Classic car reccomendation for the wife.

[Leeds Sprint]

Hello All<br>
<br>
Here's a bit of an odd one for you all. <br>
<br>
In a moment of clarity, my wife acknowleged that our Dolomite is better value than our P reg VW Golf, and that it is far more fun to drive around in. She said, and I Quote "maybe when the Golf dies we should get me a classic to drive".<br>
<br>
That would make us a two classic car household, with no modern car. Reliability is the key here. My wife is a nurse and does lots of city driving all over Leeds and Bradford. She wants to be able to hop in and out of a car making lots of short trips. She can't really afford to worry about the car not coping with these driving conditions.<br>
<br>
Does anyone have any reccomendations? Here are the criteria:<br>
<br>
1) the second car should complement the Dolomite in practicality sense, so It doesn't need to be very big. It is replacing a Golf, so we would miss that hatchback I reckon. <br>
<br>
2) it must be cheap enough to buy, such that I could afford to buy one that was in very good working order for under £1,500. It needs to be as reliable as my wife's Golf, or else it will be deemed to be my fault.<br>
<br>
3) It should be easy to drive in the city. Big extra points for ease of parking, Power steering could be a helpful addition here. She really struggled parking my spitfire. Automatic gearbox may be worth considering too.<br>
<br>
4) It needs to be driven 12 months out of the year. So good heat, defrost, demist, wipers and a comfy cosy interior are important. Surefooted steering and brakes are handy here too.<br>
<br>
Although I have a growing familiarity with British Classics, I am from the States, so I'm still learning the ropes on classic car choices over here. <br>
<br>
All reccomendations welcome.<br>
<br>
Many THanks<br>
<br>
Chris<br>
<br>


<p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p206.ezboard.com/bthetriumphdolo ... ckinson</A> at: 7/9/06 8:07 am<br></i>

[dollysteve]

And people will mock but dare I say it, an Austin Maxi would suit the purpose. I remember when I was a kid our old neighbour had one, it was always reliable, had a 5 speed gearbox, the hatchback you desire and was really rather comfy, for £1500 you`ll get the best around I would have thought, not the prettiest of cars i`ll agree but moedrn and boring it isn`t.

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[alun n]

I have a fairly tidy 1500HL coming up soon at about £450...<br>
<br>
...but its sandglow...

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[Chris Field]

Gets my vote, very practical and plenty of space - but I would make sure it's the 1750.

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[Leeds Sprint]

One of these you mean?<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/classic_ ... riving.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>
<br>
Certainly has the hatchback. I have heard of them, but don't know too much. Are they front wheel drive? Bit funny looking, but that's not really a problem. <br>
<br>
How about a princess. Are they any good?<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://storm.tocmp.com/austin/princess/1975/01s.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>
<br>
How practical is a Princess? Are they a hatchback. The 1800 HL title underneath: is that an indication that it might have simmilar mechanicals to my 1850HL Dolomite?<br>
<br>
Thanks for the suggestions so far. <br>
<br>
Chris

<p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p206.ezboard.com/bthetriumphdolo ... ckinson</A> at: 7/9/06 9:18 am<br></i>

[Sprint36]

I bought a Sandglow 1850HL for a lot less than your budget and it has been great. Easier to drive at town speeds than the Sprint and the steering is a lot lighter too. I only got it so I could do some work on the sprint but Debra has taken a shine to it and it seems to have taken root. It's a nice colour at night!<br>
<br>
Think of the ease of maintaining two similar cars as opposed to having two different sets of spares.<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br>
<br>
David

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[Carsreunited]

We had a few Maxi's as a kid and they weren't particularly reliable. Princess's are a bit of a barge really and IMO ugly.<br>
<br>
1500TC Auto, Dolomite 1500HL or even a 1300 (no auto though AFAIA) would do the job brilliantly. With the lighter engine and slightly bigger steering wheel, you won't need power steering.<br>
<br>
I'd buy a very good one for circa £800 and keep the rest of the money for a rainy day.<br>
<br>
She's obviously got great sense as well!<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>


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[Leeds Sprint]

Despite the practicality of have two very simmilar cars to maintain, I think there might be a bigger argument for having some variety. So, without sounding unenthusiastic at the thought of a fleet of dolys parked outside my house, I will probably end up going for somthing else.<br>
<br>
A smaller engine, bigger steering wheel point is a very valid point. I'll file that away.<br>
<br>
What about a Viva.<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.ajovalo.net/Esitteet/E75Viva.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>
<br>
My wife saw one on the way home from work. She says she likes the way it looks. Are they any good?<br>
<br>
Chris<br>


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[Sprint36]

Or an Avenger?<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/e ... venger.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>
<br>
David

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[Carsreunited]

How about:<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-2002-auto_W0Q ... <!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--><br>
<br>
Don't know anything about Viva's I'm afraid.<br>
<br>
<br>


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[Jon Tilson]

There will be those who will disagree but quite honestly avengers and vivas were crap when they were new and they dont get any better with age.<br>
Mk1 and 2 escorts are just about ownable but the RS factor means inflated prices.<br>
<br>
The Maxi is just about the only bl fwd car worth owning but they are NOT reliable. Expect gearbox woes, oil leaks and general rust. I certainly wouldnt inflict one on a wife who needed reliability<br>
<br>
The Princess is virtually extinct but a decent car, too big for women to use in town and bad rear parking visibility.<br>
The SD1 is much nicer but too big.<br>
<br>
If you can live with 2 seats why not consider an MGB GT? These are dead reliable and have just about the best parts and supplier backup of any classic so easy to look after. Rust is the usual enemy so examine carefully. <br>
Useful hatchback, decent image, nippy enough and nice to drive except for bad ride quality on bumpy roads.<br>
<br>
Then there is the opel manta or cavalier equivalent and the Mk2 Gold GTi...<br>
<br>
Another dolly is better than all of them though.<br>
<br>
Jonners<br>


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[Leeds Sprint]

Jonners<br>
<br>
whats a Mk2 Gold Gti.<br>
<br>
Thanks for the heads up on the Maxi.<br>
<br>
My wife now tells me that she likes Ford Capris. I had no Idea, she would ever consider such a car!<br>
<br>
I really like the way the Manta A looks. I have no idea about practicality or reliability.<br>
<br>
Check out this rediculous picture. Its from a German Manta website.<br>
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<!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://totalcar.index.hu/images/hteszt/ ... nta_47.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>
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<!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://totalcar.hu/tesztek/manta/" target="top">totalcar.hu/tesztek/manta/</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
<br>
Wife, doesn't look like that.<br>
<br>
How about a Datsun<br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://i4.ebayimg.com/02/i/08/3d/ce/45_12.JPG" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>
<br>
<!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1979-DATSUN-FII-1 ... dZViewItem" target="top">cgi.ebay.co.uk/1979-DATSUN-FII-120A-GOLD-38000-MILES-99-FACTORY-PAINT_W0QQitemZ200024055765QQihZ010QQcategoryZ122147QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--><br>
<br>
Keep the suggestions coming. This is good.<br>
<br>
Chris<br>


<p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p206.ezboard.com/bthetriumphdolo ... ckinson</A> at: 7/9/06 10:32 am<br></i>

[dollysteve]

Princess is a nice car IMO but the boot is a problem being a saloon with not a huge opening, the Ambassador is a Hatchback and is essentially the same car, looks the same, same engines as the later princesses, get an auto though as the manual is crap. If you can find one they did a 2.2 6 cyl version in vanden plas trim, very nice.

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[ecurie]

Why not go for a Daf 55. The coupe version is even good looking.<br>
<br>
- styling by Michelotti (just like the Dolomite)<br>
- 4 cylinder Renault engine (reliable & cheap to run) <br>
- excellent build quality<br>
- very good support from owners club<br>
- rare enough to turn heads but no so exclusive it might get nicked<br>
<br>
<br>
Benoit

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[mbellinger]

...say it as it is mate.<br>
<br>
I have a bit of a soft spot for Viva's. They are very spacious inside for their size and have a really good boot. The 1256 engine is absolutely unburstable and will give 35-40 mpg almost no matter how you drive it. Then there is the 70's styling and the fact that they are cheap. The steering is nice and light but there was never an auto option except with the bigger slant four 1800 engine and though they go very well , you are looking at 25 mpg on a good day. The fact that the wife likes it gives it a flying start too. Never underestimate that Chris.<br>
<br>
Maxi's are utter crap and have no redeeming qualities whatsoever. Buy one at your peril. And Jonners is right - they are not even reliable.<br>
<br>
The MGB GT is the most overrated car in the world anywhere ever. Full stop. They are utterly horrific to drive IN EVERY ASPECT. Asthmatic (and unreliable) engine, appalling suspension, lousy roadholding, poorly made, small, cramped, uncomfortable. very heavy steering, I could go on and on. BUT, they do look nice, they do as Jon rightly says have the best parts and panels back up of any classic, and they do have the semi-practical hatchback. You can make them handle and ride better if you throw money at them but you would not get a half decent one and have the money to do so within your £1500 budget.<br>
<br>
Avengers are interesting. You see hardly any now - that alone makes them an interesting choice, and again they have very good well proven unburstable mechanicals. They also handle well, and in particular ride very comfortably. Rootes always did nice interiors too. Well worth considering I would say.<br>
<br>
BMW 2002's are marvellous cars but you will not get even a half decent one for £1500. And beware a rotten one as you will find they are a money pit that can swallow serious cash.<br>
<br>
There are the obvious Escort/Cortina choices - good mechanicals, unrivalled mechanical spares availability and strong owners clubs, but as Jon says, the RS factor pushes up prices. May be worth trying to find a clean Mk 1 Escort estate though - always an attractive car and very practical and easy to drive, with good economy.<br>
<br>
Your cash limit really confines you to 70's stuff (assuming you want to buy a good example of whatever it ends up being). Of earlier stuff (60's) I would recommend the Hillman Minx/Singer Gazelle range - nice comfortable cars that are cheap to run and have some style.<br>
<br>
Like the others though I keep coming back to "our" cars. A couple of months ago I bought a 1500TC Auto off eBay for £60 to stop it being crushed. Okay I was very lucky with the body condition, but the car has been an eye opener. It is a real joy to drive, with easy steering, great comfort, and for its era, commendable refinement. The Borg Warner 35 box changes smoothly and the car has a very perky step off which surprises others in town. Plus it does 35 mpg and the parts back up is excellent. There is no need for power steering with the big wheel and light engine. I would have it over any of the aforementioned, and the benefit to you of running two similar vehicles should not be scorned.<br>
<br>
Think about it. 1500TC's look less chest wig and platforms than the HL/Sprint cars with no vinyl roof/pillars, no black back panel and nice chrome hubcaps.<br>
<br>
Have a think, and above all look at and try a few different things if you can before rushing to a decision. I hope these meanderings help.

<p>Martin<br>
<br>
1968 Triumph 1300FWD<br>
1975 Triumph 1500TC Auto<br>
1989 Honda Civic 1300 Auto<br>
2006 Mondeo 2.0 Ghia X Auto<br>
2002 Renault Scenic<br>
<br>
</p><i></i>