Seth
South East
MorrisOxford TriumphMirald HillmanMinx BorgwardIsabellaCombi
Posts: 15,538
|
|
Aug 10, 2006 15:49:06 GMT
|
I think this thread throws up a couple of interesting comparisons.
Personally I don't really consider something '80's to be particularly old though that in no way means I don't consider them retro.
I don't think real life motoring conditions, or peoples expectations of cars have changed that much since the '80's. Sure the roads are a bit busier but in essence, back then you would have expected a car to keep you warm, dry, draught free, comfortable etc etc. and the motorway system was already all in place meaning that manufactureres could expect their cars to be thrashed at 70 and beyond for long periods of time. Drivers were already ignorant of basic servicing by then too. Cars designed and built in the '50's and 60's were built with very different conditions in mind.
I suppose the safety aspects may have improved but then there are plenty of arguments for making cars smaller and lighter (like they used to!) making hazzard avoidance more possible. It can also be said that modern cars cocoon their drivers into a false sense of security and all new safety features are immediately dispensed with once the driver becomes more reckless with their driving as they feel safer.
I'm rambling a bit now. I guess what I mean to say is that if you are an enthusiast, driving a modern car daily could really be dispensed with. Something 20 or so years old will do it just as well as quiet a few who have posted seem to testify.
|
|
Last Edit: Aug 10, 2006 15:50:26 GMT by Seth
Follow your dreams or you might as well be a vegetable.
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 10, 2006 15:57:17 GMT
|
The jettadeluxe is my daily at the moment, until I buy my A8...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 10, 2006 15:58:56 GMT
|
my mk1 fiesta Have you seen that advert for a breakdown service (can't remember which) With the young lad who's obviously just passed his test, driving off with his young lady friend in his MK1 Fiesta - with his worried parents waving him them goodbye - but safe in the knowledge that 'When (not if) the old banger breaks down' the recovery service will give good service ;D I'm thinking Little does 'Dad' know that tommorrow the ECU will stop talking to the engine in his Focus I've only seen the advert once & that was on SKY round a mates house.
|
|
Last Edit: Aug 10, 2006 16:00:04 GMT by DerbyDan
|
|
|
|
Aug 10, 2006 16:16:34 GMT
|
i use the benz when i need to get about, until the alternator went a few weeks back quickly followed by the fuel pump. with the 411 close to being done i thought id get that finished and use that, only to find it needs a new master cylinder. Got the fuel pump on the benz today, she will then see a full service and be put back in 'daily' use. The 411 will then see an mot man and hopefully i can use the pair of them depending on the length of journey/occasion.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 10, 2006 16:24:59 GMT
|
my daily driver alternates between this and this and the wifes is this
|
|
Last Edit: Aug 10, 2006 16:26:38 GMT by Deleted
|
|
|
|
Aug 10, 2006 16:39:55 GMT
|
This is my daily now... Ok not mega retro, but I used to use this in the summer... Till I sold her... One of the biggest regrets in my life...
|
|
|
|
Mark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,097
|
|
Aug 10, 2006 16:43:17 GMT
|
This is my daily: I've put 7500 miles on it in the last 6 months, and it's great fun to drive. Only times I don't use it is when the Jazz is blocking it in and I need to make a short trip, when its 30 degrees outside and I know I'll be sitting in traffic (mmmm Aircon) or if my car has no petrol!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 10, 2006 16:51:20 GMT
|
this as a daily but been lucky that i only have lived within 4 miles of wherever ive been working for 12 years so most miles on it are leisure (27k in almost 3 years) and monstro for when carting stuff about and shows and stuff
|
|
Last Edit: Aug 10, 2006 16:52:59 GMT by hairnet
2001 HONDA CT110 (NOT RCV)
|
|
|
|
Aug 10, 2006 17:22:38 GMT
|
the carlton is my and the wifes daily, covered 13000 miles last year and just sailed thru its test again, here she is looking dirty and proud ;D
|
|
"quote hairnet"
I'm not paying nine pound for a pi$$!
[/quote]
|
|
RetroMat
Posted a lot
Column Shifting!
Posts: 3,444
|
|
Aug 10, 2006 17:32:35 GMT
|
i use the micra daily, its not particularly retro yet, but it is at least 10 years older than most of the stuff in my works car park.
|
|
|
|
|
BenW
Part of things
Posts: 145
|
|
Aug 10, 2006 17:49:27 GMT
|
Bangernomics is the way forward! With that in mind I've got an eight year old Mondeo ST24 (newest car I've owned) that I picked up for just over a grand - it's quick (nice smooth V6), 100% reliable, not too shabby when I turn up at a customer site, and most importantly, a peice of puddin' to work on myself. I must also say that the a/c has worked hard lately, loving that luxury because fat blokes like me don't half sweat at the best of times ;D
However - lately it has dawned on me just how boring it is - so I reckon it's not long for this driveway.
I'd love to use the GTE daily - but I don't want to ruin it (the Mondeo gets abused) and I don't want to have the constant worry of whether or not it'll still be there when I come back to where I left it.
|
|
Last Edit: Aug 10, 2006 17:53:23 GMT by BenW
Mk1 Triumph 2000
|
|
|
|
Aug 10, 2006 19:29:24 GMT
|
I think this thread throws up a couple of interesting comparisons. Personally I don't really consider something '80's to be particularly old though that in no way means I don't consider them retro. I don't think real life motoring conditions, or peoples expectations of cars have changed that much since the '80's. Sure the roads are a bit busier but in essence, back then you would have expected a car to keep you warm, dry, draught free, comfortable etc etc. and the motorway system was already all in place meaning that manufactureres could expect their cars to be thrashed at 70 and beyond for long periods of time. Drivers were already ignorant of basic servicing by then too. Cars designed and built in the '50's and 60's were built with very different conditions in mind. I suppose the safety aspects may have improved but then there are plenty of arguments for making cars smaller and lighter (like they used to!) making hazzard avoidance more possible. It can also be said that modern cars cocoon their drivers into a false sense of security and all new safety features are immediately dispensed with once the driver becomes more reckless with their driving as they feel safer. I'm rambling a bit now. I guess what I mean to say is that if you are an enthusiast, driving a modern car daily could really be dispensed with. Something 20 or so years old will do it just as well as quiet a few who have posted seem to testify. Agreed! I recently refered to my aunt's K plate Ovlov 965 as modern, much to the amusement of dad, sis & aunt who were with me at the time! It used to be late uncle's car & my aunt keeps it as she knows it's worth sweet FA so not worth selling, it's very useful for load lugging & much more comfortable long distance than her year old Fiasco. What I find most surprising though is how well suited Amazons are to modern driving despite the basic design dating from 1956 - good performance and brakes, tough, reliable, comfortable, volcanic heater, tight turning circle, and above all the abilty of o/d equipped ones to cruise easily at 80 / 85mph. Oh, and they can tow their own weight easily I've had the use of plenty of modern cars, and most bore me - there's no feedback compared to an old car, and to even get close to its limits would involve driving far too fast. With the Amazon, I know exactly what it's up to, and it can be 'provoked' at sensible speeds but at the same time, it's stable and predictable. Sure, it leans in the corners, (especially immediately after driving the Sprite, which is a go-kart ;D) but that's part of the appeal and once beyond the initial lean, it grips well, and is surprisingly surefooted (especially in winter conditions).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 10, 2006 19:37:43 GMT
|
the carlton is my and the wifes daily, covered 13000 miles last year and just sailed thru its test again, here she is looking dirty and proud ;D and a little cameo. ;D ;D ;D
|
|
|
|
bryn
Posted a lot
Posts: 3,913
|
|
Aug 10, 2006 19:38:13 GMT
|
I alternate between my '87 M5 engined E28 and a Pinto'd 1983 Mk2 Transit LWB. I average 30K+ per year.
I've done this for six years now, and never been let done by any of my vehicles through there own fault (one broke through sheer stupidity/abuse).
I realise that some people need a modern car for peace of mind, but to me that's a flawed perception. Any vehicular requirement can be fulfilled by a sub £1000 motor. If that's what you call a retro daily, I'm in.
|
|
Volvo, Buggy, Discovery and an old tractor.
|
|
|
|
Aug 10, 2006 19:45:19 GMT
|
The daily driver at the moment is my Peugeot 104 GL, with all of 954cc, it goes OK for a 28yr old car, starts everytime at the flick of the key and does about 1000 miles a month at the moment! It has no problem hussling along the motorway at 75-80, and drives like new really with 91k on the clock. The 504 was the daily until an oil leak prompted me to start a rebuild, so the engine is out and the front end is completely dismantled at the moment. The 504 is diesel and makes a great daily drive. the 104 on its 1000 mile round trip to Scotland from Bournemouth my 504 before taking it to bits, well I did 20,000 miles with no bother apart from a crappy sump gasket!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 10, 2006 20:00:37 GMT
|
I cycle to work, not very retro. I drive my moggy pretty regularly, I'd drive the tyres off it everyday if I had to. mpg in the 40's if i'm careful (not to often), 30's if I'm clogging it (not unusual). one day I might treat you to a readers rides profile of her...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 10, 2006 20:29:21 GMT
|
Current daily driver, Passat 2.0TDI. Company hack. Current retro, Alfa 75 TSpark.
The 75 has been a daily driver for both myself and my wife at various points in time. However, I think it's time to give the old girl an easier life now.
Other retros I've also used as daily drivers have been an Alfa 33 16v (my wife had a matching 33 8v at the time, too), and early Alfa 155 TSpark (narrow body) - only bordering on retro, really, though. I did use a MkIV Escort 1.6GL Plus for 12 months, too. It was 10 years old at the time, so only just retro, I suppose. Most retro was a 1979 Fiat 124 Spider. Was only a daily driver for a limited time, though, as the heater didn't work very well.
|
|
Prius T-Spirit, Alfa 156 Sportwagon, Alfa 75 TSpark Veloce, Mazda MX-5 1.8iS Honda VFR750FT, Ducati 750SS, BMW R100RT, Hongdou GY200
|
|
|
|
Aug 10, 2006 23:24:36 GMT
|
i just got this as a runabout while the rally slag is getting finished not bad for £700, 39k one lady owner, every MOT and receipt from new, last service cost £600!!!
|
|
|
|
bstardchild
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,937
Club RR Member Number: 71
|
|
Aug 10, 2006 23:55:12 GMT
|
i just got this as a runabout while the rally slag is getting finished not bad for £700, 39k one lady owner, every MOT and receipt from new, last service cost £600!!! Those wheel look familiar and suit the car 125/10
|
|
|
|
Davenger
Club Retro Rides Member
It's only metal
Posts: 7,272
Club RR Member Number: 140
|
|
|
1985 Mini Ritz, The missus has it most of the time because her need is greater than mine. Everywhere I need to go is a 20 minute walk at the most. It sits a bit low because the knuckle joint cups are shagged, another fun job for me to do ;D
|
|
|
|
|