Mitch-I hate to say it BUT you are right!!! If it was a snake, it would of bitten me!! Looks like I will need to "up the ante" if I really want to pursue what I have prescribed.
Mazda just started initial delivery of the new RF (Retractible Fastback) - available in showrooms in Feb. More like $33k though (AT + delivery). 6 Speed auto with paddle shifters and SPORT mode delivering 38 mpg.
That looks like one heck of an automobile!!
Damn...I bet that would be a blast to drive! Looks good to.
@tom123 The first car for your wife that came to mind was the Miata as well. I think it has a real nice look to it and it has all the modern day conveniences one would want. The other car that was mentioned was the Fiat 124. It comes in an automatic as well. Car and Driver ranks the Miata as #1 and the Fiat as #2.
http://www.caranddriver.com/fiat/124-spider
Of course none of that means YOU can't have a Speedster.
Al Gallo's wife has one of those Miatas and they LOVE it. Got a lot going for it.
I've gotta vote for the Audi TT.
I have had two of them.
Let's see a German performance car based on a VW...hummm? Sound familiar?
Guys-All great picks and automobiles. My wife just loves the "bath-tub" looks of the 356. Ray mentioned that IM has an automatic available. I see there is a Ruby Red, auto, AC, roll up windows, 900 mile IM available on ebay. OH, NO, DON"T WANT TO GET IN THAT MESS AGAIN!!!
tom231 posted:Guys-All great picks and automobiles. My wife just loves the "bath-tub" looks of the 356. Ray mentioned that IM has an automatic available. I see there is a Ruby Red, auto, AC, roll up windows, 900 mile IM available on ebay. OH, NO, DON"T WANT TO GET IN THAT MESS AGAIN!!!
Let's see the link. We'll let you know what we think. LOL
I am not sure how to do the "link" on ebay. If anyone has a couple of minutes they could go to ebay and place ebay item number 381880380408 in the search. As they say "FOOL me once shame on YOU, FOOL me twice shame on ME"!! I wish I would of followed that rule for the last 60 years!!!
Also it is a Speedster - no roll up windows.
MotoCarlo posted:Also it is a Speedster - no roll up windows.
Along with its modern powertrain, suspension and brakes, this 1958 Porsche 356 Speedster Replica has equally modern amenities on the inside with options that include air conditioning, AM/FM stereo/CD player, manual convertible top, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry to compliment this beautiful ride.
Oh well, that makes it easy!
BREAKING NEWS!!!! Seller of the "perfect condition" SAS 356 just emailed me calling me an "A-Hole" and that he spent $300 servicing the car for the sale!!! Sent him back a flaming email. The nerve of some people!! I told him to go and screw someone else!!
I know. I have an IM myself. Tom just mentioned that the roll up windows was an issue for him...
Oh man, I have missed a great opportunity for SAS bashing, one of my favorite pass-times. Anyway, have toured this thread and gone over the pics and especially comments from the detailed survey. Holy crap!!! What a POS. Is this truly indicative of what SAS is putting out -- when they put out, that is. Or is this a home-built SAS kit? In any event I am really glad Tom has been spared the grief this car will surely visit on someone. What would be its value as a bag of parts, that could be refurbed into something useful? I see Alan has politely declined, but maybe someone could rescue this.
SA bashing: can't resist the further opportunity to say how disappointed I am in our site manager for accepting ad $$ from SAS to give them space on the screen here. I would wish for a higher standard. I know that there is a disclaimer that the site does not endorse any advertisers, but with something as closely held as we have here, that simply does not wash with me when it comes to SAS.
@TOM231, IM cars are in a different league ( actually a different planet) than SAS. IMHO. Quality and engineering are second to none. (FYI- I don't own a IM, but often daydream of having one build... Their shop is just 1.5hrs from my home, so I catch my self often going across the border to Canada on coffee runs & to visit his shop.... I own and love my VS.)
That looks like a nice looking almost new 2015 build IM. Call Henrry at Intermeccanica. He is usually aware of most IMs up for sale and is very helpfull providing background information on the cars he has built. He, like the other reputable builders, take great pride in their work and are always happy to help educate potential buyers.
good luck chasing down the madness.
I could not agree more with L.
I would only add to make sure and inspect any IM , even ones listed on Henry's site.
I bought one off his site ,and it had a lot wrong with it. A lot! Mostly because the owner was not honest with Henry. I love the car, but I am disappointed at how much work I have and am having to do to it (at 6k miles - rebuild the engine, replace the cv joints, replace all fuel lines, rebuild the carbs, all light connections bad, alternation not working correctly, front end ball joints blown, etc etc.... )
Henry has been helpful and friendly, and I will eventually get it sorted out. But just saying... I wish I could do it again.
Last time I buy a car that lived it's life in Miami, I can tell you that.
Heck, where have all the "honest" people gone! It seems like it has steadily gotten worse over the last 10 years.
I bought a car once from fleabay and it came across the border totally misrepresented and the guy claimed innocence... and I lost on that deal ... never again will I buy a vehicle sight unseen.. just saying. You pay to learn all the time.
On the other hand people, the seller that choses to misrepresent a gap between the windshield and the body as normal and in good condition is an outright LYING thing. You need to find that add and put a link to Daniel's report. Just saying.
I agree! Do any of you go on BAT?
i am sure you do! It is like here, you pick up some great information and expertise!!
Motocarlo, I agree with your Hot humid weather assessment. My car that I had bought on fleabay was in florida as well and it had burnt upholstery etc etc.
You'll have a hard time finding an automatic - and Roadster (windup windows).
I agree, it sure looks that way. Now it seems that you have to be careful with IM, as well, on the used market. Well, really anything on the used market!! Daniel sure has some beautiful cars! Has anyone gone by to visit him? If you were anywhere around 2 to 3 hours away it would be a great day trip!!
Actually anything used is not to be trusted unless you really examine the car. Even then your trusting someone....
IM or even RollsRoyce might have built it but once it left the factory it could have been in an accident, the guy forgot to put oil in it. etc etc. Older cars with low mileage mean nothing as a seized vehicle needs complete reconditioning as well. In my books if your looking for good value, get a recently built car from someone who got disillusioned or someone who has it well sorted & or is building another car of the brand you want.
Used is the best value but not without some sorting out work. The mirage will start to dissapear as you get close and see the warts.... I am talking about the car here 
Tom, if you're set on the features that you've named AND you really want a 356, you need to evaluate your budget and consider something new. Both IM ($$$) and Beck ($$) make Roadsters (Convertible D replicas) that have roll-up windows and can be had with A/C, and probably automatics. Buying new from either is as close as you can come to a no-stress purchase.
If you'd consider a coupe I know Beck has one under development and then there's Seduction. I have never seen one of thier cars in the flesh so I cannot offer an opinion, but Daniel sure exhibited some fine customer service. With a custom-built car that is SO important.
Thanks Ray and Lane! Very good advice! I need to call Henry again and pick his brain!
With a custom made car even the best efforts can sometimes have surprises but Lane is correct it is as close as it gets
Make sure to call Carey too.
Absolutely ! Relationship fit is also important as well as the approach to the build and the equipment, etc.... not to mention the location of the builder to your domicile.
True! It is a long way from Texas to Canada!!
Bremen, IN is a lot closer. Don't get me wrong, I think both Henry & Carey are stand up guys that build quality products and have excellent customer service. There are trade offs with each including proximity and price. Full disclosure, I'm a rabidly loyal Beck owner.
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Which company does Carey have?
Tom, it's normal and your allowed to be ferally loyal
Us northern beavers cannot really buy a Beck and import it. So we are Glad we have IM one of the top builders nearer to us... Yet, I do live in the east and it is still VERY far to Vancouver
Heck, I have a nephew in Seattle!!
Special Edition. www.beckspeedster.com
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tom231 posted:True! It is a long way from Texas to Canada!!
But it's worth it in the end. Intermeccanica builds and sells cars to the U.S., Japan, Europe and anywhere else, and the company has a loyal following world wide. It's probably the longest established maker going these days.
IMHO, it's the best 356 replica manufacturer you can find... 
(well, that is, except for a couple of fellows on this site) 
Tom-Those Becks are too cool!!
Bob-What should a newbie expect from a new build, let's say IM, ie...would it be like a new car, could I jump in and drive it back to Texas? Maybe, I was expecting too much?
IaM-Ray posted:Tom, it's normal and your allowed to be ferally loyal
Us northern beavers cannot really buy a Beck and import it. So we are Glad we have IM one of the top builders nearer to us... Yet, I do live in the east and it is still VERY far to Vancouver
What's the issue with importing a Beck into Canada? Is the issue the same with all builders besides IM?
Essentially no kit car or custom built car comes into the country without it being 15 years old. You can get parts and assemble one in Canada which is possible but not without much aggravation.