I'm hoping to move out to the countryside in a few months. If we do that then I really can't afford to run a big old V8 every day. I really don't want to have to buy a Japanese/european car unless I really have to. So I cast about and there are a few late model Americans over here. I could even get a car from New York dealer and ship it if the exchange rate stays good. Obviously a Buick would be best but realistically what are the "hot" domestics... I would want... * Style * reliability * economy * build * good equipment * good comfort * good performance * good handling (hey, country roads every morning and night!) Not fussed if its a 2 door or 4 door, but no hatchbacks! Basically I can get a BMW 325 or 525 or a Saab 900 Turbo for next to nothing, and I'm looking for a reason not to. Car would be probably mid 1990s.
Daily Driver I did a frame off full restoration on a 84 FWD Century wagon for my daily driver and its been a great car. :bglasses: AL
Alistair, I'm in the business of shipping used US cars and parts to Blighty, maybe you want to consider a car like a 1998 Buick Park Avenue on LPG ? Cheap motoring, and you don't pay double road tax for LPG like we do.
If you can get a bmw or saab for "next to nothing", you would be crazy not to. Save your v-8 cruiser for cruising! I would not buy anything but American autos for 25 years. Nowdays, I have toyota corolla for my work commute (106 miles each way) . American car companies have shipped so many jobs out of the country to increase their profit margin, and now most hondas, as well as others are made in the usa, everything has become so mixed up, you have to go with what is reliable, affordable, economical, and comfortable for you. My wife's "American" dodge caravan was made in Canada. Sorry for the rant. What about an old mini or anglia? I lived in England for five years, and would rather drive a right hander over there, for sure!!!! ou:
Erik, the market for LPG is shrinking in the UK as its being taxed up and soon will be the same price as unleaded. (within 2 years from last budget apparently). I already have to give up a lot of my trunk for subs, amps, tools, etc, so I don't know if its worth it. Frank, I currently have a Saab as a "shop hack" I bought it so the trunk carpet in my Fifth Avenue doesn't get dirty taking junk to the tip! I'd keep that but its manual and I don't like to shift my own It cost me less than a replacement trunk carpet for the Chrysler would... Euro stuff is just so booooring. I don't do boring cars. I bought an Audi once, it near put me to sleep. I sold it after 8 months when the mains spun out at 94K miles. Full VW-Audi service history - so much for German build quality. I traded it for a Morris Minor! My wife drives a Mini - too uncomfortable. Fun though! I can buy 4 BMWs for the price of one nice Anglia! They fetch good money now. AL, nice wagon That would be kinda practical for me (load carrying). I fancy something a little "sporty" though.... What I don't get is modern US cars. Are the GM cars all the same now? Just differnet name badges or is there a real difference between a Pontiac, Oldsmobile (RIP), Buick and Chevy? The V6s confuse me as there is 2.8, 3.1 and 3.8 - are the all the same motor or different? If I'm looking to maybe tweak it a little are any engines better than others? And can you get KYBs and stuff for these front drivers?
Try to see if you can get a Pontiac Vibe, im sure you could have one shipped over the the UK. Im not sure if they sell them anywhere in Europe. It's basically a Toyota Matrix which Toyota is one the best manufacters out there. And you can haul many things in the back of one. Also some have roof racks, not sure if there actually functional though. The seats fold flat, lots o' room. :TU:
looks suspiciously like an MPV or something to me A quick look around the used car market turns up the following... 1994 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Coupe 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Coupe 1991 Chevrolet Lumina Sedan as well as a pile of 3rd generation Camaros with various V6 and V8 options. Theres also about 3 Pontiac Sunfire (2 coupe and one convert) I drove a '91 Lumina Coupe one time and that seemed a nice enough car for a modern front driver. I don't think a Camaro is what I want. We'd be in a mild snow zone for a start and also I'd like a decent back seat and a proper sized trunk. The Sunfire is just ugly. A friend said "that looks like a Hyundai thats been out in the sun too long!" I like a car that looks like a car, not a hatch or a van or a jeep. I once looked at a Mercury Topaz but really, no. Just no. I'm not in a hurry to buy anything (we haven't moved house yet), just casting for your opinions. I did one find a website which listed all recent US cars and thier various engine options and MPG and emissions. Anyone know what that site is? I'm surprised nobody recommended a Regal yet? Are the front drivers not good? I don't think I can afford one but I saw a nice '98 or so with a supercharged V6 in it - whats that about?
I've got a 92 Toyota Camry with 224,000 miles on the clock and it's still running as good as new. It's never had a breakdown, the only time I've done any replacement was on general wear and tear, and best of all it WILL NOT rust. (my hood was peeling after a subpar paintjob from a local shop following a sandstorm, car went over a year with no paint on the hood and in salt spray in the winter and had only light surface rust when I got around to painting it) It'll do 80 all day on the highway with the A/C on and still get 30 mpg. There's a good amount of storage space and easily fits 4 adults. It handles fairly well considering it's not a sports car, and it's nice to go flying down country roads with. While the car isn't remarkable in style or 'coolness', it does excel at what it was designed for- driving forever. I figure I'll have it for at least 250,000 miles. After that I may get another one for a daily driver, but maybe with a V6.
Alistair, Don't go for Saab, Volvo Mercedes or BMW, boring cars and too many around. We love imports like Buicks. There are a lot of cheap Regals for sale here in the Netherlands, just let me know if you're interested. No import tax to be paid that way, we're both in the EC. Just hop on the Easy-Jet at Luton and I'll show you around mate.
a '98 might be out of my price range this time around. Sounds like an aspiration though! tell you what, there seem to be some real deals on late model Oldsmobiles at the moment... Wonder why that is? I presume its the same supercharged V6 in the Riviera as in the Olds cars?
Alistair, There's a '97 Supercharged Riv for sale on this board: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=52927 US$8,250 asking, add another US$1000 for transport to a harbour and shipping it to England. Or maybe you're interested in this 231 CI V6 '95 LeSabre here in the Netherlands ? Asking 3950,- Euro, that's 2600 Pounds. 145000 KM on the old clock. Or this '92 Regal with 231 CI V6, asking 750 Euro / 500 Pounds 1996 Park Avenue on LPG, asking 2350 Euro / 1550 Pounds 1991 Regal, asking 850 Euro / 590 Pounds 1992 Skylark, asking 1450 Euro / 975 Pounds 1985 Century Estate Wagon, asking 1250 Euro / 835 Pounds
That Park Avenue is a good price. Not a small car though! Are they bigger than the LeSabre? 145,000 KM is about 90,000 miles I think? Those cars are all about half the price they would be asking in the UK I think.
That 96 PA is 205.9 inches in overall lenght, the 95 LeSabre is 200 inches. Our road tax is very high (and our petrol price is the hightest in the world), so heavy cars like Buicks are not very populair. That's why they're so cheap second hand. Just let me know if you're interested in more Buicks Alistair, and I'll mail you some more. I can check the LeSabre or PA for you if you like.
When we move I'll certainly check this option out! One of the reasons we are moving is because I don't have enough space where I am now. Our petrol is pretty bad too. 83p a litre where I am at the moment. The cars are interesting as examples of what I could get for my money but I'm not ready to buy until I've moved. But thanks for the offer
Keep in touch Alistair, you're always welcome to stay for a couple of days. We can search for cars and also attend an American car meeting, but the meeting season is ending in September.
