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Month: October 2017

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Unicorn Patrol: 2006 Audi S4 Avant

Unicorn Patrol: 2006 Audi S4 Avant

Published October 28, 2017 by Carter

I’ve previously made fun to the term “Unicorn” as it relates to selling…well, pretty much any of the cars we feature on these pages. Truth told, as special as you think your car is, it’s really just one of probably a fairly large number of cars just like it out in the wild. Yet that doesn’t stop the P.T. Barnum’s of the used-car market from touting how unusual it is to see their particular circus attraction. In fact, many times it seems to be considered the main selling point:

Salesman: Now that you’ve selected all your other options, I’m going to tell you about one final “dealer special” option we can offer you – but it’s only for select, and discerning customers!
Rich Plebian: Uh, okay, what is it?
S: It’s the not offered to public “Unicorn” option
RP: “Unicorn”? Like, horned mythological beast?
S: Yes, exactly. The Unicorn Package is option code 785.
RP: Okay, what does it get me?
S: You get to tell everyone how unique your mass-produced car is.
RP: Wait, it gives me special powers?
S: No, you just get to say that your car is more special than the other cars that are exactly like it.
RP: Well, people have always told me how special I am, so sign me up!

So here we are again. In the sales pitch for this 2006 Audi S4 Avant, “Unicorns are real” appears. The question is – is this really something you never see, and is it the horned mythological beast you’ve been looking for?

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2006 Audi S4 Avant on eBay

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Feature Listing: 1981 Mercedes-Benz 280E

Feature Listing: 1981 Mercedes-Benz 280E

Published October 27, 2017 by Andrew

I give a lot of love to the Mecedes-Benz W123 and rightfully so, some think it is the best car ever produced. A few even claim that in these Benz models will be the only survivors of in a post-apocalyptic world. I’m not one to argue as I own a 1983 240D and drive it on a regular basis. It is far from perfect and has it flaws, but when I’m driving down the road in it I can’t help but think how satisfied I am in it. When I really think about it, my most my complaints are from the powerplant in the 240D. Sure, it is as dead simple and reliable as the day is long. But on the other hand it is loud, not that smooth, is dangerously under powered at times and leaves a film of diesel residue from the exhaust on the interior when I drive with the windows down. (I’m sure that isn’t great for my lungs either.) The 5-cylinder OM617 solves some of the problems, but it is still unrefined at times. So what are the other options then? How about a silky smooth inline-6? Luckily, Mercedes-Benz offered that option in the W123 and while not nearly as common as the diesel cars, they are still out there.

This 1981 280E for sale in Maryland offers up that inline-6 option. It has everything great about the W123 but also a 2.8 liter that makes a very respectable 185 horsepower! This is a far cry from the 84 horsepower in the 240D and the 125 horsepower in the 300D. The M110 engine uses a Bosch K-Jetronic injection system that is reliable, not overly complicated and though it won’t return diesel-level gas mileage, it won’t break your wallet either.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1981 Mercedes-Benz 280E on Hemmings

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1965 Porsche 911 Sunroof Coupe

1965 Porsche 911 Sunroof Coupe

Published October 27, 2017 by Rob

For the second of my somewhat disheveled 911s we see one that may be in slightly lesser overall condition, but still makes for a much more interesting model. Unlike yesterday’s Signal Orange 911T this one is not just about the color, but rather it’s about all the little details. And on a ’65 911 it is all those little details that consistently brings us back to them.

Here we have a Signal Red 1965 Porsche 911, located in New York, with a beautiful black interior with pepita seat inserts. It’s just come out of long term storage so while it may not be the prototypical barn find, it does fall somewhat within that realm.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1965 Porsche 911 Sunroof Coupe on eBay

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Roll the Dice? 2002 BMW M5

Roll the Dice? 2002 BMW M5

Published October 27, 2017 by Carter

As we drove home in our E61 the other day, an E60 M5 with temporary plates sat in front of my wife and me at a light. She commented “Are those getting cheap? Because I’m seeing them more often…” She’s right. The E60 M5, with its screaming 500 horsepower V10, now can be had for around the same price as an entry level Hyundai. Pound for pound, they’re now the cheapest way to get into an M-branded 5-series. But though we own a fifth generation five, I’ll admit frankly that it’s not a car that’s for everyone. It’s big, heavy and complicated – and can be quite expensive to fix. Couple that with any M engine and drivetrain, and these cars are capable of draining your wallet as fast as they can accelerate.

So although the power levels are lower and they’re not as flashy or modern, for many the E39 model that preceded the one we saw is still the epitome of M5s (though they’re often challenged by an equally vocal group who says the first one is the only one!). We’ve seen them start to trend upwards after dipping a bit low over the last few years, and now places such as Enthusiast Auto Group have a plethora in the $35,000 – $80,000 range depending on mileage. So you missed out on this fan-favorite, as well?

Not so fast.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2002 BMW M5 on eBay

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1970 Porsche 911T Targa

1970 Porsche 911T Targa

Published October 26, 2017 by Rob

Today and tomorrow I’ve got a couple cars to post that are quite a bit less pristine than what I typically like to feature. Both will need some work, but each provides a nice base with which to begin that work. And, more importantly, both are interesting enough that there should be a desire from some to return them to their full glory.

I’ll begin with this one: a Signal Orange 1970 Porsche 911T Targa, located in California, with 126,868 miles on it. This one is all about the color as it’s one of the best on an early 911. That it’s a 911T in need of work also should mean that the selling price falls very much on the reasonable side of the spectrum. At least, it should. Will it?

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1970 Porsche 911T Targa on eBay

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