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Feb 17, 2012 15:06:55 GMT
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I'm thinking, having been to this job interview today, that 2 hours a day is a long time to spend in a car.
Also I am thinking I'd be spending a fair pile o' cash on petrol...
So this leads me to think, are there any proper cool, proper retro whips out there which will eat motorway miles and not be painful at the pump?
I'm sure I ask this every 6 - 9 months and decide the answer is "no"
Ideally pre-1980, pre-85 at a push.
Ford Fairmont on LPG seems favourite idea so far.
thoughts?
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Feb 17, 2012 15:10:29 GMT
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Reliant Kitten with an MX5 engine and box. Ideal motorway flyer!
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Feb 17, 2012 15:11:59 GMT
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I know your a US car guy, but my choice would be a /8 240D for long cruises...
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10mpg
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,253
Club RR Member Number: 204
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Cool commuters?10mpg
@10mpg
Club Retro Rides Member 204
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Feb 17, 2012 15:25:55 GMT
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BMW 2002 with a 318is 16v engine.....
Or you could go with the UK equivelent of a Cortina with a weeny zetec, but that'd be much more obvious, less cool and less, well.... good.
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Last Edit: Feb 17, 2012 15:27:20 GMT by 10mpg
The Internet, like all tools, if used improperly, can make a complete bo**cks of even the simplest jobs...
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Feb 17, 2012 15:34:01 GMT
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+1 for the Germans. How about a W124 300d (non-turbo)? I tested a couple last year but they were too ponderous for my commute. I only do four miles and it's stop/start traffic across a city centre. The 'start' bit was very frustrating. I could see them being brilliant for longish, relaxing periods at dual carriageway speeds, though. Of course, they may struggle to make the age criteria.
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Feb 17, 2012 15:38:00 GMT
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I do 18 miles each way in my 205 gti
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Seth
South East
MorrisOxford TriumphMirald HillmanMinx BorgwardIsabellaCombi
Posts: 15,538
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Feb 17, 2012 15:44:46 GMT
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Follow your dreams or you might as well be a vegetable.
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Feb 17, 2012 16:04:18 GMT
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Last Edit: Feb 17, 2012 16:08:46 GMT by alphilsta
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Feb 17, 2012 16:11:06 GMT
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In a similar vein: MGB GT? Happy enough doing miles - although I suspect that a steady 80-85 on the motorway would be hard work - simple, reliable if looked after, and ~30mpgz if set-up right. And parts backup is second-to- noneperhaps-the-mini, which always helps. Comfy seats, decent stereo, win. Would certainly make the commute more interesting than a dizzle focus. Not sure it's your thing though...
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Last Edit: Feb 17, 2012 16:11:57 GMT by jrevillug
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Feb 17, 2012 16:19:57 GMT
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sierra 1.8 they are real cheap to run on the motorway, one I had used less fuel than the fiesta 1.25 zetec that replaced it used to get mid 40's on a run, just not so good around the doors, and that was at proper motorway speeds
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Cool commuters?Deleted
@Deleted
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Feb 17, 2012 16:27:07 GMT
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Get a biggish diesel of some sort, chuck it in the Fairmont, job done 4 litre turbodiesel from a Volvo f4 truck? ;D
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Last Edit: Feb 17, 2012 16:27:36 GMT by Deleted
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qwerty
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,416
Club RR Member Number: 52
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Cool commuters?qwerty
@qwerty
Club Retro Rides Member 52
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Feb 17, 2012 16:50:27 GMT
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Cortina with a 1.8 Zetec!
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Feb 17, 2012 17:12:54 GMT
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I'm not looking for some mad construction project. Fun though that may sound, realistically I want something on the road now and ready more or less to roll.
Sadly I think the A60 isn't going to handle it, or if it does I can't handle the A60. The run is a cross country/dual carriageway followed by 4 junctions up the M1 followed by a quick A road and then B roads. I found it a bit wearing in the Passat which really lacks the power and comfort for that kind of use. Did I mention hills? There are a few good hills on the route.
I'd prefer an automatic which is why I was a little concerned about the Fairmont with its 3 speed manual. Maybe I should fit a 302 and C4? hmmm. I digress.
Stacklight Mercs are sweet but not cheap I suspect I can't afford one. Maybe a W123 280E with LPG would hit the spot... JS's W116 with LPG may even be viable,,, Google says 19.7MPG cruising. Hmmm maybe not,
Some form of E30 maybe... all the ones round here seem to be all tRaMp DrIfT Yo! which puts me off them a bit.
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Last Edit: Feb 17, 2012 17:15:18 GMT by akku
1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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10mpg
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,253
Club RR Member Number: 204
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Cool commuters?10mpg
@10mpg
Club Retro Rides Member 204
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Feb 17, 2012 17:38:21 GMT
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E30's are great bits of kit, however it depends which 'look' you like, 325's are mostly auto, which makes them cheaper as the tramp driftorz don't want them.. a four door auto in old giffer spec should leave you with plenty of change from a grand..
That said 325's are not great on fuel and suffer from head problems, 320's are pretty similar on fuel and significantly slower but don't crack/corrode heads so readily.. so that makes for a tricky choice, when right a 325 e30 is a lovely thing soulfull engine with bags of grunt and a noise to die for (if you let it)..
The ideal is a 318is great engine great mpg plenty of power for spirited use, decent suspension and an LSD out back, no auto option, but then i reckon you'd completely ruin a sweet handling car like that with a slushomatic..
Personally i prefer the price and usability of an e36 plus thy rust less! but it depends on the 'look'..
If i were you i'd buy that cool s-class merc off JS in the classifieds yog £700 on a lpg kit complete that you could fit in a weekend, and there you go cool reliable V8 yank'esq' barge with decent handling reliability and road manners for less than 2 click...
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The Internet, like all tools, if used improperly, can make a complete bo**cks of even the simplest jobs...
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Feb 17, 2012 17:42:29 GMT
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Not really in the spirit of RR, but a 2 hour commute in anything is soon going to feel like you are losing a massive %age of your life. I admire anyone tackling that sort of commute for the right job - or if it's the only option - but otherwise, I would really question if you can handle it. If you can, not exciting, or as old as you'd like but but Ford Scorpio, Vauxhall carlton, early Saab 9000, Honda Legend, Nissan Maxima.......
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Last Edit: Feb 17, 2012 17:56:26 GMT by alolympic
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Feb 17, 2012 17:54:53 GMT
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I'm using my W123 230 as daily at the mo (since my caddy van shat it's starter motor) it's it's not too bad on fuel (high 20's) is whisper quiet, very comfortable and easily keeps up with modern traffic. Not to mention unreasonably reliable.
That'd take my vote, or a 250d if you can find one.
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Remember the days when sex was safe and motorsport was dangerous. Vintage bling always attracts pussy.
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Feb 17, 2012 17:58:44 GMT
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That's a good shout. Yes, they do rust, but get a 2.0 8V manual an you'll have something *very* comfortable which will sit at 90+ all day, not be dire up hills (and return 30-odd mpg IIRC). And no OMG RWD DrifTzorZ yO! image. Can't comment on the performance or economy with an auto, though. I know that the 3.0 6-pot has a distinctly greater thirst. 'tis a Vauxhall, though.
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skinnylew
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 5,624
Club RR Member Number: 11
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Cool commuters?skinnylew
@skinnylew
Club Retro Rides Member 11
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Feb 17, 2012 18:10:50 GMT
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Citroen Ax diesel ........ 60 mpg and slightly retro, full tank costs £40-50 and lasts for 400+ miles on motorways Ax eco.... 100mpg anyone...
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Last Edit: Feb 17, 2012 18:20:54 GMT by skinnylew
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Feb 17, 2012 18:10:51 GMT
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Volvo 240 with a 2.3 liter and autobox on LPG? SAAB 900 non turbo? Chevrolet Beretta, but can't imagine that being comfortable and reliable.
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Click picture for more
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Feb 17, 2012 18:21:39 GMT
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i second the late model carlton vibe, a 2.0i auto is a friggin lovely place to spend mileage. and the little ice button works very well.
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"quote hairnet"
I'm not paying nine pound for a pi$$!
[/quote]
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