Retro Daily drivers
Discussion
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 !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.
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 !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.
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
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
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!
Same here, regularly commute to Dorset in mine, doesn't dawdle either, more cars pass by the left window than right. 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
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!
Same here, regularly commute to Dorset in mine, doesn't dawdle either, more cars pass by the left window than right. 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
Edited by s m on Monday 25th May 14:14
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 !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.
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. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff