Time for a new work car.

[Mrgreen36]

Ok, not new, but new to me. 

 

First criteria  has to be a touring/estate 

 

Prefer rear wheel drive, all wheel if unavoidable (can probably delete awd stuff as well. 

 

Volvo has to be manual +RWD. 

 

Possibly a Mercedes e350 (looks like avoid 2006) 

 

Bmw, have to be 5 series, e34, e39, probably even an e60. 

 

I try to stick to stuff built around 2000, +/- 5 years or so. Can work on it, parts reasonable, have two post lift, most stuff I actually enjoy doing. 

 

Who put some miles on any of those cars back 15+ years ago?  

 

Prefer one to have roof rack/rails, I'll add a basket. Need seats to fold down flat. 

 

Too bad no e38 touring. 😆 

 

I refuse to drive my one ton truck daily. 

 

Edit: it needs to be fun to drive. I'll put 25k on it a year. I'd like 20 mpg.  Not sure I want to shift everyday or not. 

 

After I find that car, I'm picking out a new former flagship car from 20 years ago for my good car. Like a XJR superv8.  90k new, 3k used now. 😆 I love depreciation. 

Edited November 28, 2023 by Mrgreen36

[Mrgreen36]

Everyone drove some boring cars 25 years ago?  😆 

[shankasaurus rex]

4 minutes ago, Mrgreen36 said:

Everyone drove some boring cars 25 years ago?  😆 

Don't be that guy.

 

Out of your fairly limiting list, you're going to struggle to find something that isn't an absolute basketcase. I'd personally stick with the Bimmers, but you're probably not going to have a ton of options. Good luck. 

[Mrgreen36]

2 hours ago, shankasaurus rex said:

Don't be that guy.

 

Out of your fairly limiting list, you're going to struggle to find something that isn't an absolute basketcase. I'd personally stick with the Bimmers, but you're probably not going to have a ton of options. Good luck. 

 

 

I prefer broken vehicles that look like money pits and are sold cheap.  I got a pretty good tool set. 

 

I've taken numerous aging European luxury cars past the 300k mile mark. 

 

Probably between a 5 series touring or the Benz. 

[dashanks]

15 hours ago, Mrgreen36 said:

Ok, not new, but new to me. 

 

First criteria  has to be a touring/estate 

 

Prefer rear wheel drive, all wheel if unavoidable (can probably delete awd stuff as well. 

 

Volvo has to be manual +RWD. 

 

Possibly a Mercedes e350 (looks like avoid 2006) 

 

Bmw, have to be 5 series, e34, e39, probably even an e60. 

 

I try to stick to stuff built around 2000, +/- 5 years or so. Can work on it, parts reasonable, have two post lift, most stuff I actually enjoy doing. 

 

Who put some miles on any of those cars back 15+ years ago?  

 

Prefer one to have roof rack/rails, I'll add a basket. Need seats to fold down flat. 

 

Too bad no e38 touring. 😆 

 

I refuse to drive my one ton truck daily. 

 

Edit: it needs to be fun to drive. I'll put 25k on it a year. I'd like 20 mpg.  Not sure I want to shift everyday or not. 

 

After I find that car, I'm picking out a new former flagship car from 20 years ago for my good car. Like a XJR superv8.  90k new, 3k used now. 😆 I love depreciation. 

I envy your two post lift.   I enjoy farting around with cars also.   Nothing real complicated, just stuff I can Youtube.  I'm currently keeping an '04 Mercury Marquis looking and running sharp.  At 67, I think I might be the youngest persons driving one of these.   Unless you count the young, Black kids, of course.  They seem to like them also.  I've seen a lot of them turned into low-riders or whatever.   They are sweet cruising machines, spruced up or not.

[Nard_S]

Acura TSX w/ manual.

Basically a European spec Accord, gorgeous interior, rellable.

 

Volvo C5 w/ manual.

 

Both FWD, but so what.

[TiScape]

16 hours ago, Mrgreen36 said:

Ok, not new, but new to me. 

 

First criteria  has to be a touring/estate 

 

Prefer rear wheel drive, all wheel if unavoidable (can probably delete awd stuff as well. 

 

Volvo has to be manual +RWD. 

 

Possibly a Mercedes e350 (looks like avoid 2006) 

 

Bmw, have to be 5 series, e34, e39, probably even an e60. 

 

I try to stick to stuff built around 2000, +/- 5 years or so. Can work on it, parts reasonable, have two post lift, most stuff I actually enjoy doing. 

 

Who put some miles on any of those cars back 15+ years ago?  

 

Prefer one to have roof rack/rails, I'll add a basket. Need seats to fold down flat. 

 

Too bad no e38 touring. 😆 

 

I refuse to drive my one ton truck daily. 

 

Edit: it needs to be fun to drive. I'll put 25k on it a year. I'd like 20 mpg.  Not sure I want to shift everyday or not. 

 

After I find that car, I'm picking out a new former flagship car from 20 years ago for my good car. Like a XJR superv8.  90k new, 3k used now. 😆 I love depreciation. 

I put all your criteria into the CarMax filters and even it was like…

 

🤣

Edited November 28, 2023 by TiScape

[Mrgreen36]

1 hour ago, Nard_S said:

Acura TSX w/ manual.

Basically a European spec Accord, gorgeous interior, rellable.

 

Volvo C5 w/ manual.

 

Both FWD, but so what.

 

FWD cars drive and handle like poo.  Even getting snow, I still prefer RWD. 

[Mrgreen36]

1 hour ago, TiScape said:

I put all your criteria into the CarMax filters and even it was like…

 

🤣

 

Yeah, not a lot of options to choose from when you start with mid size European estate/touring. 😆 

 

The early 2000s Benz seem to be almost indestructible on the interior side. 

[MattM97]

No Volvo FR vehicles after like 1998. 

 

Are there any BMW 5 Series E39 or E60 state side? (if you are stateside) 

 

Mercedes in that era not that good.

 

So congrats on your new BMW? 

[Nard_S]

31 minutes ago, Mrgreen36 said:

 

FWD cars drive and handle like poo.  Even getting snow, I still prefer RWD. 

A car to commute, who's canyon carving?. Have an M3 but loved zipping around on my Civic Si.

RWD? Older? Lexus GS or LS would be my choice. Domestic? Ford w/ police package

[Mrgreen36]

1 minute ago, Nard_S said:

A car to commute, who's canyon carving?. Have an M3 but loved zipping around on my Civic Si.

RWD? Older? Lexus GS or LS would be my choice. Domestic? Ford w/ police package

 

I don't like front wheel drive, it's heavy and the car pushes in turns or if snow. 

 

It's got to be a wagon.  It's not just commuting, I can haul my tools, materials, finished parts, etc.  If I'm stuck driving something every single day, even as a work vehicle, I want to enjoy that drive. 

[Mrgreen36]

8 minutes ago, MattM97 said:

No Volvo FR vehicles after like 1998. 

 

Are there any BMW 5 Series E39 or E60 state side? (if you are stateside) 

 

Mercedes in that era not that good.

 

So congrats on your new BMW? 

 

I could drive a brick every day. 

 

There are a decent amount of e34s, e39s and e60s estates here in the US.   

 

The Merc's seem to hold up interior wise the best, I know a couple years had some major engine issues.   

[MattC555]

E39, any.  The M5 would be my pick.

[Nard_S]

14 minutes ago, Mrgreen36 said:

don't like front wheel drive, it's heavy and the car pushes in turns or if snow.

You put light alloys and good tires on a Honda, It's not that at all. 

Sound like a BMW wagon is your only choice. Not an easy find.

Dodge had a wagon, pretty ugly but had V8 too.

 

 

[Mrgreen36]

41 minutes ago, MattC555 said:

E39, any.  The M5 would be my pick.

 

I'd have to import an m5 touring and I'm not sure I'd want to turn that into a work car. 

 

But e39 platform may be my focus. Some e90s out there cheap.  

 

I'm going to fix everything on whatever I get anyway, it's part of the fun. 

[Mrgreen36]

20 minutes ago, Nard_S said:

You put light alloys and good tires on a Honda, It's not that at all. 

Sound like a BMW wagon is your only choice. Not an easy find.

Dodge had a wagon, pretty ugly but had V8 too.

 

 

 

Caprice classic was one of the last full size wagons made here before the magnum. 

 

I just saw a 2019 buick wagon, interesting. 

[mshills]

Captain Obvious here, and am sure you're aware, but here goes.

 

Americans hate station wagons.  Some Americans like to say we like them, then when it comes time to buy one, we go buy the latest CUV tall wagon because "it's safer" 🙄 or some other reason.  So, there aren't many wagons to choose from in the first place.  If you prefer a manual trans that may shut you out entirely.

 

I own a 2010 Volvo XC70 with the T6 and a little over 100k miles of very hard family duty.  It's been a good car.  Not inexpensive to service -- parts are very expensive and can take a couple / few days to get.  Had a couple items that were disappointing, had to replace the steering rack and the steering column.  OUCH $$$$  But it is a great driving experience -- very quick, great visibility, and extraordinary seats.  Just a comfortable, fun car to drive, and the cargo area is cavernous!  Piss-poor fuel consumption but tradeoff I'm willing to make as we still like the car, and my wife still loves it, so it soldiers on.

 

If you're looking at a early 2000s MB wagon, that's likely the W210.  I think 2002 or maybe 03 was the last year.  Good cars, very few wagons to find at all and the ones you'll find will usually be beat into submission with years of very hard family duty.  Engine room problems are few -- the big one is the harmonic balancer, terminal on the V6 if it lets go.  Achilles heel on these cars:  front spring perch mount rust (hard to detect unless you know exactly where to look and what to look for) and the interiors don't hold up nearly as well as the prior-gen W124, but those cars are getting quite old now.

 

As long as I am head of household, no used BMWs, ever!

 

Buick imported that Regal wagon, I think it's a rebadged Opel.  Nice looking cars, don't know much about them, I think that parts availability might not be so great.

 

Subaru an option -- people who own them seem to love them, I've gotten Legacies and Outbacks as rental cars and have never been impressed enough to buy one, but YMMV.

 

Good luck!

[aenemated]

The E46 I had back in the day is probably my second favorite car I've ever owned. 

 

 

 

[Mrgreen36]

1 hour ago, mshills said:

Captain Obvious here, and am sure you're aware, but here goes.

 

Americans hate station wagons.  Some Americans like to say we like them, then when it comes time to buy one, we go buy the latest CUV tall wagon because "it's safer" 🙄 or some other reason.  So, there aren't many wagons to choose from in the first place.  If you prefer a manual trans that may shut you out entirely.

 

I own a 2010 Volvo XC70 with the T6 and a little over 100k miles of very hard family duty.  It's been a good car.  Not inexpensive to service -- parts are very expensive and can take a couple / few days to get.  Had a couple items that were disappointing, had to replace the steering rack and the steering column.  OUCH $$$$  But it is a great driving experience -- very quick, great visibility, and extraordinary seats.  Just a comfortable, fun car to drive, and the cargo area is cavernous!  Piss-poor fuel consumption but tradeoff I'm willing to make as we still like the car, and my wife still loves it, so it soldiers on.

 

If you're looking at a early 2000s MB wagon, that's likely the W210.  I think 2002 or maybe 03 was the last year.  Good cars, very few wagons to find at all and the ones you'll find will usually be beat into submission with years of very hard family duty.  Engine room problems are few -- the big one is the harmonic balancer, terminal on the V6 if it lets go.  Achilles heel on these cars:  front spring perch mount rust (hard to detect unless you know exactly where to look and what to look for) and the interiors don't hold up nearly as well as the prior-gen W124, but those cars are getting quite old now.

 

As long as I am head of household, no used BMWs, ever!

 

Buick imported that Regal wagon, I think it's a rebadged Opel.  Nice looking cars, don't know much about them, I think that parts availability might not be so great.

 

Subaru an option -- people who own them seem to love them, I've gotten Legacies and Outbacks as rental cars and have never been impressed enough to buy one, but YMMV.

 

Good luck!

 

I bought my daughter a volvo for her first car, just a little S40 with a 5speed.  Parts for that frustrate me, knowing that they are really ford parts from a newer focus/Mazda.   Fortunately I have spares for most of the important parts. 

 

2002 was last year of the w210.  Found a really clean one that needs a bit of work (not much really) for a song. It's a beautiful car, almost feel bad throwing tools, hydraulic hoses, ladders, etc in it.  😆 

[Mrgreen36]

6 hours ago, dashanks said:

I envy your two post lift.   I enjoy farting around with cars also.   Nothing real complicated, just stuff I can Youtube.  I'm currently keeping an '04 Mercury Marquis looking and running sharp.  At 67, I think I might be the youngest persons driving one of these.   Unless you count the young, Black kids, of course.  They seem to like them also.  I've seen a lot of them turned into low-riders or whatever.   They are sweet cruising machines, spruced up or not.

 

I'm a fan of the Mercury marauder. 

[CSagan]

Love my V8 Bimmer. I need to get a lift one day. Fun to work on....sometimes.

[mshills]

2 hours ago, Mrgreen36 said:

2002 was last year of the w210.  Found a really clean one that needs a bit of work (not much really) for a song. It's a beautiful car, almost feel bad throwing tools, hydraulic hoses, ladders, etc in it.  😆 

I’d be all over that. Those are good cars that are pretty easy to work on and not super complex. 

[Mrgreen36]

7 minutes ago, mshills said:

I’d be all over that. Those are good cars that are pretty easy to work on and not super complex. 

 

I've got good diagnostic tools and have an old laptop I keep all my manufacturer specific software on.

[Mrgreen36]

29 minutes ago, CSagan said:

Love my V8 Bimmer. I need to get a lift one day. Fun to work on....sometimes.

 

I really want to find a highline, or individual e38 750il. Preferably blue/oyster interior.

 

A 540it would be great, but not many to choose from out there. 

 

I got a 12k pound 4 post recently, that I haven't set up yet.  I hate putting my crew cab long bed one ton on my 2 post. 

Edited November 29, 2023 by Mrgreen36

[CSagan]

7 minutes ago, Mrgreen36 said:

 

I really want to find a highline, or individual e38 750il. Preferably blue/oyster interior.

 

A 540it would be great, but not many to choose from out there. 

 

I got a 12k pound 4 post recently, that I haven't set up yet.  I hate putting my crew cab long bed one ton on my 2 post. 

Where are you located? I need a new buddy with a lift 😁 I have loft and lie machine to barter! 
 

yeah the old 750 was killer. I have a f15 50i..plenty of room and pep when needed. 

[dashanks]

11 hours ago, Mrgreen36 said:

 

I'm a fan of the Mercury marauder. 

I had actually never heard of the Marauder.  Yeah, my old girl looks basically the same except for the mags and paint job.  And, of course, for years I had the Queen Elizabeth decal waving out the rear passenger window.  She looked perfect back there.

[sunbeltgolfer]

12 hours ago, Mrgreen36 said:

 

I bought my daughter a volvo for her first car, just a little S40 with a 5speed.  Parts for that frustrate me, knowing that they are really ford parts from a newer focus/Mazda.   Fortunately I have spares for most of the important parts. 

 

2002 was last year of the w210.  Found a really clean one that needs a bit of work (not much really) for a song. It's a beautiful car, almost feel bad throwing tools, hydraulic hoses, ladders, etc in it.  😆 

A clean and well cared for W210 is a good choice, given that you have the skill to maintain it.

[RobotDoctor]

I had a 2012 Volvo S60 T5 that was involved in a hit and run accident in NOLA this past March and with 127,811 miles on it the car was totaled.  I picked up a 2019 BMW F36 440i and it has been a terrific car.  This one had less than 30K miles on it.  The hatch back makes this a very versatile car in that I have ample room in the back for hauling tools, suitcase, golf clubs and such at the same time.  It's RWD and the B58 is a tremendous platform.  My F36 is a Sportline (Base) model, not M Sport, but it's plenty fun to drive.  The rear lift gives this car the benefit of a touring car (with rear seats folded down) with the convenience of the size of a sedan.  Maybe this might be a good alternative to the touring.  

Edited December 3, 2023 by RobotDoctor

[Mrgreen36]

Trying to find something down by Austin. Have a buddy down there that could pick it up and haul it back when he makes the trip a few times a year. They are all so clean down there.