We had a red TR at the dealer I worked at. Moving it around was a challenge: no power steering, no visibility, very wide and difficult to maneuver. I haven't driven one in the wild though, it's probably a fun experience with a flat 12 , rwd, and no traction control. :surprise:
Very few. Low production and I bet many were neglected. I'd love to have one though. When I was maybe 12 years old, something like that was a real dream car.
I recall another episode where Al would take luxury cars for an extended test drive. In the beginning of the episode, you saw him at the light in a Mercedes S-Class. Later on in the episode, he had a Lincoln Town Car.
Just like you can see many 90s imports nowadays with mismatched and cracked body kits, mismatched wheels, tacky glued on accessories, etc...
When import tuning was all the rage in the 90s I knew that in 15-20 years we will be seeing neglected "import projects" like this, in the same way that in the early 90s you could see many neglected "project" american cars like 70s and 80s Camaros, Mustangs, etc.. with bondo, miscolored body panels, etc....
However with these Benzes I can imagine they're neglected but you see very few on the road (I'm talking about the wide body kit models) as they're most likely sitting in people's garages hiding.
When I lived in my old neighborhood, there was a lady with a metallic green wide-body C-Class that was all blinged out with chrome and gold-plated add-on trim. It was about the tackiest Mercedes I have ever seen. Fintail would shudder if he'd have seen it! :P
Those custom cars will suffer a different neglect. They sold to people so wealthy, when they were tired of the car they didn't sell them on, just relegated them to a dusty corner of the compound. So, many cars might still be intact today, just need to be reconditioned to get back on the road.
Here's an AMG SEC that comes to the local MB show each year, and gets some attention. Not a widebody, but still a period style:
my neighbor had a 4 door Focus and a new Escape parked in his driveway one after the other. Both silver. From a house down, I was surprised by how alike they looked. Seemed to have the identical taillights, and the shape was very close. Pretty much the escape did look just like a a Focus wagon that sat a little high!
I think it has really exploded in the past 5 years - more of that inflation the powers that be don't want to admit. Still amazes me that a 3er can hit 60K these days, that 5ers and Es can get to 80K.
A loaded Escalade here in Canada is pushing close to $110k, which I think is a bit outrageous for basically a dressed up Chevy frame and powertrain with a SUV body, 3 bench seats, and some leather and wood trim.
I'd blow that on a G if I were looking for the most capable SUV out there.
Not a Range Rover though. I see the last gen 2004 and up models for $5-$10k at the auction, with the usualy saggy suspension, dashboard lit up like a christmas tree, and half the electronics not working :lemon:
Capable yes, but for less than the price of either the Gangsta's School Bus or a RR, I go right for a Mercedes GL which is quicker, tows more, gets better mileage (even in petrol form) and costs less. Then there's that diesel... :shades:
Mercedes also nailed it with the styling as well IMO.
The Gelandewagon is cool but I think the old Oxcart suspension might be tiring for me and the thing has the aerodynamics of a brick
The GL is actually quite spacious. Our friends had one and when we were on holidays, after checking in to a hotel we were able to explore our vacation destination in their GL, with 4 of us adults, and our 2 kids in baby seats, plus 2 strollers and other baby stuff.
The only thing he had to replace was the tranny but since it was under warranty it saved him about $7k :surprise:
I hardly hear of Mercedes trannies going South, at least not until they get into the higher miles. My wifes business partner had one of the first CLS's and he replaced his about 130k but he is a pretty aggressive driver as well.
If I had a big family and I needed a hauler, (and had theat kind of coin to spend ) the GL320 would be it.
I saw a 5 series GT on the road a few days ago coming towards me and it's an akward looking beast. My buddy who has the CLS said he sat in it and loves it and would buy one if it was cheap enough (he's 6'3" and like 230+lbs) so maybe it's spacious for his size, but I can't get used to the looks from any angle on that car.
The one here is a 550i, high options, and I am certain it could be had for under 40K now. Probably a lot of car for the money, if one can get over the bizarre looks.
Although I expect to get flamed, I don't really have a big issue with the 5GT. If it remains unwanted and depreciates enough, I could be convinced. First choice? No, but if the deal was really good, and it had xDrive...
23 Civic Type-R / 22 MDX Type-S / 21 Tesla Y LR / 03 Montero Ltd
2 doors down. Noticed it in the neighbors driveway when I walked my dog tonight. no front plate yet.
This AM their old (I think gen 1, maybe 2) CRV was still there. So I am guessing that the dad upgraded to new wheels (the mom has a pilot for toting around the 3 kids).
They broke up the run of 4 straight multiple Honda (if you count my fleet of Acuras). In between us is another CRV/Pilot combo, and the other side of them is a Pilot/Accord.
Someone in my building has a new trunkback Impreza. Not a bad choice.
Saw a number of new Audis as I used the car wash located alongside the local dealer (free perk with the new car) - they don't really make me drool, aside from the A7.
I agree, the A7 is stunning. The others are nice too but they look like they've changed very little from the mid 90s to now even though they went through several complete redesigns.
Does the Impreza have the CVT? I've liked the Legacy's I've rented lately except for the transmission.
I love the A4 from a styling perspective but don't understand why they sell so well. My partner has one and it's underwhelming to say the least. Nyccarguy mentioned that his wife drives the 328xi every chance she gets, that's how a car should be. I only drive the A4 if it's the logical choice based on how the cars are parked in the driveway.
The A4 especially makes me kind of yawn, and even the A6 and A8 don't appeal to me like the competition. Like the A8 rental I had in Germany - superfancy car, but no emotional stigma - where if I had a comparably equipped S or 7er, I might be more excited. Maybe it's my own bias, but maybe not.
Oh, just saw an X1 apparently out for a test drive, had the dangly temp dealer plate stuck to the back.
Comments
We had a red TR at the dealer I worked at. Moving it around was a challenge: no power steering, no visibility, very wide and difficult to maneuver. I haven't driven one in the wild though, it's probably a fun experience with a flat 12 , rwd, and no traction control. :surprise:
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Probably better off to find a custom C126 with cheese grater rear quarter trim.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
When import tuning was all the rage in the 90s I knew that in 15-20 years we will be seeing neglected "import projects" like this, in the same way that in the early 90s you could see many neglected "project" american cars like 70s and 80s Camaros, Mustangs, etc.. with bondo, miscolored body panels, etc....
However with these Benzes I can imagine they're neglected but you see very few on the road (I'm talking about the wide body kit models) as they're most likely sitting in people's garages hiding.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Here's an AMG SEC that comes to the local MB show each year, and gets some attention. Not a widebody, but still a period style:
The constant references to the German cars of the Rhoads/D'Arcys were also funny.
So Al did have some class!
Ed O'Neill drove a LTC in the movie Dutch as well, if anyone even remembers that movie.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
my neighbor had a 4 door Focus and a new Escape parked in his driveway one after the other. Both silver. From a house down, I was surprised by how alike they looked. Seemed to have the identical taillights, and the shape was very close. Pretty much the escape did look just like a a Focus wagon that sat a little high!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
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Lots of examples of that.
At that level prices have shifted upward about $20 grand over the past decade. Scary.
Speechless.
Also another new Range Rover, this one in Triple Black.
Base model Mazda6, couple of new Altimas, a new Fusion (which is surprisingly rare find) and a Hyundai Equus.
Not quite $90K. They ESV Platinum with every option ticked (ok - wheel locks are the only option) is $86K.
For comparison:
Navigator L $70K
Lexus LX570 $92K
The various Range Rover models start at $83K to $130K. The Autobiography model tops out at $139K!!
Escalade price
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
I notice the Canadian equivalent to my new car is about 10K more - but Canadian models have standard leather.
Surprisingly small economy cars are priced about the same now as in the US, it's just the luxury cars that are priced more.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Not a Range Rover though. I see the last gen 2004 and up models for $5-$10k at the auction, with the usualy saggy suspension, dashboard lit up like a christmas tree, and half the electronics not working :lemon:
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Mercedes also nailed it with the styling as well IMO.
The Gelandewagon is cool but I think the old Oxcart suspension might be tiring for me and the thing has the aerodynamics of a brick
The only thing he had to replace was the tranny but since it was under warranty it saved him about $7k :surprise:
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
I hardly hear of Mercedes trannies going South, at least not until they get into the higher miles. My wifes business partner had one of the first CLS's and he replaced his about 130k but he is a pretty aggressive driver as well.
If I had a big family and I needed a hauler, (and had theat kind of coin to spend ) the GL320 would be it.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Range Rovers are dangerous. The pre-03 are becoming extinct already, along with early Discos.
And not new, but the 5er GT that's been sitting at a higher line used lot is still there - maybe 3 months now? I am kind of feeling sorry for it.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
23 Civic Type-R / 22 MDX Type-S / 21 Tesla Y LR / 03 Montero Ltd
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
This AM their old (I think gen 1, maybe 2) CRV was still there. So I am guessing that the dad upgraded to new wheels (the mom has a pilot for toting around the 3 kids).
They broke up the run of 4 straight multiple Honda (if you count my fleet of Acuras). In between us is another CRV/Pilot combo, and the other side of them is a Pilot/Accord.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Then, right next door to that new Accord I saw recently, a new Civic. Probably jealous and had to get a new Honda as well.
First of the new Civics I've seen up close, nice face lift at the front.
Saw a number of new Audis as I used the car wash located alongside the local dealer (free perk with the new car) - they don't really make me drool, aside from the A7.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
I love the A4 from a styling perspective but don't understand why they sell so well. My partner has one and it's underwhelming to say the least. Nyccarguy mentioned that his wife drives the 328xi every chance she gets, that's how a car should be. I only drive the A4 if it's the logical choice based on how the cars are parked in the driveway.
Oh, just saw an X1 apparently out for a test drive, had the dangly temp dealer plate stuck to the back.
Another Audi issue is that the published lease rates seem to be a lot higher than the other Germans.