What comfy city car with character.

[Bill]

So, not the most promising start to a what car thread...

At the moment I have a supercharged V8 Rover estate and I love it. It's comfy (if a bit harsh riding on crappy roads), fast, sounds great and has bucketloads of character (for a Rover estate...). But I was sat in traffic this morning contemplating quite how pointless a large estate car is if you've had to buy SWMBO something even larger to fit the kids in.

Combine that with the fact it does low teens MPG around town and that flicking through the computer options I found that I'm averaging 18mph at the moment.

So I started thinking about automotive itches I've yet to scratch that would be better suited to my commute on the rough streets of Bristol.

Merc SEC - It's a pillarless coupe, it's comfy, it's cool IMO.
Classic Range Rover - I mean the 2 door 70's V8
Mini - the proper one. At 6'2" I might look daft in it, and I'll struggle to get the kids in it, but it's a Mini.
Panda - Cheap, functional transport. What more could a man want? Apart from somewhere to put his right shoulder as the B-pillar is in the way
Keep the Rover - How could I replace the performance for the budget?? Not that I need or even use the performance at the moment, but I'm loathe to sell it.

Or something else...

Only criteria are the need for character, and unfortunately rear seats for the occasional use by rugrats. Budget is £5k max, preferably £3k.

[chunky la 300bhp]

it was a close toss up for me between the merc and the rr

[balls-out]

2cv
Citroen DS

[Bill]

Bill said:

Or something else...

Who's ticked "Something else" but not posted a suggestion?

[Bill]

balls-out said:

2cv

I have to admit I'd thought of that but discounted it as I've had one before, and I'm not sure I'd want to run one through the winter.

[hairyben]

Merc SEC is supercool. Needs to be black though. Then you can play yakuza.

Original 2 door RR- decent examples must be rare by now, poss one that'll appreciate?

[neil_bolton]

Erm.

MX5

Edited to add: Just saw the rear seats bit.

Er, in that case, an MX5 and bikes for the kids

ETA Mk2: How about you get the MX5 whenever you need it, and I have the MG on those occasions. Bit like car sharing

Edited by neil_bolton on Friday 21st May 15:31

[Chuffer]

Rather than the SEC, what about a CE? It's not as cool but it's probably comfy and it's still pillarless.

300CE 105k miles, £2750.00




link

[Bill]

Chuffer said:

It's not as cool

You've said it.

Thanks for the obligatory answer Neil, I've pretty much discounted those too tempting though it is.

[Mr Will]

Did somebody say Merc Pillarless coupe?


http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C151126/

Not as fast as an SEC, but a more appropriate size for around town and achingly beautiful...

[Bill]

Mr Will said:

achingly beautiful...

Want.

I could close my own thread now

[louismchuge]

previous W114/115 is even more beautiful...

[braddo]

louismchuge said:

previous W114/115 is even more beautiful...

Also guaranteed depreciation proof these days and the small size might make it a bit better for around town than a SEC.

Talk of a SEC reminds me of a friend who worked in television production and in his mid 20s wanted a 420SEC really badly. The car was up for £4500 but the £5000 insurance quote veered him towards more modest transport....

[Mr Will]

louismchuge said:

previous W114/115 is even more beautiful...

I actually prefer the 123, it just looks a little more delicate.

[Dick_Phallus]

An SEC will be very expensive to run, presumably you've considered this though? Either way I'd stick with the Rover.

Or go for a Panda or proper city car.

Edited by Dick_Phallus on Friday 21st May 16:32

[300bhp/ton]

Bill said:

So, not the most promising start to a what car thread...

At the moment I have a supercharged V8 Rover estate and I love it. It's comfy (if a bit harsh riding on crappy roads), fast, sounds great and has bucketloads of character (for a Rover estate...). But I was sat in traffic this morning contemplating quite how pointless a large estate car is if you've had to buy SWMBO something even larger to fit the kids in.

Combine that with the fact it does low teens MPG around town and that flicking through the computer options I found that I'm averaging 18mph at the moment.

So I started thinking about automotive itches I've yet to scratch that would be better suited to my commute on the rough streets of Bristol.

Merc SEC - It's a pillarless coupe, it's comfy, it's cool IMO.
Classic Range Rover - I mean the 2 door 70's V8
Mini - the proper one. At 6'2" I might look daft in it, and I'll struggle to get the kids in it, but it's a Mini.
Panda - Cheap, functional transport. What more could a man want? Apart from somewhere to put his right shoulder as the B-pillar is in the way
Keep the Rover - How could I replace the performance for the budget?? Not that I need or even use the performance at the moment, but I'm loathe to sell it.

Or something else...

Only criteria are the need for character, and unfortunately rear seats for the occasional use by rugrats. Budget is £5k max, preferably £3k.

If it's comfort and character it sounds like a Jag might be in order. £3-5k gives you quite a broad range and maybe a SIII although prices have gone up on them.

I do like the idea of a SEC though

BTW - if you like the 3 door Rangie they made them until 1984 as a full time production model, but also slightly later on as the CSK limited edition. These are quite collectible these days.

http://www.rangerovercsk.com/

[900T-R]

Right, you want to swap cars because you want something smaller and thriftier than a V8 Rover Estate, and it needs to be comfy - yet you shortlist a Merc SEL which miserably fails on (a) and a Mini which falls short of requirement (b) by a rather spectacular margin, more so if you're 6'2"?

[Bill]

900T-R said:

Right, you want to swap cars because you want something smaller and thriftier than a V8 Rover Estate, and it needs to be comfy - yet you shortlist a Merc SEL which miserably fails on (a) and a Mini which falls short of requirement (b) by a rather spectacular margin, more so if you're 6'2"?

But which did you vote for?


To be fair it's more a question of which itch to scratch.

[Bill]

Dick_Phallus said:

An SEC will be very expensive to run, presumably you've considered this though?

really? How expensive? I'm not going to do many miles and I'd assumed it would only require regular servicing... I'm hoping rust isn't much of an issue.

Dick_Phallus said:

Or go for a Panda or proper city car.

I know that's the sensible option but I'm really not sure I'm ready for a shopping trolley.

300bhp/ton said:

If it's comfort and character it sounds like a Jag might be in order. £3-5k gives you quite a broad range and maybe a SIII although prices have gone up on them.

I'd want an XJC though.

300bhp/ton said:

BTW - if you like the 3 door Rangie they made them until 1984 as a full time production model, but also slightly later on as the CSK limited edition. These are quite collectible these days.

http://www.rangerovercsk.com/

I'd assumed they were a bit pricey.

[anonymous-user]

I wanted a SEC Coupe for a short while, until I realised:

Poor MPG in town, something like 20.
Specialist Mercedes servicing can be expensive.
Insurance is very expensive.

Edit: and yes rust is an issue.

Edited by joshc on Friday 21st May 17:08