Cheap(ish) muscle

[Bren]

Looking at the way things are going I think at some pount very large enginedcars are going to be legislated off the road despite them enjoying something of a renaissance over the past few years.

 

Prior to me buying my A6 I had been looking at S4's however at the time my budget could only stretch to an tired,leggy example. I did'nt fancy spending £5k on a car that may need £3k of engine work in the near future as timing chains are a weakness on these cars.

 

Mustang from 2004 onwards have come down in price however I am not sure that the 4.6 makes for an exhilarating drive - I don't see the point in buying a V6 example.

 

Chrysler 300 with the V8 petrol engine is a leftfield choice but not sure about build quality and £500 a year tax.

 

The monaro is my favourite - no four wheel drive, LS1 motor, manual box and earlier model are £305 a year to tax. They are svailable for less than £8k nowadays and to be honest I cannot see them dropping much more so you would'nt be taking much of a hit.

 

Next year I am thinking of taking the plunge - I don't do many miles and don't spend much on anything else so a monaro is a distinct possibility.

 

Thoughts?

[Junkman]

Why not play it safe and buy a Corvette?

[stripped fred]

I would say go for it if you can afford it. If you buy right then you're unlikely to lose that much. Life's too short. Do it!

 

My personal view is that our roads are too clogged to really enjoy a fast car in the UK. Maybe it's about the noise though and the acceleration up to legal speeds? These type of cars will definitely be legislated against in the future.

[cort1977]

Mechanically I don't think the Monaro has many expensive issues like an equivalent Audi, its all fairly simple gm parts bin stuff. Not the last word in sophistication but that noise. And got to be the cheapest engine in the world to tune.

 

True shiters muscle has to be a 300 though, I don't think build quality is that bad really by septic standards, certainly not much worse than a monaro. See plenty running around here they still sell well and the charger is a popular cop car.

 

In fact that just reminded me I was talking to an ex state trooper recently and he liked the charger but said the police spec chevy ss (commodore) was the best car they had which is basically a Monaro. So you can't go wrong with either and just get one bought.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

I had a diesel Chrysler 300 and it was built like a brick shithouse, the low quality reputation in the UK stems from pampered journos comparing the plastics and trim to soft feel Audi and BMWs. They creak and rattle but they cost half of the equivalent German car when new.

I had an ABS sensor pack up , which also disabled the traction control and for a couple of weeks I had what felt like the biggest Mk2 Escort ever. I was enjoying it so much I was reluctant to fix it( only cost about £30 to repair).

Mine had a Startec ( Brabus) chip and wasn't slow, I should imagine a Hemi 5.7 or better still an SRT 6.1 is a right laugh, I think RichardK of this parish had such a beast.

I like Monaros too, but they seem expensive compared to a 300 , Audi S5 or even M3.

[dougiefourspeed]

Monaros are great, also they're basically V8 Vauxhall Omegas*. 

 

I'd like a V8 Vauxhall Omega. 

[D Spares & Tyres]

Hyundai V6 coupe with twin cherry bombs and Mustang badges

[Cavcraft]

Why not play it safe and buy a Corvette?

 

Because he likes driving?

 

I'd go for a big engine Merc, Bren. CLK430/500 should be a blast. 

[Rod/b]

I've got a 2013 Dodge Charger Hemi, and i imagine the 300c with the same engine would be just as much of a laugh. The pre 2011 ones are a bit more plasticky but you're not buying a V8 yank barge on the cheap and expecting too much in the way of refinement. The later cars are much better inside.

[John F]

My choice would be a Monaro, Lexus LS400, a big Merc or a Jag XJR / X350 in that order.

 

Monaro first, of course, because you can get them with a proper gearbox.

[gordonbennet]

Slightly left field, Legacy with the 3.0 litre flat 6 saloon or estate or raised suspension Outback, again you've got to buy pre March 06 or suffer £500+ VED, but a number of greys have come over which won't have seen any salt until they reach our shores, even with salt its only the rear subframe that suffers so a couple of hours making that rustproof would give you a car for many years.

 

They go like hell and stick to the road like the proverbial in all weathers, you try and keep up with a well driven Subaru in the wet, but where they score is the reliability and just how nice (don't mention spark plug changes though, sheesh) they are to work on.

 

Rod/b i am insanely envious, i bloody love Chargers...any chance of a pic so i can drool over it?

[BavarianRetro]

E38 750il. V12 5.4l facelift version. 330 ish bhp. £2500 or thereabouts.

 

Astonishingly quick for a huge car. Just sold one. Had to sell it cheaply and quickly before I kept it.

[oldcars]

I have had a massive want for a Maloo since seeing on on Top Gear a few years ago. 

[PiperCub]

I've been contemplating a Monaro for a couple of years now as there were a couple local and I used to live near a Vaux garage (now closed & flats!) so have admired their simplicity - for a modern - and no-nonsense looks. I know all Vauxhalls are shite etc., but as this is more Holden/HSV I'm inclined to be more charitable. 

 

I've not heard any disaster stories with them, the main thing people bitch about is exactly what attracts me, it lacks alot of electronic bullshit driver aids and all the other useless crap all car manufacturers seem to deem essential to fit. Oh, and it's a bit 'unrefined' or 'agricultural'  - whatever, go buy a Beemer or something then! This type of car clearly isn't for you. 

 

Seriously though, I completely agree with Bren's first paragraph, I think the days of being able (as in actually being legally allowed) to own something a bit silly and over-engined are rapidly diminishing and for those of us of a mind to do so, in the next few years is the time to strike before they get legislated &/or taxed off the road forever. 

[dougiefourspeed]

E39 535/540? Old enough for the cheaper tax band, but new enough to be reliable and a damn good car to boot. I've seen leggy ones for under a grand so I'd imagine you could get a minter for £3k ish.

[FakeConcern]

I like the look of the Monaro and the prices seem to be going up if anything. I sort of considered one myself as a replacement for my C4 VTS as I know someone who did just that, this is his Bookface cover photo!

 

 

[Hertz]

Funnily enough I was about to post a similar thread as I want a V8 in my life. I too looked at Monaro's but I think they are on the up and I only want to spend £5k downwards. Looked at everything really unless someone else can come up with something. My pre-requisites which are similar to Bren's are:

 

Sub 5 Grand

Coupe (as stuff like the S4/S6 with 4 doors to me just look like any other saloon but with bigger wheels)

Not LHD

 

I think I have got it down to a BMW 645 CI, anyone any experience on them?

[hpi_matrix]

What about a ute

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-holden-ute-LPG-/263177099217?hash=item3d4693d7d1:g:pTAAAOSw1WJZFaih

[UltraWomble]

Looking at the way things are going I think at some point very large engined cars are going to be legislated off the road despite them enjoying something of a renaissance over the past few years.

 

Im not sure that all cars with big engines will be legislated off the road, possibly newer cars yes, but older cars wont be forced to be scrapped - I think they will be more difficult to use.

In so much as they will be banned from city centers, duty on fuel will increase and excise duty ( RFL) will increase to silly proportions. I think with the 40 year road tax and MOT thing that tighter controls will be brought in on using classics too - limited use, limited mileage that sort of thing so the idea of buying a Pre 1977 muscle car may not be a good one.

 

Certainly for a few years I think you will be able to pick up and run a large engined car reasonably cheaply (except the RFL if buying something post 2001) and the fuel.

 

Go for it - whatever floats your boat. Personally I'd like something wafty like a big Renner or Big Citroen though admittedly that would be a V6, but still nice.

[Bren]

Funnily enough I was about to post a similar thread as I want a V8 in my life. I too looked at Monaro's but I think they are on the up and I only want to spend £5k downwards. Looked at everything really unless someone else can come up with something. My pre-requisites which are similar to Bren's are:

 

Sub 5 Grand

Coupe (as stuff like the S4/S6 with 4 doors to me just look like any other saloon but with bigger wheels)

Not LHD

 

I think I have got it down to a BMW 645 CI, anyone any experience on them?

I have heard horror stories about BMW 645's. To be honest I have pretty much ruled out German stuff because they do go wrong and are expensive to put right.

[SiC]

XKR?

or 

XJR?

[Guest Hooli]

XKR?

or 

XJR?

 

That's what I'm thinking for my next toy...

 

I'll probably go with the XJR as they appear cheaper currently.

[SiC]

That's what I'm thinking for my next toy...

 

I'll probably go with the XJR as they appear cheaper currently.

 

Pretty certain in the not to distant future they'll be worth big money. About the closet you can get to a British muscle car. XKR have and will always be worth more. I wouldn't be surprised if in 15-20 years they'll be e-type monies.  

[Guest Hooli]

If/when I get one, I'll try to keep it forever rather than crashing it like my XJ40.

[Hertz]

I have heard horror stories about BMW 645's. To be honest I have pretty much ruled out German stuff because they do go wrong and are expensive to put right.

 

The so called experts reckon the only major issue is valve stem seals. Their tip is to leave it running on tick over for 5 -10 mins after a run then gun the loud pedal. If blue smoke run to the hills if nothing sit back and pour yourself a double malt whiskey (exact words).

 

My take is at 4 grand even if the engine or gearbox does combust I'll break the car for spares. Not an ideal solution granted but a worst case scenario. Another plus is that there is a BMW independent within walking distance of my house for non trouser down work. 

 

I'm talking myself into it aren't I....

[dome]

I bit the bullet and bought a 2004 Audi S4 Avant. I was aware of all the horror stories re timing chains; mine hasn't been long life serviced and the chains are quiet. If they go I'll pull the engine and fix them-my car is a good enough example to warrant this. The fact it has LPG is a bonus.

 

It is an awesome car but it does need a louder exhaust. My options were limited though as I need to cart bikes about so no coupes/saloons for me.

[Bren]

I have two children so two doors are'nt that practical. However it means they wont want to struggle getting in the back so I go out alone.

There is method in my madness.....

[PiperCub]

I like the look of the Monaro and the prices seem to be going up if anything. I sort of considered one myself as a replacement for my C4 VTS as I know someone who did just that, this is his Bookface cover photo!

 

Just done the same - you are right, they have gone up since I last looked (they were about 10-20% less IIRC). Maybe because of the lack of viable alternatives and they aren't exactly common either? 

 

Would agree with some of the older V8/V12 Beemers, they seem to be good VFM without too much risk. Many would avoid them due to the 'OMGFuelConsumption' effect of big motors so prices tend to be more keen than smaller ones that are easier on the pocket. 

[cort1977]

E39 540 is a good call, nearly bought one a couple of years ago.   I suspect that they are appreciating quite nicely in the UK now so may be too late on that one.

[Bren]

I regard the jag same as German offerings - very nice but guaranteed to shit itself and leave everybody saying "told you so."

 

There is a monaro up for £5.9 k but history has been misplaced and it has suffered a bump at the front - bumper has been repaired but headlight brackets have been broken. On the plus side seller claims it has only done 42k.