mk5 cortina as everyday car???

JTbzr

I really love the look of these cars and the vintage tax makes it even better, but could a mk5 cortina be a good everyday car?

dgt

JTbzr wrote: »

I really love the look of these cars and the vintage tax makes it even better, but could a mk5 cortina be a good everyday car?

My dad ran a Mk4 2.0GL for years in the early 80s so I can't see why not :pac:

Just mind it well

Jesus.

Unless you get the V6, you'll probably find it under-powered for modern motoring (motorways, faster moving traffic on better roads etc). She'll also be quite thirsty.

Other than that, if you get a good 'un, I can't see why not.

mullingar

Stick in a modern engine.

The tax basis applies to the year of the car so you can have any engine You can fit

corktina

even a 1.6 Cortina would be well able for modern traffic, easy to work on, watch out for rust though. You should be able to better 30 mpg. I'd advise not to go for a V6 or an auto for everyday use. 2 litre would be great. Go for pre 1.1.1980 to be NCT exempt , you will have cheap tax on any Cortina and if it's a second car, cheap insurance too.....

summary ...it's all good.

piston

Yes but pump it full of Waxoyl first.

jimgoose

Sure, lovely old bus. Surprisingly reliable too, with a little TLC.

Jesus. wrote: »

Unless you get the V6, you'll probably find it under-powered for modern motoring (motorways, faster moving traffic on better roads etc). She'll also be quite thirsty...

The old 2-litre Pinto unit is a mighty yoke. Even the 1.6 would be perfectly capable in modern driving.

mullingar wrote: »

Stick in a modern engine...

No, no NO!!

holdmybeer

Don't you need a second car before you can insure the classic? Like a corsa or something reliable.

Henry Ford III

Jesus. wrote: »

Unless you get the V6, you'll probably find it under-powered for modern motoring (motorways, faster moving traffic on better roads etc). She'll also be quite thirsty.

Other than that, if you get a good 'un, I can't see why not.

Nonsense.

2.0l Cortina was plenty quick. It's relatively light.

corktina

2 litre is more or less as quick as the 2.3 V6 models, which were a vanity thing in the world of Company Cars (" ooooh you got a 2.3 , ? I only got a 2 litre :-( " )

2.8 out of a Granada (ie non injection ) will drop straight in in place of the 2.3 and then you'll be cooking with gas....even better , a 2.8 out of a 2.8i Capri or a 2.9 cosworth out of a Granada aren't too difficult to fit ...

jimgoose

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Nonsense.

2.0l Cortina was plenty quick. It's relatively light.

Aye. A shade over a ton, IIRC, with around 100HP and 114 lb./ft. from sod-all revs. Happy days!

Jesus.

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Nonsense.

2.0l Cortina was plenty quick. It's relatively light.

No doubt it was............... in its day. Motoring has gotten a good deal faster in the last 20-30 years. If he wants to just cruise about then no doubt it would be fine. But if he's comparing it to modern cars in the same bracket then there'd be quite a difference.

jimgoose

corktina wrote: »

2 litre is more or less as quick as the 2.3 V6 models, which were a vanity thing in the world of Company Cars (" ooooh you got a 2.3 , ? I only got a 2 litre :-( " )

2.8 out of a Granada (ie non injection ) will drop straight in in place of the 2.3 and then you'll be cooking with gas....even better , a 2.8 out of a 2.8i Capri or a 2.9 cosworth out of a Granada aren't too difficult to fit ...

The 2.8l Cologne is a lovely thing indeed. Didn't the Cortina use the same 3.0l Essex unit as the 3.0l Capri and Granada in some (non-UK) markets?

Jesus.

jimgoose wrote: »

Even the 1.6 would be perfectly capable in modern driving.]

I'd say you'd have to half kill it lad

Victor Meldrew

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Nonsense.

2.0l Cortina was plenty quick. It's relatively light.

My concerns would be overheating, lousy performance in damp weather (points ignition ?)

But brakes would be the real issue. modern cars can seriously out brake old cars, which will result in you discovering the consequences of such a light car as you rear end something.

More congested roads, distracted drivers...

power pants

from the rest of the poster backing up with facts -still seems it would hold its on driving on todays roads

corktina

jimgoose wrote: »

The 2.8l Cologne is a lovely thing indeed. Didn't the Cortina use the same 3.0l Essex unit as the 3.l Capri and Granada in some (non-UK) markets?

indeed my ex 3.0S from South Africa did

jimgoose

Jesus. wrote: »

No doubt it was............... in its day. Motoring has gotten a good deal faster in the last 20-30 years. If he wants to just cruise about then no doubt it would be fine. But if he's comparing it to modern cars in the same bracket then there'd be quite a difference.

Well obviously comparing such a thing to a modern petrol 2-litre would be a bit silly - these yokes are over thirty years old.

Jesus. wrote: »

I'd say you'd have to half kill it lad

Certainly not, no more so than some of the "modern" shyteheaps!

jimgoose

Victor Meldrew wrote: »

My concerns would be overheating, lousy performance in damp weather (points ignition ?)

But brakes would be the real issue. modern cars can seriously out brake old cars, which will result in you discovering the consequences of such a light car as you rear end something.

More congested roads, distracted drivers...

Overheating was never a problem with the 2.0l Pinto. My father, the lord be good and kind to him, drove Mk.I Granadas with the same engine for years, subjecting them to horrific abuse - basically the work of a tractor, at times! - and trust me, they don't break. With regard to the points, regular proper servicing with due regard to the age of the car and Ye Olde WD-40 keeps that nicely in order.

And while it is true that modern hydraulic disc-brakes can outbrake old heaps like the Cortina, modern drivers cannot.

corktina

Jesus. wrote: »

I'd say you'd have to half kill it lad

rubbish...I drove my Taunus TC1 (equivalent to a mk3 Cortina) many, many miles as my daily and never half killed it. A mk5 would be even more usable. Brakes are easily as good as modern brakes, no different in fact except no ABS, electronic ignition can easily be fitted if that's an issue (I never bothered)

OP take no notice of the Naysayers....I've done it and I know plenty of people who still do it....

jimgoose

corktina wrote: »

indeed my ex 3.0S from South Africa did

I badly want a Mk.I Granada. I shall then don brown leather jacket and screech around the place saying things like "Oi! Shut it! I'll be round your manor guv'nor, fitting you up annat, innit!"

corktina

jimgoose wrote: »

I badly want a Mk.I Granada. I shall then don brown leather jacket and screech around the place saying things like "Oi! Shut it! I'll be round your manor guv'nor, fitting you up annat, innit!"

not to mention " we haven't had our dinner" and crashing into cardboard boxes...I recommend ITV4, all the oldies are on there, but I can't get it here (not on SKY :-(

jimgoose

corktina wrote: »

not to mention " we haven't had our dinner" and crashing into cardboard boxes...I recommend ITV4, all the oldies are on there, but I can't get it here (not on SKY :-(

Yeah. Would such a vehicle also provide license to half-fall out of the car, chase a traffic warden up the street and give him a few thumps, Dennis Waterman-style, I wonder??

Jesus.

corktina wrote: »

rubbish...I drove my Taunus TC1 (equivalent to a mk3 Cortina) many, many miles as my daily and never half killed it. A mk5 would be even more usable. Brakes are easily as good as modern brakes, no different in fact except no ABS, electronic ignition can easily be fitted if that's an issue (I never bothered)

OP take no notice of the Naysayers....I've done it and I know plenty of people who still do it....

I should have known not to pick a fight about such a car with a bloke called Corktina

You're probably right mate. I bow to your superior knowledge on this one. Its just the numbers don't look too good ye know?

jimgoose

Jesus. wrote: »

I should have known not to pick a fight about such a car with a bloke called Corktina

You're probably right mate. I bow to your superior knowledge on this one. Its just the numbers don't look too good ye know?

The numbers look fine to me. I had a 1995 Mk. I Mondeo for a couple of years - considerably heavier car than any Cortina and 90-odd BHP from the 1.6l Zetec engine, fuel injection and all.

And actually, looking up some specs and that, the Mk. V Cortina appears to have a better power-to-weight ratio than most "normal" 2012 Focus models!

corktina

well if he had said Mk1 or 2 I might have been more cautious, but then again I used my Mk2 as an everyday for a long time.

It won't be the same float along experience as in a modern car (and that's actually quite a good thing) and it will be a little more prone to breakdowns, but looking at the economic figures it's a no brainer.

corktina

Jesus. wrote: »

I should have known not to pick a fight about such a car with a bloke called Corktina

You're probably right mate. I bow to your superior knowledge on this one. Its just the numbers don't look too good ye know?

at least you know I'm a bloke and don't think my name is Tina :-)

Jesus.

jimgoose wrote: »

The numbers look fine to me. I had a 1995 Mk. I Mondeo for a couple of years - considerably heavier car than any Cortina and 90-odd BHP from the 1.6l Zetec engine, fuel injection and all.

I suppose we're just getting back to the uniquely Irish definition of "perfectly adequate" now.

90 BHP in a Mondeo would be under-powered in my opinion, no matter what way you dress it up. But that's just my opinion. We all differ on that score.

jimgoose

Jesus. wrote: »

I suppose we're just getting back to the uniquely Irish definition of "perfectly adequate" now.

90 BHP in a Mondeo would be under-powered in my opinion, no matter what way you dress it up. But that's just my opinion. We all differ on that score.

Oh, I never said I conidered it "adequate", far from it! The point is that an old heap like the Cortina isn't as far away from modern as you might think. See my edit above, also.

Jesus.

jimgoose wrote: »

Oh, I never said I conidered it "adequate", far from it! The point is that an old heap like the Cortina isn't as far away from modern as you might think. See my edit above, also.

Indeed but this is all I was saying at the beginning: "you'll probably find it under-powered for modern motoring"

He'd get about grand in it but as with some modern, smaller-engine cars, he might find it a bit under-powered that's all. Obviously it wouldn't stack up at all against modern 2 liter's in that category. Depends on what he expects from it I suppose.

But as Corktina said, he had one and he said it was grand so he knows more than me about it!

corktina

it's amazing how big cars in the same class have got.....if you assume Cortina begat Sierra and Sierra begat Mondeo and then compare a 2013 Mondy with a 1982 Corty, you'd be amazed how small the Cortina is....as Jim infers, it is smaller than todays focus and even a fiesta looks big next to it.

just look at my Wifes fester next to my sons fester....10 years different

Ded_Zebra

Jesus. wrote: »

I suppose we're just getting back to the uniquely Irish definition of "perfectly adequate" now.

90 BHP in a Mondeo would be under-powered in my opinion, no matter what way you dress it up. But that's just my opinion. We all differ on that score.

Am I not right in thinking you drive a 1.6 Laguna?

bigroad

A 2.0ltr cortina would be quick enough with a nice webber on top.Also with a bit of work you can fit a2.5 vm turbo diesel out of the later granada .Not the nicest engine but you get plenty of torques and maybe 40mpg.Just something to think about.

Jesus.

corktina wrote: »

it's amazing how big cars in the same class have got.....if you assume Cortina begat Sierra and Sierra begat Mondeo and then compare a 2013 Mondy with a 1982 Corty, you'd be amazed how small the Cortina is....as Jim infers, it is smaller than todays focus and even a fiesta looks big next to it.

just look at my Wifes fester next to my sons fester....10 years different

Very true. The current Mondeo is bigger than some executive cars and the next one will be even bigger (replete with 1 liter engine :eek:). Its funny looking at old cars when you see them about and realising that two 2013 "average" sized blokes would be fairly squeezed in the front of 'em.

Euro cars were very small then whereas American cars were the opposite; absolutely colossal.

(Is that 00 in the picture a Fester?)

Ded_Zebra wrote: »

Am I not right in thinking you drive a 1.6 Laguna?

Correct

Henry Ford III

Jesus. wrote: »

No doubt it was............... in its day. Motoring has gotten a good deal faster in the last 20-30 years. If he wants to just cruise about then no doubt it would be fine. But if he's comparing it to modern cars in the same bracket then there'd be quite a difference.

Acceleration is similar - engine power outputs have increased, but so has weight. Top speeds are much higher however though due mainly to better aerodynamic efficiency.

You can get electronic ignition and efi on to a 2.0l pinto.You can also fit a 5 speed gearbox.

There's less difference than most would imagine.

Ded_Zebra

Jesus. wrote: »

Correct

So a 2.0 cortina would have more hp per ton than your car. Can you car keep up with modern traffic?

Jesus.

Ded_Zebra wrote: »

So a 2.0 cortina would have more hp per ton than your car. Can you car keep up with modern traffic?

Not without working it pretty hard. Its grossly under powered. You have to wring its neck on the motorway and anything over 60 and it squeals like a pig.

So like I said at the beginning, the OP might find the 'Tina somewhat under powered but like I also said, he'll get around in it grand and it depends on what he's expecting from it I suppose.

power pants

we had a sierra and im sure that the engine in them were the same engines used in the cortinas?? not 100% sure I was v young at the time

Henry Ford III

power pants wrote: »

we had a sierra and im sure that the engine in them were the same engines used in the cortinas?? not 100% sure I was v young at the time

Probably was. Pinto sohc engines.

power pants

that's the name "pinto" my dad worked for ford and remember him saying that the engines were great for working on and fairly straight forward

Henry Ford III

power pants wrote: »

that's the name "pinto" my dad worked for ford and remember him saying that the engines were great for working on and fairly straight forward

He was right. They are tough as nails, but weigh as much as a ocean liner's anchor.

Victor Meldrew

corktina wrote: »

Brakes are easily as good as modern brakes, no different in fact except no ABS,

I learned to drive in a 1985 mk3 Escort. similar set up and vintage to the mk 5 cortina

The brakes faded like nothing on earth and God help you if you had to emergency brake in anything other than a straight, flat, dry road.

And it was less than 6 years old when I was learning. A 30 year old car will have many issues in an emergency situation that a driver conditioned to ABS and ESP will just not comprehend or cope with.

Not saying the Cortina was not a good car, they were excellent in their time and are deservedly loved. Using one as a DD would be cool, but...

Victor Meldrew

corktina wrote: »

it's amazing how big cars in the same class have got.....if you assume Cortina begat Sierra and Sierra begat Mondeo and then compare a 2013 Mondy with a 1982 Corty,

just look at my Wifes fester next to my sons fester....10 years different

There is a reason a lot of suburban homes have moved the pillars on the driveway and relegated the garage to "shed dutues"

Mercifully cars don't rust anymore.

JTbzr

Ah i cant wait to get my hands on one now the one im lookin at is a 2.0 but i just want a nice retro cruiser, sure if i get bored i could squeeze in a 2.8 :-)

Jesus.

Victor Meldrew wrote: »

I learned to drive in a 1985 mk3 Escort..

Me too

ianobrien

OP, go for it, I'd listen to Corktina as he had enough of them.

Check out the insurance before you get rid of your current car as the insurnace companies might not insure it if it's your main car. If you are named on your partner's insurance that might do.

The Cortina was never my thing (I'm more of an Escort man) but a 1300cc Escort has no trouble keeping up with traffic. Motorway speeds are achievable easily, but hard on the ears as they orginally had a 4 speed gearbox. (a later 5 speed is an easy fit).

Brakes and handling are OK as long as the car is maintained. At the moment I'm using standard braking components and it stops just fine. The pedal wasn't massively servo assited though.

The winter and the salt on the roads will be a killer, unless minded. All cars from back then rusted, and unless you wash the underside after driving on salted roads, it'll rust eventually.

Always carry spare rotor arm, dizzy cap, WD-40, coil, fanbelt. Mechanical parts are easily got (your local motor factor probably has stuff on the shelf). On a test drive, if the handling is a little "strange", it's probably either front or rear bushings. I believe the rear are a right curse to change. Springs & shocks may be a little "tired" as they may be 30 years old.

And try to get a Ghia. They have lovely comfy seats......

jimgoose

JTbzr wrote: »

Ah i cant wait to get my hands on one now the one im lookin at is a 2.0 but i just want a nice retro cruiser, sure if i get bored i could squeeze in a 2.8 :-)

Go for it, and the best of luck. Note also that nice, tidy examples seem to be commanding proper money these days, here and especially in the UK. Bit like old FireBlades.

Victor Meldrew

Jesus. wrote: »

Me too

We had a run out model, just before the Mk4. 1.1L Laser. Shocking altogether, but still 3 of us learnt to drive in it.

So gutless that it would frequently not make up up hills in 2nd..

But then, the car you learn in is always special and loved, even if it is a heap.

Jesus.

Victor Meldrew wrote: »

We had a run out model, just before the Mk4. 1.1L Laser. Shocking altogether, but still 3 of us learnt to drive in it.
So gutless that it would frequently not make up up hills in 2nd..But then, the car you learn in is always special and loved, even if it is a heap.

Ours was a 1.3. Got you around the place but if you put it on a modern motorway it would be murdered. Like most average cars of that vintage I would say.

Seen one parked up the other day and I was surprised by how small it looked. Only the size of a modern Fiesta I'd say.

corktina

Jesus. wrote: »

(Is that 00 in the picture a Fester?)



Correct

yep, 1.6 zetec s... collectors car of the future...you heard it here....

corktina

Victor Meldrew wrote: »

I learned to drive in a 1985 mk3 Escort. similar set up and vintage to the mk 5 cortina

The brakes faded like nothing on earth and God help you if you had to emergency brake in anything other than a straight, flat, dry road.

And it was less than 6 years old when I was learning. A 30 year old car will have many issues in an emergency situation that a driver conditioned to ABS and ESP will just not comprehend or cope with.

Not saying the Cortina was not a good car, they were excellent in their time and are deservedly loved. Using one as a DD would be cool, but...

Mk3 escort had a wheel at each corner same as a Cortina....otherwise it was entirely dis-similar. I had one from new an 84 I think 1.3L and it was a vey good car indeed, better than anything I had had up to that time.