How realsitic is a Hillman Imp as a first car?
Discussion
MC Bodge said:
Although it wouldn't be one for the purists, a restored Imp with an engine transplant from something else would make much more sense.
Fair comment, though the insurance on a 'modified' Imp (as I mentioned earlier, the BMW K100 motorcycle engine is the current favourite transplant) for a new driver would probably be pretty scary.It is also a shame from the 'purist' point of view, as the Coventry Climax-derived Imp engine is an absolute work of art, and without a doubt the best bit of the whole car.
ETA: Why on earth the moderators chose to move this from 'General Gassing' to the 'Car Buying' forum is beyond me - it would have been much better moved to the 'Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heros' section, where I know we have several other Imp experts.
Edited by Equus on Saturday 3rd August 21:21
Equus said:
If you were unmanned by an Imp, you really weren't cut out to be a mechanic - cars don't come any simpler to fix!
It was more, "when I fix this it will still be s
t". And it was.But you're right. I was not cut out to be a mechanic. I had all my qualifications, including auto electrician, but I hated the job.
The Imp repair was the point at which I decided I needed to get out. I started applying for jobs when I put my hand in a dog turd that was stuck in on the snow-covered wheel of a Rover SD1 whose front brakes I was about to change.
My GF first car was a Hillman Minx, think was a 1600.
She did around 20 miles a day for a few months and it was fine! She loved it, but think the novelty of not having all the mod cons soon forced the change to something newer.
i drove it for a bit and I enjoyed it too, was surprisingly good fun for a car that takes about 20 seconds to get to 60, certainly teaches you about keeping up momentum through corners.
I think it all depends on what the car will be used for as to if it would be suitable for you, anything more than 20 miles a day I would say its a no go.
She did around 20 miles a day for a few months and it was fine! She loved it, but think the novelty of not having all the mod cons soon forced the change to something newer.
i drove it for a bit and I enjoyed it too, was surprisingly good fun for a car that takes about 20 seconds to get to 60, certainly teaches you about keeping up momentum through corners.
I think it all depends on what the car will be used for as to if it would be suitable for you, anything more than 20 miles a day I would say its a no go.
callywally18 said:
My GF first car was a Hillman Minx, think was a 1600.
She did around 20 miles a day for a few months and it was fine! She loved it, but think the novelty of not having all the mod cons soon forced the change to something newer.
i drove it for a bit and I enjoyed it too, was surprisingly good fun for a car that takes about 20 seconds to get to 60, certainly teaches you about keeping up momentum through corners.
I think it all depends on what the car will be used for as to if it would be suitable for you, anything more than 20 miles a day I would say its a no go.
Minx and Imp are completely different cars.She did around 20 miles a day for a few months and it was fine! She loved it, but think the novelty of not having all the mod cons soon forced the change to something newer.
i drove it for a bit and I enjoyed it too, was surprisingly good fun for a car that takes about 20 seconds to get to 60, certainly teaches you about keeping up momentum through corners.
I think it all depends on what the car will be used for as to if it would be suitable for you, anything more than 20 miles a day I would say its a no go.
So said:
callywally18 said:
My GF first car was a Hillman Minx, think was a 1600.
She did around 20 miles a day for a few months and it was fine! She loved it, but think the novelty of not having all the mod cons soon forced the change to something newer.
i drove it for a bit and I enjoyed it too, was surprisingly good fun for a car that takes about 20 seconds to get to 60, certainly teaches you about keeping up momentum through corners.
I think it all depends on what the car will be used for as to if it would be suitable for you, anything more than 20 miles a day I would say its a no go.
Minx and Imp are completely different cars.She did around 20 miles a day for a few months and it was fine! She loved it, but think the novelty of not having all the mod cons soon forced the change to something newer.
i drove it for a bit and I enjoyed it too, was surprisingly good fun for a car that takes about 20 seconds to get to 60, certainly teaches you about keeping up momentum through corners.
I think it all depends on what the car will be used for as to if it would be suitable for you, anything more than 20 miles a day I would say its a no go.
Better off with a old Mini than an Imp. Much more support for the inevitable fixes.
An in experienced driver in a very slow car that is the equivalent of a tin can on wheels?
40 or so years ago it would be fine as everyone else was in the same league.
But in2019, I’m not so sure it’s worth the potential mechanical & driving learning opportunities.
An in experienced driver in a very slow car that is the equivalent of a tin can on wheels?
40 or so years ago it would be fine as everyone else was in the same league.
But in2019, I’m not so sure it’s worth the potential mechanical & driving learning opportunities.
So said:
Dicky Knee said:
My cousin had one around 1980.
He crashed it. Not everyone survived. Really, really awful time for the boy's family and his family.
Do yourself a favour and get something with ABS, decent seatbelts and a few airbags.
Oversteer?He crashed it. Not everyone survived. Really, really awful time for the boy's family and his family.
Do yourself a favour and get something with ABS, decent seatbelts and a few airbags.
Dicky Knee said:
So said:
Dicky Knee said:
My cousin had one around 1980.
He crashed it. Not everyone survived. Really, really awful time for the boy's family and his family.
Do yourself a favour and get something with ABS, decent seatbelts and a few airbags.
Oversteer?He crashed it. Not everyone survived. Really, really awful time for the boy's family and his family.
Do yourself a favour and get something with ABS, decent seatbelts and a few airbags.
You’ll learn as much in a manual petrol Focus. Then, by all means get an Imp later - as a hobby.
My family has always had Imps, and both brothers had the Chamois (Imp) as their first car (I preferred French stuff myself...). managed to get it on a Flux classic policy so insurance was only ~£800 first year.
There are a lot of things to consider though: needs regular checks, rotoflexes can go, a little bit tail happy in the wet (even with only 35hp), and they are slow unless you mix the gears a lot! But if you're interested in cars it's a great car to work on as there's loads of room in the back, and the annual Imp club meet is a good laugh and a wealth of knowledge.
There are a lot of things to consider though: needs regular checks, rotoflexes can go, a little bit tail happy in the wet (even with only 35hp), and they are slow unless you mix the gears a lot! But if you're interested in cars it's a great car to work on as there's loads of room in the back, and the annual Imp club meet is a good laugh and a wealth of knowledge.
Edited by ottermanuk on Friday 9th August 10:41
If your really into classics why not consider a old Mini or Morris Minor which are far far better and reliable than the Imp
I own a Triumph Herald saloon and used it as a daily car during the recent hot spell and its great but would make a good car for you but then again im biased towards the Triumph Herald!
I own a Triumph Herald saloon and used it as a daily car during the recent hot spell and its great but would make a good car for you but then again im biased towards the Triumph Herald!
carboy2017 said:
If your really into classics why not consider a old Mini or Morris Minor which are far far better and reliable than the Imp
I own a Triumph Herald saloon and used it as a daily car during the recent hot spell and its great but would make a good car for you but then again im biased towards the Triumph Herald!
I don’t fancy any of those as an only car. Minis are great fun and 30 years ago were fine. Today they are too small compared to everything else around them.I own a Triumph Herald saloon and used it as a daily car during the recent hot spell and its great but would make a good car for you but then again im biased towards the Triumph Herald!
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