Derek writes:

“I believe that anyone who is worth their salt should drive a V12 once before they die.“

Actually, I didn’t write that. But that line was actually spoken (spake?) by David E. Davis, a man who we know never let reality stand in the way of a carefully constructed image. I tend to give the opposite advice when it comes to V12s. Those who aren’t fortunate enough to return their V12 powered automobiles after a 12 month long-term loan (or, a week) must live by the maxim “if you can’t afford it new, you can’t afford it used”. This is advice I frequently dole out when people ask me about buying a BMW 850i, since the words “two Inline 6s joined at the hip” somehow isn’t sufficiently scary.

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It’s said that only 5 R63 AMGs ever made it to Canada. They all must be in Toronto. I know of two in the neighborhood I grew up in, while another one was for sale a few months ago in Oakville (and still is). Meanwhile, this one just popped up for $31,000. According to the ad “ONLY SERIOUS BUYAER FOR MORE INFO PLEASE ONLY CALL. ANY TIME”. So, go do that. I would, if I had the extra cash. Then again, financial responsibility is overrated.

Doug writes:

Most car enthusiasts agree the E30 BMW M3 is getting dangerously overpriced. It is, after all, a 25-year old car with a crappy interior; they’ve all been miled to the moon; and most have been driven hard.

As I look at this week’s car, I’m starting to wonder why it doesn’t get the same rap. The Land Rover Defender 90 is arguably the poster child for overpriced: a box on wheels sold in North America for a few years in the mid-1990s until Land Rover got tired of conforming to harsh government regulations.

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While Doug and I are preparing our next installment of “Derek and Doug’s Fantastic Crapwagons“, this gem came across my desk thanks to a sharp-eyed reader.

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Derek writes:

Where do you find a clean, unmolested Integra Type-R in Toronto? In somebody else’s driveway.

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Derek writes:

One of the things Doug and I wanted to do with this column is to highlight the regional differences in car choices – not just in condition and value but the overall selection. Any surprise that humid, sunny Atlanta has a dearth of Audis while snowy Canada is awash in them?

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Doug writes:

I really like the Jeep Grand Wagoneer.  I think that’s because I like all boxy SUVs, which is why I’ve owned most of them.  I have never, however, owned a Grand Wagoneer.

One look at the local used car market tells you precisely why that is: they’re expensive.  For instance:

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Doug writes:

Ah, the 3000GT: possibly the car that’s most commonly believed not to be front-wheel drive, even though it is.  That’s an accolade it shares with the 1997-2003 Audi A8, by the way.  And while both cars offered all-wheel drive versions, you’d never know the 3000GT did by looking at Atlanta Craigslist.

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