Non-Italian barges

MarkMas

Chief pedant
Messages
8,795
Yeah, the slush boxes are what would point my wad towards either an Alfa 166 3.2 (manual) or a QPV (paddles). I’d just get horrendously bored on long journeys otherwise, unless the barge was part of a selection of cars owned.
Today’s barge is this last of the line, old school XJ. The newer car will be faster, roomier, etc but this has such a thuggish style, even if I do feel I’m wearing one rather than sitting in one.

An XJ8 was the closest I came to not staying with a QPV
 

Scaf

Member
Messages
6,512
I have said before I just love XJ’s and they have been my barge of choice since 2006.
Currently in the end of the line late 2019 XJ50, it’s truly gorgeous and silky smooth.
You always feel like “you have arrived” and they are still quite rare, an XK can’t be compared to any other the smaller versions.
For such a big car they quite tight in the back, but I never sit in the back.
3lt oil burner, 300bhp and 0-60 is sun 6secs and even when driven in anger will still return the best part of 40mpg.
88330
 

gb-gta

Member
Messages
1,130
I had a 3.2 166, great car.
If auto barges are not preferred you could go for a mid 90’s 3.2 XJR, they did these in manual. That could be a cool and interesting barge.

That or a similar era Saab 9000 aero. Love these too.

The 7 series is nice, but I’d much rather have one of the 3 listed above over one, they just seem so much more characterful, to me anyway.
 

gb-gta

Member
Messages
1,130
There's a chap on the 166 Facebook forums who's gradually building my dream spec 166 3.2 Ti.

Small matter of me not having the cash to buy it.
He probably won’t want to sell it !

Super rare car in the uk. There were only 40 3.2’s ever sold here, lusso’s and TI’s combined. Not many would have been in TI spec. I bet many have tragically been broken for the engine/gearbox for blown up GTA’s too.

8833888337

Good combo with the ducati, happy days!
 
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gb-gta

Member
Messages
1,130
Think yours is up for sale at the moment!

Wow, what’s the chances! I’m glad it’s still around.
It 12/13 years since I owned it, was bought new by an old army colonel who’d had about 20 Alfa’s, I had it next, then after me a guy from the Alfa owners club had it. It featured on fifth gear and in auto Italia magazine in his ownership. Don’t know how long he had it.

Hope someone keeps it going and it doesn’t get broken, 3.2 busso engines are worth about 2-2.5k alone and the ecu probably 1k…..then there’s all the other hard to get 166 bits all over it!
 

Gazcw

Member
Messages
7,696
I have said before I just love XJ’s and they have been my barge of choice since 2006.
Currently in the end of the line late 2019 XJ50, it’s truly gorgeous and silky smooth.
You always feel like “you have arrived” and they are still quite rare, an XK can’t be compared to any other the smaller versions.
For such a big car they quite tight in the back, but I never sit in the back.
3lt oil burner, 300bhp and 0-60 is sun 6secs and even when driven in anger will still return the best part of 40mpg.
View attachment 88330
Scaf at the end of a journey you always feel like you have arrived. That's why it the end ;)
 

D Walker

Member
Messages
9,827
Like the XJ 50
Apart from the bloody big sign on the back declaring what it is.
I’d have to have it removed if possible.
 

Nayf

Member
Messages
2,734
Another day another barge.
I’ve driven one of these, and it’s all about the rear seat experience. There’s a hole through the front passenger seat for you to stretch out and more toys than a Babestation prop cupboard.
Seven layers of paint, all done by hand, doesn’t rev past 4000rpm and very nearly silent. Also comes in lovely velour/cloth for hot environments.
A much finer car than the Rolls Royce Silver Seraph of similar vintage…
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,038
Another day another barge.
I’ve driven one of these, and it’s all about the rear seat experience. There’s a hole through the front passenger seat for you to stretch out and more toys than a Babestation prop cupboard.
Seven layers of paint, all done by hand, doesn’t rev past 4000rpm and very nearly silent. Also comes in lovely velour/cloth for hot environments.
A much finer car than the Rolls Royce Silver Seraph of similar vintage…

I suppose it you are in the rear you can’t see how ugly it is on the outside. That is not nice at all not matter what the inside experience is like.
 

rs48635

Member
Messages
3,181
Wow, what’s the chances! I’m glad it’s still around.
It 12/13 years since I owned it, was bought new by an old army colonel who’d had about 20 Alfa’s, I had it next, then after me a guy from the Alfa owners club had it. It featured on fifth gear and in auto Italia magazine in his ownership. Don’t know how long he had it.

Hope someone keeps it going and it doesn’t get broken, 3.2 busso engines are worth about 2-2.5k alone and the ecu probably 1k…..then there’s all the other hard to get 166 bits all over it!
is it this 3.2 Lusso RO04 KPE
 

Nayf

Member
Messages
2,734
He probably won’t want to sell it !

Super rare car in the uk. There were only 40 3.2’s ever sold here, lusso’s and TI’s combined. Not many would have been in TI spec. I bet many have tragically been broken for the engine/gearbox for blown up GTA’s too.

View attachment 88338View attachment 88337

Good combo with the ducati, happy days!
Not a bad price tbh
Due a cambelt though.
 

Twinspark

Member
Messages
460
Really depends on your budget but one option I’m partial to are the D2 and D3 Audi S8. Very nice cars although they have their fair share of issues.
 

MarkMas

Chief pedant
Messages
8,795
Has anyone mentioned the Lexus LS400 yet? Never had one, but one tried to pull away from me today, and almost made it.