They were engineered for the wealthy whose chauffeur could drive it to an RR certified mechanic every 90 days for a checkup. They weren't designed to be wrenched on by an owner. The replacement parts are incredibly expensive. Don't get in over your head. Trust me.
I had actual 'nightmares' my RR had been badly damaged..Then I would awake and be so relived it was only a dream. The reality is they can be vandalised at great expense. Too many disrespecting bogans these days to enjoy 'posh' cars. Club events only for me these days.
The biggest problem is vandalism. People do mean things such as key the paint, steal hub caps, and will back into them intentionally. Other than that they are well made machines that have few problems.
vdelrio999 Sorry, I wasn't specific, in the US, vandalism, in mainly the larger cities is a huge problem. On occasion I was allowed to drive my older brother's new RR and was always lectured on where to park the car, and areas to avoid. I loved driving it, but got strange looks from fellow drivers. (What's a kid doing driving a Rolls? Wonder if his parents know that he's in their car. Or: He's kinda young to be a chauffeur.) In giving an old aunt a ride to a party she wanted to know what model of Packard it was. When I informed her that it was Rolls Royce she commented that she "never had to ride in the front seat of a Rolls Royce, only in the back seat." She thought that the car was "quiet lovely." ;-)
I'm in Texas and have been inquiring online about the risks (eg car jacking, vandalism, attempted theft) of having a classic muscle car as a daily but have yet to hear even one story ... despite reading and hearing about carjackings (for regular cars) in the news. No worries.
+vdelrio999 I'm from TX too..and I can tell you right now that if you get a muscle car..you better make sure you have full insurance because they are regularly stolen and then sent to MX. Happens all the time..whether new or classic. One of the best insurances against theft believe it or not is the old metal bar that hooks on one end to the steering wheel and the other end to the gas or brake pedal. Too much time and trouble trying to remove it. As for a Rolls Royce..most won't bother trying to steal it because they are too obvious..not enough people can afford them..and no money in stripping them because again..not enough people own them to want parts..especially stolen parts.
You've really got to spend a lot buying one of the best in the first place and then keep it in a garage when you're not using it. A lot of poor examples have rotten body work because they've been owned by people who can't afford to garage the vehicle and those who can't afford to garage usually can't afford proper mechanical maintenance either.
Yes ..I agree. The low purchase price for an older RR does not mean the repair bills will also be low. You will pay top dollar and at first you will be totally shocked ..but after a while you either sell or just pay up. I owned one for 5 years .These vehicles are show cas only..definitely not a daily driver.
Mechanical they are very simple and well engineered, the bodywork is the pig on these cars, mines a daily driver only issue I had mechanically has been the GM gearbox pump buggered up, suspension is a doddle to work on and any competent person with a brain cell can work on them.
