What new car from 1990 would you run as a DD?
Discussion
StescoG66 said:
I had one of the first Nissan Primera 2.0eZX's. Loved that car. Albeit it was a 1991 registered car, if memory serves these were launched at the end of 1990
Yes - it was launched in Sept 1990 in right hand drive (Uk and Ireland) - not sure about the continent but I assume it launched there around the same time.Quite the landmark car for Nissan at the time - everyone bangs on about Quasqui but really that was more of a marketing brand then a car* (awaits the flack
)- I mean really - its just a car jacked up of the ground with a nice funky design - not a true landmark car
StescoG66 said:
I had one of the first Nissan Primera 2.0eZX's. Loved that car. Albeit it was a 1991 registered car, if memory serves these were launched at the end of 1990
Nearly forgotten about these. Didn't they rename them a 'GT' after a couple of years? The first Primera was a fine car
Pommygranite said:
Understandably I disagree - i'm not sure desiring a Ford Sierra 1.6 shows 'proper petrolheadedness' over an F40. As I get older and realise I am a)not going to be rich and b)never have an F40 I think - sod doing what you 'think' is right, do what you want and if I could get an F40 and run one each day to the massive detriment of my comfort and wallet I would. In a heartbeat.
To say that choosing an F40 means an interest in cars is only skin deep is somewhat 'insulting' (can you get insulted by a random on the internet - no not at all). I think picking all these 'everyday cars' whilst wistful it is somewhat rose tinted - I grew up driving/owning Ford Orions, Rover 214's and at Montego's and they're not exactly desirable to drive - they werent great then but now they would just be comically bad.
If your mate turned up in one you'd laugh and be like 'lets have a drive' in some sort of reminisce but you'd get out entertained after 30 minutes but glad to be back in your modern car with all that that brings.
Whilst it may be PH 'cool' to appear like an everyman its very much like when someone says 'who's Justin Bieber, never heard of him' like being not in the know is the equivalent to being in the know.
This thread is a ridiculous fantasy of time travel so i'll take my F40 as my chosen Daily Driver thank you very much as I am guessing it is much better drive than a Volvo 740 or Rover 820 (Si, nice spec but i'd take a Sterling thanks...).
What's your choice again? To say that choosing an F40 means an interest in cars is only skin deep is somewhat 'insulting' (can you get insulted by a random on the internet - no not at all). I think picking all these 'everyday cars' whilst wistful it is somewhat rose tinted - I grew up driving/owning Ford Orions, Rover 214's and at Montego's and they're not exactly desirable to drive - they werent great then but now they would just be comically bad.
If your mate turned up in one you'd laugh and be like 'lets have a drive' in some sort of reminisce but you'd get out entertained after 30 minutes but glad to be back in your modern car with all that that brings.
Whilst it may be PH 'cool' to appear like an everyman its very much like when someone says 'who's Justin Bieber, never heard of him' like being not in the know is the equivalent to being in the know.
This thread is a ridiculous fantasy of time travel so i'll take my F40 as my chosen Daily Driver thank you very much as I am guessing it is much better drive than a Volvo 740 or Rover 820 (Si, nice spec but i'd take a Sterling thanks...).
Edited by Pommygranite on Thursday 14th August 05:18
This thread just shows how utterly boring new cars are - look at the BX, the Vauxhalls mentioned, cossie etc. Cars that had proper presence on the road and were a little bit special.
Now look at what we have today, base spec cars look no different to the top model, everything weighs far too much (e.g. a corsa weighs the same as a cavalier), everything is laden with extra technology that doesn't work properly and we don't need. On top of it all everything is flipping expensive now.
The whole situation is pretty dire
Now look at what we have today, base spec cars look no different to the top model, everything weighs far too much (e.g. a corsa weighs the same as a cavalier), everything is laden with extra technology that doesn't work properly and we don't need. On top of it all everything is flipping expensive now.
The whole situation is pretty dire
Crafty_ said:
This thread just shows how utterly boring new cars are - look at the BX, the Vauxhalls mentioned, cossie etc. Cars that had proper presence on the road and were a little bit special.
Now look at what we have today, base spec cars look no different to the top model, everything weighs far too much (e.g. a corsa weighs the same as a cavalier), everything is laden with extra technology that doesn't work properly and we don't need. On top of it all everything is flipping expensive now.
The whole situation is pretty dire
....And I think my Dad used to say the same thing in 1990.Now look at what we have today, base spec cars look no different to the top model, everything weighs far too much (e.g. a corsa weighs the same as a cavalier), everything is laden with extra technology that doesn't work properly and we don't need. On top of it all everything is flipping expensive now.
The whole situation is pretty dire
I like the "If you could...." If, if..? There is no if here as 90's metal is pretty much all I've driven since 98 aside for a brief spell with a Mk4 Astra and a Phase 2 V70. Currently driving an 850 T-5R with nigh on quarter of a million miles day in, day out...
The novelty hasn't worn off.... yet...
The novelty hasn't worn off.... yet...
Sorry everyone, but I think I have just won. Put the money down in 1990, and in 1991 take delivery of a brand new, original Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato. A sanction 2:
http://astonmartins.com/car/db4-gt-zagato-sanction...
http://astonmartins.com/car/db4-gt-zagato-sanction...
white_goodman said:
Pommygranite said:
Understandably I disagree - i'm not sure desiring a Ford Sierra 1.6 shows 'proper petrolheadedness' over an F40. As I get older and realise I am a)not going to be rich and b)never have an F40 I think - sod doing what you 'think' is right, do what you want and if I could get an F40 and run one each day to the massive detriment of my comfort and wallet I would. In a heartbeat.
To say that choosing an F40 means an interest in cars is only skin deep is somewhat 'insulting' (can you get insulted by a random on the internet - no not at all). I think picking all these 'everyday cars' whilst wistful it is somewhat rose tinted - I grew up driving/owning Ford Orions, Rover 214's and at Montego's and they're not exactly desirable to drive - they werent great then but now they would just be comically bad.
If your mate turned up in one you'd laugh and be like 'lets have a drive' in some sort of reminisce but you'd get out entertained after 30 minutes but glad to be back in your modern car with all that that brings.
Whilst it may be PH 'cool' to appear like an everyman its very much like when someone says 'who's Justin Bieber, never heard of him' like being not in the know is the equivalent to being in the know.
This thread is a ridiculous fantasy of time travel so i'll take my F40 as my chosen Daily Driver thank you very much as I am guessing it is much better drive than a Volvo 740 or Rover 820 (Si, nice spec but i'd take a Sterling thanks...).
What's your choice again? To say that choosing an F40 means an interest in cars is only skin deep is somewhat 'insulting' (can you get insulted by a random on the internet - no not at all). I think picking all these 'everyday cars' whilst wistful it is somewhat rose tinted - I grew up driving/owning Ford Orions, Rover 214's and at Montego's and they're not exactly desirable to drive - they werent great then but now they would just be comically bad.
If your mate turned up in one you'd laugh and be like 'lets have a drive' in some sort of reminisce but you'd get out entertained after 30 minutes but glad to be back in your modern car with all that that brings.
Whilst it may be PH 'cool' to appear like an everyman its very much like when someone says 'who's Justin Bieber, never heard of him' like being not in the know is the equivalent to being in the know.
This thread is a ridiculous fantasy of time travel so i'll take my F40 as my chosen Daily Driver thank you very much as I am guessing it is much better drive than a Volvo 740 or Rover 820 (Si, nice spec but i'd take a Sterling thanks...).
Edited by Pommygranite on Thursday 14th August 05:18
Crafty_ said:
This thread just shows how utterly boring new cars are - look at the BX, the Vauxhalls mentioned, cossie etc. Cars that had proper presence on the road and were a little bit special.
Now look at what we have today, base spec cars look no different to the top model, everything weighs far too much (e.g. a corsa weighs the same as a cavalier), everything is laden with extra technology that doesn't work properly and we don't need. On top of it all everything is flipping expensive now.
The whole situation is pretty dire
It is pretty easy to see cars gone by with rose tinted glasses, in many ways we get it so good nowadays. Engines last several hundred thousand miles and they've never been so powerful. IMHO, the car field in 1990 wasn't any cooler than today, sure there were examples of really cool cars (much like today, just wait till a few of them age a bit) but the majority was pretty mundane and absolutely nothing special. Now look at what we have today, base spec cars look no different to the top model, everything weighs far too much (e.g. a corsa weighs the same as a cavalier), everything is laden with extra technology that doesn't work properly and we don't need. On top of it all everything is flipping expensive now.
The whole situation is pretty dire
Today we have:
- Frugal diesel cars/estates that do 0-60 in about 5 seconds (335d and others that come close to that performance).
- Big full size, work pickups with "little" V6 engines that do 0-60 in about 6 seconds and can tow in well excess of 10,000 lbs (F-150 EcoBoost).
- Back to basics RWD Toyotas designed to be pure driving machines (GT86, surely destined to be a future classic).
- Ford Europe producing a whole range of hot hatches and super hot hatches (Fiesta ST, Focus ST, Focus RS).
- GM Europe selling a bunch of overpowered hot rods (Corsa, Astra, Insignia and the VXR8 - did you ever think that Opel/Vauxhall would sell a 600hp car in 1990?).
- The big three American manufacturers are producing pony cars, not slow 80s ones, nor boring looking 90s ones, truly exciting to look at fast cars!
- Jaguar is producing a little sportscar that sounds like the apocalypse!
Even some of the non-performance mundane stuff is rather cool 
Davie said:
I like the "If you could...." If, if..? There is no if here as 90's metal is pretty much all I've driven since 98 aside for a brief spell with a Mk4 Astra and a Phase 2 V70. Currently driving an 850 T-5R with nigh on quarter of a million miles day in, day out...
The novelty hasn't worn off.... yet...
Yes, I'm well aware that it is possible and perfectly feasible to run a 1990 car as a DD but I think the idea of the thread is that you can enjoy it factory fresh as originally intended. Your 850 may still be brilliant even with 250,000 miles on the clock (although it will be a bit newer than 1990) but lots of 1990 cars won't feel or look fresh by now and some may even be virtually extinct. Try finding a "nice" unmolested Vauxhall Astra GTE 16v, Cavalier GSi2000 or Honda CRX now for example. My 205 GTi (1991) was still brilliant when I owned it with 150k on the clock but I would have loved to have driven it when it was new and everything wasn't knackered! The novelty hasn't worn off.... yet...
Lowtimer said:
Fact is for all these cars if you want them to drive and feel as they should you will have to put a lot of money into various acts of refurbishment / restoration.
I am happy to do so: I think they are worth it.
My car and camper are both old from 90/91, both on an H plate, had the C124 for over two years and all it's needed is a speedo cable, that's with 165K on the clock when I bought it. I am happy to do so: I think they are worth it.
The LT Camper hasn't needed a thing in 5 years.
electricdriver said:
It is pretty easy to see cars gone by with rose tinted glasses, in many ways we get it so good nowadays. Engines last several hundred thousand miles and they've never been so powerful. IMHO, the car field in 1990 wasn't any cooler than today, sure there were examples of really cool cars (much like today, just wait till a few of them age a bit) but the majority was pretty mundane and absolutely nothing special.
Today we have:
Even some of the non-performance mundane stuff is rather cool
We've also got:Today we have:
- Frugal diesel cars/estates that do 0-60 in about 5 seconds (335d and others that come close to that performance).
- Big full size, work pickups with "little" V6 engines that do 0-60 in about 6 seconds and can tow in well excess of 10,000 lbs (F-150 EcoBoost).
- Back to basics RWD Toyotas designed to be pure driving machines (GT86, surely destined to be a future classic).
- Ford Europe producing a whole range of hot hatches and super hot hatches (Fiesta ST, Focus ST, Focus RS).
- GM Europe selling a bunch of overpowered hot rods (Corsa, Astra, Insignia and the VXR8 - did you ever think that Opel/Vauxhall would sell a 600hp car in 1990?).
- The big three American manufacturers are producing pony cars, not slow 80s ones, nor boring looking 90s ones, truly exciting to look at fast cars!
- Jaguar is producing a little sportscar that sounds like the apocalypse!
Even some of the non-performance mundane stuff is rather cool Dual mass flywheels
flappy paddle gearboxes
electronic handbrakes
electric steering
poor security (e.g. BMW OBD2 reprogramming)
complex networks - need to change your battery ? you can't, needs plugging in to reset the power management ECU. Change brake pads ? need the computer to wind the pistons back. Dodgy alternator? that'll be £1k please (yes, really!). Want to check your oil ? touch - no dipstick. Windscreen change? "because you have sensors for the auto wipers/lights it'll be extra sir" etc etc
Even the popular stuff isn't reliable - VW DSG gearboxes have their faults for example, Audi seem unable to make a piston ring that holds together past 40k (2.0 TFSI) or make cam chains that don't stretch (1.2 TSI) etc..
90s cars did have their failings, but at least they were reasonably cheap to fix.
When you saw a big bumper Mk2 golf gti go past on the motorway you knew what it was - same as the GTE/GSI vauxhalls etc. Go look at a 1.2 shopping trolley golf and an R model - aside from the exhaust tail pipe would you be about to spot the difference at 70mph ? maybe is the best you can say.
By the way, that golf R costs 35 grand now.. 35 grand! Part of the justification for hot hatches was the performance vs cost thing - thats long gone.
Yes modern stuff has (say) 300hp, but thats offset by the weight and I think that maybe its not really needed, 150hp astras/cavaliers/pug 405 etc were probably more fun ? you could certainly stretch them more easily out on the road.
Maybe I'm just getting old
DKL said:
None of this going back lark. Some of us still do run a 1990 car as a daily. Just passed another MOT without any advisories and should pass 250,000 in the next month or so.
Can't fault it really, quick, comfortable, surprisingly practical and it still looks good.
I drive a similar 220. Can't fault it really, quick, comfortable, surprisingly practical and it still looks good.
I notice that the 300Z has a very Porsche/Bilstein-esque aluminium jack. Very nice.
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