future project

[inlinesix]

alright well, it turns out that I pretty much cannot work on my current car atm, $6,300 to repair some dents on both quarter panels. I could technically afford that in future, but it'd be all my money, and then after the respray, it'll be nearly $10,000 all up just getting the car looking nice. and the alternative is not bothering with cosmetics, but I don't really want to dump a bunch of money into a car that looks rough.

so, I've been looking at putting my car into storage and keeping an eye on the market and getting a new project car for myself. my budget currently is only like 4k - 6k, and I would prefer a RWD sedan/coupe with a straight six, which means that I have VERY little choice on cars as every single Japanese car that's RWD and i6 is about 6 trillion dollars

atm what I've been looking at currently are these (because I hate myself apparently)
- E32 / E38 7 Series (using a pic of an Alpina cause I love the wheels)

- or just a E34 / E39 5 series, though they are more expensive and I don't like how they look as much.

my idea is that, because of how garbage the roads are out here, having a relatively simple, torque-y, air suspension equipped cruiser would be really nice to have. also not to mention how gorgeous these cars look. I've seen them both floating around 4k - 8k for a while now. they're fairly cheap, I don't think people want them that much because, 1 - they're GIANT, in Australia we *only* got the "IL" trim models, which are the long wheelbase ones. and 2 - the 7 Series sounds scary as shit because they're typically a maintenance nightmare lol.

 

[Andrew]

"Surely the Aussies just use marmite for dollars, I'm sure it's not that much--"

Holy hell dawg. That's more than enough money to buy a 2002 Saturn SC2.

 

[inlinesix]

had some thought about it, I could also technically switch to working part/full time late this year and put down a payment on a nicer car. but I am kinda scared of just straight going into debt haha.

but a 2nd gen CLS500 is calling my name...

 

[inlinesix]

alright 4 month update the car market sucks and literally none of the cars i have been looking for are for sale. its insanely frustrating since i have SO much money to spend yet no one is selling anything :/

 

[src_recision]

looks like you're not too concerned with consumption - how much is an older a6/a8 in australia? also volvo s60r from 2004 are slept on and are in the same "class" that the e32 too is, has a similar charm.. flaky electronics though i hear

 

[inlinesix]

looks like you're not too concerned with consumption - how much is an older a6/a8 in australia? also volvo s60r from 2004 are slept on and are in the same "class" that the e32 too is, has a similar charm.. flaky electronics though i hear

i have actually looked at all of them haha! I really really wanted an S60R/V70R for the longest time, the estates are unobtanium in this country (only like 20 exist here) but you can find the sedans.

however, both Audi/Volvos fall into the problem of me being stupidly picky. after properly pushing my current car on some good roads + in the wet. I'm 100% a pure RWD guy, and both cars are kind of FWD platforms with AWD systems, which in my brain won't feel the same as what I'm used to. this is admittedly VERY picky and AWD is objectively great but I just adore the feeling of weight transfer you get in a good RWD car.

 

[inlinesix]

but in the end i want both a V70R and 9-5 Aero at some point lol, love some quirky swedish wagons

 

[src_recision]

friend of mine owns a rwd giulia 2.2l diesel stage 1'd and swears by it, but maybe it's a touch too new for your taste. in its defense though, it's one of the very few proper fat assed modern non-luxury sedans in terms of proportions, since the new a6 and e-class look very squished and small lately

 

[src_recision]

also, i'll endorse every decision to get a cls but not the big litre engine one, cls500 i think has a really shit engine and will bankrupt you eventually. my dad bought a 2012 cls 350 shooting brake the year it came out and to date it's the most comfortable and interesting car i've ever experienced. and it won't destroy you financially because it's actually reliable still

 

[inlinesix]

also, i'll endorse every decision to get a cls but not the big litre engine one, cls500 i think has a really shit engine and will bankrupt you eventually. my dad bought a 2012 cls 350 shooting brake the year it came out and to date it's the most comfortable and interesting car i've ever experienced. and it won't destroy you financially because it's actually reliable still

I'm still so drawn to it honestly like I think I'm gonna end up getting one in future even though it's a 2010s flagship german luxury car so I'm just asking for issues. I'm somewhat mechanically minded although I haven't had to do a lot of work on my car, my brother however has rebuilt and swapped the engines out of subarus a bunch so I'm not too concerned about cars that need mechanical work eventually down the line (as long as its not shit like rod bearings lol).