The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Hi all, I will be 17 in just under a year and am looking to buy a dolomite as my first car, I will be using it for commuting to and from college every day and Mabye some longer journeys. I'm wondering what the best balance between insurance prices and performance is. I would like it to be able to keep up with modern traffic and modern equivalent first cars such as fiestas and cleos or even quicker. Also how easy would it be to fit sprint spoilers and wheels and such like to a lower powered model.

You'll be very lucky to find any classis insurance company who will take you on at 17 with more than 1500cc under the bonnet.

So look for a 1300 or 1500 car (Or a Toledo) The 1300 is quicker on the uptake and a little less fragile than the 1500, but the 1500 has more bottom end grunt (relatively) Either can be tuned to a certain extent, but neither are exactly fast by modern standards. Notwithstanding this both are comfortable at legal speeds and with a few minor improvements like electronic ignition should be reliable enough for daily use.

Go for it! but don't buy the first one you see and if possible, take someone who knows a bit about the cars when you go to view one!

Steve

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'73 2 door Toledo with Vauxhall Carlton 2.0 8v engine (The Carledo)
'78 Sprint Auto with Vauxhall Omega 2.2 16v engine (The Dolomega)
'72 Triumph 1500FWD in Slate Grey

Maverick Triumph, Servicing, Repairs, Electrical, Recomissioning, MOT prep, Trackerjack brake fitting service.
Apprentice served Triumph Specialist for 50 years. PM for more info or quotes.

Where are you based, as I may well have a suitable 1500 Dolomite for sale

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BWJ
1966 Triumph 1300 Royal Blue
1966 Triumph 2000 Blue
1965 Triumph 2000 black and rust
1967 BSA B40wd green
2018 Jaguar E pace 2018
NOBODY expects the Canley Inquisition!

I'm based in Sussex in the south of England

also, what sort of fuel consumption do people get out of their dolomites?

Depends on how you drive, and what sort of driving you do.

On a run, 30 plus, maybe up to 38 dependent on whether overdrive, speed etc.

Around town, as with any car, it'll drop.

Incidentally, I'm in Coventry

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BWJ
1966 Triumph 1300 Royal Blue
1966 Triumph 2000 Blue
1965 Triumph 2000 black and rust
1967 BSA B40wd green
2018 Jaguar E pace 2018
NOBODY expects the Canley Inquisition!

My eldest went through this. Realistically forget "performance" . Insurance rates are the killer. And ( generally ) the Insurance industry is now wise to using "modern classics" for daily commuting. There used to be a "get-out" clause where if you had insured a Classic scooter or moped from age 16 you could get preferential rates on a Classic car. But have a ring around for your particular circumstances.
My eldest started out with an old Renault 5, 1100 cc. Not a cool car ( by all accounts) ; but it was transport and built up the NCB. Maintenance was zero cost compared with the insurance.
Until he had a prang ... !
Only now has he got the Clio he wanted.
Fuel consumption : My 1980 Sprint got 24mpg. My current 1850 will do an easy 30mpg as a daily driver.
You should get more from a 1500 / 1300 Dolomite.