A tax exempt car that can be driven long distance...
Discussion
Hello Fellow PHers,
I do about 36000 miles a year commuting and I have between 4-6 cars to do it in. I have been trying out lots of cars from the 80's and 90's but I wondered what cars you would recommend that could do the following journey profile?
210 miles of motorway and dual carriageway at night (used to be blinded by newer cars and having crappy lights) keeping up with modern traffic and being able to do that trip twice in a week every 3 weeks.
I would only use the car when no salt is on the roads and only for a year or two and try a different car.
What would you good folk recommend I try?
I do about 36000 miles a year commuting and I have between 4-6 cars to do it in. I have been trying out lots of cars from the 80's and 90's but I wondered what cars you would recommend that could do the following journey profile?
210 miles of motorway and dual carriageway at night (used to be blinded by newer cars and having crappy lights) keeping up with modern traffic and being able to do that trip twice in a week every 3 weeks.
I would only use the car when no salt is on the roads and only for a year or two and try a different car.
What would you good folk recommend I try?
Truffs said:
I do think the Mk 1 Granada could be good choice. I can only find auto ones, which I am guessing is a 3 speed and might not be very long geared to make use of the torque.
I will add the Mk1 to my list. Thank you.
The reality is that any car enjoying tax exempt status now will require substantial investment to keep it running reliably for 36,000 miles a year. I will add the Mk1 to my list. Thank you.
Your own tolerances to noise/ comfort / economy are the biggest factors. An early Shadow or w116 Mercedes would eat up the miles with comfort and (potential) reliability if you buy the right car, but at 10-12 mpg, you would need deep pockets.
Conversely, an early mini would be cheaper, but at what cost to your mental and physical health.
I'd go for a 1968 XJ6.
mickyveloce said:
Truffs said:
I do think the Mk 1 Granada could be good choice. I can only find auto ones, which I am guessing is a 3 speed and might not be very long geared to make use of the torque.
I will add the Mk1 to my list. Thank you.
The reality is that any car enjoying tax exempt status now will require substantial investment to keep it running reliably for 36,000 miles a year. I will add the Mk1 to my list. Thank you.
Riley Blue said:
mickyveloce said:
Truffs said:
I do think the Mk 1 Granada could be good choice. I can only find auto ones, which I am guessing is a 3 speed and might not be very long geared to make use of the torque.
I will add the Mk1 to my list. Thank you.
The reality is that any car enjoying tax exempt status now will require substantial investment to keep it running reliably for 36,000 miles a year. I will add the Mk1 to my list. Thank you.
I fear the Tesla has not got the range for my needs but the Triumph could be OK. The Vauxhalls sound interesting too but what are the parts supply like? As good as Ford and Triumph? The XJ6 I have currently discounted as I already have an x308 to do the trip in. It has another 44 trips to do before I sell it.
The Range Rover Classic might be a bit over-tired and more dangerous in the wet, hitting standing water in the wet at 70ish in the dark puts me off SUV's.
The Rover P6 could be a good choice and I have added that to the list.
Edited by Truffs on Sunday 10th July 10:58
70s exec barge-tastic.
Rover SD1 starts from '76 so if there are any early ones still in existence it might be amusing.
Citroen CX starts in '74 although early RHD survivors are thin on the ground.
Renault 20/30 starts in '75, again survivors are in short supply.
Peugeot 504 or 604 for added gallic bargeness; the ride rivals the CX but with ordinary metal bits rather than hydraulics, again the rust worm has taken most, finding any will be a challenge. 504 coupe is very pretty and was available with the douvrin V6.
Volvo 164; rust, rarity, stodgy handling but safe. Resists tactical nuclear blasts and moose impact.
BMW E12 5 series; rust, rarity, dynamically good compared to most of the competition.
Opel Diplomat B for V8 euro-madness or the Commodore B for less mad inline 6 power; rust, rarity, LHD
NSU Ro80; mad engine, rust, rarity(there's a pattern forming here...) really good at horsing up and down autobahns as that's what NSU designed it to do.
Alfa GTV arrived in '74 but only with the 4 cyl. rust, rust, rust...
Lancia 2000 or Gamma coupe; rust, rarity...
Rover SD1 starts from '76 so if there are any early ones still in existence it might be amusing.
Citroen CX starts in '74 although early RHD survivors are thin on the ground.
Renault 20/30 starts in '75, again survivors are in short supply.
Peugeot 504 or 604 for added gallic bargeness; the ride rivals the CX but with ordinary metal bits rather than hydraulics, again the rust worm has taken most, finding any will be a challenge. 504 coupe is very pretty and was available with the douvrin V6.
Volvo 164; rust, rarity, stodgy handling but safe. Resists tactical nuclear blasts and moose impact.
BMW E12 5 series; rust, rarity, dynamically good compared to most of the competition.
Opel Diplomat B for V8 euro-madness or the Commodore B for less mad inline 6 power; rust, rarity, LHD
NSU Ro80; mad engine, rust, rarity(there's a pattern forming here...) really good at horsing up and down autobahns as that's what NSU designed it to do.
Alfa GTV arrived in '74 but only with the 4 cyl. rust, rust, rust...
Lancia 2000 or Gamma coupe; rust, rarity...
Fuel costs generally outweigh tax exemption saving when annual mileage gets to a few thousand. P6, Triumph saloon or XJ6 with modern diesel engine and 5 speed gearbox would be an interesting project.
Modern ABS brakes and stability control are useful on a soaking wet motorway when the idiots crash in front of you.
Modern ABS brakes and stability control are useful on a soaking wet motorway when the idiots crash in front of you.
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