Everyday use Classic

Discodog

So I am seriously considering getting a 1979 Land Rover. It would be exempt from the NCT, low tax & relatively easy to work on with available parts.

So what would you go for as an everyday use Classic & why ?

Saab Ed

I'm no LR expert so this just opinion. It would certainly be one hell of a cool yoke to be driving everyday but...... they're awful on juice, cold in the winter, not very comfy for the daily commute and just bloody hard work to drive with a heavy clutch and steering. My heart says go ahead but my head says no way.

shawnee

Discodog wrote: »

So I am seriously considering getting a 1979 Land Rover. It would be exempt from the NCT, low tax & relatively easy to work on with available parts.

So what would you go for as an everyday use Classic & why ?

Drive one for a day in November and then make up your mind. A land rover is slightly better than a tractor and I'm talking about one of the tractors of that era.. Noisy , uncomfortable , slow , I could go on.....
Grand for an hour or two when you are driving around a field or going to a show. If you want a daily driver classic, buy a merc you won't regret it.:D

bbam

shawnee wrote: »

buy a merc you won't regret it.:D

Until there's a hint of snow or frost and you'll get stuck on a snowball...:rolleyes:
Seriously though, it does depend on your daily commute.. If you're an hour in the car now that will be one and a half housr in a less comfortable vehicle.
If you have a short commute and generally don' drive far it would be great...

si_guru

bbam wrote: »

Until there's a hint of snow or frost and you'll get stuck on a snowball

Snow.... you need the right tyres. A Land Rover on road tyres is equally as useless as car.

OP - Have you EVER been in one.. I've had many.

It's a very, very, very aquired taste! Max speed is 45 in the diesel and you will crack open the champagne if you ever top 20mpg! No power steering and very heavy steering, no servo brakes on SWB and very grabby drums all round.

Pre 79 will likely be rusted to hell as it's never had an NCT... don't be fooled by stories of "they are made of aluminium - they will never rot"... they are grand at rotting.

tbh the lack of NCT is not a saving - it will cost a lot to keep on the road as you will see endless faults emerge.

...but some of us keep coming back for more.

101sean

and some of us are totally addicted!

There are a few that drive a series 3 every day, usually with a later engine in. Definitely try one first and get help looking for one if you go that route, they can be a real rot box and drain on money but find a good one and you could love it :eek:

A good 2.25 diesel will do around 20-25mpg and just about do 55mph, the petrol is faster and does 18-20mpg and is a far sweeter engine, not many here though :rolleyes: A typical conversion is 200tdi minus turbo, will do 60ish and around 35mpg (noisily!)

The best Series 3 is the Stage 1 V8 (79 - 83) but you wouldn't like the 12-14mpg

Any of them will be very maintenance intensive for everyday use, most of us have at least two as one will be off the road at any one time!

shawnee

And make sure you buy a good overcoat and warm socks if you have a 79 Landy. Cos you'll bloody freeze in them..
Seriously though I have driven these and quite like them but would never choose one as a daily driver unless I was driving to my farm three miles away with six bales of hay on the roof and two dogs inside to keep me warm:D:D (well that's what the landy was designed for):p

si_guru

101sean wrote: »

The best Series 3 is the Stage 1 V8 (79 - 83) but you wouldn't like the 12-14mpg

Once I got 20mpg out of my stage 1... that was doing a steady 50 on the motorway for 3 hours! But the rest of the time 10-15.... the only guys who envied me (for mpg) were 101 owners!

101sean

Keep telling myself the sound is worth the lousy mpg :eek:
Exhaust note of a well tuned V8 takes some beating :cool:
burble burble

shawnee

si_guru wrote: »

Once I got 20mpg out of my stage 1... that was doing a steady 50 on the motorway for 3 hours! But the rest of the time 10-15.... the only guys who envied me (for mpg) were 101 owners!

A good few of those Landys were driven by farmers down the country and ran quite well on what was then known as "ribena" Decreased the running costs by around 50% :P

kermitpwee

I wouldn't worry about the nct, i would go mk2 golf jetta or even a mk1 like this, imo a steal
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/2458189

shawnee

kermitpwee wrote: »

I wouldn't worry about the nct, i would go mk2 golf jetta or even a mk1 like this, imo a steal
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/2458189

Very nice Jetta that one ,I suppose it would be near impossible to get a diesel golf or jetta of that era in such condition ,but is probably worth near enough that if one really wanted it. Mind you hasn't been snapped up yet

101sean

Good point, get something like that for everyday (cheap tax next year and need for NCT shouldn't be regarded as a nuisance) and a Land Rover for weekend fun and winter driving, cheap motoring all round

Land Rover wise, only another two years until the earliest 110s become classic.

kermitpwee

shawnee wrote: »

Very nice Jetta that one ,I suppose it would be near impossible to get a diesel golf or jetta of that era in such condition ,but is probably worth near enough that if one really wanted it. Mind you hasn't been snapped up yet

If that jetta is as good as it looks its worth 3000 pre recession:D

Discodog

Yes I have driven Landys. I have a petrol Freelander so I am well aware of the potential grief :eek:.

This vehicle will only do about 4000 miles per year & all of it on local roads where 40 mph is the max - I am usually towing a light trailer.

I used to occasionally drive a LWB back in the late 70's & I loved it but it might be fun to see how it feels now - maybe I am looking back with rose tints.

The NCT is an issue for me. I have had to spend a fortune in time & money to persuade my Freelander to pass the emission test - it was a narrow fail. I would never run a dangerous vehicle but I suspect that emissions will become an increasing problem with older cars.

When does a car become exempt from the NCT ? The CI website says pre 1980 but is it when the vehicle is over 30 years old ? Also does this apply to commercials ?

If I were to go for a Landy then I would probably look via the Landrover clubs - I have heard that they are an honest bunch of lads !

alastair

Discodog wrote: »

When does a car become exempt from the NCT ? The CI website says pre 1980 but is it when the vehicle is over 30 years old ? Also does this apply to commercials ?

There had been a rolling 30 year exemption from NCT, but it ended at 1980 cars, so anything older qualifies. Dunno what the DOE situation is.

CathalGlynn

Discodog wrote: »

Yes I have driven Landys. I have a petrol Freelander so I am well aware of the potential grief :eek:.

This vehicle will only do about 4000 miles per year & all of it on local roads where 40 mph is the max - I am usually towing a light trailer.

I used to occasionally drive a LWB back in the late 70's & I loved it but it might be fun to see how it feels now - maybe I am looking back with rose tints.

The NCT is an issue for me. I have had to spend a fortune in time & money to persuade my Freelander to pass the emission test - it was a narrow fail. I would never run a dangerous vehicle but I suspect that emissions will become an increasing problem with older cars.

When does a car become exempt from the NCT ? The CI website says pre 1980 but is it when the vehicle is over 30 years old ? Also does this apply to commercials ?

If I were to go for a Landy then I would probably look via the Landrover clubs - I have heard that they are an honest bunch of lads !

I have a 1972 mg midget. I use it every day in the summer. But out of respect for the carbi lock it away In winter. I never have any trouble. Driving a classic is one of lifes pleasures.

CG.

101sean

the Landrover clubs - I have heard that they are an honest bunch of lads !

We generally are!

Plenty of other owners in your area. www.4xforum.net is independent but has links to all the clubs. There's to be a swapmeet and off road weekend at Dartfield Equestrian Centre near Loughrea on 15/16 October. http://www.4xforum.net/index.php?topic=926.0

gyppo

In my opinion, if you want a classic for everyday use, I'd go for something with a bit of comfort, such as a rover P6, merc w123, or something of that nature.
A friend of mine has a series 2 landrover, and theres no way I'd contemplate it for everyday use. Its noisy, smelly, draughty, rattly, and an effort to drive.
Having said that, its great fun offroad.
Im not trying to knock landrovers, on ther contrary, I think they are brilliant for what they were designed for - its just if you intend using one for a daily commute, you might get sick of it quickly.

Just saw this - if its not a rustbucket, and could be bought for 1400-1500, thats where Id be putting my money.
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/2549968

kermitpwee

Discodog wrote: »

The NCT is an issue for me. I have had to spend a fortune in time & money to persuade my Freelander to pass the emission test - it was a narrow fail. I would never run a dangerous vehicle but I suspect that emissions will become an increasing problem with older cars.

The reason I said not to worry about the Nct is that if you have a carb or diesel mk2 golf jetta once its structurally sound there is feck all that they can fail it on in the Nct. The emissions will be easy to pass as there is not cat and no sensors to cause problems. Newer cars are problematic at the emissions test alrite and to be fair a Freelander is not half as well built as a mk2 golf.
I reckon you want an old pre 80 landie and if you do then go for it, life is too short to worry, if it does need a bit work every 6 months what about, at least it will be easy to fix issues unlike the freelander. Not bashing the freelander completely here as I do like them but in saying that I wouldn't chance another persons money on one never mind my own:D