Long Term Luxury?

That was the thought with the Ferrari, too. And kind of true. We pumped about $4k into that car during the year but sold it for $2-grand more than we paid. That means we paid about $160 bucks / month to own a Ferrari! I need to know what the Bentley would cost!
-mm

It would be cool to see how the old world luxury elite holds up againest the new world stuff like the Hyundai Equus.

I say go for it but like texases says it's not my money.

I don't think you are crazy, I think an old RR/Bentley is a good idea. However, before you guys get that can we see a NSX in the LT fleet first?

Okay, there's probably an abundance of fine leather and wood covering every surface. The Bentley might also be able to win its share of stoplight races, if you're into it. But as an all arounder, I'm sure the Equus runs circles around this British anachronism.

Ahh the days when to get 296 HP from a 6.75L V8 it was necessary to turbocharge it.

YES!!! BUY IT! Whoops, sorry for the shouting. But please, do buy it.

@ Louis

No, they can't get an NSX, because since "the sun never sets on the British Empire", it really can't rise in "The Land of the Rising Sun," now can it? ;)

@ team,

The Sun has to rise first before it can "never sets on the British Empire". So I was right, NSX first then the RR/Bentley.

A Capital Idea, indeed.

There is definitely a charm to getting exclusive luxury for an affordable price, which is why I've always wanted one. forget 19k, you can even get one for less than that, but like people have said, what's the cost in maintenance. more importantly, I doubt these cars were technically very complicated like a ferrari (i could be wrong) so could the car have its maintenance done by a local mechanic? of course parts will still be ridiculously expensive. regardless.... Get one so we can find out

@ Louis

That's bloody clever, mate.

If IL were to get this car, which they should, they should start ever post about something breaking down with, "Oh cock."

I also see that this car is in Houston, which means that they could go to check it out AND GET SOME BBQ AT SNOW'S IN LEXINGTON!! And hit up Kreuz Market. Now THAT'S a capital idea.

Forget the British stuff....get a 72 Continental or a 70 Coupe de Ville or a 68 Toronado or a boat tail Riv....some old, huge and AMERICAN. It needs at least 429 cubic inches with a 4 barrel carb.....

Forget the British stuff....get a 72 Continental or a 70 Coupe de Ville or a 68 Toronado or a boat tail Riv....some old, huge and AMERICAN. It needs at least 429 cubic inches with a 4 barrel carb.....

Just for grins, call a shop and ask how much a brake job would be.

First espisode, Season 2 of Top Gear they introduced Jame May and he began by doing a story about his car, a Bentley (but I can't remember which model).

He seemed to love it but was quite honest about all the downsides. Some don't apply here (like not having a place big enough to park it) but the cost of ownership does.

In the end they decided it was cool.

Tried to find it on YouTube but no luck.

BTW... I think you should buy that one if for no other reason then to see if that cell phone still works and to see the look on peoples face when you pull it out.

I say step off the deep end of the money pit.

A Bentley would be cool, but an old P38 Range Rover would be better.

Hate to say it, but all of these old used cars from the '80s and '90s are kind of the same other than the positioning of the power window and seat controls and the logo on the airbag cover.

Why not do something bold like get a Merc 280SL or Jag E-Type?

Voted for the Bentley. I LOVE living vicariously through you guys and I think this would be a hoot.

We need a Mercedes-Benz 600 "Grosser" in the fleet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVDKztQ-n1U&feature=related

Yes! But you'll need to implement a new rule: 2 must sign-out for it at a time with one the chauffeur and the other the chairman.

Sounds like the way I browse Ebay. International Scouts and Travelalls, '66-'67 Chevy Nova II's, used Mercedes CLS's, '38-40 Chevy Business Coupes, '07 & '08 Roush 427 & 428 Roushcharged Mustangs, and then Jaguars.

I have always liked the looks of a Jag XJ. I have come really close a couple times to buying a '99-'03 XJR or Vanden Plas. They're in the range of this Bentley.

So, if you're going Brit, go Jag.

I'm beginning to think that Magrath is my west coast alter-ego.

Definitely want something more interesting, along the lines of some of your examples. Though we still need $20k worth of older sport sedan.

Id love to own one of these old luxos.

Actually, you know what might be really cool. A 75-1/2 to 79 Caddy Seville. This was Caddy's first attempt to go against the Europeans and it was a very good seller. And a pretty good car, too. It was based on a specially modified version of the X-body platform (think Nova) and renamed K-body (the FWD Seville was also called the K-body until its demise in the early 2000s).

All used a modified Olds 350 V8 with Bendix analog multiport fuel injection, Turbo 400 trans and 10-bolt rear. 170-180hp depending on the year, which was actually pretty good. The 77-79 had rear disc brakes and the final years even had an optional trip computer (mpg, etc). California emissions Sevilles (I think 78 and 79) had an oxygen sensor for closed loop fuel control.

Lots of early stuff here. I always wanted one. I've ridden in a 77 before researching it, and at the time didn't really know it was anything special.

I think it was the most expensive Cadillac at the time, save for the Fleetwood 75 Sedan. It was also the smallest and lightest, and most "sporting."

I vote for one of these babies!!

ive sat in a 79 seville and it reminded me of a 3rd world casino

they should definitely get one.

I used to love the Turbo R and wouldn't mind if we got one as I still think it's a cool car.
But my automotive tastes are all over the map, so here are my additional candidates:

-- 1974 Fleetwood Brougham -- the Talisman edition which seated only four on overstuffed crushed velvet seats. Pimpin' aint easy!

-- A '61-'65 Lincoln Continental convertible.

-- A '99-'03 Jag XJR as adamb1 suggested

-- A '75-'79 Seville as kevm14 suggested

"Forget the British stuff"

BOO! Disagree completely. Forget the FWD American land barges.

"some old, huge and AMERICAN. It needs at least 429 cubic inches with a 4 barrel carb....."

I vote for something old, huge, and PROPERLY ENGLISH. Must have a Spirit of Ecstacy hood ornament or a Winged B...and a 6 and 3/4 Litre V8. Forget cubic inches. ;)

I vote for an older 7 series, with 3 pedals......I owned 3 or more of these enjoyable rides...

As far as the first Seville, good luck finding one in decent shape for a decent price.

A co-worker several years back bought an early 90's Rolls for around 20k and ended up dumping 10k into it to keep it running.

I hope you guys buy one.....can't wait to see the repair costs on this one!!!

I vote a bmw 9series coupe(or was it 8series?) with the v12. Jaguar coupe with a V12. Or the mecades/porsche sedan that had the deisil engine and manual transmission. I'm just not a fan of the bently turbo R. Maybe a really old astin martin would be cool!

Absolutely! Buy it!

There are Bentley Arnages as low as the 60k range on cars.com. Just saying ;)

The Turbo R is one of my favorites though. That and the 94 and on Silver Spur. Very 90s, yet very old money.

"BOO! Disagree completely. Forget the FWD American land barges."

They are all RWD, buddy...at least the ones from the 70s.

I second Kevm....a Seville would be awesome.......it was a really good car for the times.....when Lincoln came out with the Versailles to counter it, it was not nearly as good. It did have the first halogen headlamps and clearcoat paint in the industry however.

DO IT!!! I have always wanted old school luxury for the midsize car price. BUT don’t just buy one, I think you should actually buy it on ebay. I have seen this dealership, along with several others that look reputable. It would be interesting to read about the experience of buying a car on ebay (I have sold mine on ebay, but never purchased one.) I also want to know how these ebay dealerships compare to the more traditional type. DO IT DO IT DO IT!!! :D

I'm down with the Bentley or Rolls Royce, but I think it's more of an out-of-the-question purchase for the masses.

I'd also love to see a v12 Jag, a Mercedes 560SEL (or similar from the 80s/early 90s), and a BMW 850.

All to me would be cool, but for off the beaten path I think the Jag, Bentley, and RR would be powerful choices. For a little more mainstream but still a rolling bordello - the mercedes.

ORRRR.....get ANY late 80s/early 90s foreign executive sedan that has been made bullet/bombproof and then test the crap out of it with all sorts of small arms and homemade bombs :)

.....oooo, I'm starting to like that idea the most....

@ BB

IIRC, the Toronado was fwd...assumed the others were too. Although I was a huge fan of the '68 Old's styling.

Sounds interesting; an old AMG or 750i would also be cool. But I'll admit that I have considered an old Mulsanne or turbo R in the past.

Do buy! Something classic, British that's not a roadster : Bentley, RR, Jag or Land Rover. With the resale prices of these things, enthusiasts need a year-long blog about ownership of these babies. I do like the Bentler, but I have a weak spot for the Jag XK-6C, the rare XK coupe.

"but I have a weak spot for the Jag XK-6C, the rare XK coupe."

Me too!!!

Why didn't you just buy the Great Gatsby's Rolls Royce last week when you had the chance?

I'm in agreement on this one, Mike. A most excellent idea, old chap!

Yes, definitely! Bill Murray's character in Rushmore drove one. It's infinitely cool.

Speaking of:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_2gUTGjeYI&NR=1

Skip to 55 seconds (or just watch the whole thing). Look ma, no brake dive!!

Buy it. But just remember that maintenance costs will be breath-taking. The cars are very simple to work on, but replacement parts cost 8-80 times what equivalent parts cost for a normal car. I've driven a number of Rolls-Royces from this era and they a truly sweet rides. Nothing quite like them. A nice Bentley Turbo version can only be sweeter. Go for it - it's a totally unique experience. Not just the driving, but you experience the world differently somehow from behind the wheel.

I think a 90's Flying B would be cool, that '95 Turbo R is pristine. The Christmas colour combo is a little odd though. A Turbo R should be black, like a tuxedo.

I vote no though on sloppy old land barges from that dark decade known as the 1970's. Landau roofs, flat vinyl couches for seats, lazy underpowered pushrod V8's, sea-sick ride and "handling", skinny plastic steering wheels that vaguely transmit the harbor master's requests.... no thanks.

Hell yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And that leather looks so good, learn something Hyundai Equus and your "new luxury". ;)

And talking about luxury, GET A NEW JAG MIKE.

You should buy a Ford Model T. I'm not even kidding.

I think it is an excellent idea! And it would also shed light on some of the ownership costs of such a great car that few have the opportunity of owning.

I think it is an excellent idea! And it would also shed light on some of the ownership costs of such a great car that few have the opportunity of owning. DO it!

I think you should buy the cheapest used car you can find that still runs and is drivable and see how long it takes until the car either self destructs or the editors decide to destroy it. :P

I own a tech stock currently worth about $1 per share, but it was $100 back in 2000. I guess this is how owning this Bentley must feel now.

It sucks how cars depreciate, regardless of make and model. You work your butt off to get the car you've been lusting after, and eventually it ends up in some sad used dealer lot.

I vote for a used Landrover. It would be the perfect foil to the in your face Raptor.

it sounded like a good idea at first (not my money), but I don't think I'd really care to read about the ownership experience, other than to poke fun at your repair bills. What would Mike snap off of this car by accident? Anyhow, it's your money. I have to go, my butler is bringing the Grey Poupon in from the market.

"Forget the British stuff....get a 72 Continental or a 70 Coupe de Ville or a 68 Toronado or a boat tail Riv....some old, huge and AMERICAN. It needs at least 429 cubic inches with a 4 barrel carb....."

Disagreement here. When you talk about old school luxury, there could only be Rolls and Bentley (but none of those Continental nonsense). Caddy and Lincoln should not even be noted in the same website.

As others mentioned, a Grosser works too.

I really like this idea. It's true, you do have a good selection and access to qualified mechanics in LA. But better yet... get a big-ass Corniche convertible! Those seem fairly expensive still, but that's the ultimate Beverly Hills boulevardier, no? Just think of the photo ops! And it will likely retain its value or even appreciate after having some deferred maintenance addressed by IL.

I love Bentleys, there isn't a Roll's out there that I would take over a Bentley.

That said, think late 95-97 Jaguar XJR with the supercharged straight 6. Now THAT is a classic British performance sedan, and quite affordable to buy these days (although I make no such claims regarding service).

I like the sound of a Bentley or a 2000-03 Jaguar XJ being added to the fleet. But what about this rare gem? A 1985 Cadillac Seville Gucci Edition?!?! Talk about luxury...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ULTRA-RARE-1985-GUCCI-CADILLAC-SEVILLE-GOLD-PACKAGE-61K-/330575596334?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4cf7d74b2e

@ d22hess

Yeah, check out what the seller says: "THE BODY IS IN PRISTINE CONDITION NO SCRATCHES DINGS DENTS 100 PERCENT"

Next paragraph: "A COUPLE OF SMALL IMPERFECTIONS SEE THE PHOTOS."

Yep, that's pristine 100% all right.

^ not to mention that the car's had an accident.

I've started looking at '80s & '90s vintage Datsun/Nissan Z's and Toyota Supras as a fun, sporty, and reliable weekender. Supras that haven't been given the full Fast & Furious treatment are rare, however unmolested Zs are out there and relatively reasonable.

Get the Bentley! That is all.

I would love to see a 90-96 Twin Turbo Z. They are a bargain and pretty much just as fast as the current Z or the late Z06 or the beloved M3's that so many commenters claim they would buy over just about any car in the $20-$25k price range.

Fandsw is right that, unlike the Supra, the Z never attracted much tuner attention, so clean unmolested examples are not that hard to come by. There is a White '90 with the 5-speed at 28k miles at dealer here in Chicago that they are asking $18,800 for. A similar car with 97k miles is available from a private seller for $9,900.

get the bentley. i would love to read about it. its a 'dream car' for sure.
who among us hasn't caught themselves ebaying the turbo r? or better yet, conti r coupe?

get this one, though:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1997-BENTLEY-CONTINENTAL-VERY-RARE-IMMACULATE-/180681327070?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2a117241de

a jaguar xj-r would be a similarly great car to read about. but, get the bentley!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/02-JAGUAR-XJR-SUPERCHARGED-ONLY54K-NAV-SUPERCLEAN-/380345992295?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item588e634467

!!!!!!!!!!!! Magnum SRT-8 !!!!!!!!!!!!

A heavy, slow, gas-thirsty poseur-mobile? Why? So we can read posts about the looks people give you, how slow and thirsty it is and how dated the everything-works-by-vacuum-technology is?

Interesting for a weekend, but (from this subscriber's standpoint) quite boring for the other 363 days.

Stick to the sports cars, please. Or pick up an early-2000s M5. I still fight with the economics (or rather *potential* economics) of picking one of those up.

NSX pleeeeaaaaase.

"A 1985 Cadillac Seville Gucci Edition?!?! Talk about luxury..."

That's why you skip almost any FWD Cadillac, including the 1980-04 Seville. However, almost any RWD Cadillac is infinitely better.

Yes, get the Bentley. I came close to buying this same exact model, and I always wish I would have. This car drove like nothing I've driven. You can truly tell they are hand-crafted, from the smell of the leather to the feel of the switchgear. Get it. :)

Stock up on Castrol RR363 brake fluid. You will thank me for this advice.

FANTASTIC idea. Would love to see new luxury/old luxury comparison tests.

FANTASTIC idea. Would love to see new luxury/old luxury comparison tests.

@stephen987: They won't need Castrol RR363, as that's only for cars from 1966-1980.

@IL: I'd be more interested in seeing you guys run a Silver Shadow, since the 80s designs lack its character, imo, but the doomsayers will be disappointed. On average it costs $3000/year to run one of these (a Silver Spur/Mulsanne half that). I like the blue Turbo R that's located closer to you more, and since it's a repo in LA, it probably has an interesting history. :)

I do love how cheap used those Jags are. Maybe an XJS V12?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1991-Jaguar-XJS-V12-Only-31k-Miles-Classic-Collection-/160594165984?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item25642880e0

Go for it. Most of us have a soft spot for BCSD* cars.

*Look it up.

have to go with bodyblue and kevm14 on this one.

Besides the engine and transmission are basically american anyway if they get the
Bentley Turbo R.

what happened to the idea of getting a lotus elise?