Ask the Brightest: Rolls Royce Drophead Coupe?
Published: September 5th, 2009
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I’m not so sure if I’d add this humongous Anglo-German two-door to my fantasy garage. It’s just not . . . something enough. And a little too . . . you know. More to the point, a nice 1935 Auburn Boattail Special can be had for roughly the same money. I know, I know: at that level it’s not either or. Still, I’d rather go motoring in something with more pizazz or, alternatively, less likely to attract the wrong kind of attention (e.g., Mercedes CL65 AMG). You?
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My problem with this car is that Rolls Royce has always been about having an unparalled luxury experience inside the car but a drophead coupe is by definition about the exterior and about driving rather than being chauffeured.
I can only assume that the reason the Phantom gets away with having less power is that it is primarily angled as a chauffeur driven car, whereas the Ghost is meant for the owner to drive. These super-lux coupes occupy the same space above the CL class, 6 series, and A5 as the Aston Martins, Lambos and Ferraris do above Corvettes, 911s and GT-Rs. Some people value amenities, quiet, ride quality and luxury over handling, speed and sportiness. Another benefit of the Rolls/Bentley experience is the level of customization available on each car. Where Mercedes or BMW might give you the option of three or four shades of leather, a dozen exterior colors, and a couple different wood or metallic interior trim bits, a Rolls of Bentley gives you ten times the option on each, and any one can be combined with any other without having to go by what the manufacturer thinks should be optioned together. I like big squared off cars, something about that styling speaks to me. I love old Lincolns, Caddys, and the boxy era Crown Vics and Grand Marquis. These cars have that same aesthetic but far more refined, and interior apointments that look nicer than my living room. This post has had me trolling ebay for deals on such cars, and unfortunately I found this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Bentley-MULSANNE-S-RED-BLACK-INTERIOR-LOW-MILES-100-PICS-UNIQUE-RARE_W0QQitemZ180401906262QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item2a00caa256&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245 The biggest problem I have is that I have vacation time saved up so I could conceivably go to see said car in person, and I could afford the buy it now price. So far only worries about huge repair bills keep me away, but half of me says that if I just keep the oil changed I won't have to worry about any...
A car so overpriced compared to the 7 series from which it originates (mehanically, platform etc), selling for 2-3 times the price of the even more competent 760iL V12, NEEDS to be BREATHTAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL inside and out, far more beautiful and appealing than any "cheapo" M-B and BMW will ever be! Do you seriously like the exterior styling of this car? I'd rather have the 95-01 BMW 7, of which I am the pleased owner of a 98 740, which I bought 4 years ago at 1/10th (!!) of the price of the "small" Rolls! Or, to put it in perspective, I paid one fifth of the Rolls' depreciation in its first year alone!
Saw one of these @ Limerock this week end. Big and ugly, bugly?