new (second hand) car choices

[flat6buster]

Garateful for you input on my shortlist of cars to replace my w222 S350. Hate the diesel. Car is too big. Has become unreliable. So looking for a replacement that is interesting. I prefer to pay for repair and maintenance than depreciation. The W222 is costing in both :-( I generally pootle around (South East Spain) locally with 3 or 4 trips a year of 2000-3000 kms. Just needs to carry a week of luggage for myself and her indoors and our wee dog. I have a 911sc that is not fast but is a buzz, so not looking for anything too racy especially. However it IS very noisy and not comfortable on a long run. Here is my shortlist, they are all around the €30,000 mark (cars are more expensive here):

C400 cabriolet: 2017 85,000 KMS (this has ventilated seats that is a bonus)
944 turbo: 110,000 KMS 220 bhp version (no sunroof but not a loss on this car as it only pops out and has to go in the boot so I bet I´d never use it)
190e 2.3-16: 144,000 KMS with €17,500 spent at MB dealer 6 years but 1500 KMS ago (no sunroof which is a pity as they slide on this model and being older the aperture sits forward of modern ones so you really get the benefit in the front seats)
300ce: 66,000 KMS (with sunroof which is a bonus for that all window down, pillarless feel) but 4 speed auto
320ce-24: 46,000 KMS (no sunroof - pity) cloth seats (bonus) 5 speed dogleg sportline. This one is not perfect bodily but is by far the cheapest so I could get it restored and still be in budget. Maybe pop a replica AMG kit on at the same time

What does the collective think? I am torn.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

So, you're in 2+2 territory. No aged relatives, visitors, or (grand) children to put into the back and shift about....

Porsche alternatives: Isn't the 968 a much better than the 944 turbo? As fast but younger, 6 speed manual box, & revised suspension... And still rare today.

While the earliest (special edition maybe) 968 Boxsters would be both cheaper, or at least better for the same price, & more reliable? (550 Spyder special edition?) No rear seats though.

Could a two seater SL500 appeal ? (R129 or R230: lots of superb ones about) Gravitas, reliability and superb long distance capability, but leaving "nimble" to your 911.

Small saloons "aus Deutschland" : Why not the AMG C Class or BMW E46 M3 or the beautiful 330CI ? (RS4 floats some boats, but not mine)

And the usual Alfa's. ("If," and only "if," you've got a local Italian specialist)

Audi RS4 v BMW M3 v Mercedes C55: Power Shift | Evo

The brilliant new 4WD Audi RS4 has the BMW M3 CS and Mercedes C55 AMG firmly in its sights

www.evo.co.uk

 

[ALFAitalia]

Agree with most of that.....but as much as the 968 is measurably better car.....I've always thought it was clumsily styled, especially at the back, compared to the 944 it replaced. Realy dont like the embossed "PORSCHE" lettering.




Much nicer.....to my old eyes at least!!

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Agree with most of that.....but as much as the 968 is measurably better car.....I've always thought it was clumsily styled, especially at the back, compared to the 944 it replaced. Realy dont like the embossed "PORSCHE" lettering.

View attachment 168201


Much nicer.....to my old eyes at least!!

View attachment 168202

You're right, of course. I'm just saying a 35 year old 968 will be in better nick that a 45 year old 944 turbo.

and that the handling was better on the "younger" car: especially around the gearbox and suspension.

Personally I'd buy the 986 550 Spyder, but my 987 on 38k miles is immaculate, drives superbly and was cheaper than the cheapest chips from the cheapest chippy

(It still shocks me to remember that when I borrowed a new 1985 944 Turbo to drive out to Oxford on the M40, that 250bhp seemed crazy fast,

on dual motorways that didn't have cameras. "Different times.")

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

But if one had a box of brave pills,

and wanted a friend for that 911SC.....