I love my Dolly to bits but am thinking the larger 2000/2500 might suite my needs better,(boot with young child!!! make out of this what you like!!! and the need to tow things, on a car trailer) convince me otherwise or give me advice on the larger car.<br>
Do I give the 1500 to the wife and buy one of the above or plant the Sprint running gear into the 1500 over a weekend, and will this tow a trailer and VW Camper easily?<br>
Cheer's the other Al!
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Triumph 2000/2500
Re: Triumph 2000/2500
Hi Al,<br>
<br>
(Sorry Silvery)<br>
<br>
DON'T go for a 2000 unless you really need a lot of space and get an estate. The boot on the saloon is bigger than a dolly's but not enough to redeem it IMHO. Fuel consumption: mid 20s if you are lucky. Interior comfort: No different to a dolly (except the heater that in my experience rarely does) Handling: if really well sorted it can get up to that of a drunken thunderbirds toy, most are worse. Rust: much greater potential than a dolly and harder to fix.<br>
<br>
I'd have a 2000 but only when I've won the lottery and can get a 100% sorted 2.5PI estate. A friend nearby has a very sorted 2000 with a rover v8 in it. My god it can accelerate, handling is just horrible. Another friend has a 2000 auto. If I had to go far in it I might just be seasick. I can't verify this but I'm told Chris Witor runs his 2000 with springs almost 10 times the rating of standard.<br>
<br>
As for towing, my sprint does an excellent job. The Triumph Sprint workshop manual says it can tow greater than it's own weight, 'with extra care' up to 2750 kg train weight. I wouldn't want to go far with that or go down any hills! It even gives a restart gradient of 1 in 10 with that load.<br>
<br>
I have no doubt at all that a sprint would pull your camper on a good trailer. It's a big old beast tho so I make no promises that it'll be legal or safe. If you are going far my advice would be give the missus the 1500, get a sprint for yourself and hire a transit for move day.<br>
<br>
Tinweevil
<p>1978 <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/704">Dolomite Sprint</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
1972 <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/754">Spitfire IV</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
1968 <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/705">GT6 II</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
1973 <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/755">Dolomite Sprint</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
39 anorak points on the Nicholas scale<br>
</p><i></i>
<br>
(Sorry Silvery)<br>
<br>
DON'T go for a 2000 unless you really need a lot of space and get an estate. The boot on the saloon is bigger than a dolly's but not enough to redeem it IMHO. Fuel consumption: mid 20s if you are lucky. Interior comfort: No different to a dolly (except the heater that in my experience rarely does) Handling: if really well sorted it can get up to that of a drunken thunderbirds toy, most are worse. Rust: much greater potential than a dolly and harder to fix.<br>
<br>
I'd have a 2000 but only when I've won the lottery and can get a 100% sorted 2.5PI estate. A friend nearby has a very sorted 2000 with a rover v8 in it. My god it can accelerate, handling is just horrible. Another friend has a 2000 auto. If I had to go far in it I might just be seasick. I can't verify this but I'm told Chris Witor runs his 2000 with springs almost 10 times the rating of standard.<br>
<br>
As for towing, my sprint does an excellent job. The Triumph Sprint workshop manual says it can tow greater than it's own weight, 'with extra care' up to 2750 kg train weight. I wouldn't want to go far with that or go down any hills! It even gives a restart gradient of 1 in 10 with that load.<br>
<br>
I have no doubt at all that a sprint would pull your camper on a good trailer. It's a big old beast tho so I make no promises that it'll be legal or safe. If you are going far my advice would be give the missus the 1500, get a sprint for yourself and hire a transit for move day.<br>
<br>
Tinweevil
<p>1978 <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/704">Dolomite Sprint</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
1972 <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/754">Spitfire IV</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
1968 <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/705">GT6 II</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
1973 <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.triumphowners.com/755">Dolomite Sprint</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
39 anorak points on the Nicholas scale<br>
</p><i></i>
No Apology Needed
The 2000 is a fat, slow, thirsty Dolomite. It's cursed with the same crappy OHV engine with 2 more pots thrown on, giving a whopping 84hp in over a ton of car.<br>
<br>
Nimble could never be applied to it, although one of the plus points is the rear suspension seems to do a better job, it feels far more stuck to the road thanks to half decent arm location and IRS. However the front end has to be treated with care - No matter how hard or gentle you are, how much lock you apply, the front will only waft serenely whilst scrubbing off any attempt at speed you'd managed to that point. It drinks petrol like I drink cheap German plonk, and the effects are similar - Neither of us move very much after hefty consumption.<br>
<br>
There is one, yes, one specialist who seems worth bothering with for these cars, and that's Chris Witor. Others carry some parts for them, but he seems to be the most comprehensive and knowledgeable. Plus his prices are actually very good, as it the quality of his stock. But that does limit you if you need something in a hurry as shopping around isn't much of an option.<br>
<br>
My car's got uprated rear springs and slightly harder fronts, and is fairly comfortable without being too much of a barge in a gale, but the engine doesn't feel refined enough to actually make the car nice to drive. It would help if it didn't seem to be knackered, but of course being a 30 year old lump of nearly 50 year old (and poor when it was made IMO) design it's always going to be quite sick without much money spent on a full recon.<br>
<br>
I'm currently fighting with my heater as the hottest point on the controls is about 1/4 of the way from cold. Not that it heats up very quickly anyway, being a massive lump of cast with a radiator that would cool the towering inferno on a summers day. Having a fixed fan (like the 1500) running off the crank doesn't help, although some cars have a viscous one which would be much better... Till it fails anyway.<br>
<br>
Interior space doesn't seem a lot greater than in a Dolomite, although you do have fatter arse capable seats. The dash is very similar, the switchgear identical. Boot space to me doesn't seem much bigger than a Dolly either - The tank lives behind the rear seats, so you lose that little extra there and only gain a little in depth.<br>
<br>
The brakes are reasonable compared to a Dolomite, but you still need a sixth, seventh and maybe even eighth sense so you can press them before whatever you're trying to avoid has actually happened if you want to prevent those heart stopping "will it stop, won't it" moments.<br>
<br>
What you end up with is a car that on the outside is huge, on the inside is cozy (if you wrap up warm due to the heater), and isn't actually all that quick considering the huge bonnet covering the equally huge but useless engine. It's only about half a second quicker 0-60 than a Dolly 1500 too, yet drinks a lot more petrol.<br>
<br>
Overall if you get a good one be prepared for not a lot of go, quite a lot of petrol, but actually a reasonably pleasant wafting down the road sensation. In theory it'll be comfortable and fairly refined (not fast, not raucous, but pleasing if you like to cruise effortlessly), in practice you'll be lucky to find one that good, or you'll be getting your chequebook out frequently in a vain attempt to sort the one you end up with out to that level.<br>
<br>
One last word - If anyone has a decent Minor or ADO16 with long MOT that they'd swap for my wonderful 6 pot don't let the above description put you off <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->
<p></p><i></i>
<br>
Nimble could never be applied to it, although one of the plus points is the rear suspension seems to do a better job, it feels far more stuck to the road thanks to half decent arm location and IRS. However the front end has to be treated with care - No matter how hard or gentle you are, how much lock you apply, the front will only waft serenely whilst scrubbing off any attempt at speed you'd managed to that point. It drinks petrol like I drink cheap German plonk, and the effects are similar - Neither of us move very much after hefty consumption.<br>
<br>
There is one, yes, one specialist who seems worth bothering with for these cars, and that's Chris Witor. Others carry some parts for them, but he seems to be the most comprehensive and knowledgeable. Plus his prices are actually very good, as it the quality of his stock. But that does limit you if you need something in a hurry as shopping around isn't much of an option.<br>
<br>
My car's got uprated rear springs and slightly harder fronts, and is fairly comfortable without being too much of a barge in a gale, but the engine doesn't feel refined enough to actually make the car nice to drive. It would help if it didn't seem to be knackered, but of course being a 30 year old lump of nearly 50 year old (and poor when it was made IMO) design it's always going to be quite sick without much money spent on a full recon.<br>
<br>
I'm currently fighting with my heater as the hottest point on the controls is about 1/4 of the way from cold. Not that it heats up very quickly anyway, being a massive lump of cast with a radiator that would cool the towering inferno on a summers day. Having a fixed fan (like the 1500) running off the crank doesn't help, although some cars have a viscous one which would be much better... Till it fails anyway.<br>
<br>
Interior space doesn't seem a lot greater than in a Dolomite, although you do have fatter arse capable seats. The dash is very similar, the switchgear identical. Boot space to me doesn't seem much bigger than a Dolly either - The tank lives behind the rear seats, so you lose that little extra there and only gain a little in depth.<br>
<br>
The brakes are reasonable compared to a Dolomite, but you still need a sixth, seventh and maybe even eighth sense so you can press them before whatever you're trying to avoid has actually happened if you want to prevent those heart stopping "will it stop, won't it" moments.<br>
<br>
What you end up with is a car that on the outside is huge, on the inside is cozy (if you wrap up warm due to the heater), and isn't actually all that quick considering the huge bonnet covering the equally huge but useless engine. It's only about half a second quicker 0-60 than a Dolly 1500 too, yet drinks a lot more petrol.<br>
<br>
Overall if you get a good one be prepared for not a lot of go, quite a lot of petrol, but actually a reasonably pleasant wafting down the road sensation. In theory it'll be comfortable and fairly refined (not fast, not raucous, but pleasing if you like to cruise effortlessly), in practice you'll be lucky to find one that good, or you'll be getting your chequebook out frequently in a vain attempt to sort the one you end up with out to that level.<br>
<br>
One last word - If anyone has a decent Minor or ADO16 with long MOT that they'd swap for my wonderful 6 pot don't let the above description put you off <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->
<p></p><i></i>
^
My thinking was the six cylinder would prove better for towing as I have a 2.0 Ascona which may surfice in the interim. I am facing a house move as far as Scotland with work, and with a Manta and Camper to move, was thinking a four cylinder might be a little overstressed with the journey north. <br>
I do have the chance of a Sprint at reasonable money, but this would be purely a donor vehicle and common sense says stick with the Ascona it works, as does the 1500! and do I really have the time to spend swaping the bits!? Second biggest dilema since the second marriage!!!<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->
<p></p><i></i>
I do have the chance of a Sprint at reasonable money, but this would be purely a donor vehicle and common sense says stick with the Ascona it works, as does the 1500! and do I really have the time to spend swaping the bits!? Second biggest dilema since the second marriage!!!<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->
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Carsreunited
- Posts: 1673
- Joined: Sun Aug 17, 2003 6:45 pm
If..........
you get desperate, I have the Nissan Patrol and use of a trailer. The petrol would be a few quid but me and the family could make a trip of it. Never been to Scotland. <br>
<br>
Scott
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<br>
Scott
<p></p><i></i>
Re: If..........
That would be great, thanks Scott. No 2500 needed! As soon as I know what the score is I'll email you begging! I suppose having the camper on the back you will have somewhere to stop too!!!<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END-->
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Jon Tilson
- Posts: 1311
- Joined: Sat Mar 08, 2003 8:28 pm
I agree
with Gary for once...<br>
Nice car though the Innsbruck is, it has no practical advantage over a dolomite at all.<br>
The later cars (post N reg) are made of awful steel and unless ziebarted and kept in heated garages have a propensity to disappear before your very eyes.<br>
A historic 2.5PI estate would be the only one to tempt me out of a dolly...<br>
Get an 1850 with a TR7 lump for the best compromise in the entire range...<br>
Sprints are good though...<br>
Jonners
<p></p><i></i>
Nice car though the Innsbruck is, it has no practical advantage over a dolomite at all.<br>
The later cars (post N reg) are made of awful steel and unless ziebarted and kept in heated garages have a propensity to disappear before your very eyes.<br>
A historic 2.5PI estate would be the only one to tempt me out of a dolly...<br>
Get an 1850 with a TR7 lump for the best compromise in the entire range...<br>
Sprints are good though...<br>
Jonners
<p></p><i></i>
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