Retro Daily drivers

Author
Discussion

dbdb

4,311 posts

172 months

Sunday 24th May 2015
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To me, a 'retro' is a car introduced in the 1980s - which may through a long production run have been made into the 1990s. These things mean different things to different people of course.

Five grand goes a lot further with a saloon car, than it does with a sports car. That's the first step in some ways - what type of car do you want?

I'm a big saloon fan, so my recommendations reflect this. If it was me buying, I would consider either a Mercedes W124 with a six cylinder engine (a four pot spoils the feel) - or a late model Jaguar XJ40 (or X300). Either car bought well (and £5k is a BIG budget for them) will be completely suitable and trustworthy as a daily driver. Don't expect a £500 Jag to be reliable. wink

They're very different cars, but both make you feel good behind the wheel - the Jaguar especially. Both are still fully up to the cut and thrust of modern, busy road conditions, with good performance, decent brakes - and such niceties as air conditioning, electrically adjusted leather seats, cruise control are all easy to find. They drive like a raw and more involving modern car. Both (and especially the Jaguar) offer good safety for an older car.

You have to understand and accept what early 20s mpg is like of course. It could be less if you do mostly full city driving - and mid/late 20s on the motorway.
It is a very noticeable cost day to day, though it is offset by a lack of depreciation if you look after the car and low insurance premiums.

Gochaz

48 posts

148 months

Sunday 24th May 2015
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stedaley said:
What issues did you have? And manual?
It was a 2.5 automatic. My commute was 7 miles each way.

Shortly after I bought it there was an issue with the injection system which caused frequent stalling. I've no idea what the problem was, but my local mechanic was able to sort it relatively cheaply.

There was also a problem with the idle control valve, which lead to a very poor idle and more stalling. This was cured with a replacement valve, I think for around £100.

Finally, I had an issue with the fan not coming on, which was just a sensor.


Otherwise, it was very reliable. All of the above I suspect was down to lack of maintenance by the previous owner(s), once I was on top of everything it was great, barring a bit of clonking from the rear suspension when I came to sell it.

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Sunday 24th May 2015
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TheAngryDog said:
24v boa?

Turbo

320touring

1,428 posts

198 months

Sunday 24th May 2015
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A £5k xj40 or xjs would be a cracking daily-bit of lpg for supercheap running.

The aj6 is a cracking lump!

poing

8,743 posts

199 months

Sunday 24th May 2015
quotequote all
s m said:


Nice burbly V6 exhaust note
Lighter than a modern hot hatch
Seats 5 and big boot
M3-rivalling handling
V6 Exhaust note? Am I missing something really obvious?

TheAngryDog

12,394 posts

208 months

Sunday 24th May 2015
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s m said:

Turbo
12v TT or 24v? Any more pics?

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Sunday 24th May 2015
quotequote all
TheAngryDog said:
12v TT or 24v? Any more pics?
Just a 12v

Will keep up with modern traffic with 200bhp

ETA - was up at 5k on EBay - item 281684073664

Edited by s m on Monday 25th May 08:16

Levin

2,019 posts

123 months

Monday 25th May 2015
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poing said:
V6 Exhaust note? Am I missing something really obvious?
There were V6 engines fitted in Sierras. Early models got the 2.3 or 2.8 Cologne, with the most well-known example being the XR4i. Later models got the 2.9 BOA, and it's possible to fit the BOB V6 found in Cosworth Scorpios.

Of the three engines the 2.3 might be the rarest. I don't see many 2.3 V6 engines in listings and the only one I can think of recently is an extremely early 1982 Ghia. The other 2.3 the Sierra got was a four-cylinder PSA diesel. It's another rare find, being one of only two diesel engines offered in the Sierra's 10 year lifespan.

TheTechnician

37 posts

111 months

Monday 25th May 2015
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Here's mine. I love it to bits. £250 purchase from a friend with a knackered CVH. Saved it from the scrapyard, and regardless of what everyone thinks, yes, it is very Essex, puts a serious smile on my face. I've got better cars I could use as a daily, but this for some reason, to me, is one of those women who you know is no good for you but you can't stay away from.


orangesrule

1,420 posts

147 months

Monday 25th May 2015
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Probably already mentioned, but I'd go for an e30 325. if you find one with a solid shell, it will be bullet proof.

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Monday 25th May 2015
quotequote all
Huff said:
Modern retro OK?

I spent 7 very happy years up to last July running an E34 540. I'd have another in a heartbeat.

Great pic by the way!

cologne2792

2,126 posts

125 months

Monday 25th May 2015
quotequote all
Levin said:
There were V6 engines fitted in Sierras. Early models got the 2.3 or 2.8 Cologne, with the most well-known example being the XR4i. Later models got the 2.9 BOA, and it's possible to fit the BOB V6 found in Cosworth Scorpios.

Of the three engines the 2.3 might be the rarest. I don't see many 2.3 V6 engines in listings and the only one I can think of recently is an extremely early 1982 Ghia. The other 2.3 the Sierra got was a four-cylinder PSA diesel. It's another rare find, being one of only two diesel engines offered in the Sierra's 10 year lifespan.
There were no BOA Sierras straight from the factory. The 2.9 Cologne V6 was a six port version of the 2.8, still 12 valve but with a few differences. The BOA was only available in the Granada Scorpio but plenty have been swapped - I want one for my Capri !

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Monday 25th May 2015
quotequote all
cologne2792 said:
Levin said:
There were V6 engines fitted in Sierras. Early models got the 2.3 or 2.8 Cologne, with the most well-known example being the XR4i. Later models got the 2.9 BOA, and it's possible to fit the BOB V6 found in Cosworth Scorpios.

Of the three engines the 2.3 might be the rarest. I don't see many 2.3 V6 engines in listings and the only one I can think of recently is an extremely early 1982 Ghia. The other 2.3 the Sierra got was a four-cylinder PSA diesel. It's another rare find, being one of only two diesel engines offered in the Sierra's 10 year lifespan.
There were no BOA Sierras straight from the factory. The 2.9 Cologne V6 was a six port version of the 2.8, still 12 valve but with a few differences. The BOA was only available in the Granada Scorpio but plenty have been swapped - I want one for my Capri !
Just to clarify, it's a Turbo Technics F18 conversion by the way - 200bhp on a Cologne 2.8 V6

AW111

9,455 posts

132 months

Monday 25th May 2015
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I have / will run a 1987 Toyota MR2 (the original wedge shape).

It ran totally reliably for several years once I flushed and bled the cooling system properly.
Off the road for nearly 12 months for a heart transplant - nothing wrong with the drivetrain, I just wanted more power and gears.
After another couple of trouble free years, I am in the process of slowly reassembling it after rust removal and a new paint job.

If it hadn't got under my skin, I would happily be driving it around now with minor rot and the engine it came with.

I believe they rust much worse in the UK, so finding a good one may be hard, but hey : pop-up headlights and side strakes smokin

stephen300o

15,464 posts

227 months

Monday 25th May 2015
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Faust66 said:
Perfectly possible to use an older car as a daily, as long as you are will and able to spend time and money keeping the thing going.

For example, I've spent all afternoon fitting new suspension arms and polybushes to my car: my mates are all in the pub but I was crawling around on the road swearing steadily whilst cover in muck (only got one side done as well... bloody sized ball joint was to blame). Going to be spending bank holiday Monday doing the same job on the passenger side.

Can you afford to pay a garage for work if you can't do it yourself? Can you spare the time away from your partner (and kids if you have them)?

It's all worth it though... newest car I've ever owned was a 1990 H reg Sierra XR4x4. Moderns cars? Pah!




Edited by Faust66 on Saturday 23 May 22:12
Same here, regularly commute to Dorset in mine, doesn't dawdle either, more cars pass by the left window than right.

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Monday 25th May 2015
quotequote all
stephen300o said:
Faust66 said:
Perfectly possible to use an older car as a daily, as long as you are will and able to spend time and money keeping the thing going.

For example, I've spent all afternoon fitting new suspension arms and polybushes to my car: my mates are all in the pub but I was crawling around on the road swearing steadily whilst cover in muck (only got one side done as well... bloody sized ball joint was to blame). Going to be spending bank holiday Monday doing the same job on the passenger side.

Can you afford to pay a garage for work if you can't do it yourself? Can you spare the time away from your partner (and kids if you have them)?

It's all worth it though... newest car I've ever owned was a 1990 H reg Sierra XR4x4. Moderns cars? Pah!




Edited by Faust66 on Saturday 23 May 22:12
Same here, regularly commute to Dorset in mine, doesn't dawdle either, more cars pass by the left window than right.
You often have to factor in more fuel costs - sometimes not because of drastically worse fuel consumption, but because you took the longer/scenic route home and got drawn into 'going for a drive' smile




Edited by s m on Monday 25th May 14:14

poing

8,743 posts

199 months

Monday 25th May 2015
quotequote all
s m said:
cologne2792 said:
Levin said:
There were V6 engines fitted in Sierras. Early models got the 2.3 or 2.8 Cologne, with the most well-known example being the XR4i. Later models got the 2.9 BOA, and it's possible to fit the BOB V6 found in Cosworth Scorpios.

Of the three engines the 2.3 might be the rarest. I don't see many 2.3 V6 engines in listings and the only one I can think of recently is an extremely early 1982 Ghia. The other 2.3 the Sierra got was a four-cylinder PSA diesel. It's another rare find, being one of only two diesel engines offered in the Sierra's 10 year lifespan.
There were no BOA Sierras straight from the factory. The 2.9 Cologne V6 was a six port version of the 2.8, still 12 valve but with a few differences. The BOA was only available in the Granada Scorpio but plenty have been swapped - I want one for my Capri !
Just to clarify, it's a Turbo Technics F18 conversion by the way - 200bhp on a Cologne 2.8 V6
Cheers all, it was the fact it's a 4 door that confused me. I remember plenty of people doing TT conversions on 3 and 5 doors but it's very rare on a 4 door. I love the idea, nice car s m.

Levin

2,019 posts

123 months

Monday 25th May 2015
quotequote all
cologne2792 said:
There were no BOA Sierras straight from the factory. The 2.9 Cologne V6 was a six port version of the 2.8, still 12 valve but with a few differences. The BOA was only available in the Granada Scorpio but plenty have been swapped - I want one for my Capri !
My mistake! I got the impression they had come from the factory with the BOA. Alas, my knowledge of their six-cylinder plants isn't as good as I had thought. Still, thanks for catching that and setting us all right. smile