Never judge a car for its idea (or something like that)

"Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore" (reivax-rotciv)
12/09/2019 at 07:55 • Filed to: Range Rover, auction, CLASSIC CARS, Shitbox

Hey Oppos.

Last Saturday I went to a classic car auction nearby, and want to share some random thoughts.

The cars were exposed, and in the selection were cars that I never had contact before. Before having any contact, s ome of them I liked the idea, some of them I disliked, and some of them I really did not care about .

But then I started seating in the cars and having trivial interaction with them. Opening doors, poppin the hood, seating in driver and back seat...and wow, this changed how I saw some of them!

Mercedes SL R129, for example. I really liked them, even had a 1:18 model when I was younger. Sat on the car and....meh. I can’t describe it objectively , but the car “didn’t speak to me”

Porsche Boxster 987, the same. weird ergonomics. But 944/924, I would definitely have one (despite them not being hyped).

Camaro 1968 and Mustang 1966, I imagined I would like. Enjoyed both, but Camaro had the upper hand.

Corvette C3, never really liked the shape, but hey it’s a Corvette, right? Well, I didn’t like being on its driver seat.

Jaguar XJ Series 2 was a good surprise. I never really cared, but I’d totally rock one of those.

The biggest highlight for me was the first-generation Range Rover. I never ever had an y curiosity about them. I knew the history but never felt any desired. But when I got in it, me and the car had an instant connection. It felt good. It felt the right combination of classic and drivable. every detail pleased me. I never imagined how nice these cars can be.

But the gre at thing from this experience was: never trust what you read, watch, and hear from others. There’s always the possibility that a car will surprise you. I am definitely managing expect ations and being more open-minded with cars f ro m now and on.

You can find the cars here: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Bye

DISCUSSION (17)

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore
12/09/2019 at 08:40

Kinja'd!!!

One of us!!! One of us!! My Jaguar is probably slower than my neighbor’s dead Cobalt but man I love driving it.

Captain of the Enterprise > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore
12/09/2019 at 08:55

This was me car shopping, I’m 6’3” with a tall torso and could really like a car but then sit in it and know in seconds that I didn’t like it because of the seating position or headroom or ergonomics. I have to be comfortable in the car and that eliminated sooo many cars as soon as I interacted with them.

ihm96 > Captain of the Enterprise
12/09/2019 at 09:08

The key is making sure you adjust the seat as far down as possible. Can’t tell you how many guys I’ve seen at the dealer claim a car doesn’t work for their height until you show them that the seat can be adjusted downward and is currently up high from a short person

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > ihm96
12/09/2019 at 09:12

In their defence I have never been in a car with height adjustable seats that didn’t have 69420 way adjustable power seats

functionoverfashion > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore
12/09/2019 at 09:14

I totally agree, you really can’t tell what a car will be like until you sit in it. My 1996 Honda Accord was one of the most comfortable (for me) cars I’ve ever had. Then, the 3-series wagons I had. My 2001 Suburban was really not made for someone my size, meaning, I felt like I was swimming in Grandpa’s arm chair while driving it. Like a big leather couch - it feels great at first, but try staying alert and comfortable for multiple hours and... nope.

On the other hand, I never really liked the feel of my wife’s 2007 X3. You just can’t tell until you sit.

Ash78, voting early and often > MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick)
12/09/2019 at 09:32

You need to check out VW :)

All of their cars, even the most basic ones, have had things like manual seat height adjustment and tilt/telescope wheel for decades, long before they were even common.

Ash78, voting early and often > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore
12/09/2019 at 09:43

Older Rangies feel great sitting still. Driving them always felt like putting roller skates on the ends of stilts, but I’ve been told that was likely due to a worn out suspension. This happens on all of them, usually a month after warranty.

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > Ash78, voting early and often
12/09/2019 at 09:49

I really wish I could see them as reliable, but I’ve always had they impression they are failure prone and complex like other German stuff, without being RWD.

I feel especially bad because I know that’s not been people’s experience in Europe with what I understand to be the same cars, and they’re fun and good looking.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore
12/09/2019 at 10:16

It’s why I dont put much stock in car reviews. An interior that some spoiled autojourno declares unforgivably plastic-y might actually be completely fine and I’ve never found myself unable to have fun in a vehicle no matter what the engine, transmission, or driving dynamics are like.

Ash78, voting early and often > MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick)
12/09/2019 at 10:17

It’s all relative — they’re not as reliable as Honda or Toyota, but they’re more reliable today than ANY car from 30 years ago. The scale just keeps sliding and people think in terms of that relativity. It’s kind of a shame because I believe it keeps people away from being happy because they want to feel secure.

There is almost no car today I wouldn’t drive and feel confident in.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Ash78, voting early and often
12/09/2019 at 10:22

Can verify that an S1 Discovery feels the same way, with the added bonus that the seat is so un d ersized that it feels like you’re balancing on a bar stool as you drive.

Ash78, voting early and often > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
12/09/2019 at 10:25

I sold a TON of those S1 in the early 2000s at a used lot. They were so popular because they were all 2001-era models that sold for $40k new, but now they were on the lot for $20k just three years later. That wasn’t a red flag for anyone...

I hated selling them because they needed the extended warranty more than any other car we had, but because that warranty was $3k for a couple extra years, everyone balked. I wasn’t pushing the warranty because we made better commissions (even though we did). It was literally because I didn’t want people saying “that guy sold me a lemon, don’t go there!”

Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore > MiniGTI - now with XJ6
12/09/2019 at 10:29

Yes! I’ve seen some for sale and never gave a damn. Now I am actively looking for one (despite not being ready to buy at the moment )

M.T. Blake > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore
12/09/2019 at 11:07

RRC are always a delight. I’d love to own the oldest one I could for the money. Sadly they’ve been gaining value faster than I can save money for one.

Captain of the Enterprise > ihm96
12/09/2019 at 11:37

I did always lower the seat if it had the capability.

slipperysallylikespenguins > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore
12/09/2019 at 14:22

I do this every year. There is a local auction place that holds a spring and fall classic car auction. They are very laid back and let you touch stuff. My favorites so far are a first gen L otus Esprit and a Mercedes 280SL. Both fit me absolutely perfect and I won’t forget it.

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore
12/09/2019 at 18:43

S3 XJ6 in driving condition can still be found cheap (I paid $2000) , although I regret not spending more for one with less rust. I think I’ve gotten the worst of the mechanical problems sorted and it’s actually been pretty reliable. Let’s just say I haven’t had to have it towed in the 12,000 miles I’ve driven it in 2 years.