Doc
Part of things
Drives Alfa 156 and GTV rocks a Mk2 x pack capri and 750 NINJA !
Posts: 113
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I'm driving Glasgow to Oxford every week . My alfa 156 v6 is killing me ££ and my laser capri isnt any better 1.9 d Passat sounds good , i suppose a golf diesel would be the same ?
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Doc
Part of things
Drives Alfa 156 and GTV rocks a Mk2 x pack capri and 750 NINJA !
Posts: 113
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525 d Mmmm
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DOOO IT!
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Nissan Laurel SOLD BMW E34 Diesel SOLD Toyota Soarer 4.0 V8 SOLD Audi A4 1995 TDI SOLD Peugeot 205 1.9 TD SOLD Lexus IS300 SC
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RobinJI
Posted a lot
"Driven by the irony that only being shackled to the road could ever I be free"
Posts: 2,995
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Depends what sort of balance of retro and practical you want.
I'm currently loving my B3 Passat 1.6td estate. Usually over 50mpg, and 60+ is proven to be possible if you drive carefully (best I've got's 56, but then I refuse to drive at less than 70 on the motorway 90% of the time). It will sit at 100 all day if you need it to (and still return 40+mpg) doesn't feel underpowered at all among normal traffic, mines on 165k and absolutely fine besides silly little things that are expected on a £400 car (Central locking doesn't work, broken trim etc.), it feels like it's got the same miles in it again, and it's only got through 300ml of oil in the 9 months and ~8k I've owned it. The other day we had 2 mountainbikes and 4 people inside it, plus 2 bikes on a rack with their wheels also in the boot, plus all our riding kit, plus literally half the boot was full of curse word I'd not cleared out first. Plus being an old mechanical diesel, there's so little to go wrong, zero electrics that will effect the engine, just simple, overbuilt mechanical stuff, that seems to never go wrong, I really think an old mechanical diesel is the closest thing to zero maintenance you can get in a car. Plus it's quite and comfortable, I think for a care-free daily to rack up miles it's damn hard to beat.
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Yeah, Glasgow <-> Oxford in an Imp isn't going to be comfortable. Early Audi A6 1.9TDi. My dad has the 1.8 (non-turbo) petrol version, and it's massively comfortable (more so than the Passat IMO - I found the seats in Robins fairly uncomfortable TBH), quiet, refined and economical. I was very comfortable driving it from Luton to Inverness in the day, depite the fact that I rarely do more than 200 miles in a day. He's done going on 700 miles in a day - and then the same again the next day. The tiddly 1.8 petrol will do ~40mpg on a 70mph run and mid 30s at 80. It's no road burner, but will sit at 80+ all day and easily keep up with traffic. The dizzle should be ~50mpg (though the fuel is obviously more expensive). It's also reliable - never let us down - and tough: he got it 10 years ago at 100,000 miles, has put another 100,000 miles on it and only done service stuff to it (tyres, 1 set brake dics and a couple of sets of pads, a clutch (the original was still fitted), an exhaust, brake hoses, track rod ends and arear wheel bearing). Parts are fairly easy to find and not steep. If you do get one, check the brake hoses where they join the rear axle/suspension arms: there's a mud trap there, so the ferrules rot out and the hose parts company with the solid line.
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Last Edit: Jul 1, 2012 21:43:00 GMT by jrevillug
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everybody knows that an e30 is by far the best retro daily anything else is too juicy, too expensive, rusts, unreliable, too hard to find parts for etc... cant go wrong with an e30
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It doesn't matter what you buy if you pick up a cheap worn out one it will keep letting you down, and it sounds like your gonna wear it out whatever you choose if its a true retro.
Late 80's early 90's stuff will have the right balance I reckon as they had got the hang of making smaller engines that worked ok on motorways, personally i would steer clear of bimmers, everyone I know who has them is always having to fix something or ignore malfunctioning items.
Mercs and Jags I love, but have never had one that will reliably do more than 30mpg even while being carefull, My Volvo is still going strong and feeling fresh with nothing broken at 265,000 miles, but really cant manage more than 25mpg average although they do a diesel i've never driven one.
Just buy a commuter or throwaway car and have a decent retro for the weekends is my advice.
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Volvo back as my main squeeze, more boost and some interior goodies on the way.
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Just buy a commuter or throwaway car and have a decent retro for the weekends is my advice. What he said. You're going to be thrashing whatever you end up running so do you really want to be investing (maybe even pouring money) in something retro/unusual/valuable/fragile when you could be picking up a cheap and comfy diesel every couple of months? Practical point: are you paying the fuel bills or are you claiming them back off your work or the tax man?
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sumpcracker
Posted a lot
Yes, I’m still here.
Posts: 1,751
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People are always going to suggest their own car , but I have had a similar line up to you and I also have similar needs. I wanted a cheap retro daily, that I could drive to poland every few months. My needs were- room for luggage ect Amazing MPG Reliable Cheap parts -easy to get parts. Easy to work on. My short list was a merc 190d, passat b3, Audi 80 b4. I got the B4 audi for £375 and its been fantastic, some work was done at no great cost and its been bullet proof 55-60mpg. Also its different, you don't see any in "the scene" though I think the red one is comming back to life. New enough to be easy to look after, old enough to be cool. here is mine
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peugeot 205/306/405. Was surprised how comfy and long legged the 205 was, and they don't rust, and the diesels do good mpg. get one before they get collectible
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75 Range Rover 2 door 82 Range Rover 4 door 84 Range Rover 4 door 78 Datsun 120Y 2 door 78 Datsun 620 Pickup 81 Datsun Urvan E23 86 Datsun Vanette van 98 Electric Citroen Berlingo 00 Electric Peugeot Partner 02 Electric Citroen Berlingo 04 Berlingo Multispace petrol 07 Land Rover 130 15 Nissan E-NV200 15 Fiat Ducato
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i have a mk2 granada with a pinto engine and a 5speed . From all the cars i had its the best daily by miles and its 20 years older then everything else i had ! reliable as can be and comfortable enough to do long runs .
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if sparks don't fly you're ridin too high !
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b3 or b4 passat 1.6td or 1.9 straight diesel even 1.9 td cheep to buy and run plenty parts same goes mk2 or ugly younger sister golfs/jetta/vento
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,256
Club RR Member Number: 170
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whats the best retro daily ?ChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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I am not too sure on a 2.5TDS BMW. My dad's when he did massive miles back in the day lunched a pump which back then was pricey. Today, I understand they are still not immune to diesel pump failure, nor are they cheap (now that is) to replace. A friend of mine who also bought one cursed his example after owning a string of 'unreliable' French cars. They don't sound too bad for a derv I admit and they are surprisingly flexible, and bar the fuel delivery issues my dad's 325TDS Auto did cover 260,000 miles without the gearbox or engine causing an issue. The Mondeo in my sig at one point was doing close to double the miles you wanted (doing oil changes every month soon became a little laborious I admit although I am a dab hand at them now I guess!), but it's not what you want . In your shoes I would probably consider an Audi like Sumpcracker's or a Pug 405TD on a hardier Bosch pump. As long as the cooling system is in good order on the Pug and with regular oil changes they do go on for quite some time. Most cars TBH can do silly a miles a month, but keeping on top of the maintenance and sparing no expense when required are what ensure constant reliability IMO.
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Last Edit: Jul 2, 2012 2:14:16 GMT by ChasR
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Actually, bit of an oddball, but the most comfortable car i have ever had was a Citroen BX 1.7TD estate, plus it did 55 mpg everywhere, not sure it would cope with the mega miles you are planning though.
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1993 Fiat Panda Selecta 2003 Vauxhall Combo 1.7DI van 2006 Mercedes Kompressor Evolution-S AMG SportCoupé
"You think you hate it now, wait til you drive it"
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kabman
Part of things
Posts: 348
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What's best depends a lot on your definition of 'retro' and what you want from it. Years ago I used to do 1000 miles a month in a '68 Beetle. Perfectly reliable but you had to be happy to sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery, pootling along at a steady 60mph on the motorway. I now have a Lupo. Economical (2 quid a gallon when I drove the Beetle as a daily - 50,000 miles a year would be wallet-sapping at todays prices), comfy, decent heater and sounds but I don't class it as retro and they are not cheap to buy compared with other small cars. These days, I'd be looking at a diesel Passat estate (or equivalent Audi/Skoda) if I needed space.
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Dez
Club Retro Rides Member
And I won't sit down. And I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.
Posts: 11,784
Club RR Member Number: 34
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whats the best retro daily ?Dez
@dez
Club Retro Rides Member 34
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^^my current daily is also a lupo^^
agreed, not massively retro, but take 'retro themed' mods well. mines is a 1.4TDi sport on FK coilovers, and its probably the best all round car ive ever had. suprisingly spacious inside(the interior is split more 2+2 style than a proper 4 seater, so theres more front legroom than a lot of bigger cars), only real downside is its a little noisy at 80+mph. i drove back from A-52 bristol to manningtree north essex last week, i did it in 2hs 45mins (thats an hour less than googlemaps will tell you it takes) cruising at around 85, and it used 20 quid of diesel. beat that!
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^^my current daily is also a lupo^^ agreed, not massively retro, but take 'retro themed' mods well. mines is a 1.4TDi sport on FK coilovers, and its probably the best all round car ive ever had. suprisingly spacious inside(the interior is split more 2+2 style than a proper 4 seater, so theres more front legroom than a lot of bigger cars), only real downside is its a little noisy at 80+mph. I drove back from A-52 bristol to manningtree north essex last week, I did it in 2hs 45mins (thats an hour less than googlemaps will tell you it takes) cruising at around 85, and it used 20 quid of diesel. beat that! Or to make it slightly more practical and less cool.. My girlfriend drives a 1.4tdi Polo. More doors, a bit more space than a Lupo. It has absolutely no right to be as entertaining to drive and frugal as it is Probably still not suited to the OP's needs though. My vote will also go with an early 90s VAG TD/TDI estate.
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...proper medallion man chest wig motoring.
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rob0r
East of England
Posts: 2,743
Club RR Member Number: 104
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whats the best retro daily ?rob0r
@rob0r
Club Retro Rides Member 104
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900 miles a week... Rule out any BMW for a start. I was doing 700 miles a week a few years ago and changed from a 30mpg BMW E30 318is to a 45-50mpg Passat B4 1.9TD estate, at the time it was a brilliant decision. Comfort, masses of space (surprisingly big inside!) and good for your wallet. I was never able to get above 50mpg like other similar cars on this thread have got though.
They are also easy to lower and get wheels for (OEM BMW E30 for instant low offset).
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E30 320i 3.5 - E23 730 - E3 3.0si - E21 316 M42 - E32 750i ETC
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^^my current daily is also a lupo^^ agreed, not massively retro, but take 'retro themed' mods well. mines is a 1.4TDi sport on FK coilovers, and its probably the best all round car ive ever had. suprisingly spacious inside(the interior is split more 2+2 style than a proper 4 seater, so theres more front legroom than a lot of bigger cars), only real downside is its a little noisy at 80+mph. Having been in it, it's a great little thing - punch, refined and comfortable enough. It's not the quietest at 80+, but it's still perfectly possible to hold a conversation without shouting. Everyone seems to be suggesting VAG diesels of various sizes. I think there's a reason for that...
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Is there a direct flight? I think that unless you need the car when you get there I'd fly.
I used to work (in Nottingham) with a guy who lived in Glasgow. He flew down monday, back Friday.
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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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