Cars to Buy NOW ?

[j911brick]

Would you mind explaining why they are so expensive to restore?

Parts are hard to find and expensive when you do find them. Neat cars though.

[Bullethead]

Would you mind explaining why they are so expensive to restore?

The body is entirely a welded structure consisting of dozens of formed metal pieces that all rust. Replacement pieces are unbelievably expensive: rear inner wheelhouse $600 each, complete rocker (3 pieces per side) $900+, inner A pillar $1100+, front fenders $900, etc., etc. Being a pillarless body, structural repairs are critical and expensive. Floorpans are cheap enough but a roached E9 really isn't worth the effort if rust extends into structure. And it usually does.

Mechanically they're robust, pretty simple, and parts are readily available and reasonable enough. It's that lovely Karmann-built but invariably Swiss cheese shell, plus rather pricy interior trim that (usually) makes them a losing proposition to restore.

[MY911S]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_500E

<a href="http://s760.photobucket.com/albums/xx250/carlo186/500E_Garnet/?action=view&amp;current=IMG_1836_500E.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/xx250/carlo186/500E_Garnet/IMG_1836_500E.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[peekaboo]

Here is one that has always been on my wish list. (only this version - not the 512).

This one was at RM just today ...was a no sale at a buck and a quarter. I wish I had gotten the one which lived close to me in the early 90's for $35k (couldn't make it happen ...or at least didnt). Of course a Muira would have been a much smarter play and I love those even more. But I still like the 365BB too. I don't know how finicky / or parts hungry (unpractical). But I really don't care , I just LIKE.

[CurtEgerer]

Agreed on the 365BB (although I would even consider a 512BB), always in my top 10 list. On the other end of the spectrum, I'm pretty sure I looked at a few very nice Isetta's less than 10 years ago for right around $10,000. They now seem to be routinely in the $30-40K range.

[mrbeverlyhills]

Surprised no one has mentioned the 2002 Turbo, you can buy the nicest one in the world for under 40k and with a properly tuned suspension it more than handles a normally aspirated 911 from the same vintage.

[mrbeverlyhills]

Probably too late for one of these: 2002 Alpina, Nicki Lauda was their factory driver for a season, now it and the 3.0s are the 73 RS of the BMW world.

[mrbeverlyhills]

Surprised also, although mit ze German influence here this could be the all time sand in your face to Porsche, no one thinks of these anymore as long term holds but you can buy a terrific series 1 coupe for 911T money. Unless the car is from CA or a large vacuum pouch, it will rot while yolu watch. Someone famously once said you can HEAR it rotting.
A clean CA coupe with all the right bits in a good color is easily under 40k and some sellers are taking 35k for a car like this one in the photo.

Greatest crumpet collector known to man and if driving them doesn't exactly inspire confidence you can always park it in the living room and watch it instead of the flat screen.

A good friend just bought a series II convertible over restored for the usual discount to what the owner has into it and it is his only collectible, he said he wanted one since boyhood and couldn't believe he got change back from 60k. Black on red, not bad for a poor boy from Staines he said.

[Bullethead]

Definately down with pre-67 Jag XKEs, particularly coupes. Also Ferrari BBs, seems like they fell a long way from 1990 and though on the way up, not outrageous for what they are. Which brings me to another Italian. Anyone think that Montreals might go the way Giulietta SS coupes have over the past few years? Have driven a couple and know their limitations, but the engines are sweeet. Plus, the styling IS special. Really good ones seems reasonable enough at $35-50K, but is there an up side?

1971_Alfa_Romeo_Montreal_For_Sale_Front_resize.jpg1971_Alfa_Romeo_Montreal_For_Sale__resize.jpg1971_Alfa_Romeo_Montreal_For_Sale_Engine_Bay_resize.jpg1971_Alfa_Romeo_Montreal_For_Sale_Interior_resize.jpg

[clesch]

Anyone think that Montreals might go the way Giulietta SS coupes have over the past few years?

Thanks for the explanation on the CSi up there. I forgot to check back for an response to my posting.

I think Montreals are very interesting cars and I’ve been wondering the same thing lately. It has the T33-derived engine, relatively low production count and very unique design going for it, but it’s still a 1350 kg car on a Alfa 105 chassis. As you probably know, that really shows driving hard.
It just doesn’t feel like a drivers car as the suspension and brakes are hopelessly overwhelmed with the power and weight of the car.
Now that I’m writing this, I realize that it is almost the italian counterpart to american muscle cars (which I was never really interested in).