Comfortable Classic?

mustang68

I've recently had the misfortune to have to drive the Mustang daily for over a week (my main car was crashed into in traffic, and the nice man in the van who did it kept going and eventually burnt out his van, that was after stealing something from Lidl!). I do mean misfortune, it was a terrible week, other than numerious mechanical problems (broken brake valve, coolant leak, annoying rattles etc.) it is really a very uncomfortable car to drive.

After driving to work, I'd be sore and a little deafer, parts of me would be numb from vibration and it was costing me 8 euro in fuel!! Its also difficult to not attract attention, (no nose picking!!) and every boy racer thinks that a really original thing to do is.....rev their engine. Also the song "Mustang Sally", I hate it now!!

Does anyone else feel the same when forced to drive their classic? Or do you drive more comfortable classics? Anyway this is the end of my rant, I really love the car, but not as a daily driver.

RoundyMooney

You've just shattered my illusion.

I always fancied a hardtop Muzzy, you see

My last classic, (TR7) was a comfortable drive to be fair, but I had so many issues with it that every journey outside the town boundary was fraught with nerves and constant earwigging for funny noises.

I sold it for that reason, if you can't have faith in your car then it's hard to relax and actually enjoy the drive.

My current half classic (E30) is a paragon of reliability, and runs like a swiss watch, but the problem is I just don't use it enough, and am now flogging it

I suppose the best approach is either an excellent restored vehicle, or one that you, shall we say, know intimately yourself, through rebuilding or whatever. (Not saying your machine is either by the way).

I always thought that yank tanks came with comfort as standard.

Any of our American aficianados have any thoughts?

beerbaron

Would love a Mustang so You wont get much sympathy from me !! Sorry to hear about your misfortune though.

unkel

A Merc? W123 or even better, W116

Dustpuppy

I am driving my '67 beetle every day. The only problem i have are the bad roads in town (every town), because it's a lowered car. With some normal attention on the car it's no problem to use a classic for every day. Don't forget, it's an old baby.

Cheers
Dusty

dubtom

My old mustang, sniff.. was extremly uncomfortable on long drives. It wasn't the posture or seating position,but the seats themselves. Even my extra bodily padding didn't compensate.I'm sure if I had repadded them it would have made a difference, or maybe stuck sierra seats or something in it.But that would have felt just wrong.

BrianD3

I'd imagine that seat and ride comfort isn't an issue for ds20prefecture or cxcully

3ps

so they are pieces of junk in reality?

I think it's time to switch if you feel this way about your "pride and joy".

There are plenty of other cars out there that will be interesting and more comfortable.

franksm

My recommendation: Triumph Stag with manual/overdrive gearbox - very, very comfortable to drive (always thought it would be an "american" drive until I read your post !!)

With the manual gearbox, fuel consumption isn't too bad (22mpg) but with the 3-speed auto box... forget it.

Much negative talk about the Stag from people who have never owned one, so don't listen to them

Dades

I sold my Fiat Spider which was great for short trips but a pain in the ass longer distances. There was also a bit of a smoke issue in traffic. :eek:

It's replacement, a 350 SL, is a world apart. It's the same year, 1972, but in terms of comfort and ease of use it's years ahead. I liken it to driving a fast sofa. Of course it helps that it's an auto, which will heighten the comfort factor on any long drive, or drive in traffic.

I'd love a Mustang some day - but not when I'm restricted to one classic!

Just throwing it out there as an option...

Blue850

unkel wrote:

A Merc? W123 or even better, W116

or a W114/W115,

tc20

Blue850 wrote:

or a W114/W115,

i can personally vouch for the comfort of these models (have a W114). I got new shocks all round last year, and truly the ride is sweet- floaty almost, without losing feel of whats happening. My car has the half mb-tex/half cloth interior, so its extremely durable.

One point tho' - my car is a lhd, and for the first while, i found i was getting kinda leg cramps/back twinges, but once i got used to it, i was fine. I've often heard that rhd versions of modern cars (manufactured mainly for lhd markets) are slightly out of line with correct posture, causing similar effects.
Any other left-hook brethren find this to be the case too?

gyppo

unkel wrote:

A Merc? W123 or even better, W116

Would get my vote too. A nice w123 is on my future shopping list.

mike65

tc20 wrote:

. I've often heard that rhd versions of modern cars (manufactured mainly for lhd markets) are slightly out of line with correct posture, causing similar effects.

True in some cars you end up with the drivers seat not true in alignment with the wheel, then there are smaller things like no footrest for your left peg, the handbrake on the wrong side of the centre consol, ignition on the 'wrong' side (hello old Mercedes!) and things like brake lines and power steering systems that are tougher to work on as the steering column is in the way on RHD.

Mike.

Hifive

franksm wrote:

My recommendation: Triumph Stag with manual/overdrive gearbox - very, very comfortable to drive

Have to agree with Frank about the Stag. We have bad roads around here,(who doesn't) and the Stag is softer and more comfortable then the wifes Volvo SUV, and definitely better than my last car, a Volvo V50 with 17in, 50 profile tyres as standard. It also has a good driving position, with a drivers foot rest and the steering wheel adjusts for both rake and reach. The clutch is light but the brakes need a good shove. I've had new seat foams and diaphragms which I'm sure makes a difference.

Atheist, can I p.m. you about your 350 sl? I;m going to see one on Monday week and would appreciate your advice.

Blue850

tc20 wrote:

i can personally vouch for the comfort of these models (have a W114). I got new shocks all round last year, and truly the ride is sweet- floaty almost, without losing feel of whats happening. My car has the half mb-tex/half cloth interior, so its extremely durable.

One point tho' - my car is a lhd, and for the first while, i found i was getting kinda leg cramps/back twinges, but once i got used to it, i was fine. I've often heard that rhd versions of modern cars (manufactured mainly for lhd markets) are slightly out of line with correct posture, causing similar effects.
Any other left-hook brethren find this to be the case too?

I just got a W115, and its great, hard to believe these cars were launched almost 40 years ago.

3ps

i just sold my 115 and it was a pleasure to drive once it got up to speed!

--amadeus--

I've been driving classics for my daily transport for the last five years. We have a modern for long drives with the family but I've gone from Limerick to Galway and Dublin on business in my most recent classics.

I had a W108 saloon and it was brilliant - easily capable of keeping pace with modern traffic on teh motorway and very comfortable. Still a tidy drive though, not at all wallowy. The 911 was great on back roads and again had no issues with motorways. Every now and again I'd get annoyed by little things (no heat in winter was an example!) but taking teh long way home soon put paid to that. My new Mk II still isn't working but once it is it will again be an everyday car...

As for teh attention - it may be different in Dublin but around here people soon get used to seeing you and the stares (sort of ) stop.

Dades

Hifive wrote:

Atheist, can I p.m. you about your 350 sl? I;m going to see one on Monday week and would appreciate your advice.

Course you can, Hifive.
I got advice from Boards posters too, but PM me and we'll talk.

tc20

Blue850 wrote:

I just got a W115, and its great, hard to believe these cars were launched almost 40 years ago.

cool Blue850, what year/model did you get? And where did you source it?
As regards nigh on 40year old cars, they're pretty bullet proof alright

chevyv8

hey mustang68, sorry to hear that man , its part of the price we pay for driving classics,i would drive mine everyday if i could park it in town, you would spot it a mile away and dont want undue attention. ive been in a lot of older yankee motors and find them fairly comfortable, dont forget these motors are nearly 40 yrs old. vibrations can be caused by various things, try getting the wheels balanced , are the shocks gone, is the driveshaft out of line or the universal joints throwing the shaft outa line? as for the rattles , they are probably mostly in the window rubbers and seals , window rattles would drive you insane , solution turn up the stereo. check that all the rubbers underneath the car are in good condition and not perished, they squeak like bejasus. suprised to hear that the seats are that uncomfortable, are the foams still intact or the metal frame broken? you could always uprate the seats from any of the suppliers in the usa. as for petrol there is no way round that one. just enjoy it for the great car that it is.

Blue850

1973 230/4, Gave me a real fright with fuel consumption from Cork to Galway:D until i realised the price of petrol, its actually doing about 23mpg, sticking brake calipers aren't helping either, its also got a thrumming sound in the drivetrain somewhere, off to my mechanics tonight for a checkover.

tc20

@ Blue850 - 23mpg, hey thats not too bad I've a 72 230, 6pot. Soon to be up and running after carb issues. I was getting around 20-21mpg, we'll see if this improves with (practically) new carbs, and a clean out of the petrol tank. I also got new calipers fitted, and she pulls up straight and true. Now you mention the thrumming, i have a similar 'whine' when the car is idling in neutral, with the clutch up. Depress the clutch and the noise disappears, my mech reckons its a bearing in the 'box, but nothing too serious for now.
You bought the car in Galway? Is it an original Irish car, pretty rare if it is so.

Best of luck with her.

Blue850

No,got it in Cork, UK car with full MBSH ,but spent 20 years in France. autobox, pure nostalgia as my father had a 71 280E before he passed away in 83, least now i can give the poor auld Fiat 850 a break from the long hauls;)

mike65

tc20 that sounds like the release bearing, not something that needs quick attention.

Mike.

tc20

Cheers mike. I had my mech give her a full check when i got it. He's happy to attend to other more pressing items for now.

@ Blue- nice one. Your dads old 280e sounds cool. And, yeah, you'll enjoy cruisin' and wafting along. Once i got 4 new standard Bilstein shocks in, the car just soaks up imperfections in the road. Tons of room for people in the back too, and the boot is huge huge huge (sorry, bit of an echo in there)

AsphaltRisin'

Old Mercs are great indeed. But how about a (Shock, Horror!!!!) Ford Granada Ghia? MKI or MKII version. Get one with an auto gearbox and you're set. They may not be prestige cars like old mercs, jags etc, and are definately not sports cars like a tr7 or an MG, but if it's affordable, comfortable classic motoring you're after one of those is a good bet.

@OP: Is it really that bad? I know you'll get some annoying attention form lads in civics... but do you not think it's worth the little bit of a reduction in comfort to be drivin around in such a cool car? Don't get me wrong, I'm Not havin a go, i'm just wondering is is realy so bad...
I've never driven a mustang fro more than 20 minutes but by God i'd drive one every day if i had one. Bad comfort or not. But then comfort doesnt seem to be that important to me as i'm drivin a Ford P100 with rock hard leaf springs and van wheels and tryes as my daily driver.

Blue850

A Triumph 2000 in good condition is a good value old cruiser, nearly bought an original Irish reg 2.5PI once but got effed about by the seller.

fish-head

The Atheist wrote:

It's replacement, a 350 SL, is a world apart. ..

I'd love a Mustang some day - but not when I'm restricted to one classic!

I've always looked at those old SLs as Bavarian Mustangs..

ds20prefecture

For ride comfort you cannot beat a hydropneumatic Citroen. Jaguar and Rolls Royce come close, but ultimately a DS or CX is like floating by comparison. They also have spectacular amounts of rear leg room.

The downside is that the engines are noisy and they roll a lot (which can be uncomfortable for passengers who aren't hanging onto a steering wheel).

I've been using a DS daily for about 4 years now, and I find ALL cars uncomfortable by comparison. Modern cars are far too firmly sprung in their slavish search for "sporty" handling.

A good compromise is something like a MkII Jag - nice engine, excellent handling and good ride. Beautiful interiors too, and they are very pretty. Pricey though. A very good 3.8 will set you back 20k.

8~)

Must try out a DS or CX one day... my daily driver (again) is a W123 T, so has conventional suspension at the front, spheres at the rear... and it's the most comfortable classic drive I have had. I have a Jag to compare it to - which is very good, corners very flat, but is a bit harder than the Merc. Maybe if the Jag was more economical to run I'd prefer it! I've a (non classic) Xantia for the whole Citroen experience, which is great but it is a bit floaty on rough surfaces.

So, my vote's for the W123 Mercedes. All round good car; good ride, reasonable handling, reasonably quiet. Needs the 230 engine for any kind of power and an autobox. Practical too because they're reliable and reasonably economical to run.

mustang68

Wow!

thats some response,

First off, I really love my car, driving it is a blast and its great fun to get the hands dirty and try and figure out whats wrong, or what can be improved. Its just that when you have to drive it in rush hour traffic its not much fun, you suddenly realise that you're in a 40 year old car. I have 22 speed ramps on my way to work and it takes me 45 mins+ to drive 8 miles.

I've already replaced the seats and while they are much better than the whiplashers that I had, I think I went a bit racy with them. the suspension is nearly new and i think a previous owner wanted to take it to the indy500 or something, its not really all that nice for suburbia!

But when you take it out on a sunny day, windows down and it been waxed, there is no better feeling in the world! I've been driving behind new Astons, Mercs etc. worth many times the amount of the Mustang and everyone looks at you, and then you get a straight bit of road, open it up and the roar off the engine, its sweet, puts a smile on my face.

Its just a terrible daily driver and having to drive it spoiled it a bit.

chevyv8

mustang68 wrote:

Wow!

thats some response,

First off, I really love my car, driving it is a blast and its great fun to get the hands dirty and try and figure out whats wrong, or what can be improved. Its just that when you have to drive it in rush hour traffic its not much fun, you suddenly realise that you're in a 40 year old car. I have 22 speed ramps on my way to work and it takes me 45 mins+ to drive 8 miles.

I've already replaced the seats and while they are much better than the whiplashers that I had, I think I went a bit racy with them. the suspension is nearly new and i think a previous owner wanted to take it to the indy500 or something, its not really all that nice for suburbia!

But when you take it out on a sunny day, windows down and it been waxed, there is no better feeling in the world! I've been driving behind new Astons, Mercs etc. worth many times the amount of the Mustang and everyone looks at you, and then you get a straight bit of road, open it up and the roar off the engine, its sweet, puts a smile on my face.

Its just a terrible daily driver and having to drive it spoiled it a bit.

enjoy it man , you can bet your botom dollar the owners of the merc and other modern motors would swap with you . thats some amount of speedramps, and if they are anything like the ones in my place it must be hell. ones in estate are designed to stop bloody tanks and armoured personal carriers. have fun dude:cool:

MercMad

Actually my choice last year was for an early Mustang or a W111 Merc. I looked at a few Mustangs but the Merc came up and I bought it figuring it would be more economical (just ! ) and more practical (I think its longer than a 'stang ! )

Anyway I drive it very regularly, yesterday I did over 300 miles in it, mainly on secondary roads then home on the motorway, and I'm taking it to Wexford today !

You could fit a golf club in the boot...................yes "A" club...................the whole lot, car park, course, clubhouse etc....

No comfort issues here !!

MPG is maybe 22-24

NEVCC

My choice is a rover P5B coupe.. Bit hard on the gogo juice though. It does about 14 MPG and on the commute from temonfeckin to Dublin unfortunately its and everyday choice.
http://www.nevcc.net/Restoration_projects/RoverP5B.html

Citroen Guru

If you are not a stickler for originality a change of seats is a good idea. Recently finished restoring my old Volvo PV 544 and started using it. Very uncomfortable with seats made of coil springs and horsehair. So- trip to scrapyard and got leather bucket seats from a Renault 19. The old Vovo is now a transformed driving experiance. On par to a CX.
Had a big bonfire with the old seats!

PaulK_CCI

Citroen Guru wrote:

If you are not a stickler for originality a change of seats is a good idea. Recently finished restoring my old Volvo PV 544 and started using it. Very uncomfortable with seats made of coil springs and horsehair. So- trip to scrapyard and got leather bucket seats from a Renault 19. The old Vovo is now a transformed driving experiance. On par to a CX.
Had a big bonfire with the old seats!

Very good point Citroen Guru: have a look at this car. I you have a look at the interior, you can see it has modern Mustang seats fitted. I think it was done fairly tastefully (apart from the horrendous steering wheel).



I drove it over myself for its current owner, and it was such a difference to the normally pretty uncomfortable flat seat. Wouldnt have minded going all the way back with it...

Eric318

ds20prefecture wrote:

For ride comfort you cannot beat a hydropneumatic Citroen. Jaguar and Rolls Royce come close, but ultimately a DS or CX is like floating by comparison. They also have spectacular amounts of rear leg room.

The downside is that the engines are noisy and they roll a lot (which can be uncomfortable for passengers who aren't hanging onto a steering wheel).

I've been using a DS daily for about 4 years now, and I find ALL cars uncomfortable by comparison. Modern cars are far too firmly sprung in their slavish search for "sporty" handling.

A good compromise is something like a MkII Jag - nice engine, excellent handling and good ride. Beautiful interiors too, and they are very pretty. Pricey though. A very good 3.8 will set you back 20k.

Ds20Pref is right (as usual). The Jag XJ used to be called the magic carpet or something along those lines and that legend is true. Hard to beat. I drove it once non-stop from Paris to Nice and got to the other side as fresh as daisy. Luxury motoring finally made sense!! I have done that trip countless times in other (modern) cars and always ended up with a sore back, tired, cramped etc.

The most comfortable seats in the XJ are the back seats, but then driving is tricky...

I am told that the XJ40 is even better. You can snatch a good one for a handful of grands, why resist, you know you want one

junkyard

The steering tends to be a bit vague in any Jaguar I've ever owned, S-type, Mk 2, E-type, series 2, series 3 and XJ40, what do you think? or is it just me........

mike65

I am told that the XJ40 is even better. You can snatch a good one for a handful of grands, why resist, you know you want one

Yeah but I like my drive not to be filled with boxes of oily bits! Quite pricey on carzone all things considered.

Mike.

andy.s

mercedes 123

Eric318

junkyard wrote:

The steering tends to be a bit vague in any Jaguar I've ever owned, S-type, Mk 2, E-type, series 2, series 3 and XJ40, what do you think? or is it just me........

It all depends on what steering bushes are fitted. The cheapo ones give a fuzzy feel. Original ones, £25 (why bother with cheaper ones??) give a right feel.

ds20prefecture

junkyard wrote:

The steering tends to be a bit vague in any Jaguar I've ever owned, S-type, Mk 2, E-type, series 2, series 3 and XJ40, what do you think? or is it just me........

The few Jags i've driven have are a bit vague all right. Still, they're luxury saloons, not sports cars. And compared to any pre-1999 Mercedes they're fantastic.

@mustang68- you're more than welcome to a spin in my DS anytime you want. It's not perfect, in fact very far from it. But it's still a very special ride. Of course I'd need to get a wee blem in the Mustang! Seriously though, you should drive as many of these cars as you can.

How about something american? Classic Cadillacs and Lincolns are incredibly floaty, but somewhat under-damped so this can be uncomfortable on irish roads.

Eric318

mike65 wrote:

Yeah but I like my drive not to be filled with boxes of oily bits! Quite pricey on carzone all things considered.

Mike.

There is absolutely no reason why your Jag should leak oil. Only a sign of a lousy owner. Mine is as dry as a bone. My MGB is completely dry too. This oil leakage thing is a myth as far as I am concerned.

On the XJ, the 6 cyl XK engine has two cam covers (nice!!). Often you will see cars with leaks there, simply because the previous owners did not follow the RTFM rule (Read the F*****g Manual). The cam covers need a new gasket when opened (£2 each, big deal) and have to be reset at the correct torque. If the gaskets leak (dryness after not being used for a long time), the temptation is to tighten the bolts of the camcovers: this only "bends" the covers and accentuates the leaks. For heavens' sake, please spend £4 on new gaskets

Also often accused, the hand brake. The IRS (inboard brakes), has to be treated as intended. Replacing the handbrake pads is a fiddly procedure that cannot be undertaken reusing old parts. The difference between reusing old parts and getting the new ones is about £5 also...

As for price, this sort of thing is hardly expensive:

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=624623

Top of the range and at 100,000 kms on the clock, barely run-in...

I have not seen the car so cannot advise on its condition

This one looks like an outright bargain!!: http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=684133 and you can be sure you can do all the maintenance yourself!!

stratos

I use an xj40 very comfortable to drive have driven 1000 of miles across Britain and Ireland, I agree steering is a bit vague no real feel, however these cars break almost every week, nothing serious mind just one electrical item after the other. second hand parts are cheap and available, but a deep wallet or an understanding of 80's electronics is necessary.

MercMad

My choice is a rover P5B coupe.. Bit hard on the gogo juice though. It does about 14 MPG and on the commute from temonfeckin to Dublin unfortunately its and everyday choice.
http://www.nevcc.net/Restoration_projects/RoverP5B.html

..............lovely car there Eamonn and nice work !!

I had a photo of a black P5b taken in Rome ............in the sunshine and it drew more of a crowd than all the exotics floating by. It was just so unusual to see one over there !

Always loved them, but 14 mpg makes my 280SE look economical !!