here's one for $53,000 less. I bet for the $53K you saved you could fix a few things:

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/mercedes-benz/500sel/2032154.html

Mr_Shiftright

bhill2 said:

fintail said:

Yes, W140. I think the W220 that replaced it is a bit softer, and if you want iffy design, find the 00s era Maybach. And the W126 was timeless and elegant compared to them both. I think W126 is probably the pinnacle, mixing tech and design.

Ouch. You’re right Fin. Our lovely and incredibly reliable 380SE suffered an undeserved death in the Santa Rosa CA fires. I am in deep mourning.

Lotsa cars burned up there. My friend lost a rather pristine BMW Z3--original owner!

qbrozen

Mr_Shiftright said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

If you're cooking weapons-grade Brembos, you are doing something wrong.

Or something very right. ;b

you'll never win a race that way though.

You could if it was a short race. Even in a long one, you would probably be winning until you hit the wall.

Mr_Shiftright

Well yes, there's that. I think it was Dan Gurney who said: "If your car is under control, you aren't going fast enough".

fintail

For a driver, that one is a definite better value. Interior looks well preserved. The low miles MB Classic Center one will likely never see regular use. It might not be an exciting old car in the US, but I think people in Europe are into it, and a time warp car is attractive to people.

Here's another 126 from the same seller. This one a 280SE - an I6, not a top model, low mileage but not as perfect as the 500SEL, yet the price is dear:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Here's one for $53,000 less. I bet for the $53K you saved you could fix a few things:

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/mercedes-benz/500sel/2032154.html

Mr_Shiftright

Perhaps to the Germans this really responds to both heritage and culture. To me, it's just a big old nice used car.

fintail

I think for MB fanatics, it might represent the pinnacle of the brand, especially relative to the competition. Nothing compared back in the day, and they are still nice cars.

Mr_Shiftright

Oh, not to disparage them for what they are, but they are 4-doors, pretty common. You know, a nice ride that I hope people would just buy and use. I think paying those high prices for them is foolish, if investment is your game.

bhill2

Mr_Shiftright said:

Here's one for $53,000 less. I bet for the $53K you saved you could fix a few things: https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/mercedes-benz/500sel/2032154.html

Oh Lord, it’s the same color as my late one. And hey; it has 150K fewer miles, so probably will give good service for a while. Thanks to Fin and xwrsx for the sympathies. 

Mr_Shiftright

A Bucketload of California Classics !

Cheap? You want cheap?


Parts are readily available---just not in America



A total hit @ cars & coffee


Is This a Threat or a Promise?


Look Rich for Cheap


Hooptie on a Budget


Winter Project, doesn't look too bad

bhill2

Mr_Shiftright said:

Yes, W140. I think the W220 that replaced it is a bit softer, and if you want iffy design, find the 00s era Maybach. And the W126 was timeless and elegant compared to them both. I think W126 is probably the pinnacle, mixing tech and design.

Ouch. You’re right Fin. Our lovely and incredibly reliable 380SE suffered an undeserved death in the Santa Rosa CA fires. I am in deep mourning.

Lotsa cars burned up there. My friend lost a rather pristine BMW Z3--original owner!

Yup, quite a few treasures lost in garages of SR. I also lost a gorgeous original owner (me [OK, my wife]) Jag XK8. 

tjc78

Out of all of them... the Crown Vic would keep you on the road while still keeping your house! 

Mr_Shiftright

What about that blob of a Chevy? Didn't they use those as police cars for awhile?

qbrozen

"The ultimate tailgating party truck!"

As long as your idea of a party consists of nothing more than a 6-pack and a bag of doritos. 

explorerx4

I thought the 96 Caprice's have the rounded rear wheel wells?
Wonder what would happen if you put the max 900 lbs in the 'Mighty boy'?

tjc78

@explorerx4  Your are correct that Caprice is not a 96.  It’s a 91 or 92

@Mr_Shiftright
Yeah they were good cars too, the “9C1” was the equivalent to the Ford police Vic’s (P71)

fintail

If investment was the game, there would be almost no surviving fintails, pontons, etc

Mr_Shiftright said:

Oh, not to disparage them for what they are, but they are 4-doors, pretty common. You know, a nice ride that I hope people would just buy and use. I think paying those high prices for them is foolish, if investment is your game.

Mr_Shiftright

Older Benzes, unlike many "old cars" are really nice to drive around and are quite durable. So your investment is in "use" and in "fun".

Adjusted for inflation, an 80s Benz sedan will never be worth more than you paid for it.

If I took the price I paid for my 220S fintail, which was a pretty nice car, and projected that to 2017, I'd have $10,000----which is about what you'd pay for a decent fintail today.

So, yeah, breaking even and getting use out of something---that's smart. Paying 6X what it's worth---not so smart but you know what they say--"it's your money to do with as you wish".

Appraisers and auctioneers have a polite way of consoling people who paid way too much:

"You're somewhat ahead of the market on that purchase".

Mr_Shiftright

THE DELUSIONAL DERBY, CALIFORNIA STYLE:

Oops! Lost a decimal point somewhere

I Dunno...Something odd about that engine

Easy Project, Says He'll Take Gold Silver or Precious Stones

Needs a Good Detailing

isellhondas

Mr_Shiftright said:

What about that blob of a Chevy? Didn't they use those as police cars for awhile?

Seattle P.D. used a few of those ugly Chevys and complained that they had lousy brakes!

fintail

The Modena replica is indeed the type used in Ferris Bueller. Cool thing for an 80s movie fan, don't know about that price.

I am leery of sellers who won't spell out "before".

Truck ad is funny - needs interior, and exterior, and mechanical work - what else is there? The bearded hipster set should be all over the "patina".

fintail

That's how to look at it, these are hobby cars, leisure objects, not appliances, not investments.

The same could apply to a 126 to the right person. Diehard traditionalist fans would see it. Not many of them out there willing to spend the money, but not many perfect time capsule cars sold by the factory, either.

Mr_Shiftright said:

Older Benzes, unlike many "old cars" are really nice to drive around and are quite durable. So your investment is in "use" and in "fun".

Adjusted for inflation, an 80s Benz sedan will never be worth more than you paid for it.

If I took the price I paid for my 220S fintail, which was a pretty nice car, and projected that to 2017, I'd have $10,000----which is about what you'd pay for a decent fintail today.

So, yeah, breaking even and getting use out of something---that's smart. Paying 6X what it's worth---not so smart but you know what they say--"it's your money to do with as you wish".

Appraisers and auctioneers have a polite way of consoling people who paid way too much:

"You're somewhat ahead of the market on that purchase".

Mr_Shiftright

fintail said:

That's how to look at it, these are hobby cars, leisure objects, not appliances, not investments.

The same could apply to a 126 to the right person. Diehard traditionalist fans would see it. Not many of them out there willing to spend the money, but not many perfect time capsule cars sold by the factory, either.

Mr_Shiftright said:

Older Benzes, unlike many "old cars" are really nice to drive around and are quite durable. So your investment is in "use" and in "fun".

Adjusted for inflation, an 80s Benz sedan will never be worth more than you paid for it.

If I took the price I paid for my 220S fintail, which was a pretty nice car, and projected that to 2017, I'd have $10,000----which is about what you'd pay for a decent fintail today.

So, yeah, breaking even and getting use out of something---that's smart. Paying 6X what it's worth---not so smart but you know what they say--"it's your money to do with as you wish".

Appraisers and auctioneers have a polite way of consoling people who paid way too much:

"You're somewhat ahead of the market on that purchase".

For $60K, instead of a frumpy old Benz sedan, I could buy an 80s Ferrari drop-top, a vintage motorcycle, and a Caribbean cruise for 2.

fintail

Yeah, a Mondial, cool if you are a "Weird Science" re-enactor anyway

Mind you, that's 60K asking price in Europe, for someone who will use it as a yearly show trophy queen. Different buyer. Ir'd be half that in the US, and would sell to the same type of person.

Mr_Shiftright said:

For $60K, instead of a frumpy old Benz sedan, I could buy an 80s Ferrari drop-top, a vintage motorcycle, and a Caribbean cruise for 2.

Mr_Shiftright

I just can't imagine it. Too new to be interesting, too old to be exciting. The Twilight Zone.

fintail

These are 30-35 year old cars now, not old looking, but they are getting old, and are interesting to the right group.
I have the same issue, cars that I can remember when they were new shouldn't be "old"

explorerx4

That Modena is seems to be sort of a F(ord)rrari.
I'm going to have to look up 'Tribute', it seems to have a different meaning than I thought it did.

Mr_Shiftright

Tribute generally means "building an exact copy of a real car with another real car". So I don't think the term "tribute" is accurate in the case of this Forderarri. The term "fake" comes to mind.

stickguy

Xaq KM

stickguy

that last comment was thanks to the dog who decided to climb his 70 pounds into my lab and start smacking the keyboard of the laptop.

Oh, I like that Modena. If it is well built and sorted. Not at that price, but would love to have one.

Mr_Shiftright

Certainly easier to maintain!

Mr_Shiftright

fintail said:

These are 30-35 year old cars now, not old looking, but they are getting old, and are interesting to the right group.
I have the same issue, cars that I can remember when they were new shouldn't be "old"

I tend to look at cars as an appraiser might.

So let's say you were a real estate appraiser in Seattle. and on this one block were 5 basically identical houses that all sold at the same time. The selling prices were:

House #1 -- $542,500
House #2 -- $545,000
House #3 -- $519,000
House #4 -- $3, 225,000
House #5 -- $ 535,000

What kind of rational statement can we make about House #4? Nicer paint? Had a swimming pool out back? Furnished?

Simply put--it's a screaming outlier and makes no market sense.

fintail

I look at it more like two neighboring towns where an identical house is 2-3x as much in one as the other. There's a demographic or emotional issue at play.

Here's another bargain from the All Time Stars - of course, this is a very low miles as-new car, but it wouldn't carry such a price here:

qbrozen

What do you think, shifty? Appreciating modern collectible?
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/717190371/overview?aff=share_other

stickguy

I like it. My wife would hate that interior though. She really does not like red seats.

ab348

Red interiors beat black interiors 10 times out of 10.

isellhondas

ab348 said:

Red interiors beat black interiors 10 times out of 10.

Except on certain cars red interiors are saleproof!

tjc78

I was surprised to see that he new Camry can be had with red inside.  

What is next?  Nice blue interiors ?  Maybe people do want a choice other than beige, grey or black 

texases

Yes, I'm surprised, too. My brother likes his new Camry (no red interior, though). Hope this posts:

Mr_Shiftright

qbrozen said:

What do you think, shifty? Appreciating modern collectible?
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/717190371/overview?aff=share_other

I don't think so. Values seem to have actually dropped the past few years. Not sure why, but perhaps because it is a C4, and also because parts for the ZR-1 are extremely difficult to find.

I would say "buy it and drive it". Value Trend? Stagnant.

berri

Didn't GM kind of bring back that red interior stuff for sporty cars? Although their brown and red mix isn't nearly as bold or bright in nature. For me, if I was going that way, the GM design would be more appealing. But I'm probably more conservative in design preferences.