Why should I buy a Dolomite?

[straylight]

images courtesy of wikipedia.

compared to a dolomite ?

each to their own I guess, but the soft wavy lines of the zodiac and zephyr seem to me to be the mark of a designer that wasn't sure what he/she was aiming for. Half american big car, half brit understated class. The functional lines of the dolomite with the boot line heritage from the TR range look a lot better imo.

the fact the dolomite will handle better and has an awesome 0-60 time kinda sways me as well.

Hard to compare the two cars though, slightly different eras. Dolly prices are still way down, you get a lot of car for very few quid with a dolomite.

stu

[jeroensprint]

Zephyr is in dutch soapy.

[2F45T4U]

the soft wavy lines of the zodiac and zephyr seem to me to be the mark of a designer that wasn't sure what he/she was aiming for. Half american big car, half brit understated class.

Yes! You're right!

[Oli_88]

If you want the Fix Or Repair Daily, then go for it.
I've got a bit of a soft spot for the blue oval myself actually, Diamond white 3.0s Capri please...
Anyway, drive as many of each as you can, but you can't compare the dolly and the zephyr.
Can't really compare the zephyr to anything Triumph made really.
Or... why not get one of each. >.>

[jeroensprint]

I thought this forum was only about real cars.

[hutch76]

If it has to be a Zodiac/Zephyr/Consul go for the MK2. IMO they are far nicer than the MK3.

My advice would be to test drive everything on your list. Loving the look of something is fine, but could you live with it if it was truly awful to drive?

I absolutely loved the look of my Gran Torino, but driving it was a completely different matter!

Lastly, by and large, DO NOT buy anything that's lived its life up here (Scotland in general). They will generally be rotten, and there's a real reluctance for people to spend money to have jobs done right.

By and large head way down South to buy.

Calum

[xvivalve]

Lastly, by and large, DO NOT buy anything that's lived its life up here (Scotland in general). They will generally be rotten, and there's a real reluctance for people to spend money to have jobs done right.

Present company excluded eh Calum?

The zeph is more comparable to the early Triumph 2000/2500 ranges than it is to a Dolomite

[Jon Tilson]

A usueable mk3 ford zephyr or Zodiac will cost a lot more than anything bar a Sprint in comparable condition.
It will then do at least 5 or 6 mpg less, be slower on any journey bar a traffic jam than perhaps a 1300, be off the road more for repairs and servicing and cost a lot more to fix on most things and be a lot harder to get parts for.

They look nice and are great examples of the period...but they really are a generation removed from a dolomite.
i cant think of a single automotive job they do better other than carry 1 more person unsafely on the bench front seat and slightly more luggage.

Jonners

[Dollina]

Its not sounded good for the Ford then?!

I've been asking around on a lot of forums etc and the consensus does seem to be that parts IS a major issue.

I'm heading down to Selkirk this weekend and will be talking to some members of the Pre 69 Ford owners club. I'll have to bite the bullet and try get some realism out of these guys.

Still can't see myself driving a Dolomite though

Any opinions on Tr6 s or vitesses then? Come on guys humour me!

In desperation and feeling very dispondent

Dollina

[DavePoth]

Go and take a drive in one, and remember, when you are driving a car you don't have to look at it.

[sprint1976]

cant understand why you cant see your self driving a dolly out of all the classic cars we have owned and own i can honestley say the dollys are very easy to drive ,there just the right size ,easy gear change, good visibility, i drove our sprint 120 miles to tdcir on sun and enjoyed every minute,never driven a zodiac or a zepher but i have driven a consul and an early anglia which i liked but certainly not as easy as a dolly to drive ,tr6's had two in the past and they are good to drive ,had a truimph 2.5pi that was good and a triumph 2000 but i still prefer dolly's ,you definatley need to test drive a few cars to find the one you are most comfortable with jannette

[Jon Tilson]

In terms of salloons of the classic period what is actually nicer to drive than a good sprint or even an 1850? Take a look at what was on offer that was better in 73 when the Sprint came out

Ther arent many. I'm biased cos I own some of these too...but for me its the Rover P6 3500S...just has it for ride quality
and noise but is more cumbersome on twidly bits and actually not as roomy!...The Triumph Innsbruck 2.5PI is a close contender...better ride but a bigger car so not quite so wieldy...Triumph Stag...yes this is nicer but a lot more money for a decent one...Series 1 XJ6...well yes but 18 to the gallon dont forget...Daimler Sovereign,,,see XJ6.

Fords...mk 1 Consul/Granada...yep its good but I'd still prefer a Sprint. The interior just doesnt have the same class.
Everything esle Ford made at the time was a dog in comparison to the above list...RS2000 excepted but you cant afford one.

Vauxhall....no cant think of anything they made that was any good...FE VX4/90 or ventora possible the best of a so so bunch, magnums are horrible.

Rootes...humber sceptre...more a mk2 1600E answer than a dolomite beater, which it certainly wasnt...Rapier H120 is most interesting.

Foreigners...hmmm none left but Alfas 2000 Berlina would be worth a look if you could find one. Possibly a BMW E3 2500 or very early 520...cant remember the E number, citroen CX/GS are nice but cardboard and flimsy, Merc new generation W118 or W123 nice but now rare and who wants a german taxi...Volvo 140 series...possible but very basic inside...pug 504 but again when did you last see one...???

So there you have it...its a dolomite or a Mk1 Grannie for you then...

We keep saying this but it wasnt really until the BM E30 came out in 325i form that the Sprint had a real competitor...
about 4 years after they stopped making it!

Jonners

[Purplebargeken]

Friend of mine had a Mk2 Consul in his yard a while back. I saw it and kind of fell in love with it. We got it running and attended to the underside to clean and protect it. Nice car, big and great looking IMHO, but deffo of a different era. Mecahnical bits, not too bad to get certain service bits, but things like windscreen seals.... a nightmare. Rust will be the biggest issue. A lot of them have been bodged and butchered.

As said previously, find the best example you can, cos doing one up could be a problem re: panels, trim, etc, it's hard to get hold of, and it's pricey.

This fella wanted £1500 for his, and it would need: sills welding on (pop rivetted currently), a new rear valance, respray, front seat retrim, new windscreen seals, rechroming of the bumpers, although taxi ones fit. New exhaust making. Shocks.

He bought it for a few hundred quid, my mate charged £600 just to get it running and stopping, scraping the underneath, red oxiding and waxoyling. That's without anything else. Easily add £1500 for paint, £200 for an exhaust, ?? for chroming, about £60 for each windscreen seal, windscreen wiper box (if you could get one), retrim ??, general fettle ?? MOT. So you'd be looking at at least £4 - £4500 just to get this one up to scratch perhaps. More if you pay someone to do it.

A hell of a lot of money. Buy a good Sprint for a couple of grand and just enjoy or an 1850 for half that and enjoy just the same. Asa with anything, try what you like the look of, if a Dolly isn't for you then that's ok. Vitesse..... nice, check that chassis though

Good luck

[shauniedawn]

You can't have too many cars

My wife and I have 9 between us (just got rid of one) Most of them aren't on the road - but I enjoy messing/working on them - but that wouldn't be other folks cup of tea.

His and hers is the ony way forward

Series 1 E-Types, MK2 Jags and and TR7s float my boat. And I can't see me waiting much longer before I end up with a Bond Bug (anyone got one??).

It's your money - they're your emotions - Just buy what you like. Forget what everyone else says.

Shaun

[Dollina]

Well having two MAY be an option but a wee bit OTT!! We already have modern car and I have access to Another so to suddenly have three cars would be rather exhuberant!! However we did have a wee conversation regarding having two so I suppose........

As for "test driving" would I not be considered a tyre kicker? Would any of you guys let me drive your pride and joy?!? Of course it would be better to get a shot of a car before I decide but can't imagine getting many go's. Am I getting a bit fastidious about all this? Maybe my hangover kicking in<alkaseltsersmilies> Best go eat something..........