Can a wedge be used as an every day car?

[final_edition]

Hi,

Looking to get a wedge as an every day car.

Is this a wise thing to do, ie for reliability, praticality etc?

It would be serviced and looked after properly tho'

I had a Mk1 mr2 that got written off and I am looking to replace it with something interesting.

Any help/advice would be welcome

[combine]

Andy , yes you could , may be best to get a really good condition 280i wedge which is less gready with fuel ( posible 28 mpg ) , and safer to drive ( not so much torque ) , just get one in the best condition you can , and it will be a lot of fun to drive , especially the sound !

[grahamw48]

In a daily driver power steering would be a bonus too, unless you've got arms like Popeye.

I would also recommend sorting the wiring out from day one, as I reckon that will be the most likely source of any reliability problems, particularly on an earlier car.

Other than that, unless abused or neglected they're all pretty reliable, more so with regular use.

The hardest part is NOT driving enthusiastically.

With the V8s it depends on the mileage you're planning to cover. To be honest you'd struggle to better 20mpg in most types of driving.
(...No good for me, doing minimum 700 miles a week), but no real problems with reliability in a properly sorted car.

Edited by grahamw48 on Saturday 2nd August 23:12

[adam quantrill]

grahamw48 said:

The hardest part is NOT driving enthusiastically.

I drive mine every day, and enthusiastically too!

And I have done for the past 15 years. I've only had one breakdown in all that time requiring a pickup truck, and that was because I was too bloody minded to investigate the ignition light coming on and the battery ran flat. All you need is a small set of tools in the boot for niggly faults - go for it!

Edited by adam quantrill on Sunday 3rd August 14:12

[Jasper Gilder]

I used one every day up to 72000 miles - mind you that was 1989-1994, but a well maintained wedge is a really practical car

[Henry Harris]

I use my 450SE as a matter of choice. I prefer it to own a car that I can just jump in and go. It's got everything I need, comfort, space and so far very reliable. Only down side, just watch the tank empty. Mind you coming back from BBWF 08 and going cross country through Oxford, Amersham and then M25, A12 to Stow Maries we got 24 mpg.

[gingerclive]

I have used mine daily since purchase 2 years ago, with no problems, a bit hairy in snow & ice though... VERY embarrassing when I got stuck on a speed bump...wheels spinning & going nowhere!!

[leorest]

Same here. Used for four years round the calendar as my only mode of transport. No problems at all. Even going to work when Wisley lake flooded the A3. Demisting was my biggest bug bear and best if you keep it in a garage at night to give it the best chance to dry out. Some of the classic policies will allow you to commute but not all!

[rev-erend]

Yes - it can but I would buy the best you can afford..

Look at a few before deciding.

Lucky there seem to be a few nice ones just come up for sale

[Comadis]

yes...besides winter use..as long as you do not want to ruin your chassis.

i would also recommend a 280 for daily use (rare with power steeering), but dont expect a "sporty" engine...its more a cruiser-type.

[M3John]

Andy, do it mate you know you want to !