What car for dad?

Just a car for going to the golf course and hanging out with the neighbors. His DD is a w211 mercedes. My dad liked having my 911 hanging around the family's FL house. The neighbors have gas-powered bar stools, 2 locomobiles, big healey with v8... He wants a replacement for the 911, but something newer (or less scruffy than mine), perhaps in the $20-25k range. He's 72, and thinks floaty buicks, caddies and lincolns ride nice... Mostly I think he liked that I bought it, drove it around a few years and sold it for more than I had in it.

How risky of a proposition is a 996? Some of the stories have me a little gun shy of early water cooled porkers. I'd love to have him pick up an elise, but I'm also pretty sure he would hate it. He's not really a car guy, but wants something interesting/cool. 50s-60s bentley (I have an ulterior motive for this suggestion)... Other suggestions?

CTS-V, with auto..........

Regardless of your ulterior motives, help him buy something he would really appreciate.

Taurus. Taurus SHO if you go out of price range. Used Merauder could be a cheaper option, but probably not his style.

Dare I say it? Jaguar XK vert!

1988RedT2 wrote: Dare I say it? Jaguar XK vert!

Love the looks, but I'd like to get an inheritance

oldtin wrote:

1988RedT2 wrote: Dare I say it? Jaguar XK vert!

Love the looks, but I'd like to get an inheritance

Soooo, the question is more about what you want instead of "what's a good choice for Dad?".

Why didn't you just ask for info and opinions on a 996?

Actually, I don't care all that much - I don't have to live with the choice - just have to hear about it. When I kept the 911 in FL I drove it one or two times a year, he drove it a couple of times a week. He also keeps a grand cherokee there. The porsche always started, the cherokee rarely started - so I have a decent idea of how he feels about high maintenance/high need vehicles. As far as the 996 - makes me a little nervous that picking the wrong one could be an expensive proposition - he likes the p-cars, but I'm wondering what else might work with the golf crowd - who knows, maybe the jag is just the ticket.

I hate to say this, especially since I'm only a dozen years younger, but have you considered how comfortably/easily he can get in or out of any car you have considered so far? My uncle, no car nut, traded a Grand Marquis for a Grand Caravan because it was easier to get in and out of and because it had lots of stretch out room if seats were folded or removed.

If this were 1988, I'd recommend a Lincoln Mark VII, but since it's 2011, I'd recommend a Solara with V6. At the other "extreme, I'd recommend pretty much any brand of SUV. Mercedes probably has a car that's to his liking, I'm just not all that familiar with their line-up to recommend anything. While I would own (if I had the money) an Elise, I wouldn't like driving it for it's being a bit low slung.

are you looking for new or used? a few year old jag XK vert is likely to have depreciated a good amount, they are $$$$$$ new

oldtin wrote: might work with the golf crowd

What was in the parking lot today at the golf club I work at (in Lake Forest).

Infiniti, Lexus, Cadillac, Lincoln, Porsche, Acura, Jaguar, Aston, Maserati, Toyota Avalon, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi, Land Rover, Buick, MG, and Mustang.

Interestingly, the Maserati and the Buick are (relatively young) husband and wife.

First thing I thought of was an XK8, they can be had qhite cheaply, IMO are better looking than the newest XK (especially to an old guy who remembers the 60s) and seem like exactly the sort of thing your dad would love.

Maybe a Boxter since he likes the P-cars? I know squat about them other than to think its a cheaper alternative to the 996 and he can probably get newer and lower miles in his price range.

Oooooor....since noone said it....Miata

how about a classic

that'll look pretty snazzy at the country club

fasted58 wrote: how about a classic that'll look pretty snazzy at the country club

I rescind my previous suggestion and stand wholeheartedly behind this..

Schwiiiiiiiing.

The 911 is a Classic.
Mercedes SL would be similar as classic country club.
For me, I would go with one of the last big convertibles. GM stopped with the Caprice, Delta 88, etc convertibles in 1975. Maybe something just a little smaller and sort of a fringe player so you do not have to pay the long dollar like you might for something with the mustang name on it.
1973 Mercury Cougar:

No hotrod but cruiser.

I am going to say either Jagaur XK (last of the pre-face lift '05), XJ8 or completely different a Bentley Turbo R.

Google "Mob Steel" and pick out a nice 60s Lincoln for him.

Mazda RX-8! Spinning triangles.

I am reluctant to suggest a Jag.

I like the '53 Buick, but if Dad wants sporty and liked his Benz why not both? Stylish, AC for Fla. heat, not hard to look at and leaves $14K in your budget/inheritance.

Dan

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1977-Mercedes-Benz-450-SL-/110718633403?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item19c75845bb

If he liked your 911 but would want one less scruffy, that sort of money should buy a nice SC, Carrera 3.2 or 964. Newer isn't necessarily better and I'd argue that a well maintained aircooled 911 is probably cheaper to run than a 996.

Local lot has a 964 convertible that I'm really avoiding at the moment, lest I feel the need to extend the fleet again. Nevertheless a $17k 964 'vert with less than 90k on the clock doesn't seem to be that unusual.

Bentley Turbo R.

All the posh needed for just about any country club with a little get up and go to boot.

Prices seem to be in the 10K plus range.

Toyman01 wrote: Bentley Turbo R. All the posh needed for just about any country club with a little get up and go to boot. Prices seem to be in the 10K plus range.

I have such dirty thoughts about those cars.

93EXCivic wrote:

Toyman01 wrote: Bentley Turbo R. All the posh needed for just about any country club with a little get up and go to boot. Prices seem to be in the 10K plus range.

I have such dirty thoughts about those cars.

A spare 10-20K and I would have one.

http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/2477276187.html