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Oct 21, 2010 23:27:36 GMT
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Interesting topic. Tbh, I really think it depends on the car. The youngest I've ever owned is my Amazon, which is 13 years older than me. With regards to those who say classics can be a pain in the winter, it lacks only a HRW. Front demisters & heater are extremely quick and efficient (the later is volcanic - I usually have to open a window to stop my eyes watering), and starts first time even when covered in half a foot of snow I've put about 60k on it since I bought it, and it's done just over 110k since my father bought it in '94. It has proven itself over and over again as dependable transport, and it beats any modern UK market car hands down as a practical work horse. Shorter than a Volvo V50, but with a bigger boot than a V70, and that's before the tailgate is lowered, which allows it to easily and legally swallow sofas, double height fridges etc etc, much to the amazement of those watching it being loaded. It even once managed a 400cc motorbike ;D And as a final thought, it's very easy to spot in a crowded car park
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Last Edit: Oct 21, 2010 23:28:50 GMT by Paul H
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Oct 21, 2010 23:28:42 GMT
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Well my daily is an 86 chevy and do about 200 miles a week in it, back up is my 83 merc lowlow (although it's off the road due to not getting my logbook from the dvla and now being unable to tax it, dvla said I have to roll 3 double six's in a row before they'll give me it!)
although I have been thinking about getting a modern, just for transport and because of some of the good deals! Pug 107- £99 deposit and £99/month!!! I'm spending more in fuel with the chevy, I would actually be saving money by getting a modern! Plus I think a 107 in White, stormtroopered, tinted lights, low, big black dishy wheels and some camber would look quite cool.
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Remember the days when sex was safe and motorsport was dangerous. Vintage bling always attracts pussy.
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conrad
Posted a lot
Here to fix your cabin.......
Posts: 1,678
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Oct 21, 2010 23:38:11 GMT
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For the first time in a long time I have an every day car that's newer then the early 90s, a 96 E36 d-izzle. Reliable and very economical but boring. Was bought because it was cheap and diesel rather than based on ages, as it's still not a young car. certainly not after 200,000 miles.
Normally the newest cars I have are sierras and they only really went up to 93 (well of course there are a few 94 and 95 registered ones but they were made before that). Hardly ever have a problem with sierras that wasnt caused by me breaking them really. Usually just have lots of old 80s wibblepoo and 4x4s apart from that.
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Last Edit: Oct 21, 2010 23:39:34 GMT by conrad
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Oct 21, 2010 23:49:17 GMT
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With regards to those who say classics can be a pain in the winter, it lacks only a HRW. Front demisters & heater are extremely quick and efficient (the later is volcanic - I usually have to open a window to stop my eyes watering), and starts first time even when covered in half a foot of snow The Amazon is a great example of a very, very usable classic. Spacious, dependable, tough and with good parts back-up. Of course, the heating has the benefit of being designed for Swedish winters, which tend to be a touch harder than ours... TBH, now I've flushed out the heater matrix on the Imp, the heater isn't bad - but the blower is a bit weak, and doesn't stand a chance of demisting before the engine warms up a bit. And i agree with Skoda Norman - the most difficult bit of running a classic or retro car is the constant battle against the very hungry caterpillar tin worm.
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427
Part of things
Praise The Lowered
Posts: 622
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My daily will be 20 next year, don't really think it counts tho.
I have needed it to recover the BMWs a few time so I'm glad I have it.
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i was using my old mk2 golf gti as my daily it was good on fuel easy to drive and very reliable i now have a mk5 2.3gl cortina as my daily its easy to drive and very reliable but i still can't get used to 18mpg at best from it something the defo needs addressing other than that its fine for daily duty's still maybe a but under powered . the only modern cars we have at the mo is the wife's 2000 lupo
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Sinky
Posted a lot
Run Baby Run......Please!
Posts: 1,395
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1 X 29 year old
1 x 22 year old Daily
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2001 Volvo XC70 wagon
2003 Piaggio X9 Evo
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I'm not sure if my car is modern or not, I sold a perfectly reliable Saab 9-3 turbo, only to replace it with a 1997 Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo!
Now, whilst it's a 1997 car, it's floorpan is Fiat Tipo (I think), and lets be honest, Fiat have a reputation for unreliability to rival any 40 year old car!
However, I love it to bits. 5 cylinder characterful engine, modern-retro design, and around 260 horses-worth of mischief.
Cheers,
Rich
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My daily varies. It should be a 1998 Passat TDi but as it's spectaculary unreliable and poorly built it's often swapped for a 20 year old Bluebird or a 23 year old Vespa. It says something when the Vespa is more reliable then the VW.
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Corsa Apology Champion 2014.
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cortinadale
Posted a lot
luvvly jubbly!!!!
Posts: 1,199
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my daily was a 1996 audi a4 2.6, hate underpowered cars retro or not, I'm currently using my 2.8 mk5 cortina until the audi is back on the road. cortina does around 300 miles a week without trouble, not bad on fuel either, uses around 60 odd quid. happy days
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We learned from an early age that...people who change signatures suck balls ;-) 1978 Cortina 2.3 ghia
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1 x 40 year old daily. Relying on it and no modern (which I used to do) has bitten me on the .
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"You're about as likely to come across a fully functioning old Jag, as you are a taxicab that smells agreeable." - James May
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My newest car is '91 Polo but it is a spare parts car for my '88 and '89 Polos. I have also '89 Opel Vectra.
In year 2000 in bought '84 Buick Electra station wagon which was only 16 years old at that time. That car had really annoying problems mostly caused by it's computer controlled carburetor and stupid windscreen washer system.
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Several Opels, VWs and Chryslers
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ThePollitt
Posted a lot
Fix up, look... at that car on eBay!
Posts: 4,696
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Mine varies. I own a 'modern' car in the form of my 2000 Mondeo Zetec, although that's off the road right now as the MOT has lapsed. I'm not a huge fan of it to be honest, but if I drive it sensibly the mpg is on the proper side of 40 which is good. I only really have it for my dad-duties though, as I would never in my right mind put my daughter in my other car, the Zodiac. Not until it has a seatbelt at least.
As for the Zodiac, I will happily use that every day, and I plan to continue to do so through winter. It's 49 years old but it starts on the button, the heaters work and it's comfy as hell. I might not take it out in the snow, granted, but other than that it will be living outside and being used daily some rain or shine. I also have the luxury of being able to use either my parents Vextra on Insignia at weekends too, perfect for collecting the sprog. As such, I'll happily drive the Zodiac from Kent to Bristol on a regular basis. Not too regular, mind. She's a thirsty girl!
Dad-duties excluded, my rule is simple:
Tax + MOT + Insurance x running vehicle of any age = suitable daily transport!
Chris
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What classifies as 'modern'? My daily runner for the last 7 years was a '84 Mini, and various other cars for the winter season, but never newer than '94. If I kept them longer than winter season, they served as emergency-car when the Mini broke down for more than a week.
The current plan is - if we get interchangable reg plates next year that is - to have the Benz ('88 250TD) as a daily and the Mini as back-up-fun-weekend-racer-toy-alternative-daily-runner. Though you *could* say that a W124 is a 'modern' car, maybe!? Somehow??
But it never crossed my mind to buy something newer than from the 90's - let alone a brand new car... Why? If I look at how frequently and for how long(!) my parent's 2009 Subaru is at the dealer's workshop - I'm in no worse situation. Regarding repair costs - I'm much better actually (DIY). And if a wheel falls off, at least it's my own - and only my OWN - damn fault... ;D
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kevfromwales
Posted a lot
the conrod's REALLY out the block now!
Posts: 3,909
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I've been cycling everywhere the past month+ due to the truck's engine failure, I'd say it doesn't matter what age your backup car is, as long as you have one!!
I think for next year one of the definate 'kev goals' is to lay something away with tax, test and insurance ready for the inevitable 'daily fail'
at one stage in the past few weeks, between me, and 2 lockup sharing mates we had 3 working vehicles, but that included their missis' cars, so due to crashed work vans, sheared chevy balljoints and my lack of an engine, we struggled somewhat!
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Almost on the road: b11 sunny breadvan, e36 tds, 325i skidcar,
nearly there: ford f250 tathauler, suzuki alto, u11 bluey
not for a while: ford pop, 32 rails,
not in this lifetime: ruby, '29 hillman
''unfortanatly I'm quite old and scruffy and in need of some loving. my drive shaft needs a new boot....''
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My dad drives a mix between. *1973 citroen DS pallas (carbed)
* 1970 bug slammed with 125 r15 tyres up front....Motorway miles everyday More hardcore than ive ever been haha Also as kev says above... Ive been riding loads of miles everywhere now on an old 60's RSW or been driven by the misses as shes just got her first car, I'm tempted to sell the carlton now, don't use it.... It hasnt been driven for weeks. Seems a waste of a good armchairCar
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Last Edit: Oct 22, 2010 9:46:58 GMT by retrowagen1234
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Oct 22, 2010 14:24:31 GMT
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My missus has taken my hardcore card. She's the one who is going to be driving a 32 year old Opel every day. I think it'll be alright...a few spares tucked away (okay, a few more spares) should keep it on the road without long periods of broken-ness. I've driven it a couple of hundred miles myself (before gutting it and spreading it all over the floor) and it didn't collapse, so am fairly confident it'll be ok for the wife ;D I (the sellout) will continue to drive my modern every day, and play with rusty 70s and 80s toys on the weekend. Probably because I'm a 'suit' these days, lying under the car because I have to has lost its appeal a bit. I know...I suck
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'85 BMW M535i, '79 Vespa 50 Special, '78 Opel Kadett 1.2S. Rust is not a crime, thankfully.
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Oct 22, 2010 14:29:17 GMT
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The current plan is - if we get interchangable reg plates next year that is - to have the Benz ('88 250TD) as a daily and the Mini as back-up-fun-weekend-racer-toy-alternative-daily-runner. I hope and pray for the "Wechselkennzeichen" - 1 plate for 3 cars will be awesome, and I can drive my non-kat 535i here without paying it's market value in tax every year... ;D
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'85 BMW M535i, '79 Vespa 50 Special, '78 Opel Kadett 1.2S. Rust is not a crime, thankfully.
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impmann
Posted a lot
Overcoming stupidity is the greatest challenge left to mankind
Posts: 1,089
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Oct 22, 2010 14:57:09 GMT
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I like the idea of using ancient motors all year round - and in the past I've been "hardcore" in my use of the Imps for everything.
These days, its important for me to be in work on time, not smelling faintly of petrol/oil/fumes and not having ingrained dirt in my cut knuckles from persuading the car to start on damp mornings. I'm tired of de-icing the inside of the windscreen. I like windscreen wipers that clear the screen, not judder and smear fluid *slowly* across the field of vision. I like seats that aren't moist from the damp coming out of the carpets. I like electrics that work when I have headlamps, a heater blower and the windscreen wipers on at the same time. I especially like not having to lift the bonnet to check that vital fluids haven't decamped to the driveway overnight and not having to worry about the damned thing stalling at junctions as the engine creeps up to temperature. Therefore I have winter smoke-abouts that are either 1) German, 2) Japanese or 3) Swedish.
That said I couldn't buy a "new" car or even a late-model s/h car, as I can't afford to throw that amount of money away. So these smoke-abouts are sub £600 and normally 20+years old.
This year, I have bought a 1991 Mitsi Lancer - and so far so good, its great on damp mornings, its comfy, superb on juice and even the stereo's OK. A bargain car...
But is it a "modern"... no not really. Most "normal" folks wouldn't entertain owning it - its too old. But its newer than the other cars on the driveway - and if/when it fails to proceed, I can call the garage and get someone else to get grubby fixing it. I don't care how it works under the bonnet - curse word to it, thats someone else's job and I accept that with open arms.
Taking that attitude leaves me the time to spend repairing the cars I care about... and the ones I keep away from the salt of the coming months so that I don't have to spend hours welding the blasted things back up later on!!
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1964 Hillman Imp 1976 Hillman Imp 1967 Hillman Imp (And a few projects dotted around the country)
Just cos something is good for you doesn't mean its good for everyone - for example Marmite does not make good Dog Food.
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Oct 22, 2010 17:45:05 GMT
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Oh and I would say me, currently. Finally got into a retro again ('88 E28) as the '90 735i was killing me with boredom. The newest car in the house is a '96 106 that's used every day. I think the back-up car at the minute would be an '89 Estelle - 21.5 years old... Ok scratch that, now my backup is a '96 BMW, so I guess I do.
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