The Lemon Fool

Now that EVs have got us accepting that £40k is a reasonable price for an entry level car it makes you look at other cars in a different light especially for longer trips that require recharging at service stations.

For £25k you can get a Bentley convertible or, for £10k less, a Merc with a folding tin roof.

Both are a lot more appealing than a fridge on wheels.

OhNoNotimAgain wrote:Now that EVs have got us accepting that £40k is a reasonable price for an entry level car it makes you look at other cars in a different light especially for longer trips that require recharging at service stations.

For £25k you can get a Bentley convertible or, for £10k less, a Merc with a folding tin roof.

Both are a lot more appealing than a fridge on wheels.

Or even a "Milk float in a pretty dress", perhaps?

OhNoNotimAgain wrote:Now that EVs have got us accepting that £40k is a reasonable price for an entry level car it makes you look at other cars in a different light especially for longer trips that require recharging at service stations.
For £25k you can get a Bentley convertible or, for £10k less, a Merc with a folding tin roof..

Yes, for £40k there is a plethora of attractive classics and future classics.
However, as I keep reminding myself, the £25k Bentley for instance still has the maintenance costs of a £250k Bentley.

I am sometimes tempted by the Jensen Interceptor, this one for example which seems to be free of the dreaded r u s t.
Timeless design, nice simple driveline and no silly gadgets.

V8

88V8 wrote:

OhNoNotimAgain wrote:Now that EVs have got us accepting that £40k is a reasonable price for an entry level car it makes you look at other cars in a different light especially for longer trips that require recharging at service stations.
For £25k you can get a Bentley convertible or, for £10k less, a Merc with a folding tin roof..

Yes, for £40k there is a plethora of attractive classics and future classics.
However, as I keep reminding myself, the £25k Bentley for instance still has the maintenance costs of a £250k Bentley.

I am sometimes tempted by the Jensen Interceptor, this one for example which seems to be free of the dreaded r u s t.
Timeless design, nice simple driveline and no silly gadgets.

V8

No, its an Audi A8 with attitude, so VW build quality.

OhNoNotimAgain wrote:

88V8 wrote:Yes, for £40k there is a plethora of attractive classics and future classics.
However, as I keep reminding myself, the £25k Bentley for instance still has the maintenance costs of a £250k Bentley.

I am sometimes tempted by the Jensen Interceptor, this one for example which seems to be free of the dreaded r u s t.
Timeless design, nice simple driveline and no silly gadgets.

V8

No, its an Audi A8 with attitude, so VW build quality.

But the parts prices aren’t Audi. Don’t kid you self you can run a Bentley on the cheap. Or a big Audi either for that matter.

Back in the day you could get a decent brand new supermini for around 30K

88V8 wrote:

OhNoNotimAgain wrote:Now that EVs have got us accepting that £40k is a reasonable price for an entry level car it makes you look at other cars in a different light especially for longer trips that require recharging at service stations.
For £25k you can get a Bentley convertible or, for £10k less, a Merc with a folding tin roof..

Yes, for £40k there is a plethora of attractive classics and future classics.
However, as I keep reminding myself, the £25k Bentley for instance still has the maintenance costs of a £250k Bentley.

I am sometimes tempted by the Jensen Interceptor, this one for example which seems to be free of the dreaded r u s t.
Timeless design, nice simple driveline and no silly gadgets.

V8

But, but.... won't people keep mistaking you for Princess Anne?

Or do I have the wrong car...?

Did she ever own a Jensen? I do remember her Scimitar though.

quelquod wrote:Did she ever own a Jensen? I do remember her Scimitar though.

You're right, that's what I was thinking of.

They do look vaguely scimitar though. I mean similar.

88V8 wrote:

OhNoNotimAgain wrote:Now that EVs have got us accepting that £40k is a reasonable price for an entry level car it makes you look at other cars in a different light especially for longer trips that require recharging at service stations.
For £25k you can get a Bentley convertible or, for £10k less, a Merc with a folding tin roof..

Yes, for £40k there is a plethora of attractive classics and future classics.
However, as I keep reminding myself, the £25k Bentley for instance still has the maintenance costs of a £250k Bentley.

I am sometimes tempted by the Jensen Interceptor, this one for example which seems to be free of the dreaded r u s t.
Timeless design, nice simple driveline and no silly gadgets.

V8

Pretty but no cheese grater

Padders72 wrote:

OhNoNotimAgain wrote:
No, its an Audi A8 with attitude, so VW build quality.

But the parts prices aren’t Audi. Don’t kid you self you can run a Bentley on the cheap. Or a big Audi either for that matter.

I know, that's why the SL is attractive.

OhNoNotimAgain wrote:

Padders72 wrote:
But the parts prices aren’t Audi. Don’t kid you self you can run a Bentley on the cheap. Or a big Audi either for that matter.

I know, that's why the SL is attractive.

Sorry, I misunderstood you, people used to say 'VW build quality' as a compliment. Not so much any more.

I too would love an SL but those too have their issues. They have also been a bit aesthetically challenged since the 4 headlight R230 model (just my opinion obv) but that generation are known to have very expensive known problems so taking one on would require pulling on the brave pants. The 2006-8 SL500 seems to be the sweet spot maybe, though if you can stomach the 2008-12 looks, you have the option of the mega 6.2l AMG engine which is in a different class and quite wonderful. And no doubt expensive.

I've run a gen 1 997 for a few years with no major issues so it can be done but it's best to put a few quid aside for the inevitable rainy days of course.

Padders72 wrote: you have the option of the mega 6.2l AMG engine which is in a different class and quite wonderful. .

If I want to go fast I'll just stick to my electric Kona. Very few cars are faster.

The Bentley/SL would just be for a gentlemanly grand European tour; Cape St Vincent to Nord Kapp.

OhNoNotimAgain wrote:

Padders72 wrote:
But the parts prices aren’t Audi. Don’t kid you self you can run a Bentley on the cheap. Or a big Audi either for that matter.

I know, that's why the SL is attractive.

A friend has a SL500 for a while - [icked it up a few years old chepa when fuel first jumped to 120p/L. In 4 years he spent more on maintenance than the purchase cost - suspension ball joints that are part of the shocks at £1200 per corner, stupidly expensive electronic bits, etc.

the high wne SLs are 6 figure cars and have commensurate running costs, and similarly some Bentley parts are eyewatering compared to their VW/Audi equivalents.

And then there's the sub 20mpg average, with single figures around town. My mate was commuting from Rochdale to Bradfird (ir Leeds, can't remember which) but realised he could lease and run a brand new Citroen C1 for the daily trip for less than the commuting fuel in the merc.

OhNoNotimAgain wrote:If I want to go fast I'll just stick to my electric Kona. Very few cars are faster.

I'll bet our 30-odd year old Toyota is faster than your Kona.

Want to try it - I reckon Exeter to Newcastle should be a reasonable test

DrFfybes wrote:

OhNoNotimAgain wrote:If I want to go fast I'll just stick to my electric Kona. Very few cars are faster.

I'll bet our 30-odd year old Toyota is faster than your Kona.
Want to try it - I reckon Exeter to Newcastle should be a reasonable test

You mean he'll have to stop for coffee?

V8

DrFfybes wrote:

OhNoNotimAgain wrote:If I want to go fast I'll just stick to my electric Kona. Very few cars are faster.

I'll bet our 30-odd year old Toyota is faster than your Kona.

Want to try it - I reckon Exeter to Newcastle should be a reasonable test

You are conflating journey times with speed.

But yes, good point, that's why I want an ICE for the few trips I make up and down the M6.

How long would a three year old Toyota Aygo last, 15000 miles on the clock, 5000 mpa?

OhNoNotimAgain wrote:
You are conflating journey times with speed.

I tend to use "miles per hour" as a measure of speed. Perhaps you are confusing speed with acceleration

But yes, I know what you mean, EVs with their instant torque will outaccelerate most things from rest.

CliffEdge wrote:How long would a three year old Toyota Aygo last, 15000 miles on the clock, 5000 mpa?

With regular servicing probably about 15 years, longer if kept salt free and garaged.

Paul