We will really miss sitting in the Rolls when you have so kindly and generously entertained Hanna and me in Gran Canaria !!!! We are looking forward with joyful expectation to one day meeting Bertie's successor Love to you both David xx
Aren't the Lexus LS 400 and 430 also characterful and kinda covetable cars? And I've heard that the Mercedes W126 (300SE, 420SE) are also pretty reliable, rational, and refined. Seems like both are good options to me, though one thing that I think is a good deciding factor is how expensive and easy parts are to buy or find. But who knows, maybe you'll come across something that you'll want that is neither of those two cars.
The LS400 does have a following now, but I'd probably end up with a LS430 - not as exciting or good looking as the W126 saloons, and positively boring compared to the coupes (SECs).
The W126s are now quite old, and most have done high millages. Timing chains (the plastic guides), self levelling suspension issues (many have removed it), AC compressor leaks, ... are all understandable failures given age, but maybe more than I want to take on (again). The Lexus has a far better reliability record.
It's going to come down to what becomes available first. If a good W126 comes up (and I'm looking everywhere) I'll probably go down this route, but same goes for a Lexus (plus the Mrs. will be far happier with the LS - smaller).
Perhaps “sensible with a twist,” e.g., Infiniti FX50? Naturally aspirated V8? A bit of a polarizing unicorn, I’ll admit.
Decisions, decisions! Always fun looking!
We will really miss sitting in the Rolls when you have so kindly and generously entertained Hanna and me in Gran Canaria !!!! We are looking forward with joyful expectation to one day meeting Bertie's successor Love to you both David xx
Aren't the Lexus LS 400 and 430 also characterful and kinda covetable cars? And I've heard that the Mercedes W126 (300SE, 420SE) are also pretty reliable, rational, and refined. Seems like both are good options to me, though one thing that I think is a good deciding factor is how expensive and easy parts are to buy or find. But who knows, maybe you'll come across something that you'll want that is neither of those two cars.
The LS400 does have a following now, but I'd probably end up with a LS430 - not as exciting or good looking as the W126 saloons, and positively boring compared to the coupes (SECs).
The W126s are now quite old, and most have done high millages. Timing chains (the plastic guides), self levelling suspension issues (many have removed it), AC compressor leaks, ... are all understandable failures given age, but maybe more than I want to take on (again). The Lexus has a far better reliability record.
It's going to come down to what becomes available first. If a good W126 comes up (and I'm looking everywhere) I'll probably go down this route, but same goes for a Lexus (plus the Mrs. will be far happier with the LS - smaller).