Bomb proof shite?

[Rocket88]

I nominate Mercedes 190's. They're survival rate is astonishing, they're dirt cheap [minter for less than a grand] and everything feels like it was hewn from granite. Surprisingly economical, parts are dirt cheap [front wing £27] and almost impossible to wear out. Any Merc built after these is a pile of shite, in my experience

[mk2_craig]

It's quite interesting to read reviews from the late 1990s featuring the M-Class for example when it was noted that Merc was building cars a lot more cost-consciously. My sister's other half has just sold a Cosworth 190 that he fitted a whole new engine management system to - Megasquirt or some such? - apparently it "felt like a new engine had been fitted", that'll be good for another 20 years then

[Cavcraft]

I fully agree colc. Mostly because I have one, but they really are a very, very good car.Oddly enough not long bought a new front wing for mine (about £31.00 iirc inc. VAT) and even genuine Merc parts are very cheap.

[Milford Cubicle]

P10 Nissan Primera

[Spottedlaurel]

I’ll suggest the T12/T72 series Bluebird.

[Cavcraft]

Cavalier Mk3 8V. Best. Car. Ever. Made. Fact.

[r.welfare]

Volvo 740. Ideally 2.3, with 4 speed + overdrive, and a saloon if you want something for truly peanuts. Only fly in the ointment is economy, but you can get over 30mpg on a gentle run for sure. Surely the best sub-£200 car to be in if you crash, too.Audi 80 or 100 between '91-'95 is also getting down to that kind of level as well.

[Pete-M]

My Merc 190E died from numerous problems that didn't deserve repair.Axle whined like a fat kid being forced to diet.Head gasket was mainly of use for producing mayoRadiator wasn't well (mainly due to mayo..)"Figure of 8" bushes were always wearing outAuto-box was getting less and less smooth by the day.A car I will never buy another of.I had a W124 260E that was bloody bombproof though, and a 500 SEL that wouldn't die either.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Toyota Carina E.

[Ratdat]

I'd agree with SL on the T12/T72 Bluebird. I've had a couple and they were good cars. K10 & K11 Micras seem to last well too judging by how many are still around. My dad's Volvo 960 seems to be indestructable as did his old Mazda 929 estates. In fact talking of Mazda the old 80's 323's are also pretty bulletproof.

[Spottedlaurel]

Toyota Carina E.

Let’s hope so. Mrs SL has one, we don’t want to be changing it for many years yet (with only 53k on the clock, we should be OK).Having said that, it has a slightly more fragile feel to it than my Camry of similar vintage. I suppose I should have nominated that, and with 197k now showing it would be justified. I would qualify it by saying only the 2.2 though, due to the head gasket and auto ‘box issues that seem to plague many of the FWD Japanese V6’s.Parts prices aren’t friendly though, which is why I’d probably still say Bluebird is the better bet. Less electrics etc, and they seem to resist rot well. Their resilience in banger racing suggests they’d be OK in a crash too.

[pompei]

Noticed a lot fewer K10s about these parts recently - those that are left are nearly always in front of me belching blue smoke (COUGHS)

[Split_Pin]

I vote Volvo 7-series also, on account of there being so many 20-plus year old examples still doing sterling service up here in salty Scotland!!

[bigstraight6]

I'd gladly endorse the Merc 190, seamless build quality and bullet proof oily bits, loads still in daily use and possibly the best car a 'shite budget' will allow

[Guest]

I'd gladly endorse the Merc 190, seamless build quality and bullet proof oily bits, loads still in daily use and possibly the best car a 'shite budget' will allow

Me too-I am thinking of getting a Diesel one as my next car early next year.

[Justin Case]

I'll nominate the Saab Classic 900, lots of the later ones have survived in decent nick. On the other hand diesel Peugeots 205 and 405 are still very common in rural Worcestershire so they are perhaps also worth a mention.

[aled]

Toyota Carina E.

i will second that

[Hertz]

Got to be a german motor for me. These seem to go on and on without and problems and they are cheap as the preverbial chip.http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/23/vw-f ... l-in-ohio/

[r.welfare]

On the other hand diesel Peugeots 205 and 405 are still very common in rural Worcestershire so they are perhaps also worth a mention.

Provided that it has been well-maintained and continues to be, I would concur with that! Unfortunately, a knackered 205 or 405 diesel can be a bit of a money pit...Oh, and I'd add the 98-03 Honda Accord to the list as well, as I have one. Probably a bit new, but the early ones aren't worth very much any more (getting under a grand easily) and - here's a first - don't seem to rust around the join of the rear bumper and wheelarch like every other Honda does!

[shite_meister]

As much as I love eighties Mercs and would love a 190 2.6 I have seen enough of them that have had far more than their fair share of problems possibly due to the type of person that thinks they can afford to run one and thinking that they won't ever have to service it 'coz its a Merc and they're bulletproof init? did see a one-owner from new 190E t'other day-felt a good ten years younger and it had been lavished with TLC.I've always fancied either the W124 series mini-cab stylee 300 24v Coupe or even a saloon or the big 500 again either the coupe or the saloon. been in a few 124s that had 250k miles plus and they purred like a kitten.mk2Craig-Glynn gets some really tasty motors and whats more he gets them at stupidly low prices lucky swine.I was impressed with my old BMW E34 five series-in another league to the the E30/E36 three series.

[alfetta]

190 2.3-2.5 cossies - highly strung and getting rusty (hidden under the kit) - can be a whole can of worms! 2.6 and 2.0 are the sensible option. Basically strong tried and tested motors used since the w123 (the 6 can trace back even earlier....)I'll 3rd the carinaE too, owned a '95 1.8 autobox with over 300k and not a spec of rust...just incredibly dull.....saab 900's, yep, but after 20yrs rust does kill them eventually - mainly round the front suspension mounts....