Bulletproof Motor
Discussion
E38Ross said:
I think any car you spend 1750 on would need some work to be honest in the not too distant future...
Tough call really, Volvo, Saab, maybe a late E36 3 series with cash to spare for repairs, w123 Merc or 190e. My mate had a 190e though and it was, as he'll admit, a very untidy example. They are seemingly going up in value but e34 BMW's are generally hugely reliable, especially ones with an M30 engine in it.
All cars break.
I don't know about that. Buy wisely and you may only ever need paying out for servicing and MOTs. Conversely, you could spend £17500 and end up with a nail that spends more time in the workshop than out...Tough call really, Volvo, Saab, maybe a late E36 3 series with cash to spare for repairs, w123 Merc or 190e. My mate had a 190e though and it was, as he'll admit, a very untidy example. They are seemingly going up in value but e34 BMW's are generally hugely reliable, especially ones with an M30 engine in it.
All cars break.
Had a Mk1 Lexus GS300 Sport. If you buy wisely, they are tough as a tough thing. Engine is a N/A Supra engine and will doubtlessly go to the moon. It has a cambelt but the Mk1 is a non-interference engine, so even if it does break, doesn't cause engine issues. Later VVTi engine I think is slightly different.
With both the GS and LS just check for worn suspension. They are both very heavy cars and it's not unusual (Thanks Tom Jones.
) for bushes etc to wear.
Had a Volvo 850 T5. Another tough as old boots car. However, they are not unknown to have engine rear oil seal issues, which is a fairly labour intensive job (unless you incorporate it with a clutch change) The older 960 RWD platform Volvo's really are the 'drive and forget' models.
Oddly a X300 Jaguar wouldn't be totally bonkers. The 90's 6 cylinder engine is another tough one. So long as the running gear is sound, they can be good bangernomics, though mpg can be a bit horrible.
Lexus are the best bet IMO.
With both the GS and LS just check for worn suspension. They are both very heavy cars and it's not unusual (Thanks Tom Jones.
) for bushes etc to wear.Had a Volvo 850 T5. Another tough as old boots car. However, they are not unknown to have engine rear oil seal issues, which is a fairly labour intensive job (unless you incorporate it with a clutch change) The older 960 RWD platform Volvo's really are the 'drive and forget' models.
Oddly a X300 Jaguar wouldn't be totally bonkers. The 90's 6 cylinder engine is another tough one. So long as the running gear is sound, they can be good bangernomics, though mpg can be a bit horrible.
Lexus are the best bet IMO.
MrGB said:
I've looked at a couple of 4x4s Toyota Hilux being the main one.
Of course all cars break and I know that anything I buy might cost me something. Obviously i'm trying to reduce the costs by finding something solid. I just don't want the £500 bills every 2 weeks like I've had with the Jag!
Hilux fairly solid too with Jap reliability - but can suffer corrosion especially at your budget, and parts are expensive.Of course all cars break and I know that anything I buy might cost me something. Obviously i'm trying to reduce the costs by finding something solid. I just don't want the £500 bills every 2 weeks like I've had with the Jag!
The Jeep I suggested is pretty bulletproof and parts are also cheap. It's built like a big meccano kit and easy to fix too, with it's simplicity...
MGJohn said:
Going against the grain of the average PHer mindset but I've been driving these for best part of ten years now and they do not come more 'bullet proof' than the Rover 620ti. Yes, the one with the Rover turbocharged engine not the Honda engined ones:~
There are still a good number of well cared for examples about which can be obtained with both MoT and Tax for rather less than £1000 if you're patient. My own cars have a mere 80,000 and drive like new whilst my son's daily workhorse he uses for work travel for many years is approaching 190,000 miles now.
Will cruise @ well over 100mph with five on board and their luggauge if you wish with a decent 0-60 time should you ever need it. Driven at legal and smooth motorway speeds, mid 30s mpg is perfectly possible.
Spares should you ever need them are both plentiful and inexpensive.
..
I love the 620ti, seriously it remains one of my favourite cars of all time, as the understated sleeper look is priceless.There are still a good number of well cared for examples about which can be obtained with both MoT and Tax for rather less than £1000 if you're patient. My own cars have a mere 80,000 and drive like new whilst my son's daily workhorse he uses for work travel for many years is approaching 190,000 miles now.
Will cruise @ well over 100mph with five on board and their luggauge if you wish with a decent 0-60 time should you ever need it. Driven at legal and smooth motorway speeds, mid 30s mpg is perfectly possible.
Spares should you ever need them are both plentiful and inexpensive.
..
However bullet proof is not what I had in mind. My Dad had one and at just 80,000 miles it was what can only be described as f
ked. It only started when it felt like it, the front headlights would come on every time the brake pedal was pressed which led to people thinking they were being flashed out of a junction, the engine light kept coming on, the dash had more rattles than a decorated Indian truck and the whole car banged and knocked when going over bumps.Okay so it depends how they're looked after but it was a company car so was serviced always on time and any repair was always fixed. However after all that I mentioned the company decided to get rid.
NiceCupOfTea said:
Singing their praises a lot at the mo but buy a decent Saab 9000 and they are bulletproof. The only issue my dad has had with his in 10 years was a clutch master cylinder failure. I've now got one that cost less than a grand and works perfectly 15 years and 140k miles on!
One of the places I had my TVR serviced, had (and possibly still has) a 9000 'loaner'. The world and its dog had driven it but it just kept on going.TheTurbonator said:
MGJohn said:
Going against the grain of the average PHer mindset but I've been driving these for best part of ten years now and they do not come more 'bullet proof' than the Rover 620ti. Yes, the one with the Rover turbocharged engine not the Honda engined ones:~
There are still a good number of well cared for examples about which can be obtained with both MoT and Tax for rather less than £1000 if you're patient. My own cars have a mere 80,000 and drive like new whilst my son's daily workhorse he uses for work travel for many years is approaching 190,000 miles now.
Will cruise @ well over 100mph with five on board and their luggauge if you wish with a decent 0-60 time should you ever need it. Driven at legal and smooth motorway speeds, mid 30s mpg is perfectly possible.
Spares should you ever need them are both plentiful and inexpensive.
..
I love the 620ti, seriously it remains one of my favourite cars of all time, as the understated sleeper look is priceless.There are still a good number of well cared for examples about which can be obtained with both MoT and Tax for rather less than £1000 if you're patient. My own cars have a mere 80,000 and drive like new whilst my son's daily workhorse he uses for work travel for many years is approaching 190,000 miles now.
Will cruise @ well over 100mph with five on board and their luggauge if you wish with a decent 0-60 time should you ever need it. Driven at legal and smooth motorway speeds, mid 30s mpg is perfectly possible.
Spares should you ever need them are both plentiful and inexpensive.
..
However bullet proof is not what I had in mind. My Dad had one and at just 80,000 miles it was in what can only be described as f
ked. It only started when it felt like it, the front headlights would come on every time the brake pedal was pressed which led to people thinking they were being flashed out of a junction, the engine light kept coming on, the dash had more rattles than a decorated Indian truck and the whole car banged and knocked when going over bumps.Okay so it depends how they're looked after but it was a company car so was serviced always on time and any repair was always fixed. However after all that I mentioned the company decided to get rid.
My family and I have had several over the years. Never had any problems like that at all. Several friends also have them and report likewise. There will always be the exceptions. Maybe my family and I have been lucky but, we do keep and eye on our cars as recommended by all manufacturers. In my certain experience, regular pro-servicing is not a guarantee of a job well done, or done at all. Quite the opposite on occasion in my own experience with both new, used and company cars I've owned or had use of.
That bulb flashing mullarkey. Not a Rover. I know of a car like that which the owner had swapped a blown bulb in the rear cluster previously. He fitted a single filament bulb in a twin filament bulb location. That single terminal bridged BOTH circuits every time he applied the brakes. Plonker!
I am placed to buy a new car but, absolutely nothing appeals now let alone suit me the way my 620ti do. I have two just in case one becomes unreliable like all Rovers ... so I'm told ... Still waiting ...
Edited by MGJohn on Saturday 18th February 22:31
NiceCupOfTea said:
Singing their praises a lot at the mo but buy a decent Saab 9000 and they are bulletproof. The only issue my dad has had with his in 10 years was a clutch master cylinder failure. I've now got one that cost less than a grand and works perfectly 15 years and 140k miles on!
Very very good shout 
OP save yourself 1400 quid and get this, not even ran in yet 
I ran one for 2 years backwards and forwards to Germany did countless miles and other than the usual tyres and brake pads was 100% faultless. I still regret getting rid of it.
350 Quid.
http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=bu...
I ran one for 2 years backwards and forwards to Germany did countless miles and other than the usual tyres and brake pads was 100% faultless. I still regret getting rid of it.
350 Quid.
http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=bu...
Fire99 said:
Had a Mk1 Lexus GS300 Sport. If you buy wisely, they are tough as a tough thing. Engine is a N/A Supra engine and will doubtlessly go to the moon. It has a cambelt but the Mk1 is a non-interference engine, so even if it does break, doesn't cause engine issues. Later VVTi engine I think is slightly different.
With both the GS and LS just check for worn suspension. They are both very heavy cars and it's not unusual (Thanks Tom Jones. ) for bushes etc to wear.
Had a Volvo 850 T5. Another tough as old boots car. However, they are not unknown to have engine rear oil seal issues, which is a fairly labour intensive job (unless you incorporate it with a clutch change) The older 960 RWD platform Volvo's really are the 'drive and forget' models.
Oddly a X300 Jaguar wouldn't be totally bonkers. The 90's 6 cylinder engine is another tough one. So long as the running gear is sound, they can be good bangernomics, though mpg can be a bit horrible.
Lexus are the best bet IMO.
Good advice, I've had 2 T5s and I'm now on a LS400.With both the GS and LS just check for worn suspension. They are both very heavy cars and it's not unusual (Thanks Tom Jones.
) for bushes etc to wear.Had a Volvo 850 T5. Another tough as old boots car. However, they are not unknown to have engine rear oil seal issues, which is a fairly labour intensive job (unless you incorporate it with a clutch change) The older 960 RWD platform Volvo's really are the 'drive and forget' models.
Oddly a X300 Jaguar wouldn't be totally bonkers. The 90's 6 cylinder engine is another tough one. So long as the running gear is sound, they can be good bangernomics, though mpg can be a bit horrible.
Lexus are the best bet IMO.
All 3 bought as budget smokers, the Volvo seats were incredibly comfy but the engineering on the LS is at a different level completely. MPG from the blown 5cyl and the V8 Lexus is similar.
Really can't go wrong with either marque from the mid 1990's
Easy, mk2 golf gti 8v they really are bullet proof. A friend has a mk1 gti (same engine) which hasn't been serviced in the last 10 years, not even a cambelt change! And still achieves 30+ mpg while daily driven to the tune of 12000 miles a year!
In the 10 years it's only needed very minor welding a few years back but it's never broken down nor failed to start. Also the car and engine have both covered 280,000 miles
In the 10 years it's only needed very minor welding a few years back but it's never broken down nor failed to start. Also the car and engine have both covered 280,000 miles
xe mini said:
OP save yourself 1400 quid and get this, not even ran in yet
I ran one for 2 years backwards and forwards to Germany did countless miles and other than the usual tyres and brake pads was 100% faultless. I still regret getting rid of it.
350 Quid.
http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=bu...
1996? Retro my arse!I ran one for 2 years backwards and forwards to Germany did countless miles and other than the usual tyres and brake pads was 100% faultless. I still regret getting rid of it.
350 Quid.
http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=bu...
I do try and steer clear of that website as there's a definite risk of retail therapy. I love old cars! And sadly drive a 2001 Clio
Has to be the Honda Accord Type R for me, a massively underrated car. They are tough as old boots, they look great and have an incredible sound track. There are a lot on sale at the moment that have been up a while, could easily be haggled down another few hundred quid, and when the cars are on sale around the £2000 mark thats a potential 20% saving, at least. It doesn't hurt that while being a great cheap motoring option, they are also supposed to be great to drive and deliver a grade A sound track too.
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