How's this for variety?

"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
05/14/2014 at 16:22 • Filed to: None

So, someone on here a while back said that one of the things they loved about my car search was the ridiculous variety of the cars I was looking at. Well, since the Phaeton fell through, fortunately for my bank account, I am headed out today to look at the two new top contenders for my first car. The only thing they have in common? Bad gas mileage. Actually, one of them is bad, and the other one is beyond bad. The two cars I am headed out to look at today are a black 1995 Toyota Land Cruiser, and a very low mileage red 1976 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham, the only car that can make a '95 Land Cruiser look economical.

Also, I get the impression that the guy selling the LC may be an Opponanut/Jalop. To quote his Craiglist ad,

"Prefer an quick outright sale but would be interested in trading for some sort of sport wagon, preferably German with a 5spd manual transmission so thinking e34 or e39 BMW 5-series or M-series or perhaps an Audi S4/S6 of similar era."

I like this guy already.

DISCUSSION (28)

jkm7680 > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/14/2014 at 16:29

Nice, how many miles do they have?

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > jkm7680
05/14/2014 at 16:31

The Cruiser has 163,000 and the Cadillac has 70,000.

jkm7680 > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/14/2014 at 16:32

That's not bad at all! I'd go for the Cruiser, because Cruiser.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/14/2014 at 16:32

Land Cruiser. Definitely Land Cruiser.

God, I love Land Cruisers.

...

....

Land Cruiser.

dogisbadob > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/14/2014 at 16:33

I almost got a 76 Deville as my first car, but I didn't because it's the size of the whole block.

If you like the Phaeton, check out the LS430.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > jkm7680
05/14/2014 at 16:34

It's by far the more practical choice. But that Caddy…

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > dogisbadob
05/14/2014 at 16:36

I have looked at a 1997 Lexus LS400. Awesome car, and cannot be beaten for value, but it doesn't create an emotional desire in me the way these two do.

jkm7680 > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/14/2014 at 16:36

Yup dat Caddy. But the Cruiser seems more, well. Less Grandma's grocery getter. (Which probably explains 70,000 miles, Haha)

Plus you could get it on offroad.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
05/14/2014 at 16:37

Kinja'd!!!

Mah Land Cruiser WP.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/14/2014 at 16:38

Ooohh dats a good one

dogisbadob > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/14/2014 at 16:39

Really?

For your first car, ANY car creates an emotional desire because you're happy to finally have your own car :)

jariten1781 > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/14/2014 at 16:39

Caddy all the way. So much presence. Yeah, shit'll break, but parts are easy to find and the car's huge so there's plenty of room to work. Just don't try to park it in an underground parking garage.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > jkm7680
05/14/2014 at 16:40

Yes, but the Cadillac has a 500ci V8, so burnouts. Which I would do a lot more often then I would go off road. On the other hand, if I got the Land Cruiser, I would go off road. And when it snowed, I would spend all day driving around pulling my friends in their fart-can Civics and V6 Mustangs out of ditches. Although the seller did note that this car DOES NOT have locking diffs.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > dogisbadob
05/14/2014 at 16:42

I know. But being the spoiled, overprivleged brat I am (and because my dad is a huge gear head) I can pretty much choose from any sub-$8000 car I want. Only restrictions is no BMW. It's not worth explaining why.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > jariten1781
05/14/2014 at 16:43

I tend to agree with you.

jkm7680 > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/14/2014 at 16:44

Yeah, That's true. Whenever you mention 4 wheel drive, everybody thinks that you are a genie and can help with everything.

I'd also say that the Cruiser would be easier to park, and cheaper to do body work on.

Jagvar > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/14/2014 at 16:47

Dang, I was hoping to have another Phaeton buddy on here. :(

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > jkm7680
05/14/2014 at 16:47

Yes. I agree with everything you say. It's gonna be a tough.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Jagvar
05/14/2014 at 16:49

You can call my uncle. It's his.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/14/2014 at 16:50

As an owner, I highly recommend the FJ80. This thing is practically new with as few a miles as it has.

dogisbadob > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
05/14/2014 at 16:58

The only reason for no BMW is because you're not an asshat :p

The $8000 figure is what's most important, because knowing your budget is the most significant piece of info needed to recommend cars.

You might be able to get an Astra for $8000, with the awesome panoramic sunroof. Another good idea is the Pontiac Vibe GT/Matrix XRS, 2ZZ engine and 6-speed, lots of space and good gas mileage.

The Mazda Protege5 is also a really fun cool car with lots of space.

Of course there is nothing wrong with a 90s Toyota, as everything they made back then was the best in its segment with a lineup that will never be topped. From the Land Cruiser to the Supra to the LS400 to the Camry. I have a 96 ES300, which has almost as much ground clearance as the truck you want (they weren't grounded to the ground back then).

If you can find one, the first-gen Suzuki XL7 was available with a manual transmission. Big off-road SUV like the LC, but you can row your own.