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With my car in the garage and Bangernomics around here,.. Whats the most reliable car you've owned? Currently I couldn't tell you mine, as all of mine have broken down on me a number of times  |
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May 25, 2004 10:32:29 GMT
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My Citroen AX has done 106K and the only time it has ever broken down was when the battery died. Mk2 Golf 1.8GL - 20K without a single problem. Hillman Avenger - starter motor packed up, otherwise no problems in 20K (not bad for a £40 car). '82 Audi Coupe GT5S - only let me down twice in 25K, and neither was really the car's fault - a wiring bodge by a previous owner fell to bits, and some carb icing after I left off a hose from the manifold to the air filter housing.
Cars that have left me stranded - Land Rovers (frequently, and for lots of different reasons), Astra GTE (corroded wiring), Isuzu Trooper (fuel pipe rusted through), Mk2 Escort (clutch release mechanism failed), Mk1 Golf (clutch cable, CV joint, alternator), Herald (head gasket, ignition coil, wheel bearing).
Try spotting a pattern in that lot. I can't...
But if I wanted a totally dependable cheap car, I'd buy the best, most rot-free and unbodged Mk2 Golf I could find (a 1.8GL or a K-Jetronic fuelled GTI) and throw some money at it up front to take care of the most likely problems - all new ignition components, replace anything dodgy in the cooling system, and a Weber carburettor if it's a GL.
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RetroMat
Posted a lot
Column Shifting!
Posts: 3,442
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May 25, 2004 12:04:32 GMT
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i'm still on my first, 1990 micra with 100K and no rust has never let me down nor did it with the previous owner (my mum) who had it from new.
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May 25, 2004 12:08:56 GMT
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My everyday hack is a 1994 Vectra/Cavalier 1.7 TD 210K on the clock, I bought it at 165 K, Changed one rad hose and a little metal pipe which had corroded, and the overflow bottle for the rad which I broke.. Its still on its original shocks!!
It just keeps going and gives 50mpg
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SkoCan
Posted a lot
Quando omni flunkus, mortati
Posts: 1,916
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May 25, 2004 14:54:52 GMT
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Had an 87 Micra. Only problems it really had was a bad mechanic. Find a good one, replace the timing belt and you're good to go.
For you guys, parts shouldn't be a problem
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May 26, 2004 12:16:51 GMT
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I gotta say it, my current Volvo 240 wagon. It's an '89 model with only 78k clocked. Everything works! Always starts. Bloody useful for carrying lots of rubbish or the family and is available for towing stranded rides whenever I pass one plus if I really stamp on the loud pedal once rolling with a following wind, down steep hills, sniff of gas, it might just shutdown a milkfloat. Still, cruising is cool!
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Peugeot 307sw - Suzuki SV650S - MX5.
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Stu
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,913
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May 26, 2004 13:45:24 GMT
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My current Mk2 Golf 16v GTI hasn't missed a beat in about 20k or so miles since I've had it, it's on nearly 130k now. Going to treat it to a service then heading to the Nurburgring in August to see what it's made of! Cars that have let me down: Citroen AX - dodgy electrics, Mk2 Golf GTI 8v - cooling probs (previous owners fault really) and Mk1 Golf GTI with 16v conversion - few electrical faults, nowt major... now sold to a dodgy guy called DarrenW...  I'd echo the thoughts that a good Mk2 Golf won't let you down and they are very rust resistant.  |
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'89 BMW E30 325i Sport, '04 MINI Cooper S, '09 Volvo V70 D5
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Shortcut
Posted a lot
I won't be there when you cross the road, so always use the Green Cross Code.
Posts: 3,037
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May 26, 2004 18:42:27 GMT
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Most reliable cars:
Golf GTi 8v mk 2. From 30K to 96K with not a single fault.
Golf Gti 8v mk 3. Another 60K miles without a single fault.
sadly my current Mk 4 GTi 1.8T has been more problematical with total clutch failure at 95K (£600), constant electrical niggles too. Rear brakes seized and a few more minor faults.
Worst car:
Citroen XM estate 2litre inj. I know it's my own fault. Honestly it was my favourite ever car but dear god did it go wrong, EVERY month! Month after month. £24,000 new, bought by me 18 months old from main citty dealer for £8000 including £500 of aftermarket alloys (lovely). Sold at 3 years to px for Golf at VW delaership for £1400. Thats 24K to 1.4K in THREE YEARS!!! Lovely cat tho'
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This space available to rent. Reach literally dozens of people. Cheap rates!
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julian
Part of things
Posts: 22
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May 27, 2004 17:01:01 GMT
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1990 Polo Ranger, had it from new. Didn't touch the engine for five years. When I finally sold it the only thing that had ever failed was the rear windscreen wiper motor. Never failed to start. And it's still going now having changed hands amoungst friends. Had numerous Golfs, Polos and air cooleds and they all had at least one journey home on a flat bed... including my New Beetle  |
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May 31, 2004 16:20:13 GMT
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Ive only ever had modern Vauxhalls and Hillman Imps (of which a little red early mk 3 Astra was the most reliable, its still running about long after we got rid of it in my home town, and it looks like new and sounds like it too!) but my old man has a1988 Volvo 740 GL saloon in silver, which has done well over 200 000 miles, went on holidays in the North of Scotland with the whole family and luggage inside, once had to be left for a few days in a heavy flood because there was no way to get in it because of the water, and when my dad got back to it, there wasnt a drop of water in the interior, no rust on the body, and the car started first time, after pouring a load of water out the tailpipe! And its still going strong, needing nothing changed but tyres, spark plugs, wiper blades, oil, a radiator, a few bulbs, that kind of thing, and it could do with having the diff changed soon. Not bad for a hard working motor, eh? On top of that, you can be guaranteed a 740 will save your life in an accident. Maybe they're not real classics, and they're not sexy to look at like an E-type, but to me they're classics. And yet I still prefer noisy, tempermental rear engined cars that nobody likes. Strange, eh?
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"He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy!"
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