Daily drivers.

[Wagger]

I envy you guys with Heralds. You can get really decent economy making your cars really use-able today as your only car. My 2.5 Vitesse has gulped four gallons of fuel without even reaching the public highway. OK that is half a mile away, but I have been up and down the estate only about 30 times. (Loads of up and down the drive though). There was a warm spell so loads of evaporation whilst messing about with timing and tuning.

In the past, I had a 1500FWD that did about 32mpg, a 1500 Dolly that did about the same and an 1850 Dolly with o/d that did 35+. (Should have kept it as it did 180k with no stripdowns).

I refrained from obtaining anything with the 1500 engine as both of mine knocked big ends out. A mate with a 1300 FWD never had that problem.

I have read that it was due to the lack of original 'Vandervell' shells. Is that true?

The 2.5 six has a longer stroke than the 1500 four, I believe, so, is it due to journal size or better engine balance?

My sons 2500TC and my 1600 Vitesse did way over 150,000 miles without these issues.

I was also told that having the crank 'Nitrided' would extend the life. BMW's had this in 1970's and their bottom ends were really tough.

I am currently looking to replace the 'Main' car with a pre 1982 SOMETHINGOROTHER. We only do 100 miles a week nowadays.

 It needs to be an estate, so, any suggestions? Anything post 2007 is a right PIA! Needs to be ULEZ compliant once per month to London.

[Anglefire]

I couldn't use mine as a daily - it does 30+ but it would be wrecked in no time doing 25k a year - not to mention I couldn't get all I need for work in it. Not to mention the fuel economy of my daily is 50+

[NonMember]

When my Stag became too problematic, around the same time I was moving to a new job, I bought a 1983 VW Passat GL5 injection estate - the 2L I5 with Bosch K-jetronic. It was a brilliant car - loads of space, comfortable, fast, handled well, and gave between 35-40MPG in everyday use. Trouble is, most of them will have rotted away by now.

[Clive]

11 minutes ago, Wagger said:

I envy you guys with Heralds. You can get really decent economy making your cars really use-able today as your only car. My 2.5 Vitesse has gulped four gallons of fuel without even reaching the public highway. OK that is half a mile away, but I have been up and down the estate only about 30 times. (Loads of up and down the drive though). There was a warm spell so loads of evaporation whilst messing about with timing and tuning.

In the past, I had a 1500FWD that did about 32mpg, a 1500 Dolly that did about the same and an 1850 Dolly with o/d that did 35+. (Should have kept it as it did 180k with no stripdowns).

I refrained from obtaining anything with the 1500 engine as both of mine knocked big ends out. A mate with a 1300 FWD never had that problem.

I have read that it was due to the lack of original 'Vandervell' shells. Is that true?

The 2.5 six has a longer stroke than the 1500 four, I believe, so, is it due to journal size or better engine balance?

My sons 2500TC and my 1600 Vitesse did way over 150,000 miles without these issues.

I was also told that having the crank 'Nitrided' would extend the life. BMW's had this in 1970's and their bottom ends were really tough.

I am currently looking to replace the 'Main' car with a pre 1982 SOMETHINGOROTHER. We only do 100 miles a week nowadays.

 It needs to be an estate, so, any suggestions? Anything post 2007 is a right PIA!

1500s do struggle to last if driven with any enthusiasm. I expect the 2.5 don't generally get pushed as hard, though the 1500 use the same conrods and bearings, but the 2500 is slightly shorted stroke from memory.

Vandervell are available, one of the TR specialsist has had them made. But Glacier are also pretty good, and more available.

As to estates, if Triumph, it is herald or big saloon. But other 70s estates? are there many left?? How about a mk3 escort, or even a 'tina? 

On teh other hand, I am running around in a 15 year old jazz, which has a huge capacity for carrying stuff when the seats are folded down, and just doesn't go wrong. (OK, exhaust sort of fell apart, every pipe to box join ws ractured. But a couple of hours to get it off, weld and refit and all is well)

[Nick Jones]

17 minutes ago, Wagger said:

It needs to be an estate, so, any suggestions

My 1996 A6 Avant 2.5TDI 140 has been (and still is) flippin’ amazing. 
 

I’ve had it since 2003 and personally driven it 230k. It’s total stands a few hundred miles short of 340k. The major oily bits are original and largely untouched apart from routine maintenance. Starter, alternator, clutch and exhaust are original. It has had quite a few suspension parts and front wheel bearings.  It’s lifetime mpg average is somewhere in the upper 40s and it’s been known to crack 60 mpg on a long run, if I can keep the speed down.

You may struggle to find one now though. Most have emigrated to Eastern Europe where they are treasured.

Mk1 or Mk2 Skoda Octavia with the 1.9TDI are also pretty decent if you can find one with a decent service record.

Nick

[Nick Jones]

11 minutes ago, NonMember said:

When my Stag became too problematic, around the same time I was moving to a new job, I bought a 1983 VW Passat GL5 injection estate - the 2L I5 with Bosch K-jetronic. It was a brilliant car - loads of space, comfortable, fast, handled well, and gave between 35-40MPG in everyday use. Trouble is, most of them will have rotted away by now.

Yep, that generation of Passat was particularly nice. Same running gear as the Audi 80 & 90 of the same period. That K-Jet 5 pot was an absolute gem. Very few left now sadly. The next couple of generations of Passat are ok too. Anything after the “B5” version should be avoided due to excessive complexity and a tendency to go wrong in very expensive ways.

Nick

[Colin Lindsay]

36 minutes ago, Wagger said:

 It needs to be an estate, so, any suggestions? Anything post 2007 is a right PIA!

I'd suggest Montego Countryman, but would probably get things thrown at me.

[Wagger]

22 minutes ago, Colin Lindsay said:

I'd suggest Montego Countryman, but would probably get things thrown at me.

That would be cheap eh? Better than my mates Marina Estate. He braked hard and the headlamps popped out!

[Wagger]

4 hours ago, Mathew said:

2500s estates are pretty good 😜

Have you got one to spare Mathew?

[Wagger]

3 hours ago, Nick Jones said:

My 1996 A6 Avant 2.5TDI 140 has been (and still is) flippin’ amazing. 
 

I’ve had it since 2003 and personally driven it 230k. It’s total stands a few hundred miles short of 340k. The major oily bits are original and largely untouched apart from routine mon parts and front wheel bearings.  It’s lifetime mpg average is somewhere in the upper 40s and it’s been known to crack 60 mpg on a long run, if I can keep the speed down.

You may struggle to find one now though. Most have emigrated to Eastern Europe where they are treasured.

Mk1 or Mk2 Skoda Octavia with the 1.9TDI are also pretty decent if you can find one with a decent service record.

Nick

I once had a Skoda 1.9TDi. It did 70 mpg. Sold it due to electrical issues. Should have waited til son grew up and fixed it. No longer ULEZ compliant as it was EURO 4.

[Wagger]

Just now, Wagger said:

I once had a Skoda 1.9TDi. It did 70 mpg. Sold it due to electrical issues. Should have waited til son grew up and fixed it. No longer ULEZ compliant as it was EURO 4.

Had that AUDI before it, Fantastic car. It did 270k. Loaned it to a neighbour and his son allowed it to freeze up after a water leak. Wrote it off as cambelt broke.

[68vitesse]

16 hours ago, Colin Lindsay said:

I'd suggest Montego Countryman, but would probably get things thrown at me.

Friend of my needed a car for a daily 100 mile round trip commute, got one of these with the Perkins? diesel from his father in law who had used it as a taxi. He last heard of it with well over 200,000 miles on the clock.

Most economical car of that period I had was a 1.9 diesel 309, when I first got it thought the fuel gauge was faulty.

Regards

Paul.

[Colin Lindsay]

3 hours ago, 68vitesse said:

Friend of my needed a car for a daily 100 mile round trip commute, got one of these with the Perkins? diesel from his father in law who had used it as a taxi. He last heard of it with well over 200,000 miles on the clock.

A relative of mine had a green one, took four of us across to the mainland to the NEC Classic Show about 2001 with no problems and came back with a load of spares. I remember it was always thought of as dated even back when they were relatively new, but I appreciated it as a good, cheap and roomy estate.

[thescrapman]

I don't think you will find anything ULEZ compliant and simple, unless you go 40- years old or more,

Back to the 2.5S estate.

🙂

 

[Pete Lewis]

6 hours ago, Mathew said:

What do you think mine is worth as insurance renewal

  just download the values form from the main site listed under The Club   menu

2000/2500 values were brought into line last year mine doubled overnight to £12k

pete

[Stratton Jimmer]

I too run around in a 1200 Jazz which is now 13 years old. Its original set of rear tyres lasted 56,000 miles and fuel economy is typically around 44mpg around town but can go up to 60ish on a run. The current wife has a 2.0L Golf mk6 Sportline Estate which averages 56mpg but once when travelling Swindon to Hemel Hempstead via M4, M25 and A41 with cruise control set at 60mph, recorded 81mpg according to its trip computer. 

[Pete Lewis]

now all you need is a qualified AO to do your valuation or send some snaps in to HQ and see what Bern tots up .

but its £15 each car 

Pete

[mark powell]

Best old estate we had was Volvo 240.  Before that an Opel Record estate.  Both serious workhorses.

[Bfg]

I had a Volvo 145.. very good car with overdrive (switch on the gear-lever) and heated seats, but for the fact that it cornered like a narrow boat in a sea swell.  I wonder.. if I were to drive one now whether I'd still think it a good car.? 

[Ian Faulds]

I got a 97 volvo v70 auto when our twins were born in 2005, it was great, winter or sport mode on the box, 2.5cc only 25mpg.  Kept it 8 years . Sold it to I bloke far north of Scotland,  I was living in Durham at the time he came down in the train. Its still taxed and tested  now. Wish I'd kept it.

[Badwolf]

Happy memories are best left in the past. Modern memories are just a figment of a deranged imagination caused by a lack of alcohol.

[Bordfunker]

We had a succession of Citroen Berlingos over the years, all 1.9 diesels, which wouldn’t be ULEZ compliant, but the HDis or petrol versions may well be.

Great load luggers, and I used to do 25k a year in them up and down the M40.

Before we had the Berlingos, we had a Volvo 740 estate. Great car, superbly comfortable, with huge load carrying capability, but about 30-35 mpg on a long run.

Karl

[Anglefire]

I did 174k miles in my Land Rover - averaged 24mpg. Highest ever on a tank was 30. Once. 🤣 - Lowest about 17 towing a twin axle caravan to the Le Mans Classic. Though would have been a lot lower when offroad- but never for a full tank.

Was a great load lugger too. Massive inside. 

[PeteH]

Mk 3 Granada V6 full x-pack white with grey leather, cracking long distance tourer and caravan lugger downside mostly 18mpg☹️ Current (borrowed) transportation, bloody awesome 

[Peter Truman]

Pete my daughter worked for GMH here in Aus but was assigned to the US  GM Development arm she used to travel to the US frequently where they always gave her a Surburban she 5ft 4in and only 6.5 stone one of their tests was to drag race thro Detroit from lights to lights, she didn’t like those trucks and preferred the Pontiac (Monaro) which she spent a lot of time developing.

have a Happy New Year and enjoy your holiday