What new car from 1990 would you run as a DD?
Discussion
white_goodman said:
Pommygranite said:
Haha, well in the interests of being a true petrolhead (apparently) I will not choose an F40 but instead choose a Testarossa.
Alright Pommygranite, you should have your F40 and I've kind of come around to your way of thinking. I like the idea of having one of the 1990 working-class heroes in new car condition but yes if I could have a Ferrari instead of a Ford Sierra I would (even if it is totally impractical for my useage)! As I've already relented and taken an R129 SL, I might as well go the whole hog and take a 348tb in Rossa Corsa thanks.
The thing is because most of these more exotic cars were not bought as DDs and not run on a shoestring (so maintained regardless of cost) you can still pretty much enjoy them "as new" if you have the means. In fact, I would say they might even be better thanks to a few modern upgrades such as modern rubber! I will probably never own a Ferrari but the 348 has always been my maybe I will if I'm lucky Ferrari. I think (hope) being an "entry-level" Ferrari the running costs may be a bit more affordable and if I ever have a spare 30k to spend on an automotive "toy" it would be hard to walk away from a Ferrari 348 for the cost of a new top-line hot hatch! I think the time to buy was 10-15 years ago though when values dipped to 20-25k!
Hahaha, knew you'd see the light
Like your choice - 348 seemed quite unloved but is now catching more attention - I really like them and have real road presence for an older car.
On a serious note, I wasnt trying to be contrary about the older cars its more that I was old enough to be around Sierras, Montego's, Maestro's in their 'heyday' and read regular reviews and neither really were that brilliant (Sierra apart on launch due to its modernity over the Cortina much like the Focus over the Escort) or revered. So if I saw one now it would be a matter of appreciation for keeping an old car clean but to admire and desire as a great drive every day now? No way.
I think if you saw an MG Montego, as new, at a car show now with all the doors open - you'd spend 2 minutes admiring its rarity, peer in amazed at how dated it is and then walk off.
If you saw a mint F40 at a car show, all doors and shells open you'd be somewhat captivated for a good while longer.
Pommygranite said:
On a serious note, I wasnt trying to be contrary about the older cars its more that I was old enough to be around Sierras, Montego's, Maestro's in their 'heyday' and read regular reviews and neither really were that brilliant (Sierra apart on launch due to its modernity over the Cortina much like the Focus over the Escort) or revered.
I too was around then and due to it being right in my company car days got to drive a whole heap of new 90's cars up and down the length and breadth of the UK whether they be mine, pool cars or grabbing someone elses just to try it out. Fords, Vauxhall, Lancia, Renault, Rover, BMW, Mercedes, Saab and Volvo I reckon I "owned" or had a spin in at least one variant from each model in the range during the early 90's! 
The Sierra in all guises was utter s
te and the Sapphire the worst though I've not driven a XR4x4 or Cossie. I never understood the praise heaped on the Sierra despite being a Ford fan. Build quality poor and whilst you could chuck it about a bit I recall a silver 2.0 GLX Sapphire feeling like it was about to swap ends on a bend on the M27 approaching Portsmouth. The Mondeo that followed was light years ahead of the Sierra.The Montego was actually a better car and more comfortable car than the Sierra but the interior was incredibly bland and no one in their 20's would be seen dead in one.
Maestros were cack. Constantly failing (mostly electrics) and falling apart (trim).
For fear of boring the crap out of everyone I won't review every car!
But in the early 90's you just cannot look beyond a Merc as your DD. Unbelievably solid, great comfortable ride and totally dependable. Mercedes W201 190E poverty spec would be a great DD.
[thumb]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e4/Mercedes-Benz_190_front_20081213.jpg[/thumbs]
Cavaliers were great cars as well. I've had five in all, from a year-old 1994 2.0 16v which I put 90K on in just over a year, to a 12-year-old 1990 one in white which the previous owner had "improved" with red pinstripes on the body and wheels (my OH called it the pimpmobile); I bought that one for £250 with a month's MOT left, drove it to the north of Scotland and back and it then passed the MOT for £50. I kept it for another year until it threw a big bill and sold it for scrap for a total loss of £100. I was astonished to see how much good ones go for these days when I looked recently.
I had one of the first Vectras (the company I was working for bought a job lot as pool cars) and thought it was much poorer to drive and had the build quality of a Yugo.
I had one of the first Vectras (the company I was working for bought a job lot as pool cars) and thought it was much poorer to drive and had the build quality of a Yugo.
Edited by sim72 on Wednesday 20th August 10:53
Edited by sim72 on Wednesday 20th August 10:53
Woodrow123 said:
MBZ 6 said:
I own my 1990 car but its not a daily driver
Its the only RHD Brabus 190E 3.6 24v
500 internets to you Sir....that's lovely (although the wheels would take some getting used to).
Its the only RHD Brabus 190E 3.6 24v
After 14 years of ownership I think the car would look strange without them
Leins said:
MarshPhantom said:
aka_kerrly said:
MGJohn said:
You rang Sir ?>
More than a second actually..
Never had either normally aspirated 1.6 or 2.0 MG Maestros although drove both in the mid-80s. I did own an MG Maestro though, the petrol turbo version of which only 505 were made and finished by Tickford. The turbo petrol versions would leave either of the above cars pictured in that classic MG Maestro advertisement .... for deyad!
Who knew? Some of us did ...
MG being creative with their marketing....
More than a second actually..
Never had either normally aspirated 1.6 or 2.0 MG Maestros although drove both in the mid-80s. I did own an MG Maestro though, the petrol turbo version of which only 505 were made and finished by Tickford. The turbo petrol versions would leave either of the above cars pictured in that classic MG Maestro advertisement .... for deyad!
Who knew? Some of us did ...
1989 Golf GTI 8v - 8.6seconds,
1989 Golf GTI 16v - 7.9 seconds - although i have timed my standard 1986 16v at an average 7.3seconds with nearly 200k - about 150k more than most maestros ever achieved
Agent Orange said:
T1berious said:
Renault 5 Gt Turbo Raider
You'd be mentally drained, fore arms in spasms and have lost your license by Wednesday in a 5 GT Turbo! 
)Brilliant driver - "best front-wheel drive car - Lotus included" was a comment I remember from contemporary reviews!
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