Capri as a daily driver

[Chris71]

I don't know what it is... maybe I've been living in Essex too long, or maybe it's too many repeats of 1970s cop shows, but I'm starting to vaguely about getting a capri

I'm currently looking for a reasonably rapid, RWD coupe with enough boot space for a mountain bike (minus wheels) and a bit of fun factor. Starting to think if there are some more unusual alternatives to the standard 944 or 3 series coupe responses and wondered if a 2.8 capri would make any sense?

Whatever I get has to be feasible as an only car commuting 13,000 miles a year in all weathers. It has to be reliable with a degree of practicality, but I'd prefer to go for a 'modern classic' with a bit of character too.

Just wanted to know a bit more about them. What sort of money do they go for these days? How reliable are they? How thirsty? Whats the handling like? What sort of performance figures do they return? (all relating to a standard car)

[Chris71]

Thanks Zad

I've owned a RWD car before (and do currently) as a daily driver, but I agree, if it's especially 'exciting' it might not be the best thing at 7am on a damp Monday morning.

I reckoned the performance would be about 8 seconds to 60 and 120mph'ish, not that I'm particularly worried about top end. Tractability and a decent 40 to 70 time are the main concerns. Sub 20mpg is going a bit far though. I presume the 2.8 is the Cologne engine rather than the Essex lump.

I am comparing it to other 'retro' cars (944, Scimitar, old Alfa GTV, e30 BMW) and not sure I'd want to go as recent as a Cosworth. At 24 in a reasonably built up area I doubt my insurance company would like it either. Looking for a day to day classic that can be used for a lengthy commute, but still give off all the right sensations.

[Chris71]

Well, amongst over semi-classics the only sensible modern car I'm considering is a 328 (I suppose an e30 325 is sensible-ish too) but the idea is something with perhaps a little more character that the modern saloons. By which I mean literally 'keeps you amused when sat in it' character not 'waiting for the AA again' character

I drove an XR4 a while back. I think it was a pretty dire example and that kind of put me off (very wallowy and absolutely no brakes!) and whilst it's probably a better car in practice, I do like slightly retro coupes (I like modern ones too for that matter, but my budget won't stretch to a new 350Z!)

Can anyone give me a rough price guide for the Capri?

[Chris71]

Hmm, maybe an XR4 would be a possibility

[Chris71]

FLD said:

If you have a 2.9 XR4 without ABS you could have one of these.

One of what?

On second thoughts a 2wd XR4 might be a possibility, not a fan of that silly spoiler though! It's not quite what I was looking for, but they also seem to be about a quarter of the price!

[Chris71]

Pat H said:

Coincidentally, my old BMW has been in the bodyshop for the last week.

So I have been using the Capri every day.

It is totally practical, comfortable and effortless.

It is as quiet and happy at 85mph on the motorway as my BMW.

Apart from the marginal brakes it is a pleasure to use.

Gets lots of positive attention from the proles, too.

See you've got an e36 coupe on your profile, Pat. That's one of the alternatives I'm considering - that or an e30 touring with a few tweaks.

Is it fair to assume the Capri is rather more 'exciting' to drive? Are the brakes an inherant flaw on them (spend a lot of time driving in motorway traffic!)? One of the reasons I got rid of my 924 was the scary (lack of) brakes!!