hansvonaxion
Well-Known Member
So I decided to sell the motorbike and buy a car. After extensive research I decided on a Legacy, any of the gen 3 turbo models with manual that were in my price range, sedan or wagon, doesn't matter.
I found this one, which I went to see.
Negatives: It has some minor body damage, small dent in passenger door, scratches etc, some damage to rims from hitting kerbs. Remote central locking doesn't work (broken key or dead battery). No navigation.
Positives: 5 speed manuals are pretty rare. HID lights, highway toll collection system, one owner, log books, original condition. It's cheap.
Known issues: None really, the timing belt/water pump needs to be changed but that's regular maintenance. Water can leak in, getting under the carpets.
280hp
343Nm
1490kg
11.4km/L (claimed)
83,000km
2000 model
Base price - $2,500
On road price - $3,500
Will need new rego in Feb - $1,000 (approx)
Will need new timing belt/water pump before 100,000k's - $1,000 (approx)
https://pic.armedcats.net/h/ha/hansvonaxion/2010/12/31/0551535A20101207C00601.jpg
https://pic.armedcats.net/h/ha/hansvonaxion/2010/12/31/0110110102B400899500500.jpg
https://pic.armedcats.net/h/ha/hansvonaxion/2010/12/31/0551535A20101207C00606.jpg
https://pic.armedcats.net/h/ha/hansvonaxion/2010/12/31/0551535A20101207C00608.jpg
https://pic.armedcats.net/h/ha/hansvonaxion/2010/12/31/0551535A20101207C00612.jpg
But while looking around, I came across this C43 AMG. There were only a few hundred RHD cars made over three years, less than 2,000 total made.
Negatives: Auto (but I think it suits this kind of car and driving conditions around Tokyo and could live with it), high maintenance/insurance costs, poor fuel economy, no highway toll collection system. I haven't seen it so I don't know its real condition.
Positives: Auto (means the wife can drive it - but that's also a negative!), log books, power everything, navigation, keyless entry, exclusivity, it's an AMG V8!
Known issues: Auto tranny can fail early - AMG considered it a no-maintenance item but the oil needs to be changed, apparently. Rust around the boot lid lock and in wheel wells. Earlier C36's would fry the wiring harness which costs 000's to replace! - should be OK with this model.
306ps
410Nm
1540kg
7.8km/L (claimed)
1999 model
Base price - $8,000
On-road price - $9-10,000
Won't need rego until Dec 2012.
https://pic.armedcats.net/h/ha/hansvonaxion/2010/12/31/70095711302010121100100.jpg
https://pic.armedcats.net/h/ha/hansvonaxion/2010/12/31/9571130A20101211W00104.jpg
https://pic.armedcats.net/h/ha/hansvonaxion/2010/12/31/9571130A20101211W00112.jpg
https://pic.armedcats.net/h/ha/hansvonaxion/2010/12/31/9571130A20101211W00116.jpg
https://pic.armedcats.net/h/ha/hansvonaxion/2010/12/31/9571130A20101211W00117.jpg
Thoughts? Advice?
Of course the AMG is twice the price (the wife would contribute toward an auto Merc), and moving into that price bracket opens up other choices, but out of these 2, for these prices, which would you have?
I'm looking for something that will be fun to drive and practical but I don't need a car so it won't be a daily driver and if it breaks down the only issue will be repair cost, it won't really matter if it's out of commission.
I found this one, which I went to see.
Negatives: It has some minor body damage, small dent in passenger door, scratches etc, some damage to rims from hitting kerbs. Remote central locking doesn't work (broken key or dead battery). No navigation.
Positives: 5 speed manuals are pretty rare. HID lights, highway toll collection system, one owner, log books, original condition. It's cheap.
Known issues: None really, the timing belt/water pump needs to be changed but that's regular maintenance. Water can leak in, getting under the carpets.
280hp
343Nm
1490kg
11.4km/L (claimed)
83,000km
2000 model
Base price - $2,500
On road price - $3,500
Will need new rego in Feb - $1,000 (approx)
Will need new timing belt/water pump before 100,000k's - $1,000 (approx)
https://pic.armedcats.net/h/ha/hansvonaxion/2010/12/31/0551535A20101207C00601.jpg
https://pic.armedcats.net/h/ha/hansvonaxion/2010/12/31/0110110102B400899500500.jpg
https://pic.armedcats.net/h/ha/hansvonaxion/2010/12/31/0551535A20101207C00606.jpg
https://pic.armedcats.net/h/ha/hansvonaxion/2010/12/31/0551535A20101207C00608.jpg
https://pic.armedcats.net/h/ha/hansvonaxion/2010/12/31/0551535A20101207C00612.jpg
But while looking around, I came across this C43 AMG. There were only a few hundred RHD cars made over three years, less than 2,000 total made.
Negatives: Auto (but I think it suits this kind of car and driving conditions around Tokyo and could live with it), high maintenance/insurance costs, poor fuel economy, no highway toll collection system. I haven't seen it so I don't know its real condition.
Positives: Auto (means the wife can drive it - but that's also a negative!), log books, power everything, navigation, keyless entry, exclusivity, it's an AMG V8!
Known issues: Auto tranny can fail early - AMG considered it a no-maintenance item but the oil needs to be changed, apparently. Rust around the boot lid lock and in wheel wells. Earlier C36's would fry the wiring harness which costs 000's to replace! - should be OK with this model.
306ps
410Nm
1540kg
7.8km/L (claimed)
1999 model
Base price - $8,000
On-road price - $9-10,000
Won't need rego until Dec 2012.
https://pic.armedcats.net/h/ha/hansvonaxion/2010/12/31/70095711302010121100100.jpg
https://pic.armedcats.net/h/ha/hansvonaxion/2010/12/31/9571130A20101211W00104.jpg
https://pic.armedcats.net/h/ha/hansvonaxion/2010/12/31/9571130A20101211W00112.jpg
https://pic.armedcats.net/h/ha/hansvonaxion/2010/12/31/9571130A20101211W00116.jpg
https://pic.armedcats.net/h/ha/hansvonaxion/2010/12/31/9571130A20101211W00117.jpg
Thoughts? Advice?
Of course the AMG is twice the price (the wife would contribute toward an auto Merc), and moving into that price bracket opens up other choices, but out of these 2, for these prices, which would you have?
I'm looking for something that will be fun to drive and practical but I don't need a car so it won't be a daily driver and if it breaks down the only issue will be repair cost, it won't really matter if it's out of commission.
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