Practical classic daily
Discussion
I’m thinking about replacing my Eurobox with a classic daily driver later this year. It would need to be able to do the following bearing in mind I have a 75-mile round trip to work:
Cruise at 70-75mph.
Return minimum 30mpg on the round trip (mostly M-way with 5 miles of A-road/town each end).
Seat four (door numbers optional – estates are okay too).
Must be rear wheel drive (don’t mind rear engined though).
Prefer historic tax but not essential.
Budget £2000 maximum
What would the panel suggest?
Edited to add budget - doh!
>> Edited by fat richie on Friday 12th May 21:25
Cruise at 70-75mph.
Return minimum 30mpg on the round trip (mostly M-way with 5 miles of A-road/town each end).
Seat four (door numbers optional – estates are okay too).
Must be rear wheel drive (don’t mind rear engined though).
Prefer historic tax but not essential.
Budget £2000 maximum
What would the panel suggest?
Edited to add budget - doh!
>> Edited by fat richie on Friday 12th May 21:25
Errm don't mean to be rude to you Mr Rover but I have a British Classic (MG Midget) and while I love it frankly reliability is pants (I have systematically proved this over 25000 miles in the last 5 years). I am close to being barred by the RAC (best free garage in Britain) and have sworn, yelled and generally got very stroppy at least once a year when the thing has gone kaput (again)
In all fairness though its only ever electrics (damn Lucas- The Prince of Darkness) , and apart from once they have always fixed it at the side of the road, and I wouldn't sell it for the world.
The reality is that electrics will be the only serious element that will let you down and on that basis you are best off going German (definitely not British or Italian). The other element to consider (which most people forget in the romance of the moment) is that it WILL need regular servicing and heaters/radios/sound suppression are not of top order
Difficult to recommend anything since you didn't mention budget...
P.S Before you ask MG is in top nick and had engine rebuild etc done in first year of ownership
P.P.S Oh and By the way hang all concerns and do it!
>> Edited by george 500 on Friday 12th May 22:43
In all fairness though its only ever electrics (damn Lucas- The Prince of Darkness) , and apart from once they have always fixed it at the side of the road, and I wouldn't sell it for the world.
The reality is that electrics will be the only serious element that will let you down and on that basis you are best off going German (definitely not British or Italian). The other element to consider (which most people forget in the romance of the moment) is that it WILL need regular servicing and heaters/radios/sound suppression are not of top order
Difficult to recommend anything since you didn't mention budget...
P.S Before you ask MG is in top nick and had engine rebuild etc done in first year of ownership
P.P.S Oh and By the way hang all concerns and do it!
>> Edited by george 500 on Friday 12th May 22:43
The pricing, mpg and speed requirements are fairly constraining. Were it my money I may consider an Escort RS2000 (Mk2). Always fanicied one, kind of like a tin top Caterham.
By the way realise that this contradicts earlier assertion to avoid British- In my defence Ford electrics aren't Lucas
By the way realise that this contradicts earlier assertion to avoid British- In my defence Ford electrics aren't Lucas
Interesting call Jamie, hadn't thought of a W123. I used to run the parts department at an MB dealer when these things were still being sold as new and always liked them, not overburdened with electrics as the W124 and succeeding models are (when I "escaped" we had one of our four mehcanics dealing with electronics only on the new vehicles). It would have to be a manual and a 230TE would be very useful!
fat richie said:
Interesting call Jamie, hadn't thought of a W123. I used to run the parts department at an MB dealer when these things were still being sold as new and always liked them, not overburdened with electrics as the W124 and succeeding models are (when I "escaped" we had one of our four mehcanics dealing with electronics only on the new vehicles). It would have to be a manual and a 230TE would be very useful!
You might even find one with an LPG conversion which would help with the fuel cost. I have seen a few for sale with LPG.
I would have thought almost anything would be a big improvement over the current daily driver eh Rich ? 
Seriously, how about a Mk1 or Mk2 Escort estate. The estate's aren't nearly so desirable so aren't commanding the same money a saloons. Also, the 4 door saloon is much cheaper than the 2 doors. And as we know - infinately moddable
Seriously, how about a Mk1 or Mk2 Escort estate. The estate's aren't nearly so desirable so aren't commanding the same money a saloons. Also, the 4 door saloon is much cheaper than the 2 doors. And as we know - infinately moddable
yellowvette said:
I would have thought almost anything would be a big improvement over the current daily driver eh Rich ?
Seriously, how about a Mk1 or Mk2 Escort estate. The estate's aren't nearly so desirable so aren't commanding the same money a saloons. Also, the 4 door saloon is much cheaper than the 2 doors. And as we know - infinately moddable
So very true Mike, the Ovlov is almost annoyingly reliable but boring, boring, BORING!!
I like your thinking on the Escort, smaller then the Merc and cheaper on parts too. I can feel a plan hatching!
How about an E30 325i or even a 325e if you can find a good one? The i has more pep, the e more torque, will get you over 30 MPG (US gallon) and I have heard is about as fast as an i to almost 100.
On these cars, mind the cambelt service, I say change it every 40K miles to be safe, some go 60 but some try to go 60 and don't make it.
Look around and you can find anything from a 4-door saloon to a convertable.
The autoboxes on these are not so good so I'd avoid them.
If you'll give on the point of RWD, various VW Golf varients fill the bill on all other points. Cheaper to buy, cheaper to run, simpler to service than the E30.
On these cars, mind the cambelt service, I say change it every 40K miles to be safe, some go 60 but some try to go 60 and don't make it.
Look around and you can find anything from a 4-door saloon to a convertable.
The autoboxes on these are not so good so I'd avoid them.
If you'll give on the point of RWD, various VW Golf varients fill the bill on all other points. Cheaper to buy, cheaper to run, simpler to service than the E30.
george 500 said:
Errm don't mean to be rude to you Mr Rover but I have a British Classic (MG Midget) and while I love it frankly reliability is pants (I have systematically proved this over 25000 miles in the last 5 years). I am close to being barred by the RAC (best free garage in Britain) and have sworn, yelled and generally got very stroppy at least once a year when the thing has gone kaput (again)
In all fairness though its only ever electrics (damn Lucas- The Prince of Darkness) , and apart from once they have always fixed it at the side of the road, and I wouldn't sell it for the world.
My Morris Minor, which is of course the same mechanics and electrics in a different body, only ever stopped once due to an electrical failure, and a thump on the fusebox got it going again. It was utterly reliable and never failed to get me there.
I do agree that German electrics are better though.
bluespanner said:
Good point Pigeon
Ill reinforce: My 1966 Landy is utterly reliable, and on the few occasions when it has broken down, it has never left me stranded, and has always been fixed by hitting it, or bodging in the odd length of wire.
He's right you know. I had a fun day in a safari a while ago . . . enjoy the read.
Any car over 20 - 25 years old in daily service is going to require regular maintenance and may develop electrical glitches no matter which country it was built in. Just because a car was well built & reliable when new does not mean that it will remain so at this age.
Like the idea of a mk2 Escort or early '80s 3 series though. I doubt either would depreciate in value either...
Like the idea of a mk2 Escort or early '80s 3 series though. I doubt either would depreciate in value either...
My newest car is 33 years old - a 1973 Australian Ford Fairlane. My Chevy pickup is 53 years old and my Series 1 Land Rover is 52 years old. They are all used as daily transport for going to work etc - I do not have a modern everyday car. I do give them regular check-ups and maintenance - 1 in the garage, use the other 2 etc. They are all on limited mileage insurance so I try to use a different one every 2 weeks or so. They have all been very reliable, as have all of my previous classics.
If you take good care of them, a Fiat 124 Sport Coupe fits the bill pretty nicely. They have an undeserved reputation for being unreliable, but that is mostly due to people failing to look after them properly. Great looks, great handling, great sound, comfortable, and 4 seats. Just my 2 bobs worth.
Cheers,
Reuben
Cheers,
Reuben
Edited by Fiat CC on Monday 26th June 07:54
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