Decisions, decisions ....

chrali · February 8

Evening chaps, As I've said in replies in other topics, I am on the hunt for my next barge. I'll be honest I've had most barges, but definitely lean to the Germans. Like others, I've wasted wayyyyy to much cash on cars over the years; kept for to brief a time, but I'm knocking on a bit and have SWMBO approval for one last, definitely positively the last, barge with a proper engine. My thoughts are as follows. Whilst I do hanker for a Bentley Arnage I couldn't justify the 13mpg quoted combined MPG. A Bentley Flying Spur is tempting, but I cannot reconcile buying a car many simple repairs require the engine and transmission to be dropped. A facelift Mercedes S600 is a soft spot of mine and would fit in a garage, as would a Lexus Ls600. I got the LS600 test drive out of the way without any expectation, but was actually amazed by it. I have never driven a car so smooth and so quiet. It has left a lasting impression on me. So much so that testing a 2011 Mercedes S500 felt crap, squeaky blower motor and head nodding as it went through the gear and the steering felt gritty. I think my only realistic concerns on the LS600 is that my old LS400 on DHP alloys was appalling when driving enthusiastically and I'll need to another test drive of the LS600 to find that out. To be honest, accelerating hard didn't cross my mind in the LS600. That and finding out if the carbon capture in the exhaust is in UK cars. I also think garages are asking too much for them, but it doesn't hurt to make an offer now does it. 😁

Tinonline · February 9

You had a later LS?

on standard wheels with well serviced suspension, quality tyres, they handle and stick very well.

sure the steering feedback is not exactly sports car but…it’s forgivable.

Malc1 · February 9

Chris, what “ big “ cars have you actually owned ?

Malc

chrali · February 9

9 hours ago, Malc1 said:

Chris, what “ big “ cars have you actually owned ?

Malc

Ok starting from when I was 18 when I had a 1981 Jag Series 3 4.2 (was 3.4), 1979 Rover SD1 2.3 & Rover SD1 3.5, then 1988 Ford Granada, 1993 Range Rover LSE 4.2, then another 1994 Range Rover LSE 4.2 soft dash, 1997 Nissan Patrol 4.2 GRSE, 1988 W126 Mercedes 560 SEL, 1995 W140 Mercedes S500L, 1988 Jaguar XJ40 2.9, Ford Scorpio 2.9, Vauxhall Monterey Diamond 3.2 (Isusu Trooper basically), a few Rover 820's, at least 1988 and 1989 Jaguar XJS V12s, 1997 Lexus LS400, 1988 BMW 750il V12, 2004, E66 BMW 760Li V12, 2006 Mercedes GL420 CDI, 2006 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S and most recently a 2012 Range Rover TDV8 4.4. Oh and a 2006 Jeep Commander CRD (with GDE HOT tune).

I think these count as "big" cars. 😁🤪

chrali · February 9

9 hours ago, Tinonline said:

You had a later LS?

on standard wheels with well serviced suspension, quality tyres, they handle and stick very well.

sure the steering feedback is not exactly sports car but…it’s forgivable.

This was many years ago, cost me £1500 with 170k+ miles on it, so I doubt it was best of breed.

Malc1 · February 9

An excellent line up for sure 👌

Malc

chrali · February 9

12 minutes ago, Malc1 said:

An excellent line up for sure 👌

Malc

They got me where I am today ... devoid of savings 🤔 Did you like my 1950's Humber Pig APC with full Northen Ireland mods? £80 a year to insure, MOT and road tax exempt but 4 mpg as its over 7 tons. All this is why me looking for an LS600 is me actually trying to be reasonably sensible.

DavidCM · February 9

23 minutes ago, chrali said:

s 🤔 Did you like my 1950's Humber Pig APC with full Northen Ireland mods? £80 a year to insur

That won't get dented in Tesco's car park.

BigBoomer · February 12

Go test drive an LS430, LS460/600h. I found them to be just as comfy as the LS400 but with a more planted feel.
I preferred the LS430 because it has better steering feel than the 460/600 but any of them can be thrown at the twisties with gusto and just eat it up.
The LS460 engine is the most powerful, but for me the LS430 was the best overall package.
The computerised air-suspension and Vehicle Stability Control in all of them is very good indeed.

Of course, your passengers will be puking/screaming if you do throw it at the twisties as these are still 2-ton behemoths.
On one of my test drives (LS460) the owner spent the latter part of the drive with a death grip on the passenger grab handle. 😱
I did ask him if it was OK before I flipped my head into "BANZAI" mode. 🤣

Jon Evans · February 13

@chrali all of your images are broken for me. If I right-click and "open image in new tab" it takes me to a Google login, and if I log in I just get a grey no entry sign.

Malc1 · February 13

4 minutes ago, Jon Evans said:

@chrali all of your images are broken for me. If I right-click and "open image in new tab" it takes me to a Google login, and if I log in I just get a grey no entry sign.

strange, they all appeared ok for me yesterday but not now 🙃

Malc

Chris Skelton · February 13

You need a 1948 Cadillac fast-back!

There are some Japanese import Lex 600s about,at lower price; I spied a lovely white on for…..£8K, if I remember correctly.

not as many folk want big cars,to our benefit!

chrali · February 13

15 hours ago, Jon Evans said:

@chrali all of your images are broken for me. If I right-click and "open image in new tab" it takes me to a Google login, and if I log in I just get a grey no entry sign.

Hmm I added them from my google, I'll download them instead. Can't edit my original post though. Suffice to say it should prove my big car bona fides 😁

chrali · February 14

On 2/9/2024 at 5:30 PM, DavidCM said:

That won't get dented in Tesco's car park.

I lived in Edmonton at the time and yup did drive it to the supermarket. You didn't want to let it stall, as it took some time to start when warm. Not ideal in the filter lane to turn into the supermarket. 😁Was intended to use it to take the dogs to Epping in it, but it scared them silly, as it was so noisy inside.

chrali · February 14

13 hours ago, Chris Skelton said:

You need a 1948 Cadillac fast-back!

There are some Japanese import Lex 600s about,at lower price; I spied a lovely white on for…..£8K, if I remember correctly.

not as many folk want big cars, to our benefit!

Yeah seen some of the imports pop up. Some are in weird specifications such as no sunroof and I'd assume wrong satnav. Would be wary of spec differences that you can't see as well. Completely agree on people getting out of large cars being a good thing. 👍

chrali · February 14

On 2/12/2024 at 9:34 AM, BigBoomer said:

Go test drive an LS430, LS460/600h. I found them to be just as comfy as the LS400 but with a more planted feel.
I preferred the LS430 because it has better steering feel than the 460/600 but any of them can be thrown at the twisties with gusto and just eat it up.
The LS460 engine is the most powerful, but for me the LS430 was the best overall package.
The computerised air-suspension and Vehicle Stability Control in all of them is very good indeed.

Of course, your passengers will be puking/screaming if you do throw it at the twisties as these are still 2-ton behemoths.
On one of my test drives (LS460) the owner spent the latter part of the drive with a death grip on the passenger grab handle. 😱
I did ask him if it was OK before I flipped my head into "BANZAI" mode. 🤣

Cheers for the assist, but whilst the '03 on LS430 looks decent, I've always liked the LS460/LS600 shape and am tempted to dip my toe in the hybrid waters.

Malc1 · February 14

Rex. Rex. Rex booootiful big black poodle for sure 😂

My cats used to wee up parked car wheels for passing hounds to stop and sniff too ……. that’s wot dogs do …… my cats laughing, watching ‘em 🤣

Malc

Chris Skelton · February 14

Car and classic site have a lovely Citroen cx Prestige that I’d have once I won on ERNIE.

Malc1 · February 15

When I was much younger with 4 kids ( all age 5 and under ) I wished I could afford the Citroen Familiale Estate for our family car ……. There was no UK car then ….. 45 years ago….. that could “ safely “ cart a family around

Even as an overpaid banker I couldn’t afford one 😂

Malc

Sundance · February 15

1 hour ago, Malc1 said:

When I was much younger with 4 kids ( all age 5 and under ) I wished I could afford the Citroen Familiale Estate for our family car ……. There was no UK car then ….. 45 years ago….. that could “ safely “ cart a family around

Even as an overpaid banker I couldn’t afford one 😂

Malc

Best you keep your spellchecker disabled Malc! 😉