Cheap classic (20yrs plus) good MPG @ 100-120mpg
Discussion
I'm after a cheap (<£5k) car that can carry a decent load, looks ok, and doesn't drink like a fish, to drive to Berlin and round Europe.
Very hard to find any mpg figures for over 70 mph. My old car was a saab 900 classic, and over 100mph the fuel dial moved visibly. Considering an opel monza... Needs to be over 20 years for classic car insurance. Any advice welcomed!
Very hard to find any mpg figures for over 70 mph. My old car was a saab 900 classic, and over 100mph the fuel dial moved visibly. Considering an opel monza... Needs to be over 20 years for classic car insurance. Any advice welcomed!
Edited by howloadt on Thursday 12th June 00:25
Depending on your engine choice, Opel Monzas were pretty horrific on fuel.
As odd as it sounds, a bigger engined car can be better than a small engined car, as it won't be flat out at the speeds you are thinking of.
I'd be looking at a Mercedes W124 Coupe or Estate, or a BMW 325 touring, something like that.
They both make good autobahn cruisers as they have 135mph plus top speeds, so won't be near flat out at 110ish.
As odd as it sounds, a bigger engined car can be better than a small engined car, as it won't be flat out at the speeds you are thinking of.
I'd be looking at a Mercedes W124 Coupe or Estate, or a BMW 325 touring, something like that.
They both make good autobahn cruisers as they have 135mph plus top speeds, so won't be near flat out at 110ish.
Not sure if serious? I can't imagine spending any extended period of time at 100-120 mph in a 20 year old car that is worth less than £5k is wise, either from a safety perspective or a legal one. The cash strapped lower European countries will happily relieve you of large sums for speeding given any opportunity.
In reality how much of your journey will really be done at warp-speed? I would bet 80% of your driving time will be at sub 100 mph. And why is classic insurance so important? Insuring an old banger on a standard policy is unlikely to be that dear.
Indulging you for a minute though, Citroen CX if brave or XM, comfortable, roomy, aerodynamic. Turbo diesels should chunter along at 100 all day long, GTi's and V6's will be less smelly but more thirsty. Saab 9000 would be a logical alternative if you want petrol, I've had multiple C900's and 9000's and think they are fantastic, I would guess the 9000 is a little less juicy at speed.
Not particularly "classic", I warrant, maybe if you could find a Rover Vitesse (827) it might feel a bit more special? Or an Audi 100 should be ok. Some sort of Merc TD perhaps?
ETA:
Bingo! THIS CAR IS TOO CLOSE TO ME FOR MY OWN GOOD
In reality how much of your journey will really be done at warp-speed? I would bet 80% of your driving time will be at sub 100 mph. And why is classic insurance so important? Insuring an old banger on a standard policy is unlikely to be that dear.
Indulging you for a minute though, Citroen CX if brave or XM, comfortable, roomy, aerodynamic. Turbo diesels should chunter along at 100 all day long, GTi's and V6's will be less smelly but more thirsty. Saab 9000 would be a logical alternative if you want petrol, I've had multiple C900's and 9000's and think they are fantastic, I would guess the 9000 is a little less juicy at speed.
Not particularly "classic", I warrant, maybe if you could find a Rover Vitesse (827) it might feel a bit more special? Or an Audi 100 should be ok. Some sort of Merc TD perhaps?
ETA:
Bingo! THIS CAR IS TOO CLOSE TO ME FOR MY OWN GOOD
Edited by pacoryan on Thursday 12th June 11:24
pacoryan said:
Not sure if serious? I can't imagine spending any extended period of time at 100-120 mph in a 20 year old car that is worth less than £5k is wise, either from a safety perspective or a legal one. The cash strapped lower European countries will happily relieve you of large sums for speeding given any opportunity.
In reality how much of your journey will really be done at warp-speed? I would bet 80% of your driving time will be at sub 100 mph. And why is classic insurance so important? Insuring an old banger on a standard policy is unlikely to be that dear.
Indulging you for a minute though, Citroen CX if brave or XM, comfortable, roomy, aerodynamic. Turbo diesels should chunter along at 100 all day long, GTi's and V6's will be less smelly but more thirsty. Saab 9000 would be a logical alternative if you want petrol, I've had multiple C900's and 9000's and think they are fantastic, I would guess the 9000 is a little less juicy at speed.
Not particularly "classic", I warrant, maybe if you could find a Rover Vitesse (827) it might feel a bit more special? Or an Audi 100 should be ok. Some sort of Merc TD perhaps?
I'm not sure if serious about your not sure if serious.In reality how much of your journey will really be done at warp-speed? I would bet 80% of your driving time will be at sub 100 mph. And why is classic insurance so important? Insuring an old banger on a standard policy is unlikely to be that dear.
Indulging you for a minute though, Citroen CX if brave or XM, comfortable, roomy, aerodynamic. Turbo diesels should chunter along at 100 all day long, GTi's and V6's will be less smelly but more thirsty. Saab 9000 would be a logical alternative if you want petrol, I've had multiple C900's and 9000's and think they are fantastic, I would guess the 9000 is a little less juicy at speed.
Not particularly "classic", I warrant, maybe if you could find a Rover Vitesse (827) it might feel a bit more special? Or an Audi 100 should be ok. Some sort of Merc TD perhaps?
A 1990 318is will sit happily at 110mph and not be dangerous doing it, fuel economy should be ok, not as good as a diesel, but ok.
t out of all my cars. Always have, always will.Kawasicki said:
pacoryan said:
Not sure if serious? I can't imagine spending any extended period of time at 100-120 mph in a 20 year old car that is worth less than £5k is wise, either from a safety perspective or a legal one. The cash strapped lower European countries will happily relieve you of large sums for speeding given any opportunity.
In reality how much of your journey will really be done at warp-speed? I would bet 80% of your driving time will be at sub 100 mph. And why is classic insurance so important? Insuring an old banger on a standard policy is unlikely to be that dear.
Indulging you for a minute though, Citroen CX if brave or XM, comfortable, roomy, aerodynamic. Turbo diesels should chunter along at 100 all day long, GTi's and V6's will be less smelly but more thirsty. Saab 9000 would be a logical alternative if you want petrol, I've had multiple C900's and 9000's and think they are fantastic, I would guess the 9000 is a little less juicy at speed.
Not particularly "classic", I warrant, maybe if you could find a Rover Vitesse (827) it might feel a bit more special? Or an Audi 100 should be ok. Some sort of Merc TD perhaps?
I'm not sure if serious about your not sure if serious.In reality how much of your journey will really be done at warp-speed? I would bet 80% of your driving time will be at sub 100 mph. And why is classic insurance so important? Insuring an old banger on a standard policy is unlikely to be that dear.
Indulging you for a minute though, Citroen CX if brave or XM, comfortable, roomy, aerodynamic. Turbo diesels should chunter along at 100 all day long, GTi's and V6's will be less smelly but more thirsty. Saab 9000 would be a logical alternative if you want petrol, I've had multiple C900's and 9000's and think they are fantastic, I would guess the 9000 is a little less juicy at speed.
Not particularly "classic", I warrant, maybe if you could find a Rover Vitesse (827) it might feel a bit more special? Or an Audi 100 should be ok. Some sort of Merc TD perhaps?
A 1990 318is will sit happily at 110mph and not be dangerous doing it, fuel economy should be ok, not as good as a diesel, but ok.
Good call on the 318is too - big enough for the OP??
pacoryan said:
Fairy nuff!! I didn't want to appear all Mary Whitehouse, if your car is in good shape and comfortably within its design envelope I agree. My concern was the OP snapping up something 20 yrs old for £5k and finding out the tyres are 8 yrs old as he rounds an Autobahn bend at 120. I should assume the OP has enough sense to work that out for himself!
Good call on the 318is too - big enough for the OP??
Maybe not big enough. Maybe not relaxed enough, but definitely capable of sustained 120 mph with no issues. Does 5500-6500 rpm bother the OP? The e36 is better above 120mph, and bigger, and cheaper.Good call on the 318is too - big enough for the OP??
pacoryan said:
Kawasicki said:
pacoryan said:
Not sure if serious? I can't imagine spending any extended period of time at 100-120 mph in a 20 year old car that is worth less than £5k is wise, either from a safety perspective or a legal one. The cash strapped lower European countries will happily relieve you of large sums for speeding given any opportunity.
In reality how much of your journey will really be done at warp-speed? I would bet 80% of your driving time will be at sub 100 mph. And why is classic insurance so important? Insuring an old banger on a standard policy is unlikely to be that dear.
Indulging you for a minute though, Citroen CX if brave or XM, comfortable, roomy, aerodynamic. Turbo diesels should chunter along at 100 all day long, GTi's and V6's will be less smelly but more thirsty. Saab 9000 would be a logical alternative if you want petrol, I've had multiple C900's and 9000's and think they are fantastic, I would guess the 9000 is a little less juicy at speed.
Not particularly "classic", I warrant, maybe if you could find a Rover Vitesse (827) it might feel a bit more special? Or an Audi 100 should be ok. Some sort of Merc TD perhaps?
I'm not sure if serious about your not sure if serious.In reality how much of your journey will really be done at warp-speed? I would bet 80% of your driving time will be at sub 100 mph. And why is classic insurance so important? Insuring an old banger on a standard policy is unlikely to be that dear.
Indulging you for a minute though, Citroen CX if brave or XM, comfortable, roomy, aerodynamic. Turbo diesels should chunter along at 100 all day long, GTi's and V6's will be less smelly but more thirsty. Saab 9000 would be a logical alternative if you want petrol, I've had multiple C900's and 9000's and think they are fantastic, I would guess the 9000 is a little less juicy at speed.
Not particularly "classic", I warrant, maybe if you could find a Rover Vitesse (827) it might feel a bit more special? Or an Audi 100 should be ok. Some sort of Merc TD perhaps?
A 1990 318is will sit happily at 110mph and not be dangerous doing it, fuel economy should be ok, not as good as a diesel, but ok.
Good call on the 318is too - big enough for the OP??
This is my daily snotter. 2000 BMW E39 530i Sport.
I paid £2950 for it about 18 months ago. It owes me quite close to £5k now after a few tweaks here and there plus routine bits.
It will comfortably cruise at 140mph+ all day long. Stops on a penny. 14 years old.
Most 20 year old German cars will do the same and many are available for way less than £5k.
ETA: OP don't get one of these, I've managed about 23mpg over the last 15,000 miles. At 120mph it'll be giving about 17mpg.
Edited by benjj on Thursday 12th June 14:48
howloadt said:
Thanks! Still rather unclear about mpg I could expect at say 120mph. Most of the suggestions also seem rather high maintenance. How would a '93 Toyota Celica perform?
I can't see a 93 Celica doing very well on mpg at those speeds, mid teens at best, the 2.0l GT's top speed is only a little more than that, 125 - 130 mph if you're lucky. Is there a better car to do 155mph all day long than this?
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C443325
Granted your mpg will be in single figures however you drive it but what a way to arrive!!
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C443325
Granted your mpg will be in single figures however you drive it but what a way to arrive!!
Hows about a mkiii supra. The 1JZ (2.5 twin turbo) will return 30mpg with normal driving which is pretty good for a big, fast luxo-barge. 120mph+ will be no bother and as long as you dont want to put people in the back you will be in as much comfort as the other suggestions here. £5k will get you a pretty mint car
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