Buying an older (6-10 years) European luxury tank in Auckland How/why/where/etc!

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Buying an older (6-10 years) European luxury tank in Auckland How/why/where/etc!

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#1327583 19-Jun-2015 06:13

joker97: Can't beat a 2007+ shape RS4 Avant for pleasure

I would love something like a rs4/s4 avant - was always my dream car when I was younger...

Again though, I think they move too much into the "high-risk" zone for me right now!

Trying to stay away from anything too fierce (I need my license!) and probably want to stay away from turbo-charging as well(?) - plus as others have said, I think out of the Big Three, BMW were at the top of their game as far as build and reliability were concerned in the mid-late 00's and the other two were rather problematic...

The more I research, the more I am actually leaning towards at least having a look at a Lexus IS350:

Quick? Check - low 5s 0-100
Toys? Check - electric everything and a kick-ass Mark Levinson Stereo
Rear-wheel drive? check
Practical? Enough - will seat 4 adults and has an Ok-ish trunk
Likelihood of exploding? Very low - even in that era they had a rep for bullet-proof quality and I would hope/imagine that the parts are fairly accessible...I would also imagine a fair few of the parts could be found in a Toyota spares bin as well.

Only concern is that they are a bit dull-looking and all of them seem to be Jap import...still a warranty should help ease the concern...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=894312062

Hmm.

But then again...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=887571766

Yum!

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#1327584 19-Jun-2015 06:15

mudguard: probably an S2000

I think the S2000s are ace and would love one!

Sadly, not practice enough as a daily driver for me and the prices here in NZ for a decent one are ludicrous!

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#1327590 19-Jun-2015 07:39

Item:
mudguard: probably an S2000

I think the S2000s are ace and would love one!

Sadly, not practice enough as a daily driver for me and the prices here in NZ for a decent one are ludicrous!

They are great fun to drive, but hairy in the wet. I think they only ever came in manual be tidy appear to appeal to women so they sold badly. So they're still expensive.
I can't really talk. I have possibly the most boring (company) car in the world. A Camry. But funny what driving 60,000k per year does for driving enjoyment.

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#1327592 19-Jun-2015 07:43

What about a 3.5L Toyota Mark xxx? Since you mentioned Lexus

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#1327599 19-Jun-2015 08:09

joker97: What about a 3.5L Toyota Mark xxx? Since you mentioned Lexus

Hmm - not considered...

They look Ok, but I guess I feel I am getting too close back to the "sensible/boring" side again with the Toyota!

A fine line I know - Lexus aren't exactly known for being scintillating...is the Mark X front or rear wheel drive? Would really like a rear or all-wheel at a pinch.

I still have a crush on the 540i - A friend had one in Dubai and I really liked it to drive and ride in. Parts and service are cheap as chips there though and the purchase price is a boat-load lower too.

:/

Anyone know if a mechanical warranty from the dealer or the AA would be worth the money to insure against catastrophic failure or repairs on a European?

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#1327600 19-Jun-2015 08:20

Yes the mechanical warranty worth it, you don't need to worry about spending a lot of money to replace the engine or any major repair to the car (it depends on the previous owner, how he/she treated the car so without the warranty you cn waste your money for other faults)

With that money I would go for mazda 6 with new kodo shape, they have good sporty looking, good on fuel, practical, reliable but it might not powerful as the BMW and Lexus. Or the subaru WRX (or older STI), like this:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/subaru/auction-895378617.htm
The BMW or Lexus will give luxury feel with their interior but you will need to spend more money to maintain it compare to Japanese cars but again it depends on your style so just book some test drive and decide what suit you best then

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#1327601 19-Jun-2015 08:22

Depending on budget the Lexus IS F would be worth a look. Although, it does have that easy to lose your licence factor about it.

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#1327603 19-Jun-2015 08:26

Toyota mark comes in RWD and 4WD

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#1327606 19-Jun-2015 08:30

With that money I would go for mazda 6 with new kodo shape, they have good sporty looking, good on fuel, practical, reliable

Already got a 2009 Mazda 6 and although I like the look of the new shape, the 2.5 engine is pretty much the same power/torque output to what I have (not exactly slow per se, but way off being "quick") and the overall driving experience isn't going to be different enough!

Cheers

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#1327610 19-Jun-2015 08:33

joker97: Toyota mark comes in RWD and 4WD

Hmm - interesting

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/toyota/auction-883011545.htm

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#1327627 19-Jun-2015 08:51

What a C class look alike!

Anyway to confirm look under the car three well be a drive shaft to the rear wheels and a hump in the module of the rear passenger leg space = drive to rear wheels

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#1327629 19-Jun-2015 08:51

Stupid Swype

There
Middle

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#1327630 19-Jun-2015 08:54

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joker97: Toyota mark comes in RWD and 4WD

Hmm - interesting

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/toyota/auction-883011545.htm

Did you know June is end of financial year for many businesses? I'd make am offer of 18k and go from there. When you negotiate you offer politely something lower than where you want to end up, and how you end up somewhere there. Eg 19k if you're lucky otherwise somewhere in the very low 20s

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#1327631 19-Jun-2015 08:55

Hope

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#1327649 19-Jun-2015 09:26

joker97: What a C class look alike!

Anyway to confirm look under the car three well be a drive shaft to the rear wheels and a hump in the module of the rear passenger leg space = drive to rear wheels

Or just check the obvious maybe like a north south facing engine.

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