How many of you 'daily' drive your classic? 3000+ miles?
Discussion
How many of you 'daily' drive your classic? 3000+ miles a year.
In my town there's a window-cleaner with a Morris Minor pick-up, seen out most days, a green MGB, and me. Keeping me out of this, certainly the Moggy and the MGB add a colour and cheer to the place whenever I see them. We wave to eachother.
And, I see the Moggy in particular, a window-cleaner on his rounds often.
Come August, for 2-3 days a year out they come, our fete sees 50-60 classics of all shades. The same cars might do 2-3 steam rallies, a classic car event, and that's your lot. To me that's sad. Upsetting. These people own some lovely stuff and flat refuse to drive them? The world won't see them from year to the next....
Not so much post-COVID, pre-COVID my classic would do 9-11,000 miles a year. Like the MGB and the Moggy it's out in February as often as August. To date, it's done 4-5000, it won't be 10,000, not this year anyway, nonethelles it's no fakery here, it's real.
Thing is, I've done this for 10 years odd. Once the locals are used to seeing you, and realise you're part of the town, it's a very different experience. The window-cleaner says the same, for him, the waves figuratively part.
Anyone else do this?
Is it just us three?
In my town there's a window-cleaner with a Morris Minor pick-up, seen out most days, a green MGB, and me. Keeping me out of this, certainly the Moggy and the MGB add a colour and cheer to the place whenever I see them. We wave to eachother.
And, I see the Moggy in particular, a window-cleaner on his rounds often.
Come August, for 2-3 days a year out they come, our fete sees 50-60 classics of all shades. The same cars might do 2-3 steam rallies, a classic car event, and that's your lot. To me that's sad. Upsetting. These people own some lovely stuff and flat refuse to drive them? The world won't see them from year to the next....
Not so much post-COVID, pre-COVID my classic would do 9-11,000 miles a year. Like the MGB and the Moggy it's out in February as often as August. To date, it's done 4-5000, it won't be 10,000, not this year anyway, nonethelles it's no fakery here, it's real.
Thing is, I've done this for 10 years odd. Once the locals are used to seeing you, and realise you're part of the town, it's a very different experience. The window-cleaner says the same, for him, the waves figuratively part.
Anyone else do this?
Is it just us three?
Edited by OldDuffer on Thursday 15th September 12:16
One of the reasons I sold my Saab was to get something I could use more often. Being a convertible, it would often get overlooked if the weather was iffy because, well, driving it with the roof up was horrible and it leaked.
The new steed, a Triumph GT6, has a roof, and while it still leaks a bit, it's a more sensible proposition for sub-optimal weather. It's already done a week of commuting, but this has been the driest year since forever, so I'll see how it goes through winter. Cold, snow, frost etc doesn't put me off - and didn't stop me using the Saab, roof down - but rain is different.
Not sure I'll get to 3000+ miles, but I did state 5000 on my insurance when it asked for annual mileage. Just in case
The new steed, a Triumph GT6, has a roof, and while it still leaks a bit, it's a more sensible proposition for sub-optimal weather. It's already done a week of commuting, but this has been the driest year since forever, so I'll see how it goes through winter. Cold, snow, frost etc doesn't put me off - and didn't stop me using the Saab, roof down - but rain is different.
Not sure I'll get to 3000+ miles, but I did state 5000 on my insurance when it asked for annual mileage. Just in case
You made me chuckle, leaks he says... leaks.... my classic is a Series Land-rover. Needs a Sou'wester... in it.
But yes, that's the spirit. it's not a stamp-collection is it? Surely, it's a car.... it's for driving, and the pleasure of it.
As an MGB, a GT6 is a viable everyday classic. Not too precious, and not much point in owning a minter.
From what I've seen with easy to get parts, thus like my LR, very do-able. Throw in an electronic dizzy for £45-50 and it starts in Feb.
It's actaully VERY cheap motoring. You paid £120 tops for insurance and job done.
But yes, that's the spirit. it's not a stamp-collection is it? Surely, it's a car.... it's for driving, and the pleasure of it.
As an MGB, a GT6 is a viable everyday classic. Not too precious, and not much point in owning a minter.
From what I've seen with easy to get parts, thus like my LR, very do-able. Throw in an electronic dizzy for £45-50 and it starts in Feb.
It's actaully VERY cheap motoring. You paid £120 tops for insurance and job done.
Edited by OldDuffer on Thursday 15th September 12:47
I no longer commute since Covid but I use the TVR and the MX5 NA as dailies to go shopping, go to the tip etc as well as going places.
The TVR has done the last 2 trips to Le Mans (great for cruising long distance) and the MX5 the previous 14 trips so they both get some mileage. They've both been out in all conditions too, although I don't like taking them out on salted roads if I can help it.
I have just come back from Scotland and as the weather forecast wasn't good and the girlfriend wanted to take the Toyota I left the TVR at home which I'm sure was the right decision.... until I saw a Griff in Tobermory on Mull and I did wish a little
The TVR has done the last 2 trips to Le Mans (great for cruising long distance) and the MX5 the previous 14 trips so they both get some mileage. They've both been out in all conditions too, although I don't like taking them out on salted roads if I can help it.
I have just come back from Scotland and as the weather forecast wasn't good and the girlfriend wanted to take the Toyota I left the TVR at home which I'm sure was the right decision.... until I saw a Griff in Tobermory on Mull and I did wish a little
OldDuffer said:
It's actually VERY cheap motoring. You paid £120 tops for insurance and job done.
Ha, yes! I actually paid £56 for my insurance, plus insurance tax etc. Road tax is free and it came with 11 months MoT, even though it was voluntary (which proved handy, as I was able to put my private plate on it).Parts are certainly cheaper than for the Saab: only trouble is I seem to be needing lots of parts at the moment...
Well, I've had my E-type forty years now and have passed 125,000, so on average that counts me in, but as an old duffer now I use both cars less, although I did do a weekend rally last year and covered 300 miles in two days. But 3,000 per annum? I am afraid that so many of my friends have either passed away, sold their cars, or just pop to the garage to look at them I am lucky to get to 1,000 miles these days. Covered 1,250 last year for the 60th anniversary, but this year I guess the E-type has done no more than 500. The XKSS has only done 27,000 in 20 years, but it is a completely different animal - very noisy, uncomfortable, hard suspension and set up for road/rally use and my old bones don't take kindly to being rattled about. Took it out to the bar this morning though!
lowdrag said:
Well, I've had my E-type forty years now and have passed 125,000, so on average that counts me in, but as an old duffer now I use both cars less, although I did do a weekend rally last year and covered 300 miles in two days. But 3,000 per annum? I am afraid that so many of my friends have either passed away, sold their cars, or just pop to the garage to look at them I am lucky to get to 1,000 miles these days. Covered 1,250 last year for the 60th anniversary, but this year I guess the E-type has done no more than 500. The XKSS has only done 27,000 in 20 years, but it is a completely different animal - very noisy, uncomfortable, hard suspension and set up for road/rally use and my old bones don't take kindly to being rattled about. Took it out to the bar this morning though!
lowdrag, I think I speak for all of us when I say how sorry we are to hear that you are starting to reach the stage where your beautiful cars are difficult for you to drive.I'm confident I also speak for everyone when I say that, you know, if you need anyone to give them a good outing at any point, just shout
Mine aren't as old as some (95 Corrado VR, 91 Golf Mk2 16v, 96 Golf mk3 16v) and I don't manage 3000 on them collectively. More like 1500. I am pretty busy with a young family and busy job though and 2 of them are under restoration for most of this year in my defence. I guess in 30 years time I may have done some more miles on them though doubt the mk3 will be with me ... I want somehting different and a little older next time and not VW.
Turbobanana said:
lowdrag said:
Well, I've had my E-type forty years now and have passed 125,000, so on average that counts me in, but as an old duffer now I use both cars less, although I did do a weekend rally last year and covered 300 miles in two days. But 3,000 per annum? I am afraid that so many of my friends have either passed away, sold their cars, or just pop to the garage to look at them I am lucky to get to 1,000 miles these days. Covered 1,250 last year for the 60th anniversary, but this year I guess the E-type has done no more than 500. The XKSS has only done 27,000 in 20 years, but it is a completely different animal - very noisy, uncomfortable, hard suspension and set up for road/rally use and my old bones don't take kindly to being rattled about. Took it out to the bar this morning though!
lowdrag, I think I speak for all of us when I say how sorry we are to hear that you are starting to reach the stage where your beautiful cars are difficult for you to drive.I'm confident I also speak for everyone when I say that, you know, if you need anyone to give them a good outing at any point, just shout
But a little tale of yesterday has got me worried. I hadn't seen one friend for a couple of years so rang him and invited him for lunch. I heard the parp parp (more squeak squeak) of his modern and greeted him on the terrace. One whisky, a home-made shepherd's pie, and a glass or two (no more) and he had to leave. I then noticed he had parked his car on the flower bed and he decided to miss the gravel drive, traverse the lawn and drive through the hedge. Now he is younger than me, so perhaps I shall need a chauffeur next year. Your visit is awaited.
ETA:- this was me in my comparative youff two years ago.
Edited by lowdrag on Thursday 15th September 18:41
Dear me, I must be getting old, many of you refer to cars that even by MOT & Tax could not be described as classic. I also run a 1999 Volvo, it isn't - yet according to many of you, it's a classic?
If the definition is to be stretched, the bar has to be put to a standard 10K, no?
If the definition is to be stretched, the bar has to be put to a standard 10K, no?
Edited by OldDuffer on Thursday 15th September 19:29
When I owned them, I drove an 89 944 2.7 lux - 2 years, 71 Volvo 1800ES - 3 years and an 86 911 SuperSport - 3 years - all as near daily drivers. Loved every mile and did about 10k miles per annum on each.
Cheap classic insurance but a few quid on maintenance.
That was many moons ago, I have an 08 Volvo XC70 on the drive that's hardly moved in three years. The BMW bike is the preferred mode of getting around these days.
Cheap classic insurance but a few quid on maintenance.
That was many moons ago, I have an 08 Volvo XC70 on the drive that's hardly moved in three years. The BMW bike is the preferred mode of getting around these days.
I used to use my 928 for commuting at peak hour in all weathers, as well as general chores and running about. It used to get a little clear-the-head run every week too…
The 968 also gets used as often as possible, though with less commuting it’s often just the running around stuff, as well as a bit of proper exercise, again in all weathers.
Surely we buy them to drive them
The 968 also gets used as often as possible, though with less commuting it’s often just the running around stuff, as well as a bit of proper exercise, again in all weathers.
Surely we buy them to drive them
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