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I'm currently splitting my daily driver duties between my 1969 Mercury Marquis and my 1994 Ford Fiesta. I've started to get back more into going onto customers' site now. And work pays me a monthley car allowance to have a "suitable car for business use". So this means looking smart and professional, means actually getting there without clonking out on the way, and it means being able to fit into customers' car parks. So I have the Mercury. It rides and drives nice, and it is a conversation piece. Its shiny and anyone who has been taken anywhere in it has commented on the experiece. The only issue is its 7 foot wide and 20 foot long so some customers have issues with getting a car that size in their car park. Also if I need to get into a public car park they can be tight and its a little concern. Also I am off to Cornwall to see a friend and she says "don't bring that big car it won't fit on our drive"  I am forced to consider being a little sensible. I love the Fiesta. Its economical (in comparison) and its fun to drive, really. But unfortuantely I don't think a Mk3 Fiesta conveys the professional image my employers would like, and are paying for! (not even with polished slot mags on)  If I had a ton of money I'd just buy a Rover P5B. Compact enough to park, powerful enough to be a motorway bruiser, and classy enough for even the poshest client site. But thats a heck of an investment. I have the Daimler, I wonder if a Conquest Century will stand up to "daily" use....?  So what do we think would make a great classic daily? Ideally VED and ULEZ exempt, comfortable, not too expensive, ideally also automatic, car-park-friendly? I think we all know "my style of car"  |
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Last Edit: Jun 9, 2023 12:57:12 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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Stick with the Rover idea, P6 V8. Even if it suffers from 'daily use' then your employer's pocket money will offset it.
With electronic ignition it could be pretty reliable?
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Volvo 164 or 264.
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2005 Volvo C70 2.4T Convertible. 40k miles, FVSH, one prior owner. My toy.
2010 Mini JCW Convertible. Wife's toy.
1991 Yamaha FZR600, one of only 20 Kocinski edition models.
MINI Cooper S Electric '3' - My daily scoot.
Peugeot 2008 HDi120 - Dog van.
Polestar 2 - Wife's daily.
Dacia Jogger Extreme hybrid dog van replacement ordered, due Jan '24.
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Triumph 2000/2500. Get one with overdrive, and the economy is acceptable.
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Stick with the Rover idea, P6 V8. Even if it suffers from 'daily use' then your employer's pocket money will offset it. With electronic ignition it could be pretty reliable? I’ve been coming round for the idea that it’s time I had a P6…. |
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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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Oh I do like the 164 But find one! |
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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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Jaguar MK2 or Daimler V8 250, if the customer doesn't give you the order then you cal shove them in the boot and tell them about some 'tasty geezers' that you know :-)
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Triumph 2000/2500. Get one with overdrive, and the economy is acceptable. Good suggestion, one I’d not thought of. Fuel economy isn’t really a concern for me driving a 7 litre V8 at the moment! |
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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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Maybe not easy to find one but I think a nissan 300c would make a good daily.
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The square rigged Audi 200 Turbo, the first generstion. Might take some finding but they look great and 170 BHP with that 5 pot warble is peachy. Contrary to popular belief they were sold un the UK, my Ma had a 5E and then a 5T, although in such small numbers the common man didn't realise they even existed.  Or how about an E32 7 series, last of the really elegant big Bimmers? Very straightforward to work on, oh so comfortable, very understated.  |
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Last Edit: Jun 10, 2023 9:00:24 GMT by BritBrick
2005 Volvo C70 2.4T Convertible. 40k miles, FVSH, one prior owner. My toy.
2010 Mini JCW Convertible. Wife's toy.
1991 Yamaha FZR600, one of only 20 Kocinski edition models.
MINI Cooper S Electric '3' - My daily scoot.
Peugeot 2008 HDi120 - Dog van.
Polestar 2 - Wife's daily.
Dacia Jogger Extreme hybrid dog van replacement ordered, due Jan '24.
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Jun 10, 2023 12:45:00 GMT
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Since You like Your muricans, how about a chrysler 300c, the modern one? I had one of those in a previous job where they had unfortunately added the restriction that it had to be a modern car. I have to say it was not the best car I owned. I got one with warranty, low miles, full history, blah, blah. It was the 3.0 CRD which did 36 mph (sometimes) and 0-60 in 6.6 sec so no slouch for a big car. I think i got high 14s in the 1/4 mile at Shakey in that one. But I was always spending money on it and the parts were extremely painfully expensive. I occasionally think "maybe a petrol one would have been better, are they cheap now?" but then I remember what a PITA it was. I knew 3 other people who had them about the same time and had the same experience. I'd not have any form of modern Chrysler again, my ex-wife had a PT Crusier and that was an unreliable money pit as well. |
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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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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,307
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Jun 12, 2023 22:11:28 GMT
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The Merc versions of the Chyslers are a better proposition IMHO. Parts are easier to find IME, and there are more folks who have fixed the issues on them. My time with my CLK wasn't too bad to be fair, as it lists below, and neither was it for my friend. He sold it to me as he didn't want to shell out for a windscreen replacement as a trader, which for unknown reasons, became alot pricier. Given your criteria, I'd go for the -P6 2200 or V8 ; I think in the real world, they are not as far apart as you think, but of course, V8 will always win -Triumph 2000/2500 As choices which I'm not sure you'd go with, here are a few more (not knowing the budget) -Merc W108 or W123 : These will be ULEZ exempt before 1983, and a 108 is a lovely thing to drive. The build quality is leagues ahead of anything British. My friend and I were astounded how it made his E-Type feel like a giant Mechano set. But they do like to rust if they are UK examples (i.e Right hookers), and some spares are scarily pricey, albeit mostly available. That said, mine wasn't too bad at all. While I sold it to buy my house, it did go to a chap in London, so he could avoid ULEZ charges forum.retro-rides.org/thread/208450/1972-mercedes-280se-stereo-musingsNext three I doubt are you, but you never know... -BMW E38 7 Series : It would need to be a facelift model after 2001 to be ULEZ compliant. This would give you the choice of a 3.0 6 pot up to a V12 5.0. The 4.4 740is are the most common. They do have issues, but generally are quite a solid car, coming from when BMW built cars well. I think fuel tank rot may not be the issue it once was, now that plastic tanks are available for these. -BMW E39 5 Series : Loved in the 90s, these seem to be firming up in price. M5s have long gone, as have the Alpinas, price wise. The odd Alpina 3.3 does come up for "reasonable" cash. Again, it would need to be a post 2001 example, and petrol only for the ULEZ, going from the slightly too revvy 520i 2.2, to the 540i with the 4.4 V8. The 3.0s are considered the sweet spot. They are pretty simple to work on for a modern car, and go well, and have an air of quality about them. Parts are also very plentiful when I last looked. Their biggest downside now is rot. Most will have rotten jacking points, or least the last 3 I've seen have had evidence of it, with one of them having the jacking points repaired properly. But I suppose they have got to the 20 year old mark on the factory sills, so in theory, they should last again. The Estates are a decent all rounder, but also tend to be far more tired than the saloon brethren, for obvious reasons. -A Lexus of the generation? Would the LS of the 00s be any good to you? They should be ULEZ exempt as well. The ISs are small, but seem to have a growing following now. You had a Celsior and a 400 before didn't you? As much as I'd want to a recommend an X350 Jag, fixing one myself with SSD (the diagnostic tool), and having pricey suspension repairs unless you convert it to coilovers would put me off owning one. XKs aren't too bad however of the X150 generation, bar needing SSD to fix certain quirks, which Jag specialists will have. The X100 XK8s are a nice car, but you'd have the choice of basically the last three years of production to buy one from, and they love to hide rot like you'd never know, since they are essentially a rebodied XJS with a V8 in them. |
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Jun 15, 2023 13:50:28 GMT
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Old Fords never die they just go sideways
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paul99
Part of things
Posts: 414 
Member is Online
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Jun 15, 2023 16:30:58 GMT
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There's a tidy looking 190e in the classifieds......
Other than that, Volvo, Saab, Jag.....
Budget in mind?
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Last Edit: Jun 15, 2023 16:33:37 GMT by paul99
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,307
Club RR Member Number: 170
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I couldn't recommend a 00s Saab or even a 90s one, bar maybe a 9000. It may make the Chyrsler look reasonable If they are like our 9-3: -Subframe needs to come off to change a PAS pipe, or struggle around for hours and hour and hours. -Spare parts bar consumables are limited to a handful of suppliers or are not available new (PAS pipe I could only find off one supplier ; getting one made isn't an option, as we've outsourced the work). The clutch we've had to get a DMF for, as bar getting an uprated clutch (a no-no as my mum uses the car), solid flywheel 'stock' clutches are now NLA ; Saab used both types on the cars. I won't even start on changing rear discs on a non-Aero model (suspension bolt needs to come out; what a stupid design) -Diagnostics are getting better in the aftermarket but generally, you need Tech II, which leaves you in the hands of either finding someone local with it, or a specialist. The other way is to replace parts and hope the problem goes away, which isn't a wise way of changing parts on a 'cheap' car. There is reason why they are cheap frankly. To be blunt, the dynamics of the car are meh as well. A MkIII and IV Mondeo drive far nicer for a multitude of reasons, but naturally, they do had a badge problem compared to a Saab. Ironic, as the Saabs were Vauxhalls in frocks after a while TBH. Here's my experience with ours. I need to update the thread, as my dad and I have decided to give it more love than it deserves, but for a mate/mechanic to endure the pain this time, surprisingly. forum.retro-rides.org/thread/222188/chasrs-repair-adventures-ford-stuff?page=2 |
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Last Edit: Jun 16, 2023 5:53:10 GMT by ChasR
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Jun 17, 2023 12:18:05 GMT
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Jun 17, 2023 15:02:51 GMT
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That's been for sale for at least a year, with the same "as soon as I find somewhere to store it I'm taking ot off sale" bollards in the description.
It's about 2, 2.5 large above the going rate for very-nice-but-not-quite-first-class 164s.
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2005 Volvo C70 2.4T Convertible. 40k miles, FVSH, one prior owner. My toy.
2010 Mini JCW Convertible. Wife's toy.
1991 Yamaha FZR600, one of only 20 Kocinski edition models.
MINI Cooper S Electric '3' - My daily scoot.
Peugeot 2008 HDi120 - Dog van.
Polestar 2 - Wife's daily.
Dacia Jogger Extreme hybrid dog van replacement ordered, due Jan '24.
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Jun 17, 2023 16:16:06 GMT
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Which presumably means that there is probably plenty of haggle room in the price!
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Jun 17, 2023 20:14:13 GMT
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I'm quite partial to a bit of Volvo, so how about a 780? Sexier than Anne Hathaway dipped in Guinness, more butch than an angry Mr T.  |
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2005 Volvo C70 2.4T Convertible. 40k miles, FVSH, one prior owner. My toy.
2010 Mini JCW Convertible. Wife's toy.
1991 Yamaha FZR600, one of only 20 Kocinski edition models.
MINI Cooper S Electric '3' - My daily scoot.
Peugeot 2008 HDi120 - Dog van.
Polestar 2 - Wife's daily.
Dacia Jogger Extreme hybrid dog van replacement ordered, due Jan '24.
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Jun 17, 2023 21:43:16 GMT
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Never seen one of those before as I don't think they were available in the UK. It looks like a grown-up Maserati Biturbo
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