(Somewhat) Necessary Car Shopping with Akio

"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
07/12/2019 at 21:34 • Filed to: TQ3, TQ Adventures, unnecessary car shopping without E90M3

As per my last post, we’re buying out next cheap car challenge cars locally, registering them, and then shipping them to Seattle to start our adventures.

Strategy

“But Akio!” You may say, “Isn’t part of the fun buying an unknown shitbox in a hurry?”

Yes and no, reader.

After much deliberation we’ve decided that the unknown-ness of the car is a little more important than the speed at which it is purchased. George has claimed that he is going to buy the first car he drives that is “good enough,” and I applaud him for that. I will likely do the same, but narrow my “good enough” threshold more than I usually do.

In my mind it is more important to keep the car an unknown. No detailing it before the trip, keep the driving down to a bare minimum, and no working on it myself. That last part is really important. You get to know a lot about a car from wrenching on it and I want to save that intimacy for the trip.

I am having the work done that I’d do in Seattle. That means stuff like belts, fluids, tires, and brakes. But, again, these things will need to be done by not-me to preserve the unknown.

Also we’re taking this as an opportunity to keep the cars secret from each other, which is fun.

Timeline

The cars need to ship around two weeks before the trip, plus enough time to get any needed work. Realistically that means I have about three weeks to buy the car. Plenty of time...

My Car Strategy

My thinking so far has been this: This is going to be a long, mostly highway trip. Why not buy something comfortable like Town Car or other lux-o-barge? Oh but something small and fast could also be fun. Oh! Or a wagon! Hmm AWD would be nice too...

Requirements

Capable of highway speed

Under 20 feet long (The ferry charges by the foot after 20)

Nice-to-haves

Quick

Rear-wheel-drive or AWD

Good gas mileage

The Cars so far

As a result of this decision, we’ve been hitting the internet pretty hard and finding some interesting stuff. Come along with me...

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2006 Jaguar S-Type V8 - $2950

Interesting, on-brand for me, RWD, cool color.... this one has be pretty tingly. Other than being a Jag and therefore a total crap shoot for reliability, this one checks a lot of boxes.

Interior looks nice in photos with minimal wear showing on the wood and leather.

If it ends up being the supercharged V8 I might not have a choice, but as is I think it is worth a drive over there to take a look.

At list, it is right up at the top of the budget, but if they want to make a deal....

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1990 Nissan 300ZX - $3500

I’ll stop you right there: This one isn’t as good as it looked. This particular dealer had large collection of cars George and I were interested in so we headed over last night. It was... not great. Their “main” location was mostly $6,000+ cars, with a few interesting ones in our price range. However, their “other lot” where this Z resides looked more like a junk yard than a car lot.

On closer inspection the Z is still workable, but it has a whiff of a car that has been abused most of its life and left to rot. It is cool enough I still might ask them to dig it out, but as is...

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2004 Maxda RX8 - $3200

Fuck yeah I want this car. I’ve always had a soft spot for the RX8 but I hear they’re terrible to own. What better time to own one than for two weeks?

This one presents well and looks pretty stock.

The biggest problem with this bad boy is that it is located in OKC, about 2 hours from where I am. If I get a large enough collection of OKC cars to go look at I’ll make a day of it. I’ve also put out feelers to a dealer friend to see if he can find me one in good shape for good money.

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1988 Mercedes 300 SE - $2500

This one also has my heart pounding pretty hard. Inline 6 is disappointing as it is the smallest engine available for one of these, but otherwise the car looks excellent.

Interior looks good, exterior looks good, you wouldn’t expect this car to have 250,000 miles on it.

The seller admits the engine and transmission were rebuilt at 100,000 miles, which makes we worry they’re overdue for another rebuild. Also this car is about an hour drive from where I live, making it less tempting than it otherwise would be.

Honestly this one might be TOO good to exile to a life in Alaska. If it weren’t for the miles I’d want to bring it home and keep it. Maybe best to just let this one go....

for now.

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1998 Volvo V70XC - $2500

Next up we have a seller that doesn’t understand landscape mode. Fucker.

That said, green Volvo Cross-Country on the cheap. I have mixed feelings. It isn’t very exotic but it would probably be great on the trip.

I dunno, I don’t get a great feeling from this one.

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1999 Audi A6 Quatro - $2995

What is that old saying? There is nothing more expensive than a cheap German car? At $3000 this one certainly has both my interest and my worry.

It seems to present well and the ad offers no details as to its condition. Still... it looks comfortably and is AWD so, might be worth a look.

And there you have it!

These are the couple that have been keeping my thinking. Luckily it looks like I have a lot of good options, so I am going to take my time and enjoy it.

What does Oppo think?

DISCUSSION (19)

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
07/12/2019 at 21:42

JaaaaaaaaaG

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
07/12/2019 at 21:47

Jag for sure

dogisbadob > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
07/12/2019 at 21:57

A smart car with a turbo :o)

Honeybunchesofgoats > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
07/12/2019 at 22:04

The S-Type shares a lot of parts with the Lincoln LS, so interchangeable parts are generally cheaper if you buy the Lincoln parts. They’re also generally reliable, especially the engine. It’s still be worth doing your homework on Jaguarforums.com, though.

I’d also be sure to get a full suite of maintenance records if I were you. S-Types are particularly susceptible to trashy people looking for a cheap luxury car who have neither the money nor inclination to do basic maintenance on it.

CompactLuxuryFan > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
07/12/2019 at 22:25

Leaning Jag but that may be real tricky to unload in Alaska. Definitely not the Nissan or Mazda.

Steve in Manhattan > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
07/12/2019 at 23:12

Not the Mercedes, Audi, or Jag, if that helps ...

AestheticsInMotion > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
07/12/2019 at 23:21

Rx8. I believe i t’s the only car of the bunch that isn’t really represented by your current lineup in any way. And while I’ve heard plenty of horror stories, they’re almost all engine related, with at least 50% of those being people who flooded the engine because they didn’t know how to live with rotary. Every thing else is pretty simple/reliable.

Jag is next choice, unless you can find a cool Volvo. XC... Meh. Now a manual T5, or an R.... Oh man.

Aero > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
07/13/2019 at 00:14

Having dealt with those early XCs in my repair business I would nix it as an option for sure. Not that you were very excited about it anyway.

Is the Audi a 2.8? If so, I'd be tempted.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Aero
07/13/2019 at 00:18

Yup. 2.8. Why?

Khalbali > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
07/13/2019 at 09:34

I second AiM on the rx8, if you do some research they're really not that bad, people just didn't understand how different they are from piston engines. Easy test for the engine is a hot start, they actually start a little easier cold, so that will give you a slight indication of the health of the engine.

Aero > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
07/13/2019 at 10:23

In my experience, t he 2.8 just doesn’t have the major issues usually associated with Audi. Plus, the transmission is actually more solid than the “upr ated” one they put behind the 2.7T and V8 engines.

Jewish Stig > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
07/13/2019 at 13:52

Rx8 because dorito.

And because, worst case scenario you are stuck on the side of the road and need to hitchhike back, with some strange looking truck drivers....

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Aero
07/14/2019 at 13:40

Drove it and it was... disappoint . Engine felt tired, brake pedal was wooden, and the AC was out.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/14/2019 at 13:41

In classic Jaaaaaaaaag fashion it wouldn’t start. :facepalm:

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
07/14/2019 at 13:41

In classic Jaaaaaaaaag fashion it wouldn’t start. :facepalm:

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Jewish Stig
07/14/2019 at 13:41

Magic Dorito...

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
07/14/2019 at 14:10

So, it's in original condition! Nice

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
07/14/2019 at 14:48

Well of course, it’s a Jaaag made by Ford!

DarkMinun > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
07/15/2019 at 22:35

If you want something logical and seriously basic, a Crown Vic fresh off Cop duty should be in your price range, and far more reliable than anything you’ve posted.