Old Skool euro rides

Well, the boring japanese DD is sold and I have (a little) cash burning a hole in my pocket. So, the recent GRM/CM issues and way too much time on stanceworks staring at pics has gotten me thinking. I want a some old skool retro cool euro ride in my life. Whatever it is will need to be lowered on BBS style meshies. This will be a part-time DD/weekend car and will pretty much be used for cruising the highways and local roads for fun or DD'ed on the rare occasion that I have no other car at my disposal. I would like it to be fun, but don't need mega hp. It does need to be decently reliable (been broken down on the BQE before and don't care to repeat the experience) and not crazy expensive to repair. I'll be doing the routine stuff and fixing smaller stuff, the bigger stuff may go to my indie mechanic if life gets too busy.

I really like the w123 mercedes slammed on meshies. I'm also thinking w124, e28, classic saab 900 vert, alfa 164. E30's are a bit small and getting hard to find. A2 Gti's were considered, but seem too pedestrian.

Requirements:

• relatively reliable/ not crazy expensive to repair
• easy to work on
• Retro cool/ presentable as a cool date car for a mid twenties guy
• relatively fun
• Not terrible on gas
• Enough suspension/wheel options to be lowered on BBS style meshies
• Good cruiser
• Decent insurance prices

What are your thoughts on these choices? Any ideas that I missed?

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/1819042327.html

Winnar!

This might make the decision a little easier. I actually have the same rims to put on my car.

http://bulgogibrothers.wordpress.com/2010/01/05/this-makes-us-rather-weak-in-the-knees/

The original inspirations for this thread

The cream and blue W123s look so right. Doooo it! Although I would chose a wagon myself.

m4ff3w wrote: Winnar!

relatively reliable ??

uhhhhhhh, its an alfa.

Opus wrote:

m4ff3w wrote: Winnar!

relatively reliable ?? uhhhhhhh, its an alfa.

I have one, its my only car. Its easy to work on, and the only parts that have been unreliable and needed repeated attention were the tail lights. Other than that, all of the work they need is pretty easy. If you have to replace the clutch its not cheap, but nothing else is really a problem.

Two words: Ford Fiesta

E28 meets all of the requirements.

I love my 528i. (And some BBS mesh or similar are definitely in its future.)

Another vote for the e28. They're fairly easy and inexpensive to maintain, drive nice, and you can still find decent cars for reasonable money.

The wheels on the black car will fit on both

e28's are the perfect car

carzan wrote:

WIN, and even women who know nothing of cars think they're sexy.

There's a nice white/cardinal red E28 535is (sport seats FTW!) for sale on my local VW board near the Detroit area. Listed at $2k and has M5 front brakes.

Meets every one of your requirements. =~)

Opus wrote:

m4ff3w wrote: Winnar!

relatively reliable ?? uhhhhhhh, its an alfa.

My Milano is my only car. It has been a wonderful car.

I'd have a real hard time resisting the 6 series. Plenty to choose from too. A Milano would be quite a bit more unique though.

I've always loved the Peugot Mi16, may or may not meet your requirements and they are hard to find.

I love tastefully lowered W123's, tasteful being the operative word. I've seen some W123's nicely modded and cleaned up, with trim deletion for example, and they look a bit like a Bentley.

If I ever get past my aversion to FWD, the Mi-16 is high on my list.

C107 SLC. I will have one some day.

Euro bumpers are the key to any Mercedes.