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Month: September 2014

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Fast Fives: 1991 BMW M5 v. 2002 BMW M5 v. 2006 BMW M5

Published September 5, 2014 by Carter

As has happened with other series of cars, such as Audi S4s, there are currently several generations of BMW M5s that are converging on value, leaving you with some hard decisions as to which you’d prefer. Indeed, from their start through the E60 M5, the sports sedan got larger and heavier, but gained 2 cylinders per generation and corresponding power levels. The E34 BMW M5 was a refinement and softening of the E28 original design but kept the race-bred S38 inline-6. Purists eyebrows raised when the new E39 M5 launched with a 5 liter V8, but the 400 horsepower soundtrack has subsequently has become a serious legend and fan favorite. Purists once again held their breath as the E60 M5 launched, now with a 5 liter V10 – a high revving, howling banshee of a motor. All of them are serious forms of motivation, and the value of the first 4 generations are all coming into line. While I wasn’t able to find a good example of an E28 M5 for this writeup, I have the subsequent three generations to check out – which would you choose?

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1983 Porsche 911SC

Published September 5, 2014 by Rob

It’s been a week of high-priced and rare 911s for me, so we’ll end on the other side of the spectrum seeking out driver-quality value. This Wine Red Metallic 1983 Porsche 911SC with Grey Beige leather interior and 108,927 miles sits right where we might first look when seeking a classic 911 at reasonable cost. The 911SC has long been a favorite of ours here at GCFSB for its combination of value, aesthetics, and performance and while they aren’t quite the excellent value they once were, they also haven’t seen the dramatic rise to equal that of the 3.2 Carrera. Yet, in many respects these models offer a driving experience similar to their slightly more mature counterparts and on the current market almost always strike a better value. Like any car of this age and six-figure mileage a PPI is a must, but these are known for their stout engines so buyers should not be discouraged by mileage north of 100K.

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1992 BMW 850i 6-speed

Published September 5, 2014 by Carter

The numbers would suggest that there are many better performance options than the BMW E31. Even in top-spec CSi trim, there are faster, flashier cars that are available for less – sometimes much less. For example, you could have a much quicker 996 Turbo today for less money than the asking price of most CSis. Indeed, if you’d like to save a lot of money, there are other options too; countless AMG Mercedes, 928s – even a stray E24 M6 will give the CSi a run for its money. But the combination of style, presence and the promise of exclusivity have their own draw much as they do with other notorious under-performers, such as the Grand Touring Ferraris. Can you buy a Corvette that’s faster? Yes, but that’s not the point. However, the CSi is still a lot of money for most people to consider, especially for an occasional car. Back down your expectations a notch, though, and you can get 85% of the CSi if you look in the early 850i 6-speeds:

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1994 Porsche 911 Turbo S ‘Package Car’

Published September 4, 2014 by Rob

The Holy Grail. Indiana Jones found it and lost it; Arthur and his knights were thwarted by the French and arrested by British police. It is the thing we all search for, but is a constantly shifting and elusive form. For automotive enthusiasts there are numerous possibilities, but for fans of the 911 Turbo this is the model about which most will speak. The 964 Turbo could never be pinned down. Because a turbocharged version of the M64 initially wasn’t ready the earliest cars used the 3.3 liter flat-six from the 930. Then in 1992, as a final send-off for that 3.3 liter engine, a Turbo S was produced prior to the introduction of the proper 3.6 liter Turbo. But even this would not be the last model, because in 1994 Porsche took all of the remaining 964 Turbo chassis, some 93 cars, and created the 3.6 liter Turbo S. Most of those were also optioned as a Flatnose, but there were two variants that remain some of the rarest 911 models ever produced. The Japanese market received 10 examples, all painted Polar Silver Metallic, fitted with the 935-derived Slantnose, made popular on the 930, rather than the 968-derived Flatnose of the Turbo S cars. And then there is the model we see here: only offered in the US market there were 17 ‘Package’ cars, which had all of the standard Turbo S options EXCEPT the Flatnose. The front end was mostly akin to any other 964 Turbo. 17 were produced, 10 in Black, 2 with Black over Cashmere leather, 1 of those was an exhibition vehicle. All of which leaves this car as a 1 of 1.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo S ‘Package Car’ at Sloan Cars

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1983 Audi Quattro

Published September 4, 2014 by Carter

In the spectrum of things you wouldn’t expect to see parked next to a tired Ford Taurus at a second-tier used car dealership, to me an original Audi Quattro would rank pretty highly. Couple the exclusivity of the few that were imported with the avid followers that seem to know the movements of virtually every model and you have a recipe for stalker-status enthusiasts that snap up every good example. And a good example this car appears to be; Tornado Red with upgrade 8″ Ronal alloys in rally white and Euro-lights, but otherwise mostly original condition this Quattro looks like one of the best examples that has come to market recently:

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