Mk3 Capri Opinions
Author
Discussion

P I Staker

Original Poster:

3,308 posts

179 months

Sunday 8th July 2012
quotequote all
I've been forced in to posting this for a mate of mine that insists Capris are the most amazing vehicle ever produced despite never owning one and having very little experience of one. I disagree.

So what does PH think? Are they good cars? Is anything other then the V6 worth having? Do they handle? Are they comfortable? Etc...

I don't really expect this thread to take off, its just to prove a point. hehe

standardman

424 posts

191 months

Sunday 8th July 2012
quotequote all
Variety of engines and trim to suit most people. Even the 1.6 is a fun car with a bit of tweaking as it revs well.

Handling ? Fun Rear wheel drive. Whats not to like.

Its not a modern car though.

Spitfire2

1,968 posts

209 months

Sunday 8th July 2012
quotequote all
Had a few in the 90's (2.0s).

Looking for another now.

Very comfortable - driving position especially good. Handle just fine - all the tail happy talk is over stated IMO.

Baryonyx

18,224 posts

182 months

Sunday 8th July 2012
quotequote all
My dad used to have Capris when I was younger. The last one I remember was a 2.8i which was great. He had a 3.0 Ghia before that and a 1.6 Laser too. The Laser is probably worth skipping over, the 2.8i would be my pick I think.

Very, very old-skool but a great drive nonetheless. Some fairly silly oversteer capability, a lack of assistance in the controls and the massively long bonnet give it a very old-skool feel. Yeah, they are great cars no doubt, they remind me of being a young lad. I can still remember the grey plasticky Recaros and the Erasure on the stereo.


DouggyMc

769 posts

186 months

Sunday 8th July 2012
quotequote all
I own a 2.8 injection so I may be a little biased with my opinion!

There is something so right with Capri's, especially MK3s- the looks, the noise makes them really special. I have no real experience of 4 cylinder Capri's apart from a quick spin in my mate's old 1600 laser and being out-dragged from a traffic light by a BT van. However the 2.0 pintos sound a lot of fun.

Comfort wise the Recaro's on the 2.8's are superb, however it's still a bumpy ride.

Handling? They are a bit wallowy if you start attacking b roads but stick to what it does best- sideways around roundabouts!

I may be biased but I think they are cracking cars, the driving position behind that long bonnet makes me smile everytime I drive it!


camelot1971

2,827 posts

189 months

Sunday 8th July 2012
quotequote all
My first car was a lovely Mk2 1.6S in white, back in 1989 when I was 18. Lots of great memories, probably a bit crap these days but I would still have one just to relive my youth! biggrin

VinceFox

20,566 posts

195 months

Sunday 8th July 2012
quotequote all
fking pain in the arse thing. Temperamental, noisy, clownshoes in the wet, windnoise is appalling, underpowered and cant get them to handle or stop properly.

Ive had mine for seventeen years.


Fireblade69

628 posts

226 months

Sunday 8th July 2012
quotequote all
The most fun car I've ever owned before my current car was a MK3 Capri 2.0GL in dark green back in 1995.

falkster

4,258 posts

226 months

Sunday 8th July 2012
quotequote all
A 280 would always be a welcomed addition to my fleet, a 2.8 special is a nice looking car but the car I would really love is a signal orange 3.0S.

Wacky Racer

40,657 posts

270 months

Sunday 8th July 2012
quotequote all
I owned four new Capris between 1976-9, two Mk 2's and two mk 3's.

There was not really much difference other than at the front of the bonnet with the shape of the headlamps.

Best was a 3.0s Mk 3 (Essex engine) in White with recaro seats and "fishnet" head restraints, bought from Gordon's Ford in Stockport for £4250,...still got the original receipt.

The "Pinto" engined examples were bulletproof providing the oil and filter were changed every 6,000 miles, otherwise the camshafts could wear due to the spraybar becoming blocked....(An easy fix)

Just watch for the dreaded rust, as with any old car...

Do it...smile

checkmate91

859 posts

196 months

Sunday 8th July 2012
quotequote all
I had a 3.0 ghia automatic, great wafting car. The exhaust was minimalist with tubular headers, sounded great. The front end grip was non-existent, especially under braking (it probably needed new lower arm bushes and some decent springs/dampers). The rear end grip was equally non-existent, especially under power in the wet. Tyres were 185/60/13s, good for their day, absolutely nothing today.

I had one of the late ones (1981 X reg) in the mid-80's but it had rust in the front of the inner wings. Also the engine overheated at the first sign of hot weather and I never did fully cure the pinking. Without considerable work and improvements they are not good cars.

SlimRick

2,277 posts

188 months

Sunday 8th July 2012
quotequote all
Definitely on my "Must Own" list - A 2.8 is an awesome looking and sounding beast. My only first hand experience of Capris is being allowed to ride in the boot of a 2.0 which my dad had as a courtesy car after he'd binned his Cortina.

Kirk280

122 posts

166 months

Sunday 8th July 2012
quotequote all
I've got a 280 so I am also biased. I love it, go and scratch that itch!

m8rky

2,090 posts

182 months

Sunday 8th July 2012
quotequote all

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvlKJYnCfJE Mine from 1990,the don't handle and lethal in the wet myth is I think perpetrated by people that can't drive properly.

DouggyMc

769 posts

186 months

Sunday 8th July 2012
quotequote all
m8rky said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvlKJYnCfJE Mine from 1990,the don't handle and lethal in the wet myth is I think perpetrated by people that can't drive properly.
I watched that video a couple of months back, didn't realise the original owner was on pistonheads! I like it very much biggrin

VinceFox

20,566 posts

195 months

Sunday 8th July 2012
quotequote all
Jesus christ ive just seen what theyre fetching.

Anyone want to buy a black 24v capri?

checkmate91

859 posts

196 months

Sunday 8th July 2012
quotequote all
m8rky said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvlKJYnCfJE Mine from 1990,the don't handle and lethal in the wet myth is I think perpetrated by people that can't drive properly.
Was that aimed at my comment? I merely said rear end grip was non-existent in the wet. I was perpetrating a fact. We loved ours but it wasn't a sports car...

falkster

4,258 posts

226 months

Sunday 8th July 2012
quotequote all
VinceFox said:
Jesus christ ive just seen what theyre fetching.

Anyone want to buy a black 24v capri?
Have you posted pics up, in readers cars, Vince? I could be tempted but it would take some convincing of the wife.

VinceFox

20,566 posts

195 months

Sunday 8th July 2012
quotequote all
falkster said:
VinceFox said:
Jesus christ ive just seen what theyre fetching.

Anyone want to buy a black 24v capri?
Have you posted pics up, in readers cars, Vince? I could be tempted but it would take some convincing of the wife.
It'd need to go to a good home. Tbh i'd like the garage space back so i can spread the bikes out a bit more and i never use her. I'll dig some pics out if anyone's really interested (and if it's not against forum rules!)

bamberwell

1,266 posts

185 months

Sunday 8th July 2012
quotequote all
who else has browsed various classifieds for a capri "just out of curiosity" after reading this thread? smile