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Dec 18, 2020 11:07:08 GMT
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Morning all,
Considering parting with the Hillman Minx... looking for slightly younger model, something with seatbelts so that I can take my son to car meets. I know I could add seatbelts to the Hillman, but it simplest isn't the best option for me at the moment.
The Nissan Pao seems to tick all of the boxes, but looking for other ideas if I can't find one
Not to square (Wifes request) Seatbetls Heater would be nice Sub £3000 Doesn't need to be fast
What would you go for?
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Dec 18, 2020 11:20:14 GMT
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I was going to suggest my ignis but too much and probably too modern any way z11 nissan cube - square in the shape sense of the world but far from square in the dull sense IMHO. Again too modern though? nothing like a pao but there's been a couple of tidy mk3 fiestas listed here recently which would probably be nice and maintenance free. Geordie 's recent nissan prairie reminded me of how much i used to like those but think he sold it on now. k10 / k11 micra? did the excellent condition metro advertised on here recently sell?
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Dec 18, 2020 11:26:55 GMT
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I was going to suggest my ignis but too much and probably too modern any way z11 nissan cube - square in the shape sense of the world but far from square in the dull sense IMHO. Again too modern though? nothing like a pao but there's been a couple of tidy mk3 fiestas listed here recently which would probably be nice and maintenance free. Geordie 's recent nissan prairie reminded me of how much i used to like those but think he sold it on now. k10 / k11 micra? did the excellent condition metro advertised on here recently sell? The cube could work, handed really considered that tbh, as with a Metro K10 Micra would be considered too boxy, but a K11 could also work I have had more than my fair share of Fiestas in almost every model, so I will probably avoid that in the search of something different.
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cb11acd
Part of things
Posts: 132
Club RR Member Number: 122
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Dec 18, 2020 11:36:40 GMT
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Interesting challenge. Sounds like the sort of car my wife would like, so I will list a few.
Suzuki Jimny (actually anything suzuki) Ford Puma? (If you can find a rust free one) Ford KA (Maybe a bit small but quite fun to drive, again rust) Renault Clio is great fun but I find the seats quite high BMW mini (really quite good, especially the mk1) VW Beetle (I wouldn't personally, but its in budget) Mk1 Audi TT Audi A2 (My choice of the bunch)
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kabman
Part of things
Posts: 347
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Dec 18, 2020 11:42:40 GMT
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The PAO does have rear belts but they're only lap belts. However, there is reinforcement in the C-pillar for an upper mount. You just have to measure carefully and drill a hole in the right place.
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Dec 18, 2020 11:47:29 GMT
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Dec 18, 2020 11:54:55 GMT
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Does it have to be much younger than your Minx? If you are happy to keep a car of that era, £3K should get you a half decent Volvo Amazon four door & if not fitted with rear belts (many already are), the mounts are all there from the factory so it's just a simple bolt-in job.
For that money, it would be a 1.8 single carb four speed (or auto - best avoided though), rather than a twin carb & overdrive (2 doors & estates are also much more expensive). That spec is still perfectly capable in modern traffic but not ideal for sitting in the fast lane on the motorway unlike the overdrive ones.
Heaters are also volcanic - it was designed to cope with a Swedish winter.
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Dec 18, 2020 11:57:48 GMT
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Interesting challenge. Sounds like the sort of car my wife would like, so I will list a few. Suzuki Jimny (actually anything suzuki) Ford Puma? (If you can find a rust free one) Ford KA (Maybe a bit small but quite fun to drive, again rust) Renault Clio is great fun but I find the seats quite high BMW mini (really quite good, especially the mk1) VW Beetle (I wouldn't personally, but its in budget) Mk1 Audi TT Audi A2 (My choice of the bunch) We are considering an A2 as my wifes regular car TT is a really good option, hadn't considered but the rear seats could be interesting to fit a car seat... wife likes them though I really like the clios, I think you can get quite a lot for the money too
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Dec 18, 2020 11:59:11 GMT
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The PAO does have rear belts but they're only lap belts. However, there is reinforcement in the C-pillar for an upper mount. You just have to measure carefully and drill a hole in the right place. ^Insert osbscene words^ but appreciate the heads up, hadn't actually got as far as checking that... probably should have since belts are a real must have, perhaps more research to see how easy it would be
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Dec 18, 2020 12:00:20 GMT
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Does it have to be much younger than your Minx? If you are happy to keep a car of that era, £3K should get you a half decent Volvo Amazon four door & if not fitted with rear belts (many already are), the mounts are all there from the factory so it's just a simple bolt-in job. For that money, it would be a 1.8 single carb four speed (or auto - best avoided though), rather than a twin carb & overdrive (2 doors & estates are also much more expensive). That spec is still perfectly capable in modern traffic but not ideal for sitting in the fast lane on the motorway unlike the overdrive ones. Heaters are also volcanic - it was designed to cope with a Swedish winter. Doesn't need to newer really, hadn't considered an Amazon and do really like them! Are parts easily available?
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Dec 18, 2020 12:34:45 GMT
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Yes - not as good as a Mini or old MG, but very good for a '60s saloon car. See this website to get an idea: Brookhouse Classic Volvo Parts If they don't list something, they can often still help - e.g full interior trim kits are, but they don't keep them in stock - alternatively what they don't list can be ordered direct from Sweden from VP Autoparts or CVI. I've usually just waited for it to come in on their next delivery from VP & CVI, & thus only have to pay UK postage. Factory parts books & manuals etc are all online here: www.volvoamazonpictures.se/
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Last Edit: Dec 18, 2020 12:35:30 GMT by Paul H
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Dec 18, 2020 13:31:56 GMT
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mkIII Supra can still be had at around 3k, some are asking more, but nobody seems to want to part with more than 3 and a half
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Please don't throw litter, take it home.
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Dec 18, 2020 13:33:22 GMT
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Another vote for an A2, square as a square thing, comfy, practical and I really like the styling. Cool, in a Tonka-esque way. Can be had with decent spec or povvo, depending on your preference!
I've really wanted one for ages as a daily but they are starting to thin out quite a bit now and the current used car price insanity has bumped most prices up beyond what I can justify for a 15-20 year old daily.
Humbug.
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Dec 18, 2020 13:53:22 GMT
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Audi A2. We have one as our courtesy car. It's covered 160,000 miles, but mechanically is very close to A1 after addressing a few very minor/regular maintenance items. The only thing I'm not 100% happy with is there is some slack in the steering which I want to rectify. The rest of it feels as new. We have fully refurbished the exterior. The interior requires some minor fettling. I also need to source a new Wiper arm, which is a common problem on these. There are plenty of NOS items for LHD cars around, but not RHD.
But for a car which cost little more than £400 it hasn't taken a fortune to lift it to what feels like a very good, solid little car.
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Specialist Bodyshop & Fabrication Classic, Retro, Prestige & Custom Small Repairs to Concours Restorations Mechanical Work Vintage to Modern
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Dec 18, 2020 20:11:44 GMT
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I think the A2 will definitely be one of the cars we go for but perhaps not to replace the old car
I have stumbled across the Alfa Brera... That is a nice car and seems to tick all boxes...
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Dec 18, 2020 21:28:34 GMT
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I have stumbled across the Alfa Brera... That is a nice car and seems to tick all boxes... Pretty, nice to drive, usually comes with a free rotten subframe.
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adam73bgt
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,856
Club RR Member Number: 58
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Dec 18, 2020 22:04:51 GMT
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I remember seeing one of those on the road years ago before I even knew what they were. It was driving towards me and had me completly fooled until it drove past me, at which point I wondered what the fk was going on. Very cool little things though, I can imagine they would respond very well to 'the treatment'.
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Last Edit: Dec 19, 2020 0:15:15 GMT by bmcnut
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Alternativly Ive only just found it an am VERY much into it. Extreeeeemly very much into it. Yes I am.
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Or how about a Nissan March (micra) estate. Never seen one and I don't know if there are any in the UK, but how cool?
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