In Defense of Old Rolls-Royces
Critics like to disparage these classic British cars. But there’s no denying they make a driver feel like royalty.
Noel Gallagher and Meg Mathews arrive in a Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow at a party at 10 Downing Street in London in 1997.
Photographer: John Ferguson/Ian Vogler/Mirrorpix/Getty ImagesIt can be grueling—to your patience and your wallet—to buy a new car that’s truly special.
Even the most stripped Porsche 911 runs more than $132,000, while at some Southern California dealerships the superb 911 S/T is going for two and three times its manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $292,000. That’s if you can even get an allocation. Meanwhile the average sale price of a Ferrari reached $457,000 last year, and if you want a special-edition version, tack on an additional 40% to 80%. Then get ready to spend a year or two awaiting delivery.