The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Argh... I've confused my self!

Other cars are so easy to decide on, but unlike the Moggy and the like, the 1.3 engine Triumphs all differ from each other so much.

1300fwd: Highest spec car, lovely interior, short boot, tax free, fwd=cheaper insurance...

Toledo: Lower spec interior, easier to find and cheaper to buy, rwd=bragging point in the college car-park but more insurance, some are tax free...

Dolomite: Large boot, good looking, but rwd and none are tax free...

So far I've decided to write the Dolly off my list, I'd prefer to experiance a 1500 or 1850 sometime in the future rather than a 1300 now.

So its a battle between the rarer, luxurious 1300 and the more common, cheaper but more basic Toledo. I'm guessing the Tollys engine is a bit less stressed due to the lower weight though, and it is the fastest (if one can say topping out at 80mph and getting to 60 in 17.5 secs is fast )

Tollys are great! Plus you can fit fwd seats in a Tolly and it makes a huge difference to the level of comfort.

I wouldn't try to pick one. Best thing to do is just have the cash in your pocket, and buy the best example of any of the models you can find!

Don't fret too much about the model. As Howard alluded, the one without rust is the one to get.

Yeah, just keep your eyes open and a solid one will come up

Good plan, I'll keep an eye open, especialy localy.

I was telling dad of the many merits and features of the 1300fwd the other day, he said that will no doubt seem very good compared to the NIssan Micra I will buy... Perhaps I should descrbe the Toledo to him next...

and buy the best example of any of the models you can find!

Cerainly my plan, although I've ruled out really mint cars. It'll depress me if I buy a really nice car and watch it deteriorate during my ownership, so just going to be on the look out for "characterful" solid cars with nice engines.

C'mon, just go out there and get one. Stop messin' about

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Triumph-1300-FWD- ... 286.c0.m14

You know you want to...

captain_70s wrote:Cerainly my plan, although I've ruled out really mint cars. It'll depress me if I buy a really nice car and watch it deteriorate during my ownership, so just going to be on the look out for "characterful" solid cars with nice engines.

Why not? I restored and drove a 1966 Beetle daily in all weathers for 8 years, and during that time I won 3 "Best Early Beetle" trophies and even a 'Best of Show'! I've had it for 11 years, and it's still immaculate.

Sure the car will deteriorate slightly, but that's nothing a bit of TLC can't look after!!! Regular washing and polishing also helps - waxoyl the daylights out of the car, and regular washing of the underbody helps!!!

If you look after the car, it will last and last...

I'm going to get it sorted again this year, the door bottoms are bubbling slightly and the wheels need repainting along with a new set of tyres. But 11 years and 25,000 miles after it's original restoration, that isn't bad going at all...

Buy the car with the best body you can afford. Mechanics are easy and relatively cheap, bodywork is not... Waxoyl is also cheap...

Seems like a damn decent fwd.

DavePoth wrote:http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Triumph-1300-FWD- ... 286.c0.m14

You know you want to...

Aaaargh, don't tempt me.

I'm due a £450 payment from the college funding department within a few days giving me £700 in my account... but I really need it for taxi fares to college and back, and if I've some spare change more driving lessons, and the test.

Life is so un-fair to me! I never have the cash when I need it, this time last year I had a spare £800 that I spent on random rubbish!

captain_70s wrote: Aaaargh, don't tempt me.

I'm due a £450 payment from the college funding department within a few days giving me £700 in my account... but I really need it for taxi fares to college and back, and if I've some spare change more driving lessons, and the test.

If you book your driving instructor for a lesson to pick you up at college and drop you off at home it solves both problems.

DavePoth wrote: If you book your driving instructor for a lesson to pick you up at college and drop you off at home it solves both problems.

I had actually thought of that, I knew a girl who took her lessons that way last year.

But she lived 15 miles away from college... I live more around 70 miles away! Besides I only use the taxi in the morning as there isn't bus service around here at 6:00am that'll get me to a bus in a nearby town (Newton Stewart) that actually takes me to college!
Don't think an instructor would like teaching me at 6:30am though!

Does look like it could be a good one but there's always that "if it's that good why not MOT it?" question and it's a long way to go for a pup!

captain_70s wrote:

DavePoth wrote: If you book your driving instructor for a lesson to pick you up at college and drop you off at home it solves both problems.

I had actually thought of that, I knew a girl who took her lessons that way last year.

But she lived 15 miles away from college... I live more around 70 miles away! Besides I only use the taxi in the morning as there isn't bus service around here at 6:00am that'll get me to a bus in a nearby town (Newton Stewart) that actually takes me to college!
Don't think an instructor would like teaching me at 6:30am though!

It's always worth checking, my isntructor did keep funny hours.