Wanderlust

Category: Features

  • EU Market Find: B5 Audi RS 4 Avant in Nogaro Blue

    EU Market Find: B5 Audi RS 4 Avant in Nogaro Blue

    What: 2001 Audi RS 4 Avant
    Color: Audi exclusive Nogaro Blue (nogaroblau; pearl effect UNI; Z5M; Audi)
    VIN: Unknown
    Mileage: 204,500 km
    Price: € 45,944
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Paulmann Das Auto Zentrum, Dachwig, Germany
    Dealer Listing: Link

    With the B5 Audi RS 4 production beginning 25 years ago, we’re just now seeing cars that are qualified as importable. And while those early cars are basic cars in basic colors, it’s only a matter of time until the options begin rolling in. Getting ahead of the game and purchasing a car before it turns 25 is a great way to nail down a good price without the inflation of American buyers.

    Got a friend in Europe who can store it? You’ll likely need one.

    All that said, an RS2 in similar spec and mileage would be much more expensive than this B5 RS 4. Getting in on the RS 4 action early seems like a solid move for netting a much-loved enthusiast model.

    One last thing, Nogaro Blue isn’t Audi exclusive. It was added as a stock color, but it’s icon status in the Audi fold is somewhat unique, so we included it anyway.

  • Market Find: Porsche Paint to Sample Alex Grey 911 GT3

    Market Find: Porsche Paint to Sample Alex Grey 911 GT3

    What: 2022 Porsche 911 GT3
    Color: Paint to Sample Alex Grey (alexgrey; non-metallic UNI; Z58; Porsche)
    VIN:  WP0AC2A93NS270632
    Mileage: 2,819 miles
    Price: $299,992
    CarFax: Link
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Nashua, NH
    Listing: Porsche Nashua

    Initially created as a Paint to Sample Plus color in 2017 and added to the standard Paint to Sample palate in 2023, Alex Grey has quite the story behind it. Tracing it’s roots back to 1962 when Dutch Police needed a faster horse to ensure safety on roads that at the time were without speed limits, the Rijkspolitie turned it’s attention to Porsche and their 356. This created a partnership that resulted in a fleet of 507 Porsches in total until the Dutch opted for something more ordinary and cancelled the program in 1996. As they are want to do, Porsche celebrated the partnership with a special edition in 2017, contracting Studio Piet Boon to do-develop a color and livery for the car. Alex Grey as shown here was the result, which oddly enough is in no way representative of the aforementioned Rijkspolitie liveried cars. But what it is, is a very deep, incredibly vibrant Grey- much more vibrant than Audi’s Nardo, and much more distinct than Fashion Grey or even Grey Black.

  • Market Find: PTS Polar Silver on Green Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS Returns

    Market Find: PTS Polar Silver on Green Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS Returns

    What: 2023 Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS
    Color: Paint to Sample Polar Silver Metallic (polarsilber; metallic UNI; A8 / 92E; Porsche)
    VIN:  WP0BB2A94PS233597
    Mileage: 2,819 miles
    Price: $247,979
    AutoCheck: Link
    Window Sticker: See Gallery
    Location: Gas Motor Cars, Marietta, GA
    Listing: Gas Motor Cars

    If you’re seeking a Sonderwunsch special that makes simple paint to sample builds look passé, the 911 Targa 4 GTS you see her definitely qualifies. On the outside, it’s a subtle play dipping into Paint to Sample services for a decidedly hard-to-spot derivative of silver.

    It’s not that Polar Silver Metallic isn’t a great choice. It is, but most passers by of this car will likely pass it by. Should they peek inside though, there’s no missing the Agave Green leather. Dig in further and the blue accents on stitching, green and blue on the gauges, and even the Porsche crest logos on the wheels show a much deeper affinity for continuing a bold theme.

    We love it. We love it so much that we’ve featured this car when it was on the market before. For the record, this highly distinctive and unique 992 Targa 4 GTS has been featured on this site before. Last July, the car was at Ferrari San Diego, and has returned now in Marietta, Georgia.

    Kudos to Gas Motor Cars who have put up a much deeper mix of photos, and shots we’d argue do a better job showing the true green of the Agave leather, as well as the many other points of Sonderwunsch details.

  • EU Market Find: BMW Individual Glacier Green E36 M3 Cabriolet

    EU Market Find: BMW Individual Glacier Green E36 M3 Cabriolet

    What: 1996 BMW M3 Cabriolet
    Color:  BMW Individual Glacier Green Metallic (metallic UNI; 335; BMW)
    VIN: Unknown
    Mileage: 18,500 km
    Price: € 119,950
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Driving Passion, s’-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands
    Dealer Listing: Link

    Yes, you read that right. An E36 M3 Cabriolet is six figures, and not just six figure but six figures in Euros. Is it worth it? Well, like many cars of this nature, if you have to ask then you likely aren’t in the running for it. Even still, we think it might be and here’s why.

    First, it’s a poster child for BMW Individual. On the outside is subtle yet different Glacier Green Metallic, an ever-so-slightly tinted silver. Inside, it’s got extended Hazelnut Nappa nappa leather that would have had to have been special ordered.

    Beyond that, the car has many options for the period, including seat heating, dual climate control, electric exterior mirrors, automatically dimming interior mirror and multi-function display.

    There’s one more thing. The car has just 18,500 km on the odometer (11,495 miles), and presents in the photos as if new.

    Yes, as perhaps the most subtle of the M3 lineage, we know the E36 isn’t the most desirable M3. To our eye, that only makes it desirable in its understatement… in the way a 964 Carrera RS sort of looks like any other Carrera 2 of its time. This was the standard operating procedure in the 1990s, and this M3 Cabriolet pulls it all off beautifully.

  • Market Find: BMW Individual Java Green M2 in NJ

    Market Find: BMW Individual Java Green M2 in NJ

    What: 2025 BMW M2
    Color: BMW Individual Java Green Metallic II (javagruen; metallic uni; P7V/6; BMW)
    VIN: N/A
    Mileage: Delivery Miles
    Price: $84,474
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: BMW of Morristown, Morristown, NJ
    Dealer Listing: Link

    We’re always, and I mean ALWAYS appreciative when enthusiast sales staff at dealerships give fellow enthusiasts a heads up when a special car comes into inventory. In this case, it’s a nicely optioned BMW Individual M2 in Java Green Metallic that’s on the showroom floor at the dealership as we speak.

    So, you can go to the listing link (above) or check out Valdrin Ferati’s post shared on Facebook HERE along with real world shots of the car versus the CGI renderings in the dealer listing.

  • Market Find: 1986 Ferrari Testarossa in Rosso Metallizzato

    Market Find: 1986 Ferrari Testarossa in Rosso Metallizzato

    What: 1986 Ferrari Testarossa
    Color: Rosso Metallizzato (rossometallizzato; metallic uni; 305/C / 20-R-187; Ferrari)
    VIN: ZFFSA17A5G0061107
    Mileage: 35,000
    Price: Upon Request
    CarFax: N/A
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Graham Rahal Performance, Zionsville, IN
    Listing: Link

    Maybe it’s EVs making us yearn for classic and obnoxious ICE again, or maybe it’s just Generation X feeling nostalgic as it watches its amassing 401Ks, but Reagen era hedonistic sportscars are enjoying a renaissance that most any of us can get behind.

    Take the Ferrari Testarossa. In any other era, a car with those cheese grater intakes on each side would probably be considered extreme, but sitting next to a Lamborghini Countach the Testarossa struck a toned down and almost subtle pose. Add in a factory color yet rare paint like Rosso Metallizzato and it looked even more reserved.

    FYI, there’s just such a car right now at Graham Rahal Performance. If you’re seeking a unique car from this era, this one definitely qualifies. Unlike today, paint to sample services in this era were pretty few and far between, making rare shades such as this one a great get if you want something tailored from the 80s era.

  • Market Find: Ferrari Tailor Made 458 Speciale

    Market Find: Ferrari Tailor Made 458 Speciale

    What: 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale
    Color: Ferrari Tailor Made Giallo Triplo Strato over Blue Scuro (metallic-UNI; 159752; Ferrari)
    VIN:  Upon Request
    Mileage: 950 Miles
    Price: Upon Request
    CarFax: Upon Request
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Miami, FL
    Listing: Auto Source Group Miami

    The result of close collaboration with a US-based Ferrari franchise and Ferrari North America’s Tailor Made department, this 2015 458 Speciale was treated to roughly $75k in special wishes, most of which can be found when you look past the Giallo Triplo Strato paint. A Blue Scuro center stripe was chosen to tie the exterior to the interior, featuring Blue Scuro Alcantara upholstery and yellow stitching. For the sticklers among us, rest assured that the interior Carbon Fiber bits have been finished in Blue Carbon as well. An impulse buy this was not and continues not to be, but in today’s supercar marketplace, it just may prove a safe bet at (nearly) any cost.

  • Market Find: Audi exclusive Kemora Grey RS 5 sportback

    Market Find: Audi exclusive Kemora Grey RS 5 sportback

    What: 2019 Audi RS 5 sportback
    Color: Audi exclusive Kemora Grey Metallic (metallic-UNI; LX7F; Audi)
    VIN:  WUACWCF51KA904939
    Mileage: 69,872 miles
    Price: $40,991
    CarFax: Link
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Carrolton, TX
    Listing: Texas Hot Rides

    There’s no use in sugar-coating it- this RS 5 sportback has been hit. Twice. But with a cost of entry that reflects- just $40k- does this represent good Tailored Driver value for money? To us, yeah, totally. Audi’s RS 5 might not be the fire starter that BMW’s M3 is, but its still no slouch. Couple that value and performance with the cult favorite that is Audi exclusive Kemora Grey, and we see a real winner here.

  • Is this Violet / Rubystar S/T the Definition of Aquired Taste?

    Is this Violet / Rubystar S/T the Definition of Aquired Taste?

    Porsche Centre North Toronto made waves this week when they shard photos of a recent 911 S/T arrival in their showroom. Specced by Marty @OneMan1138, this S/T is laden with Sonderwunsch special wishes touches in a way that’s highly attention-grabbing and likely also polarizing.

    The basic specs provided by Porsche Centre North Toronto are these. The car includes 44 bespoke options, including most obviously the color scheme in Ultra Violet, Ruby Star Classic and Racing Yellow. As you can see from inside shots, the interior follows along on the colors and the theme.

    First up, Porsche Ultra Violet (ultraviolett; non-metallic UNI; M4A / G7; Porsche) is a 911 GT3 RS color from the 991 era. Ruby Star Classic a.k.a. Rubystone Red (sternrubin; non-metallic UNI; 82N; Porsche) is effectively a hot pink that was a 964-era Carrera Cup color that has remained a cult classic since its inception. The two together are an interesting pair in their own right, though throw in Racing Yellow (renngelb; non-metallic UNI; 1S1 / P3; Porsche) and the net effect goes so much further.

    The car, known as “ONEMAN”, isn’t for sale. We’re classifying it in our Market Find – Acquired Taste section in addition to color check because it is such an opinion-generating build. Congratulations to Marty on the new S/T. We hope it’s everything you expected, and it is truly unforgettable.

  • Market Find: BMW Protonic Frozen Yellow Edition i8 Coupe

    Market Find: BMW Protonic Frozen Yellow Edition i8 Coupe

    What: 2017 BMW i8 Coupe
    Color: Protonic Frozen Yellow Edition (protonischgefrorenesgelb; metallic matte; P5P; BMW)
    VIN:  WBY2Z2C30HV676817
    Mileage: 54,400
    Price: Bid to $33,250 at 4 Days Left
    CarFax: Link
    Window Sticker: N/A
    Location: Las Vegas, NV
    Listing: Cars & Bids

    Despite what you may think, this one’s a special limited edition and not a one-off. This limited edition run followed the Protonic Red Edition and Protonic Frozen Black Edition that would appear to complete the set of colors of the German flag.

    Inside, the car got dark NESO seats with woven yellow and anthracite stitching, an i8 logo embossed on the headrest, floor mats with black leather piping and yellow highlights, contrasting grey seatbelts and door sills with special aluminum oil plates. Other interior features included a black ceramic gear shift lever and Harmon Kardon audio.

    Outside, this special edition included accents in Frozen Grey Metallic.

    This one has relatively low mileage, and bidding is currently low enough so as to suggest a good buy for such a unique sportscar so long as you don’t mind hybrid drivetrains.