Big Janner
MB Enthusiast
To be fair, I've had a lot of different cars, but, if I start with my 1st car since I retired . . . .
When I finished work, I was at the final hurdle in the process of getting my TR6 up to an acceptable standard.
This I did and looked forwad to spending a lot of time enjoying the drive, however, when we moved house, we ended up going from a grage (for the TR) and parking for 5 cars, to parking for 2 cars and no garage.
As a result, the TR had to go. You can't park a 1974 built BL shell in the English weather, it won't survive.
As a replacement for the TR, I bought an R172 SLK200, very pretty, gunmetal metallic with cream leather upholstery.
But, 10 months later, suffering from not enough cylinders and much to the disappointment of SWMBO, I sold the SLK and bought a Boxster.
Now, the Boxster drove like it was on rails and went like stink, but, it was just a money pit.
Whenever any parts were needed, I spent days roaming the internet, trying to find things at a half reasonable price.
e.g. the car needed a new gearbox sump (I drive autos these days) the Porche dealers price for the sump and all the bits to go with it; £1500 + vat for Gods sake.
I got them from and independent Porsche dealership for £520.
Anyway, after 13 months of fiscal dispair and great driving, I sold the Porsche and bought . . . . . . . . .an SL500!
What a lovely car!
A gentlemans cruiser, with serious bite
If I had known about the joys of a V8 SL when I sold the TR6, the SLK and Porsche would not have happened
Fuel consumption is OK at about 22mpg
Insurance is just a few quid more than the Boxster
Road tax is a lot lower
But the enjoyment I get when I'm driving, (roof up or down) compensates for it all.
Unless I can find a decent 1968 Mustang, in good nick, for a reasonable price, I'm sticking with the SL500
When I finished work, I was at the final hurdle in the process of getting my TR6 up to an acceptable standard.
This I did and looked forwad to spending a lot of time enjoying the drive, however, when we moved house, we ended up going from a grage (for the TR) and parking for 5 cars, to parking for 2 cars and no garage.
As a result, the TR had to go. You can't park a 1974 built BL shell in the English weather, it won't survive.
As a replacement for the TR, I bought an R172 SLK200, very pretty, gunmetal metallic with cream leather upholstery.
But, 10 months later, suffering from not enough cylinders and much to the disappointment of SWMBO, I sold the SLK and bought a Boxster.
Now, the Boxster drove like it was on rails and went like stink, but, it was just a money pit.
Whenever any parts were needed, I spent days roaming the internet, trying to find things at a half reasonable price.
e.g. the car needed a new gearbox sump (I drive autos these days) the Porche dealers price for the sump and all the bits to go with it; £1500 + vat for Gods sake.
I got them from and independent Porsche dealership for £520.
Anyway, after 13 months of fiscal dispair and great driving, I sold the Porsche and bought . . . . . . . . .an SL500!
What a lovely car!
A gentlemans cruiser, with serious bite
If I had known about the joys of a V8 SL when I sold the TR6, the SLK and Porsche would not have happened
Fuel consumption is OK at about 22mpg
Insurance is just a few quid more than the Boxster
Road tax is a lot lower
But the enjoyment I get when I'm driving, (roof up or down) compensates for it all.
Unless I can find a decent 1968 Mustang, in good nick, for a reasonable price, I'm sticking with the SL500