Would I hate using a Capri as a daily driver??
Discussion
Hi folks.
I'm going to consider changing cars in late September, when my insurance renewal comes up. Due to a couple of speeding convictions it looks like insurance is going to jump a fair bit.
I did some quotes and noticed I could insure a 3.0S or 2.8i Capri for just £400 FC with a thousand miles of business use as well, meaning when I have to drive to other sites for work, I'm covered.
I couldn't give a f
k about image and don't particularly care what colleagues would think of me or the car.
I currently drive a 328i Sport, which is great. But I do get bored easily and am always looking at other cars.
My question is, if I bought a Capri and did manage to stick with it for a year, would it totally do my head in, or would I enjoy it? I have always had a thing for Capris and can see this is my chance to finally tick one off my list of cars to own at some point.
But would I be making a crazy mistake, and should I just bite the bullet and pay the extra insurance for the 328? I know the car to be straight, and it's in fantastic condition. I could spend £2.5k on a mobile collander if I'm not careful.....
Appreciate any opinions and/or experiences. Could do without petty insults, as these threads so often seem to attract these days....
I'm going to consider changing cars in late September, when my insurance renewal comes up. Due to a couple of speeding convictions it looks like insurance is going to jump a fair bit.
I did some quotes and noticed I could insure a 3.0S or 2.8i Capri for just £400 FC with a thousand miles of business use as well, meaning when I have to drive to other sites for work, I'm covered.
I couldn't give a f
k about image and don't particularly care what colleagues would think of me or the car. I currently drive a 328i Sport, which is great. But I do get bored easily and am always looking at other cars.
My question is, if I bought a Capri and did manage to stick with it for a year, would it totally do my head in, or would I enjoy it? I have always had a thing for Capris and can see this is my chance to finally tick one off my list of cars to own at some point.
But would I be making a crazy mistake, and should I just bite the bullet and pay the extra insurance for the 328? I know the car to be straight, and it's in fantastic condition. I could spend £2.5k on a mobile collander if I'm not careful.....
Appreciate any opinions and/or experiences. Could do without petty insults, as these threads so often seem to attract these days....
I used my 2.0L laser pretty much everyday when I was a college and for work and loved it.
Attracts loads of attension and you really need to add an extra 30 mins to any journey as the amount of folks that talk to you is unreal.
Yes it wasnt totally reliable (it was running carbs) and drank fuel like it was going out of fashion, but it never left me stranded.
I would say go for the 2.8i as they are a bit more reliable and a wee bit better on fuel.
I dont regret owning and using the capri as a daily, but I would never own another capri or use a classic as a daily again.
I used to spend a few hours every weekend clean the car and engine, (it was a show car too) and touching up the wings and other bits of rust. When I sold it the guy totally neglected it and within a year it needed new wings, and strut top mounts and patches on the rear 1/4's and doors.
I was lucky as there is a locally capri club to me and they had loads of spares and advice. But parts are getting rarer and I couldnt be bother with that hassle on a daily!
Good luck if you do go for it mate, I would try owners clubs for cars rather than flea bay tho!!!
Attracts loads of attension and you really need to add an extra 30 mins to any journey as the amount of folks that talk to you is unreal.
Yes it wasnt totally reliable (it was running carbs) and drank fuel like it was going out of fashion, but it never left me stranded.
I would say go for the 2.8i as they are a bit more reliable and a wee bit better on fuel.
I dont regret owning and using the capri as a daily, but I would never own another capri or use a classic as a daily again.
I used to spend a few hours every weekend clean the car and engine, (it was a show car too) and touching up the wings and other bits of rust. When I sold it the guy totally neglected it and within a year it needed new wings, and strut top mounts and patches on the rear 1/4's and doors.
I was lucky as there is a locally capri club to me and they had loads of spares and advice. But parts are getting rarer and I couldnt be bother with that hassle on a daily!
Good luck if you do go for it mate, I would try owners clubs for cars rather than flea bay tho!!!
You may need to adapt your driving style, long bonnet and no power steering means that you will pay more attention to road positioning.
You may also need to allow an extra 10 minutes to get away when you have parked in a car park - you will often get somebody wanting to talk about the car. If it is a really clean car you will also get strangers making you an offer for it.
I had a 2.0 as my daily driver up until about 5 years ago, not as fast nor refined as a modern car but it will keep up with the traffic and I would not hesitate to get another one if the price and condition were right.
You may also need to allow an extra 10 minutes to get away when you have parked in a car park - you will often get somebody wanting to talk about the car. If it is a really clean car you will also get strangers making you an offer for it.
I had a 2.0 as my daily driver up until about 5 years ago, not as fast nor refined as a modern car but it will keep up with the traffic and I would not hesitate to get another one if the price and condition were right.
I've had 3 capris as daily drivers, theres no problems at all using them as such
only 2 things that I would consider, a 2.8i will do less than 25mpg if you use it round town at all, and they will rust like buggery in the winter with all the salt around
apart from that go for it, i find pretty much all modern cars totally anodyne and boring though, so i would say that
only 2 things that I would consider, a 2.8i will do less than 25mpg if you use it round town at all, and they will rust like buggery in the winter with all the salt around
apart from that go for it, i find pretty much all modern cars totally anodyne and boring though, so i would say that
I've had 2 Capri's, the first a 1.6l and as dull as hell but I was quite young at the time.
The second was a few years later and a 2.0S in bronze with full recaro interior and a metal tilt and slide sunroof, it had its faults but it was a terrific car.
I don't recall it being a particularly difficult car to drive either.
The second was a few years later and a 2.0S in bronze with full recaro interior and a metal tilt and slide sunroof, it had its faults but it was a terrific car.
I don't recall it being a particularly difficult car to drive either.
I think they're great and have always wanted one, but just don't know if I could live with one as an only car or not..... The only other option would be to wait a few years until I can afford to run a second car, but if I am honest, I'm sure the prices for good ones will just keep climbing now.
But I must admit, I do like things like electric windows LOL. A V6 Cossied car would be nice.
But I must admit, I do like things like electric windows LOL. A V6 Cossied car would be nice.
My mate and fellow PHer has a Capri and MGBGT in his fleet. He lent me the MG for a couple of days while mine was in the garage (The Capris lights don't work all the time) loved driving a classic every day you soon forget about all the little rattles and bumps, ok there is always that little thought at the back of your head (Well there was in my head) as to wether its going to get you home or even start but I guess if your using it every day that thought would vanish.
What I did like was strangers taking photos standing next to it. This is after all a car worth less than £2k and people love it and respect it. Your more likely to get back to someone keying your 3 series than a classic!.
What I did like was strangers taking photos standing next to it. This is after all a car worth less than £2k and people love it and respect it. Your more likely to get back to someone keying your 3 series than a classic!.
BoRED S2upid said:
Your more likely to get back to someone keying your 3 series than a classic!.
Yeh but your also more likely to come back to no car at all !!!Good sercurity is a must for classics, not just an alarm and immobiliser, get a mechanical lock to, X-lock or snap off wheel, £20 locks would stop anything!!!
I remember whilst at Uni we would spend many an eve wishing for it to rain so we could go for a drive in my mates Capri.
I must admit, the only thing it was good for was as a practice drift car, I'd hate to own one as my every day drive. It might well be a classic, but there are far more classics with a lot more appeal and driver satisfaction. Even something like an MGB GT has a nicer looking interior and thats saying something.
I must admit, the only thing it was good for was as a practice drift car, I'd hate to own one as my every day drive. It might well be a classic, but there are far more classics with a lot more appeal and driver satisfaction. Even something like an MGB GT has a nicer looking interior and thats saying something.
You seen the prices of 2.8s these days? Need to spend 4k up to get a good one. Great cars though, had a couple about 10 years ago. Perfectly useable everyday....if a little thirsty. A 328 beemer can easily get 30+ mpg. A 2.8 Capri wont do anything like that.
The 2.8 has pas as standard and a very comfy driving position. One of mine was built as a track day car and never went wrong!
The 2.8 has pas as standard and a very comfy driving position. One of mine was built as a track day car and never went wrong!
I used to use my 2.8i Capri day to day commuting and it would easily do 26mpg local running around town , had a few modifications ie full janspeed manifolds and system and air filter i did however have to spend a fair bit of time at weekends keeping it together
Went ok but a modern diesel would whoop it and you will be driving a 20+ year old car with all that entails
Went ok but a modern diesel would whoop it and you will be driving a 20+ year old car with all that entails
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