|
|
|
Sept 28, 2009 18:48:10 GMT
|
E30s. My weakness. I miss my 318iS, absolutely fantastic car. It's such a pity they never put that engine in the convertible. Get a 318 convertible run it round europe and then when you get home find a donor and give it 16v powerz  not sure if its the sort of thing your looking at but..................  scimitar SS1 1600 cc, (Escort engine) open top, about 1.5 - 3K buys you a nice example Can't you get these with a Nissan engine in a CA18ET out of a S12 Silvia iirc? Or did I dream this combo  |
| |
Last Edit: Sept 28, 2009 18:48:37 GMT by Robinxr4i
Sierra - here we go again! He has an illness, it's not his fault.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 28, 2009 19:18:33 GMT
|
|
Might struggle to find one in budget, but a Saab 900 T16S convetible is the ultimate way to cross the world, top down, in comfort.
|
| |
|
|
Mark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,097
|
|
Sept 28, 2009 19:45:51 GMT
|
I'm seriously considering an E30 now.  Robin - I reckon I'd do the 16v transplant before the trip, sure whats the point in missing out on 10k of fun  ChasR - How many of you were in the Escort?! meatballturbo - a Saab turbo was one of my first thoughts but they all seem to be mad money |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 28, 2009 19:53:14 GMT
|
|
on the audi coupe front, 2.2 petrols were available, but similar mpg to the v6...
however, very rare to find but handy for what u wanted, I believe (having only seen one so far) they did a LHD coupe TDi..... great topless mpg.
If I were you tho, I'd spend budget on a mechanically sound BMW... as not only is it likely to go the distance! but european spares if it doens't, i would surmise, will not be hard to find.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 28, 2009 19:56:11 GMT
|
E30s. My weakness. I miss my 318iS, absolutely fantastic car. It's such a pity they never put that engine in the convertible. Get a 318 convertible run it round europe and then when you get home find a donor and give it 16v powerz not sure if its the sort of thing your looking at but.................. scimitar SS1 1600 cc, (Escort engine) open top, about 1.5 - 3K buys you a nice example Can't you get these with a Nissan engine in a CA18ET out of a S12 Silvia iirc? Or did I dream this combo maybe. Theres a quite few engine converted ones about - loads of web info on the SS1, but I'm no expert - maybe there was a choice of engine from new |
| |
Someone just shot the elephant in the room. |
|
tri
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,572
|
|
Sept 28, 2009 20:06:52 GMT
|
|
I do like the MR-2 T bars.. and as said it has the 4AGE in it which is an awesome little engine.
However, a T bar is hugely impractical for a long road trip, as you'll have nowhere to keep the roof when you're not using it.
If it were me I'd pick up an MX-5 for sure.
|
| |
 I forgot how to retro...  |
|
|
|
|
Sept 28, 2009 20:08:09 GMT
|
meatballturbo - a Saab turbo was one of my first thoughts but they all seem to be mad money I picked one up a couple of years ago for £2.5k, with a years ticket, fully rebuilt engine, and a recon transmission. Made the silly mistake of buying blind off the bay. The "Don't think it leaks but it was the next job to do" roof turned out to let in about a litre of water ever couple of weeks over winter, into the roof storage trough, and the slighly bubbly A pillars were rotten and out of alignment like they had been damaged. Not far out, but enough to notice when I tried to adjust the window/A-Pillar/roof gap to cut down the roof/window noise draught. Ended up selling to a German at an £800 loss, just as the weather turned decent. Apart from the a-pillars/roof it was mint, and if I had another £2k to spend, I could have had a brand new roof professionally fitted, and a topend body shop to remove the screen, either replace, or repair and straighten the A-Pillars, and get a brand new screen fitted (Screen alone £700) as the old one was showing small signs of delaminating in the corners. I loved it, and I can say that heated seats in the winter with the roof down make a magnificent drive, especially at night with the stars out. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 28, 2009 20:14:33 GMT
|
Not a turbo but the auto box didn't suite the turbo anyway, shifting would drop it out of boost range, and a stock turbo could kill the auto box with a decent hoof anyway. Should make a decent cross continent cruiser, and a lot better nick than my old one. Or this one as long as you get him to stick on a years ticket because it is slightly over budget. Have a look at some buyers guides and get an inspection done, make sure the roof works properly, give it some beans on a test drive to make sure it doesn't pop out of gearand if it all checks out, don't worry about the mileage, it is pretty low. Well looked after they do Starship ranges.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 28, 2009 22:11:16 GMT
|
I'd have the MX5... Although I actually have one of these on the cards for myself. Not what you'd call 'very reliable' though!  |
| |
The journey of 1000 miles starts with a single coffee.
I don't like coffee!
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 28, 2009 22:23:19 GMT
|
|
fast and furious rx7 if they do t bar
mx5
audi 80 conv
sorted spitfire - would be wary tho
e22o conv
fiat 124 spider
fiat barchetta
|
| |
2001 HONDA CT110 (NOT RCV)
|
|
|
|
richk
Part of things
Posts: 43
|
|
Sept 29, 2009 12:48:23 GMT
|
|
I'm thinking of doing something similar next summer myself. My choice (although biased) would be the MX5 aswell, great fun and excellent value for money.
Mine was a little over £700 off ebay with 155000km and been an Eunos has A/C as already suggested you may need on the hotter parts of the journey. All thoughts of the girly image disappear as soon as you drive it. Not geared too well for motorway driving but who wants to be stuck on the motorways on a trip like that, and mine returns an easy 30-35mpg if not driven too hard. Although this would drop massively if you were to supercharge or turbo it.
I wouldn't worry too much over the mileage of the one you've seen either, the main thing to worry about is rust and whether the hood is in good order. Theres many still going strong with over 200,000 miles on the clock not kilometers.
2nd choice would be the E30 as always had a soft spot for these and always wanted one having already owned an E36 and an E46. . . one day I'll have one!
|
| |
1340cc 1989 mini
1098cc 1977 mini clubman in antique gold
1991 Eunos Roadster
1997 VW Polo 16v
|
|
Mark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,097
|
|
Sept 29, 2009 13:01:44 GMT
|
Hey guys, Ta for the suggestions! Tri - I'd totally forgotten about what I'd do with the sunroofs when not in use! Good point. I don't think I can see myself getting an MR2 now. meatballturbo - I drive a Saab daily at the mo (08 9-3 TiD) so that'd be one of the things which would push me away from them. Plus there isn't really a market for the convertibles over here. driftscim - an E30 is way up there at the top. I don't know if it would be as trouble free as the MX-5 though? needabeetle - I don't think I could risk an RX-7 as awesome as they are! hairnet - think we're on the same page dude. E220 convertible would be AWESOME but the insurance and tax  richk - what year is your Eunos? Sounds like you got a good deal! Has it been reliable for you? Any hassles? What year is it? What rpm is 75mph (or 120km/h ish). I think I need to go and look at an E30 cabrio too to compare for size etc, the Mx-5 is a little cosy. The odd thing is that my girlfriend prefers the E30 the most out of the lot. I thought the MX-5 would be automatic winner on her side! The Eunos I'm going to see is €1200 (£1000). Take into account that if I bought in the UK, I'd have to pay import tax (€500) & for flight & ferry (about €250) The car is effectively the same as buying a £400 Eunos in the UK. The cheapest one I've seen here is €2.5k. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 29, 2009 13:06:15 GMT
|
|
e30 cab ... deffo buy the BEST 318cab you can and stick the m42 from an IS into it ..... WIN and if you are going round europe ittl help to be in a european car for parts availibilty should something go wrong bmw are very good and reasonably priced for parts for the older cars or an e21 baur .....
|
| |
|
|
Mr S
Posted a lot
10-4 Good buddy.
Posts: 2,654
|
|
Sept 29, 2009 14:39:24 GMT
|
Celica Convertible? Fairly rare though, but not that expensive I don't think  |
| |
Suzuki GSXR1000 K2
BMW R1150GS
BMW K1200RS
Chevy K5 Blazer
Chevy Suburban LT
Jaguar XKR
|
|
bazzateer
Posted a lot
Imping along sans Vogue
Posts: 3,653
|
|
Sept 29, 2009 16:32:20 GMT
|
The Scimitar was indeed available with the Nissan Turbo 1.8 out of the Silvia, or you could have a 1.4 Ford engined one..............................................Hmmmm........................decisions decisions............................ |
| |
1968 Singer Chamois Sport
1972 Sunbeam Imp Sport
1976 Datsun 260Z 2+2
1998 Peugeot Boxer Pilote motorhome
2003 Rover 75 1.8 Club SE (daily)
2006 MG ZT 190+ (another daily)
2007 BMW 530d Touring M Sport (tow car)
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 29, 2009 17:22:11 GMT
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 29, 2009 17:49:51 GMT
|
i found one of the audi's too for you:  www.pistonheads.com/sales/1265671.htmbut my new favourite is the crx (del sol) they are 1600 but they don't half shift too wicked cars but I'm too big |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 29, 2009 21:20:15 GMT
|
driftscim - an E30 is way up there at the top. I don't know if it would be as trouble free as the MX-5 though? needabeetle - I don't think I could risk an RX-7 as awesome as they are! Yeah, they're not known for reliability. Looked after properly, you'd be fine, but on a 10K journey you'd be changing your oil at LEAST twice in that period! Looked after the N/A does 120'000ish before it needs a rebuild! Mpg at bottom of 20's though. E30 with M42 FTW. I have an M42 engined 4 door personally, and its a great car. 2 mods to do though - vectra 2.5 v6 injectors (I can get you part number) improves power, mpg and smoothness, amazingly! And a chip to help match the injectors. Both are worth doing IMO! Definite improvement. Get the E30 or MX5. |
| |
The journey of 1000 miles starts with a single coffee.
I don't like coffee!
|
|
|
|
|
Sept 29, 2009 21:34:11 GMT
|
I'm seriously considering an E30 now. Robin - I reckon I'd do the 16v transplant before the trip, sure whats the point in missing out on 10k of fun I like your commitment ;D Do the E30! |
| |
Sierra - here we go again! He has an illness, it's not his fault.
|
|
will
Posted a lot
Posts: 4,023
|
|
Sept 29, 2009 21:43:33 GMT
|
|
I'd go e30 too but I think this stems from having a electric blue matchbox one as a kid........way cool
|
| |
|
|
|
|
