New car wanted, but I like the old one!

[xtriple]

You all know how it is ' I want a new car' but I don't need a new car!  I have some cash (even before I sold the Jag) and have been looking around, on and off for weeks. As I suffer (!) from depression and looking for cars for too long depresses me greatly, it is a long winded and protracted experience!

I have a budget of about 3-4Kish and requirements are that it is not to low, not to high for a cripple and his crippled/fat dogs to get in the back seat. It must be auto, must have leccy windows (the dog insists on having his window open in all weathers) must be comfortable.

Would be nice to have: V8, air con, convertible, leather.

Don't care if it's 2 or 4 doors anymore.

The main problem is I seem to always end up looking at newer versions of the Merc I have now! I don't 'love' the CLK but I do like it and it does everything I need/want. I'd like a 430 version but rare and pricy and I'd like a newer one from the era when Mercedes remembered how to put paint on a car.  For comparison, the current car is a Mercedes CLK320 convertible, working air con, electric roof and windows, leather but only a sad V6! Oh and it's a year 2000 (I think - 'V' reg).

The other car I always seem to end up at is the good old Lexus LS/GS ranges. I really like the spec (but the looks are a tad 'challenging') and all the toys, like the reliability forecast of them and they have a V8! Petrol only - any mention of a diesel will get the poster a golden raspberry played on my brown Trumpet. Petrol consumption is not important, I do sod all mileage anyway.

Any idea's?

[gadgetgricey]

That CLK looks lovely, I'd look at keeping it. Especially as everything on it works

Could you get the CLK on a classic policy and keep it as well. Then you have the Convertible for when the weather is nice, and you can get a LS400 for the rest of the time.
Actually would recommend a good E38. Really loved mine. I had the 728i, but sure the 740i would float your boat..

(However if you decide to sell the CLK , Pm me )

[gadgetgricey]

Bit of a left field choice.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jeep-Grand-Cherokee-4-7-V8-auto-Limited-VERY-LOW-MILEAGE/273945478729?hash=item3fc86c4649:g:AwoAAOSwi~JdPI9S

They are not as high as you think, so getting in and out should not be a problem. (Not sure re the dogs though)

Not got the V8 but my 4.0 just keeps running and running.

[DVee8]

Don't Lexus do a soft top V8 the SC 430

[Hawkeyethenoo]

CLK is nice and non-crusty it seems, which is rare for them and those Mercs of that -2005 era.

This V8 petrol almost might make some kind of sense? I think it still looks good and would be lush to drive. I'm sure your dogs would approve too.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201905087739443?atmobcid=soc5

Shit. It's a V6.... WHY Lexus WHY?

 

[Hawkeyethenoo]

This the V8....

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201907220336041?atmobcid=soc5

Get it bought. ?

[Ghosty]

LS400 is ideal if not convertible.

[Stanky]

59 minutes ago, Hawkeyethenoo said:

CLK is nice and non-crusty it seems, which is rare for them and those Mercs of that -2005 era.

This V8 petrol almost might make some kind of sense? I think it still looks good and would be lush to drive. I'm sure your dogs would approve too.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201905087739443?atmobcid=soc5

Shit. It's a V6.... WHY Lexus WHY?

 

Do exactly this,  then write an extensive review, fix anything that needs attention then sell to me in about 6 months time. I have a major horn for these.

[NorthernMonkey]

I’ve got a tidy old W140 5.0 V8 Coupe which is going on the market shortly...it does need a little attention unfortunately, namely the usual front wings but it’s mechanically pretty good with excellent main dealer history.

[cort16]

I'd be tempted by a  Facelift S 350

Great value, have the updated modern Mercedes interior, not bad on fuel or horrendous to run

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-Mercedes-Benz-S-Class-3-7-S350-4dr/273888769273?hash=item3fc50af4f9:g:-xoAAOSwS2Vc2QVM

[xtriple]

10 minutes ago, cort16 said:

I'd be tempted by a  Facelift S 350

Great value, have the updated modern Mercedes interior, not bad on fuel or horrendous to run

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-Mercedes-Benz-S-Class-3-7-S350-4dr/273888769273?hash=item3fc50af4f9:g:-xoAAOSwS2Vc2QVM

That's a bit of alright! Cheap as well... what's the round thing on the front of the passenger wing?

[cort16]

Probably a wee flag. Possibly embassy car?

[gadgetgricey]

7 minutes ago, xtriple said:

what's the round thing on the front of the passenger wing?

 

1 minute ago, cort16 said:

Probably a wee flag. Possibly embassy car?

Was going to suggest the same

[Cavcraft]

I believe Citroen Saxos are nice at this time of the year.

[xtriple]

44 minutes ago, Cavcraft said:

I believe Citroen Saxos are nice at this time of the year.

Why, how many have you for sale?

 

[loserone]

My legacy fits none of your criteria either.  And it's further away.

[Cavcraft]

To be fair, NorthernMonkey's Merc looks absolutely magic. 

[Noel Tidybeard]

keep your merc for best and get a blingo/kangoo for mutt duties

[xtriple]

8 hours ago, NorthernMonkey said:

I’ve got a tidy old W140 5.0 V8 Coupe which is going on the market shortly...it does need a little attention unfortunately, namely the usual front wings but it’s mechanically pretty good with excellent main dealer history.

Now that is lovely. Wonder how hard it is to get new wings?

[stephenD57]

13 hours ago, Hawkeyethenoo said:

This the V8....

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201907220336041?atmobcid=soc5

Get it bought. ?

That's a nice ride! Good contender

[loserone]

12 hours ago, Noel Tidybeard said:

keep your merc for best and get a blingo/kangoo for mutt duties

Does that work for anyone? Don't you just drive "best" all the time?

[Schaefft]

16 hours ago, NorthernMonkey said:

I’ve got a tidy old W140 5.0 V8 Coupe which is going on the market shortly...it does need a little attention unfortunately, namely the usual front wings but it’s mechanically pretty good with excellent main dealer history.

I already have one and am not really in the market but how much??

 

V8 convertible really is not an easy one. Your choice are basically SL/CLK convertible, E64 645/650Ci, SC430 and then a few Audi S/Merc AMG offerings. The BMW's ownership experience will only make you more depressed, the S/AMGs are probably too expensive. If I was you I'd try to find a decent R129 500SL, they aren't cheap either but are amazing cars and a noticeable upgrade over what you have. If it doesn't have to be a convertible, that SEC above wouldn't be a bad pick at all...

[NorthernMonkey]

3 minutes ago, Schaefft said:

I already have one and am not really in the market but how much??

It’s not perfect but it’s a good, straight and driveable starting point for a light restoration.

There’s a very comprehensive MB/specialist service history, a full set of keys in their own presentation box and even the original Becker stereo in the boot (which unfortunately is faulty)

Main issues are the front wings and some minor corrosion on the inside edge of the drivers door bottom. It also needs some minor paint/lacquer on the boot lid and ideally the sunroof panel where it’s rubbed on the weather strip.

Front brake pipes have been an advisory for the last few years and there’s a quirk with the hazard lights ‘double flashing’ when switched on but it’s not been an issue for the MOT.

Also, the infra red remote locking works all but the drivers door but other than that, everything else is ok.

Ideally, the private plate will come off as I’d like to put it on my P38 but it is actually an L reg anyway, just three digits and letters.

It drives very well indeed, the gearbox and drivetrain are all good and it uses no oil or coolant between services.

It simply doesn’t get used....I love it but it’s a big old bugger to park in the town centre and to be honest, I prefer the styling of my 124s

Price wise, on here, I’d take £2300 which quite frankly is a steal for a running and MOTd 500SEC...once the paint is sorted, it’s much nearer a £5k car.

I’d also consider taking something else in px along with some cash...either a modern that I could move on through the garage or even a MB or BMW convertible to replace Claire’s 9-3 that she’s bored of now...

 

 

[SiC]

This?

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F183904410339

[Hawkeyethenoo]

9 hours ago, stephenD57 said:

That's a nice ride! Good contender

Hell of a lot of 'car' for the money and probably the one the few non ruinous V8s* aboot. I even like the colour and could 'live with' the interiour for the sake of the aforementioned.

*Previous Land Rover products need not apply, lol.

[chompy_snake]

Could you maybe get an early sc400 (soarer) in budget? 

Not all that many mainstream V8's available these days. 

Only other thing I can think of is the totally obscure Gs430/400 V8 they are fairly uncommon but if the LS is anything to go by they should be bullet proof 

[anonymous user]

7 hours ago, loserone said:

Does that work for anyone? Don't you just drive "best" all the time?

No  because I can't afford £200+ petrol per week. 

[stephenD57]

13 hours ago, Hawkeyethenoo said:

Hell of a lot of 'car' for the money and probably the one the few non ruinous V8s* aboot. I even like the colour and could 'live with' the interiour for the sake of the aforementioned.

*Previous Land Rover products need not apply, lol. 

Another problem is that looks like a chick magnet.

[cort16]

I’m not sure I’d go for anything too old to too specialist. Given you’re not feeling that great I wouldn’t but a car you’re going to stress over . 

 

[carlo]

Like you I find looking for and buying cars very stressful (well the looking can be fun but the decision making process and ownership reality is certainly stressful.)  That's one reason I've stuck with the 405s for 14 years now, they just fit like a glove.  I get more satisfaction spending a few quid to rectify something on it and make it just a bit better again.  Plus every alternative I've tried so far has not been any better or so rounded as a car to use all the time.  I don't want to relegate the 405 to special occasions only either, as it would deteriorate and it's so enjoyable to use anyway.  I think I get a sort of weird satisfaction of trying to keep the car going long after most people would have scrapped it.

So any advice after that ramble would be to try fixing any minor annoyances on the current Merc and see if that solves the conundrum.