[orconn]

Of course it all depends on condition, but are there older cars that you have admired over the years, that if you across a really nice example, you would buy to drive as a daily driver?

Of course for most of us there are the 4th and 5th generation Sevilles and for others various other Cadillacs (rwd and fwd). But are there other makes and models that you would consider?

I am still in love with my old, but very nice 1995 Seville STS, but if I came across a really nice Jaguar XJ8 I would be very tempted to buy one. This would be particularly true of the last generation of the XJ8. This model doesn't seem to appeal to those in the market for an older, but not yet ten years older, luxury car. Although I really like the interior and exterior styling of this car (I am not attracted at all to current Jag XJ8); the proportions , to my eye, are better than the "elongated" design of the previous couple of series of XJ's. The additional headroom is also welcome.

What would be your heart's desire (if any) of an older daily driver?

View attachment 102065


View attachment 102066

 

[ryannel2003]

My two cars (STS and E46) were 10 year old daily drivers and I have enjoyed them both. Both are cars that I wanted and if I had the money I would have both in my driveway. The BMW is a better car for it's intended use, but as far as what I love better the Seville probably has the overall edge.

 

[vincentm]

96 Fleetwood Brougham, and another Eldorado

 

[LS1Mike]

All my cars but the Equinox are 10 years old. However I would like a C5 Corvette.

 

[MrHolland]

My 2003 Honda Civic, used as daily/inclement weather driver is a solid performer. Probably would like to have another one of those so I am able to pick and choose when the other cars leave the garage.

 

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

Dream cars from the early 2000's:

This was the formative years, as this was when I was in high school, hiding all the current automotive mags in my school folders:

2003-04 Mercury Marauder - Done.
2004-05 Cadillac CTS-V (whatever years they had the LS6, not the LS2)
2003 Cadillac STS - Such a timeless, well rounded design, in and out
2001-04 Z06 - I remember being in love with these when they were new and I was ever a huge fan of the C5 in general, but that Z06 was HOT!
2001-04 Audi A8L/S8 - Great looking, subtle design, the last of the "square" Audi's.
2003-04 Mustang Cobra / Mach 1 - After the F-Bodies died, I had to look at the Mustangs. That Supercharged 4.6 was HOT!
Acura NSX - The first supercar I saw in a showroom, I wouldn't see a Ferrari or Lamborghini showroom for years later.
M-B SL/S/CL


During the fast and furious craze, I fell in love with a few brand new pocket rockets
Acura RSX
Honda Prelude

 

[talismandave]

I have a 9 year old car I am still very much in love with and enjoy greatly. I had no idea what I would answer to this. Orconn's choice really hit home with me as a car I have always love and lusted after in, Vanden Plas, with contrast piping on the leather interior of course. The XK8 convertible always turn my head, but I am too old to enjoy a car you get down into and climb back out of. For the same reason, the only possible Cadillac of that vintage that I really like (the XLR) is out. Wait,.....I love the Eldo of that vintage. Were any companies making a respectable soft top out of them?:hmm: If so that would be a great choice!:thumbsup:

I put 2003 in Ebay motors and browsed a while and just got depressed. Having never had use for, or valued, high performance and instead love luxury and comfort. The choices are really sad.:nono:

A Cadillac limo caught my eye, and in the right interior, I could love one of those.

Always loved the old Mercedes G-wagons for their stark functionality and could have fun with that.

Even a Land Rover Disco would be cool.

Found myself checking out an Astro AWD cargo because I loved my Astro and would like to recreate my old 70's "shagin' wagon" on a newer platform.:quagmire: Gigity Gigity....

All of those would have to be in addition to the Volvo so as not to be without a convertible. The only thing I saw that I could be happy with as a replacement to the Volvo was a Bentley convert, and I suppose a Rolls would do to, but even ten years old a bit too rich for my meager means.

Then I switched to the RV section. (Once you start talking Bentley and Rolls Royce money what the heck, right?)
Back in the 70's and 80's a company made campers named Trans-van. I always though they were a great size and in spite of being only slightly larger than a regular van they had full camper features.

In the 90's Winnebago made a similar type of camper based on a VW van. They got 30 mpg and still had full facilities. There happened to be one of the nicest looking examples I have ever seen on Ebay right now. If money were no object I think this would be my choice from 2003.
Hmmm...come to think of it, since it is considered a second home you can finance it for thirty years:bulb:....I think I would be the winner on that one. I'll be gone before I had to pay it off. :lol:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004...=121045926847&&forcev4exp=true#ht_5170wt_1170


So I guess the car I would most want from 2003 isn't a car.....a sad state of affairs indeed.

 

[Cadillac Kid03]

I love my cars but if i could afford these i would have them all sitting in my driveway. I know the Silverado is not 10 years old but if i had to replace that then a 2002 Chevy Extreme

2003 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor would be one.
2001 jaguar xj8
2006 chevy silverado SS
2001 bmw 740il
1997 mercedes w124

 

[ben.gators]

My two cars (STS and E46) were 10 year old daily drivers and I have enjoyed them both. Both are cars that I wanted and if I had the money I would have both in my driveway. The BMW is a better car for it's intended use, but as far as what I love better the Seville probably has the overall edge.

You pretty much hit the nail right on the head!

 

[Jesda]

Interesting thread. 10 years means luxury cars are within reach of almost anyone but the car may still look and drive like new so the selection is wide.


I like the XJ8 a lot but from the turn of the century I'd probably choose a Seville STS or BMW E46 3-series convertible. Lincoln Navigator is also a strong contender as is the Lincoln Town Car, Lincoln LS, Lincoln Continental, and Porsche Boxster.

 

[cadillac kevin]

I have a 9 year old car I am still very much in love with and enjoy greatly. I had no idea what I would answer to this. Orconn's choice really hit home with me as a car I have always love and lusted after in, Vanden Plas, with contrast piping on the leather interior of course. The XK8 convertible always turn my head, but I am too old to enjoy a car you get down into and climb back out of. For the same reason, the only possible Cadillac of that vintage that I really like (the XLR) is out. Wait,.....I love the Eldo of that vintage. Were any companies making a respectable soft top out of them?:hmm: If so that would be a great choice!:thumbsup:

I put 2003 in Ebay motors and browsed a while and just got depressed. Having never had use for, or valued, high performance and instead love luxury and comfort. The choices are really sad.:nono:

A Cadillac limo caught my eye, and in the right interior, I could love one of those.

Always loved the old Mercedes G-wagons for their stark functionality and could have fun with that.

Even a Land Rover Disco would be cool.

Found myself checking out an Astro AWD cargo because I loved my Astro and would like to recreate my old 70's "shagin' wagon" on a newer platform.:quagmire: Gigity Gigity....

All of those would have to be in addition to the Volvo so as not to be without a convertible. The only thing I saw that I could be happy with as a replacement to the Volvo was a Bentley convert, and I suppose a Rolls would do to, but even ten years old a bit too rich for my meager means.

Then I switched to the RV section. (Once you start talking Bentley and Rolls Royce money what the heck, right?)
Back in the 70's and 80's a company made campers named Trans-van. I always though they were a great size and in spite of being only slightly larger than a regular van they had full camper features.

<img src="http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=102100"/>

In the 90's Winnebago made a similar type of camper based on a VW van. They got 30 mpg and still had full facilities. There happened to be one of the nicest looking examples I have ever seen on Ebay right now. If money were no object I think this would be my choice from 2003.
Hmmm...come to think of it, since it is considered a second home you can finance it for thirty years:bulb:....I think I would be the winner on that one. I'll be gone before I had to pay it off. :lol:

<img src="http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=102101"/>
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004-WINNEBAGO-RIALTA-QD-CLEAN-TX-TITLE-SLEEPS-4-DINETTE-CAPTAIN-SEATS-/121045926847?_trksid=p5197.m1992&_trkparms=aid=111000&algo=REC.CURRENT&ao=1&asc=14&meid=4700054112023709405&pid=100015&prg=1006&rk=1&sd=121045926847&&forcev4exp=true#ht_5170wt_1170

So I guess the car I would most want from 2003 isn't a car.....a sad state of affairs indeed.

Dave, owning a 2000 safai, I think you would like them. I have seen a couple high top cargos around town (what they were initially used for I have no idea) so it is possible (albeit very rare) to get a high top with no windows to make your own conversion van. I wish my van only had the round fish eye window (like the 70s vans) on the 3rd row of the sides, and the middle row windows were deleted. I do wish my van didn't have running boards (always have to make sure not to curb them, or bottom out the van on pothole ridden streets)

 

[orconn]

I have a 9 year old car I am still very much in love with and enjoy greatly. I had no idea what I would answer to this. Orconn's choice really hit home with me as a car I have always love and lusted after in, Vanden Plas, with contrast piping on the leather interior of course. The XK8 convertible always turn my head, but I am too old to enjoy a car you get down into and climb back out of. For the same reason, the only possible Cadillac of that vintage that I really like (the XLR) is out. Wait,.....I love the Eldo of that vintage. Were any companies making a respectable soft top out of them?:hmm: If so that would be a great choice!:thumbsup:

I put 2003 in Ebay motors and browsed a while and just got depressed. Having never had use for, or valued, high performance and instead love luxury and comfort. The choices are really sad.:nono:

A Cadillac limo caught my eye, and in the right interior, I could love one of those.

Always loved the old Mercedes G-wagons for their stark functionality and could have fun with that.

Even a Land Rover Disco would be cool.

Found myself checking out an Astro AWD cargo because I loved my Astro and would like to recreate my old 70's "shagin' wagon" on a newer platform.:quagmire: Gigity Gigity....

All of those would have to be in addition to the Volvo so as not to be without a convertible. The only thing I saw that I could be happy with as a replacement to the Volvo was a Bentley convert, and I suppose a Rolls would do to, but even ten years old a bit too rich for my meager means.

Then I switched to the RV section. (Once you start talking Bentley and Rolls Royce money what the heck, right?)
Back in the 70's and 80's a company made campers named Trans-van. I always though they were a great size and in spite of being only slightly larger than a regular van they had full camper features.


View attachment 102100

In the 90's Winnebago made a similar type of camper based on a VW van. They got 30 mpg and still had full facilities. There happened to be one of the nicest looking examples I have ever seen on Ebay right now. If money were no object I think this would be my choice from 2003.
Hmmm...come to think of it, since it is considered a second home you can finance it for thirty years:bulb:....I think I would be the winner on that one. I'll be gone before I had to pay it off. :lol:


View attachment 102101
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004...=121045926847&&forcev4exp=true#ht_5170wt_1170


So I guess the car I would most want from 2003 isn't a car.....a sad state of affairs indeed.

There seem to be two or three varieties of those "last" generation Eldorado convertibles, one of the conversions is really, to my eyes, very attractive. It is the one with the better treatment of rear of the top. It seems that most of these conversion are located in Florida and come up for sale on Ebay with some regularity. I could be persuaded to buy one of the "right" ones, but it would have to be one that hadn't succumbed to continental kit/Rolls grill embellishment that one so often sees on these.

As far as convertibles go, the one I most desire is the San Remo version of the first genration Seville convertible (or coupe, although rare these can be had fairly cheap, not so the convertible). the 1976 through '79 San Remo convertible fullfils my desire for exclusivity while being truly tateful personal transportation.

View attachment 102119


View attachment 102120


View attachment 102122

 

[cadillac kevin]

There seem to be two or three varieties of those "last" generation Eldorado convertibles, one of the conversions is really, to my eyes, very attractive. It is the one with the better treatment of rear of the top. It seems that most of these conversion are located in Florida and come up for sale on Ebay with some regularity. I could be persuaded to buy one of the "right" ones, but it would have to be one that hadn't succumbed to continental kit/Rolls grill embellishment that one so often sees on these.

As far as convertibles go, the one I most desire is the San Remo version of the first genration Seville convertible (or coupe, although rare these can be had fairly cheap, not so the convertible). the 1976 through '79 San Remo convertible fullfils my desire for exclusivity while being truly tateful personal transportation.

<img src="http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=102119"/>

<img src="http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=102120"/>

<img src="http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=102122"/>

Wow....that is a striking car. I love the taillight treatment. It reminds me of the mid 60s rivieras. The RR grille needs to go though.

 

[orconn]

^^^ I agree, Kevin, the R-R grill definitely needs to go. I just didn't have a picture of one without the tacky grill!

 

[cadillac kevin]

^^^ I agree, Kevin, the R-R grill definitely needs to go. I just didn't have a picture of one without the tacky grill!

Too bad the bustlebacks got hacked into goofy 30s esque (faux rolls?) convertible coupes with elongated hood and fenders (complete with fender mounted continental kits) and short doors with the driver essentially sitting in the back seat.

 

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

On our used car lot, we've got both an '05 325Xi and an '03 530i, both black on black and very clean, and I drove them both today. They really are very, very similar with the major differences being size. I can definitely understand the E46's appeal, but to me, the E39 is where it's at. It's wider, roomier, is better equipped and feels more like an executive car, whereas the E46, especially this one, definitely feels more entry level.

For example, the 530i had all the bells & whistles. Leather, dual heated power seats, dual zone climate control, moonroof, burl walnut trim, the full (and exhaustive) trip computer, heated steering wheel. It would have been the cat's meow in 2003, especially compared with the ugly duckling E-Class Mercedes. The 325Xi was more bare bones.... no power seat, aluminum trim, manual transmission, single zone auto climate control, etc. Also, the 530i was much quicker than the smaller, lighter 325Xi.

 

[talismandave]

Dave, owning a 2000 safai, I think you would like them. I have seen a couple high top cargos around town (what they were initially used for I have no idea) so it is possible (albeit very rare) to get a high top with no windows to make your own conversion van. I wish my van only had the round fish eye window (like the 70s vans) on the 3rd row of the sides, and the middle row windows were deleted. I do wish my van didn't have running boards (always have to make sure not to curb them, or bottom out the van on pothole ridden streets)

Oh I know I like them. I first drove a Safari from the Janesville WI plant to the dealership in Sun Prairie WI three days before their introduction in 1984. Then several years later I owned an Astro for 3 years.

There seem to be two or three varieties of those "last" generation Eldorado convertibles, one of the conversions is really, to my eyes, very attractive. It is the one with the better treatment of rear of the top. It seems that most of these conversion are located in Florida and come up for sale on Ebay with some regularity. I could be persuaded to buy one of the "right" ones, but it would have to be one that hadn't succumbed to continental kit/Rolls grill embellishment that one so often sees on these.

As far as convertibles go, the one I most desire is the San Remo version of the first genration Seville convertible (or coupe, although rare these can be had fairly cheap, not so the convertible). the 1976 through '79 San Remo convertible fullfils my desire for exclusivity while being truly tateful personal transportation.

View attachment 102119


View attachment 102120


View attachment 102122

After posting I went fishing on Google images and saw a few good looking ones that were converted. They look good but then you have to worry about quality of build and finding replacement parts. Plus I would be back in a car where you have to install a boot over the downed top. I love the system the new cars have where when you put it down, it stows under the cover on it's own. I'm done snapping boots on, at least on my DD.

I love those San Remo's a convertible based on one of my favorite Cadillacs!

 

[Aron9000]

For a luxury car: BMW E39 M5. I've driven one of these, very hard, perhaps one of my favorite automotive experiences ever. The acceleration is every bit as brutal as a big cubic inch muscle car, you row your own gears(which is hard to come by in some of the high tech, expensive, big motor cars of 2013), but what really blows me away is how light on its feet this big, heavy car manages to feel. Its so easy to chuck into a corner, the steering is so immediate. Plus you get some of BMW's best styling, both inside and out, its mean looking without being fussy and over-designed like some of their later models. That being said, on my more realistic budget, I'd love to own a 530i, manual, with the sports package/sports seats. Its every bit of the M5 experience minus 170hp.

Mazdaspeed Miata. The only Miata to offer a turbo from the factory. Actually I'd MUCH rather have this car than a brand new Miata. More horsepower than a new Miata(180hp), and much faster. The big thing with turbocharged cars is you can get an easy 30-70hp just by changing things like the exhaust, intake, and engine tune. Plus I like the styling and slightly tidier dimensions of the older NB car over the newer NC. The NC is kind of ugly looking personally.

Honda S2000, well it revs to 9000rpm and looks bitchin. I love the F1 inspired instrument cluster as well. Between the Mazdaspeed Miata and this, it would honestly be down to a test drive and to see which car I felt more comfortable in. Although it would have to have that red interior, black on red looks sick on that car, but I'd take a silver on red or grey on red as well.

If we were to talk big luxury cruisers, I'd have to agree with Orr on the XJ8 Vanden Plas with the furry critter carpet. Benz was building junk with the S-class 10 years ago, BMW was obessesed with ugly with the E65(although I'd love to have an older E38), Audi was on the right track style-wise with the D3 A8, but once again it suffered from the same reliability/not worth the fortune to fix problem as Benz from that era. Lexus was off making perhaps one of the ugliest sedans on the market with the XF30, despite it being an awesome car, it was just hideious on the outside.

 

[Jailtime]

Why bother with an XJ8 when you can have the XJR? Make mine a 2003, British racing green. I absolutely loved my friend's 2001 XJR, that thing hauled ass well into triple digits. Handled great on the track or canyon roads. I could settle for the E39 M5 as well, that's just a beautiful car.

 

[Aron9000]

Why bother with an XJ8 when you can have the XJR? Make mine a 2003, British racing green. I absolutely loved my friend's 2001 XJR, that thing hauled ass well into triple digits. Handled great on the track or canyon roads. I could settle for the E39 M5 as well, that's just a beautiful car.

Yeah, I kind of forgot about the XJR, as the Vanden Plas was the extended wheelbase, extra rear leg room, wood table tray, furry critter carpet, plush mobile. I d believe you could get that supercharged motor in the extended wheelbase, Vanden Plas cushy ride trim as well, but they were rather rare.