Right, I got some help about this here recently but i didn't really know what i wanted, now i do :D I'm keeping the STS, the 'lade, the wife's Deville, the Range and the Vectra. I'm giving my son my BMW in return for stealing his car, if he sells it and looks for a lac (which i think he will) is his choice. Now i need a replacement for my 545. I want to go bigger, so i have a car that i can realistically drive clients around in, I'm looking at several:
BMW 730d
Jaguar XJ6 Sport
VW Phaeton
Volvo S80 (snore)
Mercedes S320 CDI

Any other suggestions would be welcome, I can stretch my budget to cover most things in this classs of car. I like the Phaeton alot, but I'm keeping my options open.

Thanks guys

7

You really think so? I think I'm reluctant to spend all that money on a fugly car

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder my fine english feathered friend...

I used to hate the new 7... and it has gradually grown on me. Perhaps it will never achieve the status of the one in my signature, but its ten times nicer than the Mercedes which is already being replaced with an even more boring version. Think of it this way... the 7 makes an impact, be it negative or positive, people notice that car.

The Phaeton is ok... its kind of a snoozer too, Id personally take an A8 before the Phaeton if I had that budget.

XJ8,



or




Continental GT! ;)

VW....the understated look plus the stealthy luxury is perfect for driving clients around.
Not to mention it is a great car that you don't see to often.
I think this is a good chance to give it a shot!

You can get a Phaeton slightly used for about 50,000 here with a W12. Or get a 7.

XJ8 would be good, but the 6 is more fuel friendly, but I'd have to get the Sport because the rest have an awful grille. The Mercedes is a bit boring, and i don't like the idea of such a small engine in such a big car, when i have previously owned an S500 it seems like a downgrade. I might consider an A8. Audis Just Never seemed to strike me. What about a Lexus LS series? Do they offer a Diesel in that?

Ralph, as much as a GT would be nice, they arent as exclusive ;) think Rich Yob

I dont think they offer diesel LS, but that would be a fantastic car! Get the ULTRA package and your passengers will be amazed. (automatic door closer, heated/cooled/massage seats/reclining REAR seats, rear fridge, rear controls for stereo AC etc),

Ralph, as much as a GT would be nice, they arent as exclusive

More exclusive than a Lexus. :yup: :tisk: :hide:


;)


I like the GS styling, many don't seem to though.

Sounds like the lexus would be good. I have here a brochure, and the economy figures look grim, realistically it would need a smaller more economical engine. This is where the 3.0 Phaeton comes in to things. Personally i prefer it to the A8, i think it needs to be subtle. A Phaeton is my favouritve here, I have to think ahead, in terms of design here, working in design, I have to portray the right image to the client. I need a well designed car, that is subtle but good engineering , I'd like this to reflect my work, if i was to chose the BMW for example, that car is not asthetically pleasing to me or many other people, and if i have so bad a choice in design of car, what would it say about my buildings? The total cost of a Phaeton, new, with the options i desire is £76,000, which is around $133,000 USD. If i was to get this it would last me as long as my old 97 540 did, until it was stolen :rant2: it is a considerable upgrade over a BMW 545.
It isn't as if this is my only car, and I have other cars for driving this is for me to make sure my clients kbnow what I am as a designer. This car is a fantastic piece of engineering isn't it? You cant deny that. I'm seriously considering buying one. Black on beige leather. What do you guys think?

If you can get some more unique colors. I remember the first year Phaeton had this really cool blue for the interior.

you have $133,000 for a car:eyebrow::holycrap:

I'm with the "consider an LS" guys. Nothing will last longer or will be better built than an LS or GS 430.

Brian

Well being that you are British you need a Jaguar.

you have $133,000 for a car:eyebrow::holycrap:

I spent double that a few years ago on a Bentley. **financially cippling**

I'll have the money when I'm finished this next project, and some to spare if i complete on time. I could probably knock £10k off that at the dealer for paying full cash straight away. I don't believe in credit......
If you don't have the cash don't buy something, if you do go the hell buy it.

I like the black exerior colour, or maybe a red. I would have to stick to beige leather it is, in my opinion, the best looking for that car

$266,000, that is the price of my house. I think you would find the red more exciting than black.

$266,000, that is the price of my house. I think you would find the red more exciting than black.

Mine wasn't worth much more at the time.......it was my first MAJOR project i went and blew half of it on a Bentley.
I think the Phaeton looks good in red. I suppose i already have two black cars, it will make my house look like a drug den if i have another!

I agree, if you have the dough spend it. Its not like you can take it with you when its time to go. Its a nice thing to leave money for your children, but at the same time not a ridiculous amount, they are human beings too and have every bit as much opportunity to make something of themselves.

Still, I have to live in the world of payments, its not all bad.

266,000.00 US Today would buy you a Phantom with about 7000 miles here. Actually probably closer to 225 or 250. Thats for an 04 of course.

Well you must remember it isn't $266,000 im talking about though, its $133,000 on a big car. And from what ive seen the Phaeton is the best of them....I hear theres a warning device to tell you the engines running so you dont start it twice i's that quiet

I would get an audi s8 over the VW Phaeton anyday. GET the 7 series.
Also what do you design?

Well you must remember it isn't $266,000 im talking about though, its $133,000 on a big car. And from what ive seen the Phaeton is the best of them....I hear theres a warning device to tell you the engines running so you dont start it twice i's that quiet

Oh Yea, I only was referring to what it WOULD have gotten you if it were in todays dollars. But I understand you dont plan to spend anywhere near that right now.

I guess if you wont go for Audi or BMW, Phaeton is my choice. Especially with the TDI.

My thoughts exactly :D TDI engine, full of luxury features, i don't mind spending so much on this car because i would be driving this things maybe 2-3 hours a day or even more sometimes more. This car is really the one i use the most and i'm better off spending it on that or some ferrari i wont use at all. There is money set aside for all my kids and i spend what i have instead of keeping it in some account, money is no use to me, its the things you can buy with it that i like. The reason why i have so many cars...

I would get an audi s8 over the VW Phaeton anyday. GET the 7 series.
Also what do you design?

I design buildings...

I design buildings...

Sweet.

it is.... although it can be a bit shakey....like you only get paid when youre finished

Here's my new solution, SELL every other vehicle you have and buy that Ferrari! :thumbsup: :yup: ;)

Found a couple nice articles.......

interesting reading on Bently, RR, Audi, etc....

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/tw/05continental_gt.htm

http://www.canadiandriver.com/testdrives/05jaguar_vanden_plas.htm


"The Continental GT has been selling so strongly, some production of larger Bentley models has been switched (heaven forbid!) to Volkswagen's "glass factory" Phaeton plant in Dresden."

There is also that Maserati Quatroporte.

Found a couple nice articles.......

interesting reading on Bently, RR, Audi, etc....

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/tw/05continental_gt.htm

http://www.canadiandriver.com/testdrives/05jaguar_vanden_plas.htm


"The Continental GT has been selling so strongly, some production of larger Bentley models has been switched (heaven forbid!) to Volkswagen's "glass factory" Phaeton plant in Dresden."

That glass factory looks pretty cool:yup:

Did you notice that they said Cadillac STS V8 along with BMW 7 series in the Jaguar article:coolgleam

Hmmmm i'm not yet ruling out the Jaguar, the Bentley article makes fun reading. I suppose the Jaguar is a great car, its just that grille is FUGLY i would have to get the sport. Or a different grille put on it. I don't like Ferraris man, theyre overrated, i was looking at them when i got my old BEntley, that was when the F355 was out new, it was great, but again, footballers drove them so its a big no. I cant wait until the Flying Spur is out. I'd seriously consider one of those cars. For now I'm really stuck between that loaded phantom or the Jag I've just looked in a Jaguar brochure and the car i would want with the extras i require would cost £101,000 ($176,000 USD) which im sure youll agre is a bit more than the VW.....

can you get a diesel in the phaeton ? seems like vw makes a v10 tdi or something obscene like that in addition to the 1.9 tdi that i know very well ...

My vote goes to the phaeton , i know how the brittish dont like ot make a scene , plus you have the escalade for drawing attention like a bare brittney spears brest

if i was you id go with a Phaeton. one of the docs here drives one (he hardly drives it) at the hospital and man it is sweet. i looked at it one day and was just blown away. if i had that kind of money, i would definetely go for one. of course if you want a big car you can always go with a nice low mileage '96 Fleetwood Brougham. - Ok if you guys didnt know that was coming...

Exactly :D Don't get me wrong, I'm all for making a scene :D just not in front of my clients, they make a 3.0TDI which fits nicely in there, this car won't be doing over 70 mph very much so its plenty and its economical for town....I'm sure that junior will be able to park the damn thing

3.0 tdi ? in the VW ? shoot id buy if i was in your position ....esp with current gas prices , we may see a stabilization in diesel soon , not to mention the fuel cost savings added to reduced maintenace costs ...

sorry im a bit fanatical about diesels , i think there great , worked on them for many years ....hate to say it but i know diesels beatter than gas engines LOL

I love diesels too, ive ran many, you get much more out of a diesel than a standard engine, lifewise, and some of the new generation ones are just as fast.
Yeah we get the 3.0TDI, i didn't know it existed until recently..... Its the most economical engine they put in the Phaeton.

Right guys I'm going away tomorrow morning until Sunday night so im not being ignorant if i dont reply! Please leave more thoughts about this subject im genuinely interested in what you guys think.....currently im swaying for the 3.0TDI at $133,000 USD If you guys can think of anything ele let me know....

Here's a British article on the Flying Spur. I'm sure you are aware of this site MC.....

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/roadtest/55240/bentley_flying_spur.html

You really think so? I think I'm reluctant to spend all that money on a fugly car

I don't think they're ugly. But if you think so, then I'd recommend the Jag. Historically I think Jags have always been the best-looking cars on the road.

Jags are doing VERY well now for quality....

http://autos.msn.com/advice/article.aspx?contentid=4020743&src=cpo

Must be that Ford influence. :getaway:

Must be that Ford influence. :getaway:


HE GETS IT!

They're not doing too much with Lincoln, so I think it's obvious where the money is going......

I have always respected Ford, but I don't let myself get emotional about them like I have GM. Sure, I like what I got, but it's a TRUCK, not a classic beauty.

The thing that impresses me right now about Ford is the way they have propped up Jag and Rover, while at the same time accepting "help" from Mazda and Volvo (so to speak). They take the good from one division and spread it to another. It's teamwork.

I design buildings...

Very nice, I was wondering because it seems like I will be joining your occupation. I am graduating this fall with a structural engineering degree.

An alternative to the XJ6........

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/ly/06gs300.htm

Just popping in before we leave :D Jags have improved in recent times, and you're right Elvis, they are the best looking cars on the road, but there is one view of the Phaeton i particularly like and its this one:
http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2000-2003/2003-VW-Phaeton-V10-TDI-Rear-1280x960.jpg
I'm really stuck for this, The only problem I have with the Jaguar is that grille, It looks like the old ones of the 70s and 80s before they got it right
http://www.edmunds.com/media/reviews/top10/women.executives/05.jaguar.xj.500.jpg
I don't really want to spend £100,000 on a car that is going to need modifications, although i will take an extended test drive in one before i make up my mind.
My entire brain is screaming at me to buy the VW, my heart wants the Jag. I may wait and buy one when I finish another project, that way I wouldn't have to get the scroungy V6 I could get the XJR because i won't be using it in town. I'm off to think about what I'm going to buy. And to telephone my Jaguar and VW Prestige Dealer.
Please continue to leave your thoughts and suggestions....

tough decision. The VW is a lot more modern looking, but the Jag has classic style. I am going to say I think the VW would be a good choice.

dont get me wrong tho mcombie , if you were in the US i would go with the Jag , long wheelbase too ..

I'm almost certain for the VW..... I've booked test drives for both cars :D I get next weekend with a Jaguar, and the Phaeton I get tomorrow morning (my VW dealer is delivering it for four days :D) So the test has come.....

So far I've found the Phaeton Brilliant. I got it at 7:30am, and drove it straight to work, theyve left it with a full tank of diesel, and ti runs like a dream. My junior can park it, and it is the quietest car i have ever driven. I'm going to see what she can do on the motorway home tonight :D

You have to take a few pictures of it, please. :D