need suggestions for condensing our fleet....?

[HDhandyman]

OK, here's the deal.

My wife and I have 5 cars right now. I just sold a sixth that she had and I just purchased/in the process of purchasing a different #6, again. The garage is full, the driveway is full, my daughter is only 8, and we really wanna get a Smart Car sometime in the next 2 years, so it's time to lose some cars. We aren't sure what we want to sell and what we want to fix any more. I am open to suggestions about what to repair, what to sell, what mods to apply to certain cars with money from the sale of others, etc..

Our cars:

My Schwartz 93 BMW 525i with 98,000 miles: Is in great shape with new suspension, etc., is well loved, and has an Indy that I feel great about.

My Teal 97 Ford Escort with 115,000 miles: Still drives and handles extremely well for the POS jelly bean that it is, has lots of torque for an american 4 cylinder of its age, has 4 body dents that I took money for from 2 different people who hit the car while it was parked instead of processing insurance claims and never fixed, has a mixed *rocks hand from side to side* interior that would need to be detailed for a sale, needs brakes and rotors.

Our Black 96 Lincoln Town Car with 86-87,000 miles: Was owned by elderly women who barely drove it, is in pristine condition, was recently detailed and looks wonderful, is a dream to drive in town!

Her Chocolate 79 Cadillac Coupe De Ville: Was previosly owned by a Shriner (lucky 79), has a mean rebuilt V8 engine with 65,000 miles on it, has great condition interior suffering from small things like missing strip of banding on the steering wheel, and a few cig burns on the headliner, has fading paint job and a few rust spots, is in need of plastic fin pieces that degrade over time on all models of this year, is affiliated with Body shop owner who does good work---is sweet on wife---and loves the car--will do the work for cheap.

Her UK Wildcat Blue 73 VW Super Beetle: Has been in the family for over twenty years, has under gone multiple rebuilds, has decent paint job with no rust, needs engine (I recently purchased one but ended up sending it back), needs suspension, has new interior rebuild and Shiraco leather seats, needs new chrome bug eyes and bumpers, has sentimental attachment factor for wife.

Last year some of you may remember that I purchased a Red Lancia Zagato for her with recent engine rebuild that was a sweet runner, but was made with Russian steel and had an engine unlike any seen by most. I fell out with the only Indy who knew how to work on it, and ultimately we sold it.

Yesterday I stumbled across a company owned (original owner) 1986 L7 auto in great condition/ perfect engine, leather, and paint, that the company was going to donate to charity after a solenoid repair. Purchased for the cost of repair....500 dollars...couldn't refuse. --Still in the process of obtaining title.

I could go on and on about why we own all these cars, others that have come and gone, etc., but this post is getting rather lengthy and I'd really like to hear suggestions. Keep in mind that we really want to purchase a Smart Car in a year or so, and that we only really need 3 or 4 cars. Thanks gang!

[Zeuk in Oz]

FWIW, I would keep the beetle and the 2 Bimmers, ditch the rest and buy a 130i or 330i rather than a smart car.

But then again this advice doesn't take into account the purpose of the cars and what sort of driving you both do, so should be ignored. :D

Replying was like creating my own wish list, I suppose.

[HDhandyman]

hmmm, didn't even know about the 130i. Just read a few nice reviews, looks good, looks very good. In fact, it's my idea a perfect BMW (new, that is). Still, I'll bet that it would cost a fortune to have it imported to the states and it doesn't really cover the desire for Smart Car other than size, ----I'm curious to see if the 735 will be able to replace the Lincoln...it's a bit older, but is in very good shape.

[Gayle]

You left out the most important piece of information--what R. wants to do. You want to stay married--right?

[HDhandyman]

You left out the most important piece of information--what R. wants to do. You want to stay married--right?

LOL, yes. She's open to any and all suggestions. She is feeling seriously overwhelmed and would just like to have less cars. While she loves the VW, her priority is that we have at least 2 bullet-proof, fully functional, vehicles.:D

[Gayle]

her priority is that we have at least 2 bullet-proof, fully functional, vehicles.:D

And which two come closest to that description?

[shogun]

There is no 1985 735iL. 1885 was till E23 7 series, and there was never a L = long version. The E32 came out in Europe in 09/1986. L pics here from my 750iL from 11/88
http://tridem.han-solo.net/auto/erich/Tokio640/tokiogall.htm

With the M30B35 engine you make the right choice, it is the working horse in the BMW cars in this aera, plenty of used parts. For the L: expensive are the LAD rear struts, but they usually last very long. Abt 500 $/piece. Stay away from EDC, 4 EDC shocks cost more than a complete car. But you can convert to normal shocks. See my website under buying advice all the details.

[Yiorgos]

If I were you, I would fix up the 85 735i and sell it, fix up the 79 Cadillac by your affiliated body shop guy, get rid of the Ford Escort.

Keep the others, the Town Car sounds pretty sweet :)

This should make some space in your garage. Again, this is what I would do, what you and your wife do ultimately depends on your needs and desires.

Cheers,
-- G

[Zeuk in Oz]

hmmm, didn't even know about the 130i. Just read a few nice reviews, looks good, looks very good. In fact, it's my idea a perfect BMW (new, that is). Still, I'll bet that it would cost a fortune to have it imported to the states
I thought the 130i was available in the States - it is certainly available here in limited numbers.

[HDhandyman]

There is no 1985 735iL. 1885 was till E23 7 series, and there was never a L = long version.


You are correct. The woman said it was an L7 and I thought she meant that it was a 735il. I was wrong, didn't even know about the L7 as I'm still pretty new to the BMW game. In fact, after I researched tonight, I found out that it's not even an 85, it's an 86. So, sorry for misspeaking--it's a 1986 L7. She got the year wrong, and I put the (L) in the wrong place.---LOL. Hopefully that doesn't mean that I've got a bad engine, Erich....please tell me more about the L7 if you can.

Truth is, I was at the Indy and we were going over some things. Everybody in the shop was talking about what a nice car this L7 was that they had just replaced two solenoids on, and then they called the woman to pick it up. She said, "well it's just going to charity after I pick it up" and the master mech. asked what she wanted for it. Her reply was "the cost of repairs" ($4??.00), and I just spoke up and said "$500". The mech. didn't need the car because he already has several and was only asking about buying it because he hated to see it go to just anybody. So, naturally when I spoke up, he was happy to see it go to a good home.:) I just figured, after hearing them talk about it, that 500 bucks wouldn't be any big loss if it turned out to be a lemon.

[Gayle]

Pics?

[shogun]

Maybe they mean a Highline E23? Highlines were only about 300 built from the E23.
http://www.bmwe23.de/marco_noack.htm
Or executive?
That were all optional extras.
http://www.bmwe23.de/images/Marco%20Noack/m6bfb13.jpg
http://www.bmwe23.de/images/Marco%20Noack/s2bfb11.jpg


Ohhh, just a moment, here we come closer to it...
"The L7 was a luxury version only available in the US and in automatic form. This car had a leather head lining, leather door skins, leather dashboard, etc."

http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/bmw.html

Ask kff here, he knows all about E23
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/e23/

[HDhandyman]

not yet, we weren't able to do everything on the title today so I still don't have it in my possesion yet. Otherwise, I obviously never would have made such an error.---Pics, as soon as I have it though!

[HDhandyman]

thanks for your suggestions gang, keep em coming!

[Gayle]

This would have been a private message in response to your question but your mail box is full.


watcha doin? You don't have any suggestions for the fleet?

I am reading my kitchen book and shopping for books online and shopping for furniture online. Just drop in here between visits to other sites.

Suggestions hmm. I would base it on a narrowing down process that starts with which car is each of you drawn to. Which one to you want to drive. As much as I loved my convertible, I never wanted to drive it. Finally decided it was stupid to pay the insurance. I drove the wrangler more but decided it wasn't fitting for my image at my level in the firm.--going forward I wouldn't drive it enough to justify the cost. Plus it was still worth a far amount and why let it depreciate in the garage. It was a great specialty car. I miss it. That is what the town car sounds like. It would be the one I would want though, but probably not a practical choice under the guidelines I am suggesting.

I was focused on a daily driver that was fun and had the right look and feel. I was attracted to keeping Hubby's 525--it was fun and had the right image. Then I switched to my 535 which was a better twin of the 525. I am giving you these examples of what I mean by drawn to a car.

Then after you eliminate the ones you are not drawn to as daily drivers, you select among the remaining contenders based on reliabilty or expected expense.

I get the impression based on past conversations that you are attached to the ford and R is attached to the caddy. If that is the case, I would keep the 5, the ford, and the caddy. If I am wrong about the attachment factor and you could sell R on using the new addition as her daily, that is the way I would go. You have the 5 for you, the 7 for her, and the ford as the back up.

If you are trying to get down to 3, the speciality cars have to go. Hope this helps.

I told Hubby about you having 6 cars for 2 people. Made us laugh cause we thought we were bad at 4.

[HDhandyman]

meh, I hate the escort. Don't ever tell the escort that I said that, it's been a good car, but I wouldn't be sorry to see it go. R is attached to the Caddy, but if she had to pick just one it would be the VW. If I had to pick just one I'd take the 525.

Lincoln and 5 are tied for reliability, but the Lincoln has nicer paint.--Still, now that I'm used to feeling the road I don't really enjoy taking the Lincoln on trips anymore----that's why I'm curious to see about the L7.

[Gayle]

You could always back off from this addiction slowly. Keep the VW, the 525, the Lincoln, and the new one. Get rid of the escort and the caddy. It is good you already got rid of the Lancia. I thought from the beginning that car was going to be trouble based on the one my ex had. Give yourself time to decided between the lincoln and the new one.

Hubby and I rather liked having 4 cause then each of us had a back up. But after he got the new SUV, he really didn't need a back up, so 3 is working for us now.

[Ross]

Thank your lucky stars you offed the Lancia and consider dumping the Cad. The bumper fillers are a couple hundred bucks plus labor and material to paint then that thing is gauranteed to rust in the most impossible spots.
Your Escort has nil value so you may as well drive it and enjoy the economy rather than the driving experience.
The Beetle has sentimental value plus it's value is on the rise.
The Bimmers are both keepers, unless you wish to pass on your good fortune regarding the 7 to me.The L7 is a great car if you live with the dated style.
The Lincoln, weeell there is a lot to be said for comfort, it's hard to beat for interstate cruising but such a turd if asked to maneuver. I actually know a family looking for one so let me know if it makes the short list.
Ross

[Ross]

The L7 had different interior,nicer and a divided rear compartment as I recall.
Not sure about the wheelbase so I will defer to Shogun.
They are pretty rare and were big bucks in the day.

[Qube]

How does insurance work for your stable of cars?

[HDhandyman]

How does insurance work for your stable of cars?


Well, we have a "family packaged deal" of sorts and the insurance agent is a long standing family friend who owns her franchise office. I also have a flawless (knocks on wood) driving record and wife's is pretty good as well. That, coupled with friendship, really help to drive the price down.

[NY535iManual]

Well, let me first of all congratulate you for having a woman who was up for a Lancia Zagato in your life!

Lose the Escort and the Lincoln, you won't even miss 'em after a week.

[Elekta]

Same extra car problem.
Me:
57 Chevy PU
530iT
Her:
05 XC90
92 535iA

She wants me to dump my wagon, but she's the one with the $30k car payment(XC90) so it's her 535iA that has to go. Unfortunately it's in prime mechanical condition unlike my sketchy tranny and near goner headliner.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ggil-tx/DSCN3702.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ggil-tx/535/bmw1.jpg

ps: the franken c belongs to a wrenchin buddy down the street who also welded my awesome chippendale railing on my house
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ggil-tx/madeit.jpg

http://austin.craigslist.org/car/182105914.html for the 535 if anyone wants it

[HDhandyman]

At least they're all really nice cars!---That Chevy looks great.

[Paul in NZ]

Keep the most reliable/well liked of the lincoln/caddy/escort as the backup.
Get something much newer for the wife.
In the near future decide between the 5 and the 7.

[Airborne001]

My best advice is to sell the L7 to me, it is a very large car and takes up lots of room.