Should I get a Porche Boxster?

[sasguru]

If being an old boring git with a beard, bad breath and being a member of "an owners club" is "stylish" then I will stick to being a pleb.

How about if you were an unbearded cool dude, with fragrant breath and being a member of an owners club?
You are proof that you even a private school can't take out the chav in a chav.

[Mich the Tester]

If I wanted an older car then instead of a classic Benz, and if the money really was burning a hole in my pocket, I'd go for one of these;

Pre-Owned Bristol Cars

or possibly one of these;

Lancia Aurelia B20GT. MotoBurg

[darmstadt]

Well thanks for the advice all - but I've decided a classic old Merc is probably more my style. And may have the added advantage of being an appreciating asset. I never could bring myself to pay thousands for a new car that loses a few grand as soon as you drive off the forecourt.

Any suggestions for which Merc? - the hairdresser style 2 seaters are out of the question.

Well I had a 1972 350SLC when I moved over here. It was a piece of tulip but still went even though it was only running on 6 cylinders. If you want something like that then you're going to have to spend a bit of money (they're rustbuckets also) so look at an import from California, in particular the 450 or 500 models.

[The_Equalizer]

If I wanted an older car then instead of a classic Benz, and if the money really was burning a hole in my pocket, I'd go for one of these;

Pre-Owned Bristol Cars

or possibly one of these;

Lancia Aurelia B20GT. MotoBurg

Very nice. Both have been on the wish list for quite some time. The only downside is they will be more expensive and harder to keep on the road than a classic Merc. Still, Bristols hmmmm...

[Mich the Tester]

Very nice. Both have been on the wish list for quite some time. The only downside is they will be more expensive and harder to keep on the road than a classic Merc. Still, Bristols hmmmm...

Yep, but I think once you're in Bristol or Aurelia territory, you really should either own a commercial garage or employ a skilled mechanic. It would indeed be almost un-doable otherwise.

[The_Equalizer]

Well I had a 1972 350SLC when I moved over here. It was a piece of tulip but still went even though it was only running on 6 cylinders. If you want something like that then you're going to have to spend a bit of money (they're rustbuckets also) so look at an import from California, in particular the 450 or 500 models.

Hence the later 1980s cars are far more sought after and higher in price. The build quality of 1980s Mercs was probably about as good as it's even been. Even basic switches have soldered connections and then male - female unions.

The American spec R107s have very ugly bumpers.

[sasguru]

If I wanted an older car then instead of a classic Benz, and if the money really was burning a hole in my pocket, I'd go for one of these;

Pre-Owned Bristol Cars

or possibly one of these;

Lancia Aurelia B20GT. MotoBurg

I also have a soft spot for the Citroen DS - properly innovative and a piece of motor history.
Back in the 1990s, i almost bought a close to mint one for about £15K. Put the money into the deposit for a BTL instead.
Which I think proved the better investment.

[sasguru]

The build quality of 1980s Mercs was probably about as good as it's even been. .

True that.
Avoid any Mercs built between about 1998 and about 2005, they're almost as bad as French cars for reliability.

[Old Hack]

If you are going to buy a merc classic, there's only one of two cars you can buy. The pagoda (W113) in which a good 280SL will go for mid 30's to mid 40's and appreciate

,

this is a 230SL and slightly underpowered,

or the



190SL (W121) which I love, and which will also cost between £35-45 for an excellent one.

Thats about it. The rest, including the 80's SL's are tulipe, I mean properly tulipe. They are bullet proof, but are about as stylish as Dallas.

[The_Equalizer]

The rest, including the 80's SL's are tulipe, I mean properly tulipe. They are bullet proof, but are about as stylish as Dallas.

Rapidly changing and I must admit I wasn't too taken with them until I got one for a bit of inexpensive summer fun. The German term Youngtimers suits them well. I have always thought the 190SL was very much in the shadow of the 300SL. The W113 is undoubtedly lovely. Finding a good one is hard and you're probably now talking upwards of £45K.