sasha@lazytrips Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 So I've been looking at potential replacements for the zed as it is going to go at some point and have gone round to look at a car this morning. We're talking a fantastic looking large american V8 with many litres and ponies under the hood. And here is the dilemma: 1. This is pretty much my dream car and I have been drooling ever since seeing it. It's a unique opportunity to own something that I could only dream of before and these cars are appreciating nicely. (+It actually has very decent useable rear seats and an enormous boot) 2. As is typically the case with these things (Let's just say it is much older than I am), there is no radio in it at the moment, a few wires here and there (e.g. found the wiring for the 12V not going anywhere), the aircon is blowing hot air (typical in about 90% of these things), yada, yada, yada. Heart says get the thing, keep it forever and make it into a perfect car over time by tackling the known and inevitable unknown gremlins one at a time. Head says steer clear and get something modern and practical instead. Anyone been in this position before? Anyone have any advice? Argh! P.S. I am not going to mention which specific car I'm looking at as the number of these around this side of the pond can be counted on a pair of hands - I don't want to encourage anyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 i did it with the XKR its 12 years old now, a list of problems the length of my arm, and i am one by one tackling them to make it 100% perfect. and to be honest, i've been loving the process and enjoying the car. now 18 months in i'd usually be looking for the next car. but i'm so happy i haven't bothered. always needs something fixing, when i do fix one thing, something else breaks. but its always been driveable, and i love the look and the presence the car has. if your financially in the position that you can cover any suprise issues, i'd say do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 Buy it. If it's a dream car, then just do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricey Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 Can you live with it if it's broken and undrivable? If yes then do it as there is little risk of affecting you day to day. If you need the car as a daily driver with no back up then I'd make sure it's at least mechanically sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squee Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 Have you priced up importing one in better condition? I've heard that Germany is a good place to buy imported US V8's (I'm assuming it's because of the US military bases out there) which of course means you don't have to pay the same import duties compared to bringing one over from the States yourself. S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leonk Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 Ekona says.. Buy it. If it's a dream car, then just do it. +1 on that! Just put a deposit on a Series 2 E type Roadster today, having pondered over a 997. Thanks for all the advice by the way Ekona. You only live once. Just got to get her indoors to come round to the idea of keeping the Zed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sasha@lazytrips Posted September 15, 2012 Author Share Posted September 15, 2012 Have you priced up importing one in better condition? I've heard that Germany is a good place to buy imported US V8's (I'm assuming it's because of the US military bases out there) which of course means you don't have to pay the same import duties compared to bringing one over from the States yourself. S. Have been looking for a very very long time and looked all over Europe as well as across the pond. Think the fact is that unless I win the lottery I ain't gonna be buying a perfect example as these cost more than my mortgage Can you live with it if it's broken and undrivable? If yes then do it as there is little risk of affecting you day to day. If you need the car as a daily driver with no back up then I'd make sure it's at least mechanically sound. Since I've moved down to Kent, we only ever really use 1 car at any one time with rare exceptions, so this shouldn't be a problem Think this will not quite be the daily driver the zed has been over the last few years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 You know you want to do it, it's an itch you have to scratch so scratch it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoogyRev Posted September 16, 2012 Share Posted September 16, 2012 I would do it if as others have said you can live with the odd gremlin. If you need parts then I can always wrap then up in nice paper as a gift for your birthday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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