Rolls-Royce - should I?

speedracing944 · speedracing944's Garage

So after I graduate from ME school I would like to get my wife a nice gift to show my appreciation of her supporting me emotionally and financially while I was in school. She has always had an eye for a nice older Jag but I heard older Rolls-Royces can be purchased for a reasonable price and can prove to be reliable. The model I am looking at is the 1980 - 1989 Silver Spur similar to picture above. Does anybody here have any experience with RR? Are they somewhat easy to work on?

I read they use a GM 3 speed auto tranny but switched over to a 4 speed auto in '87. I wonder if the motor used is based on a GM unit as well.

Regards,
Speedy

kstar · 02-02-2008, 08:25 PM

I know that they can be bought for reasonable prices, but I have heard that the parts are absurdly expensive relative to the low entry price.

Best,

Kurt

aap1966 · aap1966's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedracing944

I wonder if the motor used is based on a GM unit as well.

Yes, it is.

speeder · speeder's Garage

Huh?? It's a RR engine. Nothing GM about it, unless you count the AC compressor on the top of it that says, "AC Delco".

They are expensive cars to own, even if you get one for free. Figure on 1 dollar per mile in maintanence costs. They were designed for rich people who do not even look at their repair bills, this does not change as they get older. Except that they get more expensive as you go. That's the reality, sorry if it rains on the parade. It's a gift that you would give someone that you really hate.

Did I mention ~8 mpg on premium?

speedracing944 · speedracing944's Garage

Hmmm. If that is the case a nice LS7 sure would look nice under that hood

Speedy

speedracing944 · speedracing944's Garage

So I guess a DIY repair BBS like Pelican isn't out there in cyberspace for RR.

Speedy

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

Only if you set it up like the one in Cannon Ball Run
I have a Jag XJR and love it, have had friends with older RRs like you post, but any car that goes from close to $200K to $5K doesn't really make me want one, unless it is set up like the one Jamie Farr drove in CBR

HardDrive · 02-02-2008, 09:34 PM

I would vote no on the Rolls, in particular if she is going too be driving it in the winter in WI.

aigel · aigel's Garage

The GM trans was a turbo hydramatic. I remember helping a DIY RR owner in the UK rebuild his over the web, when discussion groups were mailinglists on list servers. He had a 67 silver shadow, IIRC, so it must have been the TH400 (no th350 before 69). So, all I know is that they have a decent automatic transmission which I could help you rebuild. The rebuild kits are about $150 for a nice one.

I think the cars are pretty darn ugly. And you don't want to be caught driving yourself. Unless you hace a chauffeur, you just look silly. I guess it can work if you drive and the wife sits in the back.

George

Moses · 02-02-2008, 10:04 PM

Your wife has always wanted a Jaguar, so you're going to buy her a Rolls. How's that approach working for you so far?

Rearden · 02-02-2008, 10:55 PM

Pass the Grey Poupon, Jeeves.

You should buy her what she wants, unless she is looking to be really high profile.

alf · 02-02-2008, 11:26 PM

Who is going to be the chauffeur?

jwhcars · 02-03-2008, 03:37 AM

You are chauffeured in a Rolls , you drive a Bentley

ZOO · 02-03-2008, 03:57 AM

Don't worry about maintenance, the engines were sealed at the factory

livi · 02-03-2008, 04:10 AM

Looks cool on the drive way though, parked next to the Porsche.

jsb944 · jsb944's Garage

There's a person who lurks here who is the mechanic I use....his shop is Porsche & Rolls Royce...he's apparently a well regarded RR shop (does a great job with my 944S2 also) .

You might ask him his opinion.

ROCS Auto, Inc

973-844-1274

Ask for Rich

imcarthur · imcarthur's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedracing944

She has always had an eye for a nice older Jag

Repeat 50 times.

An older RR is not an older Jag. Lux box versus svelte cat (even if they aren't as svelte anymore).

Now repeat the above 50 more times.

Ian

MRM · 02-03-2008, 05:22 AM

You can get a 2004-2005 XJR or Vanden Plas of XJ8-L with 35,000 miles and remaining factory warranty for $30,000. I'd sure go that route instead. Locally to me there is a dealer with an 04 XJR with 40 some thousand miles on it for $28,000. I've had my eye on it for a month. You can get an extended warranty to 100,000 miles. 0-60 in five flat. I would really encourage the Jag over the RR.

slow&rusty · 02-03-2008, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moses

Your wife has always wanted a Jaguar, so you're going to buy her a Rolls. How's that approach working for you so far?

I needed hat morning laugh!

Yasin

stomachmonkey · 02-03-2008, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moses

Your wife has always wanted a Jaguar, so you're going to buy her a Rolls. How's that approach working for you so far?

Was kind of wondering that myself.

I stopped shopping for Jewelry for the woman a long time ago.

She was always appreciative of my gestures but it was obvious she would have chosen differently.

These days we shop together. She picks stuff she likes. I go back later and get one of the items that she has chosen. Still some surprise left to it and we are all happy.

Don't get her what YOU THINK she would like especially when she has TOLD YOU EXACTLY what she wants.