The Car We Chose
A little time ago, I asked the Gulch for help in buying a new car. Also, I promised to let those who contributed what we finally picked out.Because I had certain requirements, it was difficult to find what we wanted at a price we could afford. To two sticking points were that the car should have adjustable pedals for my short BW and had an easy access for old handicapped me. The only cars that seem to have those features were either way out of our price range or no longer being made. Strangely enough, we found a car that had both criteria and because it was the last 2016 version on the lot, we were able to negotiate a very good price. Of all things, it turned out to be a full-sized sedan. The Ford Taurus. It had adjustable pedals, and was built on a platform four inches higher than standard sedans. Of course it also had a truckful of features we didn't really need, but we had to get in order to get the adjustable pedals. One of those features, however, appealed to the kid in me, a 288 hp V6.
Two years ago my brother-in-law, knowing I always appreciate "a great ride," offered Julie and I a used automobile that had been in the family for a number of years and had just under 100K on the odometer. It was an almost "showroom condition," 2005 Mercedes E320, CDI sedan. He indicated it needed a good deal of mechanical work - primarily suspension, and a set of tires on the sharp, after-market "performance" wheels.
We paid the price he was asking and then put an almost equal amount into the front suspension, struts, glow plugs, tires, and several minor annoyances.
To make a long story short, we have put a little over 20K miles on it and it is simply the finest automobile I have ever owned! The CDI is a diesel - the last of the "dirty diesels" requiring no additives. It is simply a "rocket ship" under full throttle and will get almost 35mpg at 80mph on the highway! Yet it always conveys the luxury I had expected, yet never had known, from the reputation of a Mercedes! If I have my way, it will become the "hearse" of my life!
Congratulations on your joy Herb! I can relate.
As to German cars, I was a big BMW advocate. But that was long before it became Mercedes competition. I helped found the BMW Car Club of America and went nuts for those cars but they never rose to the level of my beloved '69 Charger.
My ex-manager drives an absolutely immaculate Z-3.
Should serve you well. That V6 is in a lot of Ford cars, and should be reliable. The police use them too, which will help with repair part availability.
I just put a deposit on a Focus RS, to replace my Subaru STIs (2014 and 2005). 350hp, 350 ft-lbs torque, all wheel drive and 6-speed. Should go like hell, whenever it shows up
.
Congrats.
At least 1/2 the features may never be used. I'll never be using my Smart Phone to plug into the 12 speaker sound system because (wait for it) I don't own an Smart Phone. I'll have to go back to school just to be able to figure out how to run most of the stuff.
My wife really wanted to get a diesel so she could annoy her liberal friends by driving a vehicle that burnt nothing but pure hydrocarbons, no cannoli oil.
I've had or have driven every sort of vehicle from roadsters to tractors . As I have posted often, my favorite was my 1969 Dodge Charger with the 440 hemi engine. I had more fun and got more tickets with that mean machine, and it is a reminder of the days when I was immortal.
forgotten, as is my old Porsche....Am having fun
with my crazy red FIAT which is a pleasure
to navigate....
But it should last until one or both of us assumes room temperature.
u.s. brand name! . are the "adjustable pedals" able
to move while the seat stays still? . sounds great! -- j
.
customer accommodation, finally. -- j
.
for placement, and drive forward until it just touches
the windshield at the rear-view-mirror! -- j
.
.
.
sturdy one with a gear-shift stick-in-the-floor (to
help me keep my mind on the process of driving
while doing it). But it's all irrelevant, since I have
epilepsy and can't drive.
It wouldn't compete with my old '69 Dodge Charger with the 440 V8, but I'm afraid such a car would be a waste on me.
I accumulated more speeding tickets with that car. Lordy, I did love it, though. After a meeting a guy challenged me in his GTO.He was a car length behind me when he couldn't make a turn at an intersection and wound up in the middle of a rather large field. He was stuck, but there were no cell phones in those days. I guess no one taught him how to use the brake and accelerator to make a sharp turn.
) I pushed two levers and diverted the exhaust into behind the front tires dumps. No back pressure there. That's when the fear look came and I grinned a lot. ha ha . I also had a couple of bags or five in the trunk over the rear axles. What FUN! I look at the go kart boom box mobiles today and shake me head. Why bother?