Economical classic

Gel

Any recommendations on a daily driver classic that gives good MPG?

Kenny Logins

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/3492552

?

Itsfixed

Sort of in the same boat myself. Have an old bmw six-cylinder gas guzzler, but might need to do a few longer trips over the next year.

Don't want a diesel though. Don't mind if its not tax-exempt yet but engine can't be bigger than 1.4. I've a bit of a french bias here, but here goes:

VW Golf mk1
VW Polo or derby mk1
Renault 5
Peugeot 205
Citroen AX
Renault 4
Mini (not good for long journeys though)
Citroen BX 1.4
Fiat Uno
Metro

Gel

Yeah, saw that Merc on Donedeal. She's '81 so would need an NCT but would qualify for classic insurance and tax ...am I right?
A bit pricy though!

Kenny Logins

Gel wrote: »

Yeah, saw that Merc on Donedeal. She's '81 so would need an NCT but would qualify for classic insurance and tax ...am I right?
A bit pricy though!

Yep, yep, yep and yep.

Gel

How about this:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/3955027

Kenny Logins

How is that economical? You'd probably get low 20s MPG out of that, a 2000 Golf TDi will do more than double that, and only cost €600 more p.a. in road tax.

Gel

Well, you've answered my question. I was wondering what kind of mileage you'd get from one of these.

They do look cool though and really practical if you live in the sticks like I do.

Kenny Logins

Here's where I found the MPG figures -

http://www.fuelly.com/car/land%20rover/series%20iii

Yeah, I like them too, but not much good where I live.

JCDUB

Economical classic - bit of an oxymoron really isn't it??

Was looking at a couple of BMW 2002's and Golf GTI Mk 1's myself before, but you'd be looking at 20-23mpg at best, so not really a goer.

I think any of the enthusiasts on this forum will tell you that if you're looking for a reliable, economical daily driver, then a classic is not really the way to go.

Stained Class

I think you need to see beyond MPG figures to look for economy in running a classic or any other car.

Reliability. Will the car break down often? Are parts expensive or unobtainable?

For example, an early Metro would qualify as a classic with good MPG. However the tyres on these cars are in Metric sizes, which can be expensive to replace.

My vote would go to a 1.6 Capri. Expect MPG to be in the mid thirties. Parts are in general easy to find. Easily fixed at home with basic tools.
And all in a stylish package.

Job done.:D

Itsfixed

JCDUB wrote: »

Economical classic - bit of an oxymoron really isn't it??

Was looking at a couple of BMW 2002's and Golf GTI Mk 1's myself before, but you'd be looking at 20-23mpg at best, so not really a goer.

I think any of the enthusiasts on this forum will tell you that if you're looking for a reliable, economical daily driver, then a classic is not really the way to go.

I regularly managed over 30mpg in my old 2002 tii, actually. But I agree with the general point, can't be too fixated on mpg if you're looking at 30+ year old cars.

Capri

Have a 600cc Dyane lightweight ( rusted:D) for sale - 73 so no NCT - must do at least 50mpg/mph with lightweight body :D:D

mattroche

That red Mercedes 300D is in a Y Plate, which came out Sept. 1982 to Sept 1983, so it may NOT be 30 yrs old yet. If you are buying, Check the Vin No. on the Body.

neverweaken

My Mk2 Scirocco 1.8i gets 37mpg all day long. Very reliable car and great fun.
Parts/ engine are the same as a Mk1 Golf GTI but they can be bought for much less than half the price of a Mk1 GTI.
The early ones are now 30 yrs old so cheap tax aswell.

2cv

Capri wrote: »

Have a 600cc Dyane lightweight ( rusted:D) for sale - 73 so no NCT - must do at least 50mpg/mph with lightweight body :D:D

Is that this one by any chance?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/3903062

w124man

I have a lovely little VW Polo from 1990 with less than 27k on the clock which Im thinking about selling. You would be hard pushed to find one nicer and it quite economical ......

hi5

I always liked the shape of those little polos.
Nicknamed 'bread vans', not sure why as I have never seen one with paneled side windows.

Alfasudcrazy

I have been through the entire economical classic thing using several different examples including an ultra economical Citroen AX diesel (any excuse to buy another car) and I have come to the conclusion that its just not possible to have an economical classic. They can't be used as daily drivers economically anyway .

Sure the AX did 70mpg but broke my heart with other issues some of which were expensive - then there was the road tax at nearly €600 per year - any fuel savings were more than wiped out.

I am now thinking that your are far better with a modern small diesel car - 1400cc. It would be the most economical option overall.

But to hell with that for me - I am hoping to buy a Toyota GT86 2.0 petrol or the Subaru BRZ version of the same car if certain things work out for me soon.

Pdfile

Alfasudcrazy wrote: »

I have been through the entire economical classic thing using several different examples including an ultra economical Citroen AX diesel (any excuse to buy another car) and I have come to the conclusion that its just not possible to have an economical classic. They can't be used as daily drivers economically anyway .

Sure the AX did 70mpg but broke my heart with other issues some of which were expensive - then there was the road tax at nearly €600 per year - any fuel savings were more than wiped out.

I am now thinking that your are far better with a modern small diesel car - 1400cc. It would be the most economical option overall.

But to hell with that for me - I am hoping to buy a Toyota GT86 2.0 petrol or the Subaru BRZ version of the same car if certain things work out for me soon.

1.4 lupo diesel during the week, gt86 on the weekend would be deadly!

Capri

hi5 wrote: »

I always liked the shape of those little polos.
Nicknamed 'bread vans', not sure why as I have never seen one with paneled side windows.

Polo van - less rare than Sierra van , http://www.saxperience.com/forum/showthread.php?t=181513

Capri

Panda 4x4 ? http://www.motor-klassik.de/fahrberichte/fiat-panda-4x4-der-kleine-wald-erdbaer-1103063.html

Citroen 2CV ? http://www.motor-klassik.de/kaufberatung/kaufberatung-citroen-2-cv-enten-rosten-alle-fast-ueberall-1204615.html

Thinkingaboutit

Not a Wolseley 16/60, although it did well on a recent 300 mile round trip, but there was little stop start in that one.

Dades

w124man wrote: »

My 80-something granny flipped one of those and had to be cut out while hanging from the roof!

Turned out to be her last trip behind the wheel. :pac:

jordan1976

how about a mk1 or mk2 golf diesel car or van, 1600cc and are nippy enough.

maidhc

Alfasudcrazy wrote: »

I am now thinking that your are far better with a modern small diesel car - 1400cc. It would be the most economical option overall.

Even a modern Petrol. I am running a Celica VVti at the mo. Does 37mpg on average, a lovely to drive and reasonably quick.

Still love the Capri though.

Capri

maidhc wrote: »

Even a modern Petrol. I am running a Celica VVti at the mo. Does 37mpg on average, a lovely to drive and reasonably quick.

Still love the Capri though.

Capri with a Zetec or Cossie V6 and 5sp box conversion ??

http://www.retrofordmagazine.co.uk/

iverjohnston

The Series 2 or 3 Landrover would be more economical than you might imagine. You will of course be spending far more time under it than most other classics!

Iver in Cavan