Which Classic Cruiser ?

[mph]

Having sold my Mk2 Jaguar and traded down on my modern car I now have a few quid burning a hole.

I'm really fancying a bigger classic saloon that I can take on continental holidays.

The car must have good performance and be interesting. The problem is most of the cars I like have horrendous fuel consumption.

I have chance of a really excellent Jaguar XJ12 coupe and I also like the Jensen CV8 and the V8 Bristols.

Realistically I can't live with fuel consumption below 20mpg and of the three I think the Jag is the only one that could get there if I fitted a more modern autobox.

Any ideas for improving consumption or alternative cars I should think about ?

[niagra]

Are you looking for any age of suitable car or do you have a particular era in mind?

[mph]

mid 1970's would be the latest (as per the XJ12) but preferably earlier.

[BobTurner]

Late 60s/ early 70s Merc? 300SEL, something like that?

[niagra]

Fiat 130
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C323580

What about a Fiat Dino?

Daimler V8 rather than the usual Mk 2
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C340702

Maserati Quattroporte - doubt you'll get 20mpg though
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C348054

How's that for starters. I've assumed you've got a decent budget, going by the cars you have already mentioned.

[benjj]

Citroen SM auto or semi-auto?

Great cruiser.

[Gareth1974]

I saw this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ROVER-P5B-3-5-LITRE-SALO... this morning, and thought it looked great. Might just do 20mpg too.

[dartissimus]

Spend some of the money on an LPG kit, that takes the fuel cost pain away

[mph]

Budget would be up to £25k at a (big) push but I would prefer to spend much less if possible. The idea of downsizing my car collection was to put some funds back into the kitty.

Some great suggestions and one or two I hadn't thought of.

Daimler V8 is too much like my Mk2, also usually only in auto which makes it a bit too sedate.

Maserati, I had a Mexico a few years ago and couldn't take the costs again.

Rover P5. I love Rovers, owned at least 6 P4's and one P5. I prefer the P4 as the archetypical Rover model, but not for continental touring.

Various Mercs. Could be worth a look.

Citroen SM. Too risky.

[mph]

dartissimus said:

Spend some of the money on an LPG kit, that takes the fuel cost pain away

Not a bad idea. I see some of the Bristols have them fitted. How readily available is LPG on the continent ?

[85Carrera]

Not a saloon, but what about a Triumph Stag. Decent room inside if you don't need four (proper) seats and should get a good one and have change from your budget.

[hidetheelephants]

Big Lancias? Flaminia or Flavia both fit the bill, in either coupe or saloon form, although Flaminia coupes can go for telephone numbers for certain types. Also the 2000 that replaced the Flavia.

In a similar vein, there's BMW's E3, or E9 if you want a coupe(and have deep pockets).

What about a Citroen DS/ID?

Edited by hidetheelephants on Saturday 24th November 05:05

[AtticusFinch]

mph said:

dartissimus said:

Spend some of the money on an LPG kit, that takes the fuel cost pain away

Not a bad idea. I see some of the Bristols have them fitted. How readily available is LPG on the continent ?

Don't forget LPG is banned from the Tunnel

[Wuzzle]

Mercedes W124 300CE 24?

I have the coupe version and I love it.

Sorry, I missed the post about being no newer than mid seventies.

Worth a look if you haven't considered one.

Edited by Wuzzle on Saturday 24th November 10:32

[mph]

Anybody on here running or owned a P6 3500S ?

For looks and classic presence I prefer the P5B but the P6 might be a more practical starting point.

[TurboBlue]

This would be top of the heap for me in the same circumstances
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Benz-300-6-3-SE...

[Julesx]

mph said:

Anybody on here running or owned a P6 3500S ?

I ran one for a year (a good 20 years ago!). I swapped it with my mate.

I had a Mini 1275 and he found that the fuel costs with the P6 were too high for him. The Rover was a good one in very good order so I jumped at the chance! I really liked it but if I recall I don't think it did any more than 18mpg and that was the reason I, reluctantly, gave it back to him and reclaimed my Mini!

[johnfm]

If it is only going to be used for the odd jaunt why worry a out fuel consumption?

At 15 mpg, 5,000 miles a year will cost you about £2k a year.

[Huntsman]

Silver Shudder or Bentley T1?

£25k would get you into a Corniche.

[The Surveyor]

How about something nice & Italian but without the Mexico spares costs.... Always has a soft spot for the 2600 Sprint http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C254398#

Or how about something a little older and more quintessentially English, the Graber Alvis TD21 with it's lovely 3litre 6:- http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C268146#

Both suitably classy