Cars We Drive!

[Thrift Vader]

Well, it's about time for an update on the Darkness.

The body is ready to go back in the booth, for touch ups and more clear coat. Parts need sanding down, and then the lower half of the 2-tone painted.

Looks amazing up close. Stay tuned. A week from completion.

 

[Coldsnap]

What is that @Thrift Vader ? Maybe I'm just not seeing it, sort of looks like a crown vic sort of looks like a 2000s impala. But someone put the steering wheel on the wrong side and I'm confused..

 

[Thrift Vader]

Why? Cost of maintenance? I like owning cars for a long time and paying it off. Is that old school thinking?

pffffft..... Paying off?
I pay cash upfront. is that old school thinking?
German cars are inferior. simple. paying more money for an inferior car does make one "dumb".

How does the cost of maintenance discussion come about? - inferior engineering,and/or quality.

@ridethecliche bore it, forged pistons, better valve springs, and have the valves seated. you are pushing boost. in an old engine.regardless of your turbo, etc..
build the engine future proof. as cheap as possible.
universal known things apply to Miata's too......

 

[Thrift Vader]

What is that @Thrift Vader ? Maybe I'm just not seeing it, sort of looks like a crown vic sort of looks like a 2000s impala. But someone put the steering wheel on the wrong side and I'm confused..

it's "The Darkness"
A Toyota Celsior ucf20 ,also known as a Lexus LS400.
powered by the legendary quad cam,32 valve, six bolt main,factory detuned 1uzfe Toyota V8.

upfront i paid $1,200. now a bit more...

 

[jbarwick]

Someone talk me out of buying a 10 year old Bentley.

Buy it, drive it, complain about repair costs. A 10 year old Bentley would put it around 06-08 depending on model year so it would be worth looking into how long that platform has been around. If it is the first of a model refresh, it could have quite a few issues but if it is towards the end of its model life, the bugs could have been worked out though it is a VW at heart.

Repairs and upkeep just seem like such a ***** on those.

Doug Demuro had an interesting recent article on Carbon Ceramic brakes on run of the mill cars, not higher end Porsches, Ferraris, and Lamborghinis. At some point the car devalues into the $30-$50K range, say a E63 AMG, and it needs new brakes. Are those owners going to replace a $10K brake system or convert to steel brakes and at what cost?

 

[Dino944]

Someone talk me out of buying a 10 year old Bentley.

Don't buy it. Not that good looking, high maintenance costs, and at least around me no independent shops to work on high end British cars (there are lots of independent shops for German cars, and at least a few for Italian Cars). Hopefully, you have an independent shop near you, but around here you'd be dealership's mercy. The few guys I know that have owned modern high end British cars (Lotus Evora, Aston Martin, and Bentley) all complained about very high maintenance costs.

I've driven a Bentley once (a GT Speed convertible). I couldn't pass up the opportunity to experience their W12 engine. The materials used for the interior were beautiful, it had plenty of power, but damn it felt incredibly heavy on the road. I'm glad I had the opportunity to drive it, but I have no desire to own one. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[culverwood]

I'm not going to talk you out of it. It is a fine GT based on proven bullet proof mechanics albeit VW.

They are beautiful inside but based on 15 year old electronics which may or may not matter to you as some of the functions of modern cars are not there. Any 10 year old exotica is going to cost if thinks go wrong and you need to be prepared for this.

Go for it if you can.

 

[Coldsnap]

it's "The Darkness"
A Toyota Celsior ucf20 ,also known as a Lexus LS400.
powered by the legendary quad cam,32 valve, six bolt main,factory detuned 1uzfe Toyota V8.

upfront i paid $1,200. now a bit more...

Ah yes, the Toyota LS400, I know now. It's got the awesome Toyota v8 (amazing longevity) with the simplicity of the Toyota interior and build. Love it. I've tried to buy a clean LS400 from people around here, but they are a bit dissapointed when they see the kelly blue book of their luxury sedan 10 years later.

 

[Medwed]

Someone talk me out of buying a 10 year old Bentley.

 

[Thrift Vader]

Ah yes, the Toyota LS400, I know now. It's got the awesome Toyota v8 (amazing longevity) with the simplicity of the Toyota interior and build. Love it. I've tried to buy a clean LS400 from people around here, but they are a bit dissapointed when they see the kelly blue book of their luxury sedan 10 years later.

Large 4-door. but not as heavy as it looks. air suspension makes it a boat.- actually beat a late model mazda in this barge. it chirped 2nd. (on 265's!!!!!!!!)
buddy said ****, that boat can boogie.

since stripped all the junk out the trunk. (2 jacks?) The interior is darned nice. electric chairs left and right, option for massaging rear seat. real woodgrain everywhere, serious. the luxury you want, nothing stupid like an umbrella. that's what this car did. made luxury simple. and to be honest? the drivers chair is more comfortable than the lounge i sit on as i type this. there is even a button to make the side mirrors wiggle and shake ice off! tool kit in the trunk, first aid kit under the passenger chair, 6-stack in the dash........

but that's not what this car really is about.
it's not a luxury car. it's a "Japanese Muscle car". ala Ford Galaxy 390 in the 60's.
and that's how i'm modding it. Muscle.=big rubber, metalflake, noise, and a few things up my sleeve.

now just getting it looking right. but i'd like this Battle ship to run high 11's. in time.


not many big sedans of it's era climbing in price. way harder to find cheap than a Benz 500. etc. if you are thinking to get one? i say do it. the baddest car out of Japan.

 

[stimulacra]

Interesting article that takes some air out of the whole “German engineering” myth:

Top German Automakers Sued in U.S. Over Two-Decade ‘Cartel’
https://bloom.bg/2eWTNG6

 

[Lighthouse]

The Bentley is out. Too much for me to handle in maintenance. But I need a big luxury sedan. So the Lexus LS 400 is very reliable and will last forever but does not move me on an emotional level. The A8 scored well on consumer reports reliability. The Lincoln conti is a bit small and I'm not a fan of the rear profile. Decisions!!

 

[Coldsnap]

The Bentley is out. Too much for me to handle in maintenance. But I need a big luxury sedan. So the Lexus LS 400 is very reliable and will last forever but does not move me on an emotional level. The A8 scored well on consumer reports reliability. The Lincoln conti is a bit small and I'm not a fan of the rear profile. Decisions!!

Yea Bently's are a madhouse. Get a Lexus LS 400, take a road trip in one and it will get ya at an emotional level. They are great. How about a luxury infinity barge? Q45 Q40 etc

 

[stimulacra]

The Bentley is out. Too much for me to handle in maintenance. But I need a big luxury sedan. So the Lexus LS 400 is very reliable and will last forever but does not move me on an emotional level. The A8 scored well on consumer reports reliability. The Lincoln conti is a bit small and I'm not a fan of the rear profile. Decisions!!

VW Phaeton might be an interesting choice; shares a platform with the Bentley Continental. Ultimate full-size stealth luxury sedan… everyone will think you are driving a Passat until they sit inside. It was a bit of an engineering marvel for its day.

Audi A8, Lexus LS and Volvo S90 are nice alternatives as well.

Occasionally I'll check out the prices of pre-owned Cadillac XTS. The drive isn't really that engaging but find it to be an interesting throwback to the American luxury of yore (don't get me started on Brougham).

 

[Medwed]

Nakamichi stereo system plus matte finish real wood trim and V8 as sweet as they come from Japan. Mmmmmm I loved LS400 , I also loved my T100 truck.
Those were the last cool cars of 1990s, honorable mention also goes to: Mazda RX7 and Nissan Z twin-turbo short wheel base.