RE: SOTW: Bargain British Cabrios
Discussion
excel monkey said:
ITech said:
The Escort Cab I cannot contemplate... I cannot see why you would choose to drive one, given there are so many alternatives. The Cosworth being, of course, the exception to the rule.
There are plenty of alternatives today, but back in the late 80s and early 90s, there were few alternatives to the Escort as an "affordable" four seater convertible.The Peugeot 205 cabrio was lovely but tiny, the Astra cabrio looked a bit dodgy, and the Golf cabrio had a strong image but before the Mk3 came along, it was based on an old 1970s design. Beyond those few cars, you were looking at serious money for Saabs, BMWs and Mercs.
The Escort cabrio was a popular car in its day, and it sold well. These days, its place in the market has been taken by folding metal roof cabrios like the Megane, Eos and 206/307, and the Focus CC never made much of an impression against these competitors.
Too few consider (or know about) the market conditions and the car's contemporaries THEN.
grahamw48 said:
excel monkey said:
ITech said:
The Escort Cab I cannot contemplate... I cannot see why you would choose to drive one, given there are so many alternatives. The Cosworth being, of course, the exception to the rule.
There are plenty of alternatives today, but back in the late 80s and early 90s, there were few alternatives to the Escort as an "affordable" four seater convertible.The Peugeot 205 cabrio was lovely but tiny, the Astra cabrio looked a bit dodgy, and the Golf cabrio had a strong image but before the Mk3 came along, it was based on an old 1970s design. Beyond those few cars, you were looking at serious money for Saabs, BMWs and Mercs.
The Escort cabrio was a popular car in its day, and it sold well. These days, its place in the market has been taken by folding metal roof cabrios like the Megane, Eos and 206/307, and the Focus CC never made much of an impression against these competitors.
Too few consider (or know about) the market conditions and the car's contemporaries THEN.
grahamw48 said:
excel monkey said:
ITech said:
The Escort Cab I cannot contemplate... I cannot see why you would choose to drive one, given there are so many alternatives. The Cosworth being, of course, the exception to the rule.
There are plenty of alternatives today, but back in the late 80s and early 90s, there were few alternatives to the Escort as an "affordable" four seater convertible.The Peugeot 205 cabrio was lovely but tiny, the Astra cabrio looked a bit dodgy, and the Golf cabrio had a strong image but before the Mk3 came along, it was based on an old 1970s design. Beyond those few cars, you were looking at serious money for Saabs, BMWs and Mercs.
The Escort cabrio was a popular car in its day, and it sold well. These days, its place in the market has been taken by folding metal roof cabrios like the Megane, Eos and 206/307, and the Focus CC never made much of an impression against these competitors.
Too few consider (or know about) the market conditions and the car's contemporaries THEN.
ITech said:
This is a discussion of the Escort Cab as a SOTW car NOW though, not a discussion of it's possible merits, back when it was a new model.. The point I was making, was that it is hard for me to see why you would choose to buy one now, with the theoretical £1000 budget.
Because, if you have a grand and want a 4 seat Cabrio, it's still a very good choice.
theironduke said:
300bhp/ton said:
grahamw48 said:
P9UNK said:
Finally it was great to see a British company re define the sporstcar
grahamw48 said:
ajsphead said:
As a fellow owner of an old BL car, I can safely say there's a lot of prejudice out there. Yes they rusted, but so did most cars, so no surprises there. Yes they were put together badly, but not all cars were so great, we just loved bashing BL, and in fairness, the mark 2/3 versions of the badly put together models were put together much better. Wedge shapes were in fashion in the 70's and early 80's, so that's bang up to date for the time. Just how many 70's and early 80's Vauxhalls, Citroens, Peugeots, Renaults, VWs, Audis, BMWs, Fiats, Lancias, Alfas etc are still around? If the BL cars were so much worse, how come there's still so many surviving.
It's a case of pub logic and armchair rhetoric being around for so long it's become accepted as fact.
Who's bashing BL ?It's a case of pub logic and armchair rhetoric being around for so long it's become accepted as fact.
BL were not the biggest sellers, they had around 20% of the market but individual cars were not top of the sales figures. The Princess for example didn't sell anywhere near as many as the Cortina and I'm sure the Marina was outsold by the Escort. The type of owner may have contributed to the ones that have survived.
The majority of posters have just said they think the TR7 is an ugly car.
I've owned dozens of other BL models, and still use one of them every day now.
In fairness to other manufacturers (survival of cars), BL were the biggest sellers, so obviously more about in the first place.
So, the general consensus appears to be that the TR7 was/is an ugly car, and had no right to be given the TR badge.
As you and I know, there were good-looking 'Wedges' available too.
Edited by grahamw48 on Tuesday 28th June 14:00
Please learn how to 'quote' posts correctly, and DON'T alter the original one. 
BL were not the biggest sellers, they had around 20% of the market but individual cars were not top of the sales figures. The Princess for example didn't sell anywhere near as many as the Cortina and I'm sure the Marina was outsold by the Escort. The type of owner may have contributed to the ones that have survived. (This paragraph inserted by P9UNK
)
The majority of posters have just said they think the TR7 is an ugly car.
I've owned dozens of other BL models, and still use one of them every day now.
In fairness to other manufacturers (survival of cars), BL were the biggest sellers, so obviously more about in the first place.
So, the general consensus appears to be that the TR7 was/is an ugly car, and had no right to be given the TR badge.
As you and I know, there were good-looking 'Wedges' available too.
Anyway, what the hell are you on about ?
My reply was about BL as a whole, not individual models.
P9UNK said:
grahamw48 said:
ajsphead said:
As a fellow owner of an old BL car, I can safely say there's a lot of prejudice out there. Yes they rusted, but so did most cars, so no surprises there. Yes they were put together badly, but not all cars were so great, we just loved bashing BL, and in fairness, the mark 2/3 versions of the badly put together models were put together much better. Wedge shapes were in fashion in the 70's and early 80's, so that's bang up to date for the time. Just how many 70's and early 80's Vauxhalls, Citroens, Peugeots, Renaults, VWs, Audis, BMWs, Fiats, Lancias, Alfas etc are still around? If the BL cars were so much worse, how come there's still so many surviving.
It's a case of pub logic and armchair rhetoric being around for so long it's become accepted as fact.
Who's bashing BL ?It's a case of pub logic and armchair rhetoric being around for so long it's become accepted as fact.
BL were not the biggest sellers, they had around 20% of the market but individual cars were not top of the sales figures. The Princess for example didn't sell anywhere near as many as the Cortina and I'm sure the Marina was outsold by the Escort. The type of owner may have contributed to the ones that have survived. (This paragraph inserted by P9UNK
)The majority of posters have just said they think the TR7 is an ugly car.
I've owned dozens of other BL models, and still use one of them every day now.
In fairness to other manufacturers (survival of cars), BL were the biggest sellers, so obviously more about in the first place.
So, the general consensus appears to be that the TR7 was/is an ugly car, and had no right to be given the TR badge.
As you and I know, there were good-looking 'Wedges' available too.
Edited by grahamw48 on Tuesday 28th June 14:00
My reply was about BL as a whole, not individual models.
300bhp/ton said:
Isn't this maybe a little harsh?
Dad had a red one of these back in the day, it went really well. If I remember the 0-60 was circa 9seconds and it certainly felt quick.PH said:
It's also got an asthmatic 105bhp 2.0-litre engine.
Partly because the engines where actually quite grunty but mostly because even in 1984 a 2.0 Sierra only also put out 105bhp. So 105hp was pretty spot on for this class/price of car.Edited by 300bhp/ton on Friday 24th June 09:26
300bhp/ton said:
VeeFour said:
Because, if you have a grand and want a 4 seat Cabrio, it's still a very good choice.
Yeah but its rubbish, ugly, rusts, is slow isn't as good as the one before, isn't a real Ford, breaks down all the time, blah, blah, blah blah blah....
VeeFour said:
P9UNK said:
well 'Road and Track'in the USA
That's all I need to read to know the quoted opinion is likely to be utter b
ks.I mean have you actually ever tried reading an article from Motor Trend, Car & Driver or Road & Track?
All of their reviews pretty are far superior to the British magazine tat. As in they subjectively AND objectively evaluate the cars, rather than write some poncy crap as you see in some British mags.
300bhp/ton said:
What this shows is your total ignorance tbh.
I mean have you actually ever tried reading an article from Motor Trend, Car & Driver or Road & Track?
All of their reviews pretty are far superior to the British magazine tat. As in they subjectively AND objectively evaluate the cars, rather than write some poncy crap as you see in some British mags.
I like to pick up MT or C&D when I'm on holiday in the States. They're a great reminder of how much choice and what great value American car buyers get. They're fun to read, but it often feels like 90% of the magazine is "yeehaw - look at this bran' new V8 Charger/Mustang/F150/Suburban" and 10% is a grudging "and here's a group test of some weird little import veehickles (Camry/Accord/Legacy) that some of you commie pinko liberals might be interested in".I mean have you actually ever tried reading an article from Motor Trend, Car & Driver or Road & Track?
All of their reviews pretty are far superior to the British magazine tat. As in they subjectively AND objectively evaluate the cars, rather than write some poncy crap as you see in some British mags.
Oh, and C&D can be **at least** as pretentious as anything in Evo or other UK magazines...
MoonrakerSeven said:
Hi there Piston Head friends. I have now entered your world today and registered with Piston Heads. My reason is cause I just bought 'Shed of the Week' the Champagne Tr7 !! Was really surprised to see it nominated for the prestigious honour. Just to let you all know, the car is truly original and I drove it 125 miles home after giving it a forecourt service. Drove really well and never missed a bit !
Sorry to drag up an old thread, but it made such good reading - how are you getting on with your purchase now? I'm a child of the 80's and remember being wowed by these cars at the time - there really wasn't much else (at least to my young eyes) that looked so dramatic. I think so many people are missing the point here with regards to build quality and mx5's being better cars etc - no-ones going to buy this as a DD, it's a toy that you buy because it hits some emotional string or other.
Thanks god these cars do that, or we'd all be driving Mondeos.
richardrsc said:
I think so many people are missing the point here with regards to build quality and mx5's being better cars etc - no-ones going to buy this as a DD, it's a toy that you buy because it hits some emotional string or other.
Thanks god these cars do that, or we'd all be driving Mondeos.
I can't remember a convertible MondeoThanks god these cars do that, or we'd all be driving Mondeos.
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