Do any classics fit this bill?
Discussion
Ok, might be asking a bit too much but looking for a 2nd car which needs to be as cheap as chips and fit this bill,
4 seater (saloon, coupe, etc)
Diesel (would consider petrol if economical enough)
Automatic
Low insurance (limited mileage ok, will do about 6k miles)
Free of car tax
Cheap to maintain
Cheap to buy (2k max)
My first thoughts were old Mercs but don't know enough about them that would fit this bill (ie specific models)
Any ideas what might fit the bill?
Cheers in advance
John
4 seater (saloon, coupe, etc)
Diesel (would consider petrol if economical enough)
Automatic
Low insurance (limited mileage ok, will do about 6k miles)
Free of car tax
Cheap to maintain
Cheap to buy (2k max)
My first thoughts were old Mercs but don't know enough about them that would fit this bill (ie specific models)
Any ideas what might fit the bill?
Cheers in advance
John
,that does narrow it down somewhat. 
TAXI!
jgmadkit said:
Yes, think I will have to rethink this as I was working on pre 1981 cars, 1973 makes a difference.
Ah, I think everyone hoped for something akin to a 25 year rolling break point but our Beloved Chancer cast his eye over the idea and soon put a stop to it. What a visionary he is!
LongQ said:
Yes, think I will have to rethink this as I was working on pre 1981 cars, 1973 makes a difference.
Ah, I think everyone hoped for something akin to a 25 year rolling break point but our Beloved Chancer cast his eye over the idea and soon put a stop to it. What a visionary he is!
There was, in fact, a 25 year rolling break point when the Historic Vehicle exemption was first introduced, but it was frozen by the Government in the '98 budget.
Am thinking more along the lines of the more accessible classics now and ditching the diesel. I recall my dad having a Mk1 Escort Automatic 1973 L reg way back when, was nice for it's time. Always remember it as the registration was EFN102L, as a youngster that always brought out a giggle as taking away the numbers you get EFN L (effin ell)
Oh the hilarity of it.
John
Oh the hilarity of it.
John
Auto's a bit of a rarity unless you look at the bigger engines - Granadas, Rovers and similar.
My father bought a new Cortina Auto in 1965. 1500cc which was somewhat less the the Ford Zephyr which preceded it. I was written off after about 4 months - hit the back of a badly lit and stationary artic on a main cross country road in the middle of Buckinghamshire one wet and windy night.
He replaced it with a Cortina GT and then changed that for an Auto Morris 1800 (MkII shape). Now that was an interesting car to drive. If you wanted kick down you had to book it a week in advance.
Up until a year ago the 1800 still existed, now owned by an engineer/mechanic in the village where my mother lived. Sadly, though it was in fairly good nick and only 56k miles when he bought it from her, it was showing some signs of distress last time I saw it.
I don't recall it being particularly economical but then if the mileage is low that would not matter much. Whether it would have been converted to unleaded is also an interesting question.
My father bought a new Cortina Auto in 1965. 1500cc which was somewhat less the the Ford Zephyr which preceded it. I was written off after about 4 months - hit the back of a badly lit and stationary artic on a main cross country road in the middle of Buckinghamshire one wet and windy night.
He replaced it with a Cortina GT and then changed that for an Auto Morris 1800 (MkII shape). Now that was an interesting car to drive. If you wanted kick down you had to book it a week in advance.
Up until a year ago the 1800 still existed, now owned by an engineer/mechanic in the village where my mother lived. Sadly, though it was in fairly good nick and only 56k miles when he bought it from her, it was showing some signs of distress last time I saw it.
I don't recall it being particularly economical but then if the mileage is low that would not matter much. Whether it would have been converted to unleaded is also an interesting question.
My immediate thought was a Volvo 144S, first of the brick-shape Volvos 1967-1974 and a very capable car before they got all big fat and blocky:
No diesel but a choice of 1.8 or 2.0 lumps. Probably better built than any Merc ever was. A friend's dad had one to replace a Jag 240 and he loved it despite working for Shell as a test driver. Personally I prefer the 122S which was the rounded Amazon shape but the 144 was the modern Volvo's beginnings. They used to last on average about 20 years. As you can see from the photos above, the 60's shape with the alloy grille and lower front repeaters was far more appealing than the 70's one below it.
>> Edited by LuS1fer on Monday 3rd April 15:47
No diesel but a choice of 1.8 or 2.0 lumps. Probably better built than any Merc ever was. A friend's dad had one to replace a Jag 240 and he loved it despite working for Shell as a test driver. Personally I prefer the 122S which was the rounded Amazon shape but the 144 was the modern Volvo's beginnings. They used to last on average about 20 years. As you can see from the photos above, the 60's shape with the alloy grille and lower front repeaters was far more appealing than the 70's one below it.
>> Edited by LuS1fer on Monday 3rd April 15:47
LuS1fer said:
Personally I prefer the 122S which was the rounded Amazon shape but the 144 was the modern Volvo's beginnings.
Me too. But they're basically the same mechanics with different shells so it's a case of choosing the shape you prefer. Built like a tank but don't weigh like one. Loads of access, piece of piss to work on. Should get 30mpg in good condition even if you put your foot down. Overdrive is preferable. Choice of Stromberg or twin SU carbs, D-Jet or K-Jet injection.
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