Borkus Minimus
Discussion
A potentially impossible question but which car wins the PH award for minimal bork potential?
Fuel is irrelevant.
Age likewise.
As is cost.
Let's assume good condition, full/mostly full service history and reasonable (for the age) mileage.
My only thoughts are Micra K10/11. Surely someone can do better than that?
I'm talking UK market only otherwise I'd have something with a modular 4.6 V8 in the list as they seem indestructable.
Fuel is irrelevant.
Age likewise.
As is cost.
Let's assume good condition, full/mostly full service history and reasonable (for the age) mileage.
My only thoughts are Micra K10/11. Surely someone can do better than that?
I'm talking UK market only otherwise I'd have something with a modular 4.6 V8 in the list as they seem indestructable.
Another candidate would be something VAG, non turbo with the 1.9 engine.
Of course most cars with this are now f
ked (
) through mileage or non-service abuse......
Likewise the Pug 1.9 diesels.
I'm struggling to think of anything modern except maybe a Hyundai of some sort backed up with the 7yr warranty or maybe a base model petrol Panda with nothing that can go wrong.
Of course most cars with this are now f
ked () through mileage or non-service abuse......Likewise the Pug 1.9 diesels.
I'm struggling to think of anything modern except maybe a Hyundai of some sort backed up with the 7yr warranty or maybe a base model petrol Panda with nothing that can go wrong.
A mate of mine tried this in real life (with plenty of useful knowledge as to what the farmers where he grew up used as farm cars) and after some small cars eventually settled on the mid-'90s Nissan Primera as the type of car that could be most relied upon to just keep going. Although apparently well-engineered enough that when you do hit the end of the design life, every single thing on the car fails at once, finishing with it collapsing on the road in fine cartoon style where the sills have rotted through at the exact point of total mechanical failure.
Back in its day the old Mk2 VW Polo was good for a combination of having nothing much on it to go wrong, all of what was fitted being ultra-reliable, and anything that does happen being cheap to fix and in all probability DIY-able by a total novice. They don't tend to rot anywhere structural either. They're all probably far too old now, though.
MX-5s are mechanically unburstable and great fun but rusting is about their fastest performance figure; I suppose if you have access to welding, plenty of patience and a big pot of underseal they'd be a good choice. Similarly with old Volvos. They do roll on forever but you'll need to be a master electrician if you want anything but basic motion in most of the gears out of one. (IMO the 850s are more unkillable than the RWD ones, although even they have their foibles, particularly aircon evaporators.)
Finally a surprise: Vauxhall Omega V6. Massive bork potential up to and including catastrophic early failure of the cambelt, but I ran mine for three and a half years and an unfair amount of abuse without developing any problem that didn't, Christine-like, mysteriously fix itself within about 50 miles of driving.
Back in its day the old Mk2 VW Polo was good for a combination of having nothing much on it to go wrong, all of what was fitted being ultra-reliable, and anything that does happen being cheap to fix and in all probability DIY-able by a total novice. They don't tend to rot anywhere structural either. They're all probably far too old now, though.
MX-5s are mechanically unburstable and great fun but rusting is about their fastest performance figure; I suppose if you have access to welding, plenty of patience and a big pot of underseal they'd be a good choice. Similarly with old Volvos. They do roll on forever but you'll need to be a master electrician if you want anything but basic motion in most of the gears out of one. (IMO the 850s are more unkillable than the RWD ones, although even they have their foibles, particularly aircon evaporators.)
Finally a surprise: Vauxhall Omega V6. Massive bork potential up to and including catastrophic early failure of the cambelt, but I ran mine for three and a half years and an unfair amount of abuse without developing any problem that didn't, Christine-like, mysteriously fix itself within about 50 miles of driving.
vit4 said:
Early '90s Landcruiser shirley?
Certain bits on those can be a little dear though - for example if you need a front axle...after jumping the car...landing on the front end...in a rally raid race in Russia...for the 8th or 9th time that day 
We've gone through one or two axles
Stick Legs said:
My old 1999 Volvo S40 1.8SE is a good candidate. NOTHING broke, only ever carried out routine servicing in over 50000 miles of driving. Now resides with my sister in law. Still running, still amazes me how it does it, even the AirCon works!
+1 My sister bought one of these after her company at the time refused to supply her with yet another car. She was killing them at an alarming rate. The volvo on the other hand keeps coming back for more. 1.6 S40 160k of utter utter neglect and abuse and it will not die...Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff