I need a unstoppable car!

[MrSiv]

Hi all! I’m looking to purchase a back up vehicle that in the event of my main vehicle falling fowl of breaking down due to a bad sensor or other issues, I would be able to hop into my second vehicle to get parts etc, considering I live over an hour away from any parts shops. So here is my query…

Is there a diesel car, available cheaply (so not classic at a silly price) that could run with out a need of the ecu? I used to have a Citroen Xantia with the old style mechanical diesel pump that once started would run even with the battery disconnected. Is there any others out there like this? I’m a correct in saying that the diesel Peugeot 306 could do the same thing? It needs to be MOT worthy, but my main point is, if I had to use my secondary car, I need it to be drivable even in the event of it having some “sensor issues” I don’t mind a light coming on but I don’t want any limp mode or the ecu shutting down the engine! Any suggestions??

Edited by MrSiv on Sunday 31st March 16:49

[ChocolateFrog]

No.

A cheap old car like that will be a heap and it won't get any better of its left for months at a time without use.

[Dingu]

Nobody delivers to your house? Surely that’s much more cost effective than a backup in case of disaster car?

[MrSiv]

Regardless of other options, I’m asking a specific question, the vehicle could/ would be used for other purposes. It also serves as a vehicle that I could use to help my wife if she broke down in the main vehicle, The point here is finding a vehicle that would do what I’m asking

[Zarco]

I doesn't seem worth cocking around with an old car for that eventuality.

[Monkeylegend]

Is this any use to you?

https://www.rac.co.uk/

Alternatively try an I Pace they have become unstoppable recently.

[98elise]

MrSiv said:

I used to have a Citroen Xantia with the old style mechanical diesel pump that once started would run even with the battery disconnected. Is there any others out there like this?

Pretty much all cars will do that. Once a car is started the battery isn't really doing anything.

Might be different on some very modern cars.

If you really want a spare car for emergencies, I would get an Aygo. They are cheap and simple, and £20 road tax. Not Diesel though.

[OldGermanHeaps]

Anything old enough to be running a fully mechanical pump with just a stop solenoid, or a petrol with points is going to be old enough to suffer unreliability from other old car problems, corrosion and perished aged out parts, and infrequent use will make that worse, unless you maintain it fanatically then is it really worth it?
Is there some other reason behind your request, are you concerned about emp or something similar? Sensors arent that bad on most cars to the point where you will have 2 dead at the same time.
Maybe a honda cub with points? Those are cockroaches that can go anywhere on almost no fuel and very little maintenance. Try to find non ethanol petrol.

[GreenV8S]

You could find a diesel old enough to have a mechanical diesel pump, or a petrol car running on points and carbs. No ECU involved. But they will still break down. Being elderly may make it difficult to obtain parts.

If you have a second modern car and actually use it regularly, that would seem to be your most reliable option. If you're in the UK, it would make sense to join a recovery service with a home start option to reduce the chance of getting stuck. Many parts can be ordered on line these days and delivered to your door. If you're broken down and need to get somewhere in person, call a taxi. You'd have to pay them to come to you but it's easy money for them.

[stevieturbo]

MrSiv said:

Hi all! I’m looking to purchase a back up vehicle that in the event of my main vehicle falling fowl of breaking down due to a bad sensor or other issues, I would be able to hop into my second vehicle to get parts etc, considering I live over an hour away from any parts shops. So here is my query…

Is there a diesel car, available cheaply (so not classic at a silly price) that could run with out a need of the ecu? I used to have a Citroen Xantia with the old style mechanical diesel pump that once started would run even with the battery disconnected. Is there any others out there like this? I’m a correct in saying that the diesel Peugeot 306 could do the same thing? It needs to be MOR worthy, but my main point is, if I had to use my secondary car, I need it to be drivable even in the event of it having some “sensor issues” I don’t mind a light coming on but I don’t want any limp mode or the ecu shutting down the engine! Any suggestions??

By backup vehicle, do you mean something to then tow with ? that will just sit and not normally be driven ? Other ?

Or something for daily use ?

And ecu's have made engines, especially diesels so much better.

and what is MOR ?

Let's face it, it's pretty rare for a faulty sensor to shut down the engine.

Edited by stevieturbo on Sunday 31st March 16:49

[bearman68]

I have an old Citroen ZX 1.9 non turbo. Feels like it's in limp mode all the time it's that slow, but in fairness once the engine is started it doesn't miss a beat, and has been pretty reliable and burst proof.
Not sure it's going to be such a good bet as the Citroen C1 we have. And road tax for the C1 is £20 a year and £30 a month for the ZX. Ouch.

[smn159]

I've got a diesel Land Rover with no ECU and drum brakes.

That's pretty unstoppable...

[Tony1963]

OP,

So, you have two cars that you think are likely to break down, therefore you want to have another car that’s likely to break down, just in case one of the two main cars does as expected?

I think I know what I’d be doing, and it wouldn’t involve having three cars to look after.

[thebraketester]

How about one of those tractors you see at the seaside that have been there for the last 50 years and start first time despite covered in 1/2" of corrosion?

[smn159]

How about changing all of the sensors on your current car for new ones regularly? Or keep a stock of every sensor on the car? Will stop you worrying about sensor faults and will still be cheaper than another car.

[loskie]

what about a rental car

[GreenV8S]

smn159 said:

I've got a diesel Land Rover with no ECU and drum brakes.

That's pretty unstoppable...

[Caddyshack]

In 30 yrs of motoring I don’t think any car has ever broken down to the point of not going due to any sensor failing.

[Evanivitch]

smn159 said:

I've got a diesel Land Rover with no ECU and drum brakes.

That's pretty unstoppable...

Yeah they'll be working long after the rest of the car has rusted away

[Captain Smerc]

As mentioned earlier Toyota Aygo for the win.