CIH's next car thread

[CIH]

So I'm considering what car I should get when I get shot of this Silvia sometime soon. Criteria is;

 

Small or Medium sized Estate that could swallow a small Snap-On tool cab on the odd occasion but no vans due to insurance. No SUVs.

Petrol. A nice simple 8v 4-pot is what I'd like.

Pre-1998-ish. Has to be pre 2001.

Post 1985-ish

No Germans ie; BMW, Mercedes or VAG. Wouldn't mind a Skoda or Seat though.

Manual 'box

Don't care if it's RWD or FWD

Nothing too quirky as to make part supply an arse or running repairs an ache.

Something with a little T&T

Depends how much I get for the Silvia but budget around £500 ?

Headlight Wipers a bonus.

 

4 startorz;

 

 

 

 

 

-the holy grail for derv-fearing estate shiteists ?

 

 

[trigger]

Obvious choice from me but what about a Mk4 Escort Estate.?

 

1987 Ford Escort 1.6 L Estate Mk4 by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

[Cavcraft]

1999 BMW E36 convertible? It's got a 4 cylinder engine!

[sporty-shite]

I was going to take the piss and suggest my Volvo 480, but when I thought about it, it's actually quite sensible.

 

It'd take the tool chest (probably!)

It's the right age.

It's 8v 4pot.

It's DEFINITELY not German!

And pop-up headlights>headlamp wipers.

 

Might be taking it for MOT tomorrow. I'll let you know.

 

Alternatively, there's a rather nice Alfa 147 here, although that ticks significantly less of your boxes (oo-errr!)

[Craig the Princess]

So I'm considering what car I should get when I get shot of this Silvia sometime soon. Criteria is;

 

Small or Medium sized Estate that could swallow a small Snap-On tool cab on the odd occasion but no vans due to insurance. No SUVs.

Petrol. A nice simple 8v 4-pot is what I'd like.

Pre-1998-ish. Has to be pre 2001.

Post 1985-ish

No Germans ie; BMW, Mercedes or VAG. Wouldn't mind a Skoda or Seat though.

Manual 'box

Don't care if it's RWD or FWD

Nothing too quirky as to make part supply an arse or running repairs an ache.

Something with a little T&T

Depends how much I get for the Silvia but budget around £500 ?

Headlight Wipers a bonus.

 

 

 

 

10 months Mot and "Full interior including LCD clock"!

 

Get it bought!

[eddyramrod]

For maximum Autoshite points, I would think Rover/Sierra/Cav/405/Xantia from that selection. Have you considered a Volvo 240/740/940? Any of those willl swallow any toolbox you can throw in, and in the unlikely event it needs anything, it won't be difficult, as all three are very well served in UK. But then I would say that, as I loved mine...

[Albert Ross]

I had one of these for years..... loved it. Wish I'd never sold it. Used it as a van. Never let me down. Mine was the Isuzu 1.7TD... Rapid as....

[eddyramrod]

As seen in another thread...

These things are enormous inside, and this one deserves to be with someone who will appreciate it, like a Shiter...

[hairnet]

saw the cav and was gonna suggest a mk2 astra estate

 

i know you said non jarman but

 

 

laguna estate

 

marea weekend (regatta if you can find one)

 

paykan estate

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

The Sierra and all these Opels are probably German, too.

 

For a shite win together with full-on mingebagness, it's hard to beat a Hijet/Subaru Libero (E12?).

[trigger]

Rubbish photos and write up but what about a 406 Estate, this HDi model has reasonable mileage T&T and is only £449.

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... logcode=p#

[Guest]

How about:

 

Find a car you like, and buy it. The last thread like this bored me shitless - if I want to see a load of 'what about [insert name of car here]' and a ton of pictures with zero content, I'll go and vegetate on Retro Rides. A 'just bought' thread is different. Then we get some detailed shots, and an interesting story about the drive back.

 

Sorry, but threads like this irritate me.

[Bren]

Go for the xantia - especially if you can get hold of an XUD.

When its loaded up the front headlights won't be illuminating the clouds, unlike the others that have been mentioned.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

How about:

 

Find a car you like, and buy it. The last thread like this bored me shitless - if I want to see a load of 'what about [insert name of car here]' and a ton of pictures with zero content, I'll go and vegetate on Retro Rides. A 'just bought' thread is different. Then we get some detailed shots, and an interesting story about the drive back.

 

Sorry, but threads like this irritate me.

 

Indeed. If you need to be told what car to buy.....................

 

"Recommend me a fridge freezer". Then I'll just buy something different.

[CIH]

I couldn't care less if you guys choose to take issue at something completley inoffensive, frankly....

[AnthonyG]

Find a car you like, and buy it. The last thread like this bored me shitless - if I want to see a load of 'what about [insert name of car here]' and a ton of pictures with zero content, I'll go and vegetate on Retro Rides. A 'just bought' thread is different. Then we get some detailed shots, and an interesting story about the drive back.

 

 

I thought those threads were banned on RR now?

 

Its not as if CIH wanted a comparison of the current Fiesta vs Corsa vs Polo is it? He wants a 1985-98 (prime shite years) estate.

 

Anyway, the Mondeo Mk1/2 is well worth looking at (cue raspberry from Cavette ). Cheap as chips. The pez engines are 16v but they are bombproof. Watch for rust attacking the back of the sills and rear wheel arches, make sure the clutch is fine (changing it is a right bastard of a job and practically impossible for a DIYer), and that the front suspension components are OK (lower wishbones are practically a consumable item!). Other than that, there are very little problem areas.

 

A 1.8 or 2 litre with a good spec is one of the best choices around for under £500. Avoid 'Aspen' models unless you love poverty rides and 1600 engines as they are a bit slow. Mk1s in good nick are rare now, despite actually being more rust resistant than the Mk2 (the P reg on ones with the oval grille). Mk2s are still very common, but finding a rust-free one now can be hard, it depends on whether you live in a dry or a damp part of the UK really.

 

Oh, and check the windscreen washers work. Getting to the pump and container is a bumper off job and a PITA.

 

BTW any Focus estate under £500 will be well shagged unless its a 1.4 CL in beige with a green interior or something. Even decent hatches will be very hard to find at that price.

[CIH]

wow what a honey

[CIH]

Or this;

 

 

wow look at this!

 

[Guest]

Find a car you like, and buy it. The last thread like this bored me shitless - if I want to see a load of 'what about [insert name of car here]' and a ton of pictures with zero content, I'll go and vegetate on Retro Rides. A 'just bought' thread is different. Then we get some detailed shots, and an interesting story about the drive back.

 

 

I thought those threads were banned on RR now?

 

Its not as if CIH wanted a comparison of the current Fiesta vs Corsa vs Polo is it? He wants a 1985-98 (prime shite years) estate.

 

Anyway, the Mondeo Mk1/2 is well worth looking at (cue raspberry from Cavette ). Cheap as chips. The pez engines are 16v but they are bombproof. Watch for rust attacking the back of the sills and rear wheel arches, make sure the clutch is fine (changing it is a right bastard of a job and practically impossible for a DIYer), and that the front suspension components are OK (lower wishbones are practically a consumable item!). Other than that, there are very little problem areas.

 

A 1.8 or 2 litre with a good spec is one of the best choices around for under £500. Avoid 'Aspen' models unless you love poverty rides and 1600 engines as they are a bit slow. Mk1s in good nick are rare now, despite actually being more rust resistant than the Mk2 (the P reg on ones with the oval grille). Mk2s are still very common, but finding a rust-free one now can be hard, it depends on whether you live in a dry or a damp part of the UK really.

 

Oh, and check the windscreen washers work. Getting to the pump and container is a bumper off job and a PITA.

 

BTW any Focus estate under £500 will be well shagged unless its a 1.4 CL in beige with a green interior or something. Even decent hatches will be very hard to find at that price.

 

Or he could just find a car that he likes, and buy it.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Find a car you like, and buy it. The last thread like this bored me shitless - if I want to see a load of 'what about [insert name of car here]' and a ton of pictures with zero content, I'll go and vegetate on Retro Rides. A 'just bought' thread is different. Then we get some detailed shots, and an interesting story about the drive back.

 

 

I thought those threads were banned on RR now?

 

Its not as if CIH wanted a comparison of the current Fiesta vs Corsa vs Polo is it? He wants a 1985-98 (prime shite years) estate.

 

Anyway, the Mondeo Mk1/2 is well worth looking at (cue raspberry from Cavette ). Cheap as chips. The pez engines are 16v but they are bombproof. Watch for rust attacking the back of the sills and rear wheel arches, make sure the clutch is fine (changing it is a right bastard of a job and practically impossible for a DIYer), and that the front suspension components are OK (lower wishbones are practically a consumable item!). Other than that, there are very little problem areas.

 

A 1.8 or 2 litre with a good spec is one of the best choices around for under £500. Avoid 'Aspen' models unless you love poverty rides and 1600 engines as they are a bit slow. Mk1s in good nick are rare now, despite actually being more rust resistant than the Mk2 (the P reg on ones with the oval grille). Mk2s are still very common, but finding a rust-free one now can be hard, it depends on whether you live in a dry or a damp part of the UK really.

 

Oh, and check the windscreen washers work. Getting to the pump and container is a bumper off job and a PITA.

 

BTW any Focus estate under £500 will be well shagged unless its a 1.4 CL in beige with a green interior or something. Even decent hatches will be very hard to find at that price.

 

"Recommend me a large bottle of barbiturates"

[CIH]

oh wait wait wait

 

 

A sofa on wheels sounds right up my street.

 

Actually, I think the real question is am I funky enough to run with the 240 crew ?

 

[dollywobbler]

Nice motors, if the interior plastic 'quality' doesn't drive you mad... Think American-dashboard cheap.

 

I don't mind this sort of thread if the OP puts some effort in to presenting options. "Tell me what I should buy" is a bit different to "I want to buy this, is it a good idea?"

[eddyramrod]

Nice motors, if the interior plastic 'quality' doesn't drive you mad... Think American-dashboard cheap.

 

I don't mind this sort of thread if the OP puts some effort in to presenting options. "Tell me what I should buy" is a bit different to "I want to buy this, is it a good idea?"

 

And to answer that question: either of the two Volvos presented above qualifies! Get yer bids in, CIH, you won't regret it.

 

Edit: I said all that before reading the actual listings. Now I see those two have DIY gearboxes I'm revising my opinion somewhat, like 180 degrees. Although some people seem to like the antiquated concept...

[CIH]

This is on autotrader locally. Only likely issues are it has that comedy Pug keypad immobiliser and I'd prefer an earlier one if possibile so I wouldn't have to deal with airbags and CATs and things. That, and I have no money for a new car right now.

Otherwise 1.8 petrol for £350 = schweet, though possibily a touch leggy at 130k miles.

 

Nice motors, if the interior plastic 'quality' doesn't drive you mad... Think American-dashboard cheap.

 

I don't mind this sort of thread if the OP puts some effort in to presenting options. "Tell me what I should buy" is a bit different to "I want to buy this, is it a good idea?"

 

And to answer that question: either of the two Volvos presented above qualifies! Get yer bids in, CIH, you won't regret it.

 

Edit: I said all that before reading the actual listings. Now I see those two have DIY gearboxes I'm revising my opinion somewhat, like 180 degrees. Although some people seem to like the antiquated concept...

 

Nah I take no joy from an Auto, even in plush moderns like Jag XFs and the like.