Using low mileage classic cars as dailys?

[Sigmund Fraud]

I did the Autoshite version of this a few years back, when I used a fairly minty Rover 213 as my daily for a year. Unfortunately, and despite a fair amount of care on my part, it was rotten as a pear by the end of it and I felt very guilty to have been responsible for its deterioration.

 

But cars are built to be driven, and nothing in this world lasts forever... especially Austin-Rover products !

[Micrashed]

I thinkhinkhink this is an area where we will have to agree to disagree Ian.

 

uThe temple analogy was merely to illustrate that our typical view of originality is different to others. Yours differs to mine that differs to the chap with the car that differs to the bloke running the local car restoration garage.

[dollywobbler]

I don't see how views can differ on originality! I'm prepared to accept that we have differing views on whether it's a good idea to use a low mileage classic as a daily, but how can views differ on originality? Either a car is original, or it isn't. If it's had a respray, it's not original. If the seats have been recovered, it's not original. If the carpets are manky, it's not original. I'll draw the line at engine oil and tyres.

[solid61]

In my opinion its up to the owner what they do with their car,even if putting a good few miles on the clock will  depreciate it. If looked after it will prove cheaper to  run over a few years than a new german TDI .I say fair play to the man and wish him the best of luck,its a shame there aren't a few more people who use classics all the time rather than hide them away from the world,id be very happy to see a procession of  70s Vauxhalls on the roads doing what they are supposed to do, that is be driven.

[Squire_Dawson]

I tend to buy old cars that are already fairly used, only because I'm not too bothered if it picks up the odd dent here and there. Sometimes I also like to put the bleeders through their paces and absolutely flog them.

 

If this Victor guy wants to use his car, fair enough and the best of luck to him. I've always wanted to carry out an experiment myself on how long I can keep an old car going for until something goes really terminal. I'll be running this Allegro into the ground, but it is extremely well serviced and cared for - I want to see how long the mechanical bits last for and hopefully roll the clock round back to zero. Maybe this guy just wants to do something similar?

 

Only thing I'd be worried about is the mint interior becoming worn and some goon opening their door onto it in a car park.

[New POD]

I'd have thought the Pistonheads audience would be more concerned about lack of NCAP stars, ABS and why it's 400bhp short.

Really ? I think not.

[New POD]

I tried to run a 20 year old VERY abused mk2 cavalier Calibre (note the E is not an A), as a daily driver.

 

The paintwork was great, but everything else was worn out, and It was a PITA, especially when a replacement engine went bang. I spent months trying to get it all working reliably before the con-rod went through the block, but had I got a GOOD low mileage one, I'd have thrown rust proofing at it, and replaced things as they wore out, and eventually I'd collect another car in genuine GM new old stock spares. But I couldn't deal with 2 engines in 4 months.

[eddyramrod]

I've done this three times now.  MG Maestro: 27,000 miles when I got it at 15 years old.  It drove beautifully and was a constant grin.  Metro van: 16,500 at 29 years old.  To be fair, it had to deal with the shock of being shipped from a snug garage in Cyprus, to the wet and windy streets of Barrow, so I can't really be surprised that things started to fail in daily use.  Cherry: 41,000 at 27 years old.  Another one that was a dream to drive and lapped up daily service.  Would I do it again?  Absolutely.  Would I want to have 7 large invested in the exercise?  I think not!  I will have more classics, even though it's not practical for me right now, and when I do, I will use them.  Regularly at least, if not daily.  A couple of times a week, on the better sort of days, should be enough to keep the thing exercised.  That's what I used to do with my Cadillacs.

[HMC]

^pics of your Cadillacs please eddy!

[Lord Sterling]

To be honest, I'm pretty much on the fence when it comes to low mileage minters being pressed into daily service. I can see why people cringe at the thought, but I also understand that if someone has bought that car, it is entirely up to them what they do with it. I guess it could be said that we often fear the worst when jt comes to these types of cars, we conjure up an image of a low mileage minter turning it a corroded shadow of its former self, and this has happend before, hence why you might often see people moaning about it. The 'put your money where your mouth is' arguement simply doesn't work, it is actually possible to be an enthusiast of cars whilst being penniless as it is possible to hold an opinion without actually acting on it.

 

I've had a couple of minters that have both ended badly. The first was crashed, the second, my G-reg Sterling started having problems just after it was put back on the road after spending around 6 years off the road. Firstly, the brittle expansion tank simply cracked one of the outlets off, then the crank-angle sensor failed and lastly the alternator failed. I ran it for over a year until it blew its engine. I reckon these components were simply aged and failed due to lack of use.

 

So it's true to say that used cars are likely to be more reliable than under-run low-milers. If 7k_classic_Vauxhall_lad is prepared to pay top-dollar for a minter then I reckon it's likely he'll pay top-dollar to keep in minty fresh condition, adding to that fact that he has other cars. I knew of a lad on the Rover 800 forum who used his 825 Coupe as daily, but kept it in tip-top condition, it always looked factory fresh, polished and the leather was still as supple as the day it left the dealers forecourt.

 

I guess most us have dreams of keeping our cars cosseted giffer-style in warm garages and polishing them up every week lavishing them with love and care, and it would be nice that the cars that have been cherished and little-used since new could forever be kept in such care but the reality isn't that straight forward unfortunately.

[garethj]

Really ? I think not.

And I think so

 

If I see another thread on there about why an MX5 / remapped diesel BMW is the answer to everything I'm going to have a fucking nosebleed.

 

Still, fair play to the bloke who's the subject of this thread, I hope he loves his Vauxhall.  Whenever my commute isn't insanely long, I love owning an old car and taking it to work.  Last year's Autoshite calendar had an old Daf in the company car park between two new Mercs, with the suited owner proudly standing next to it.  That's one of life's winners

[Micrashed]

I don't see how views can differ on originality! 

Which is why I threw in the Temple analogy to try and explain. Its simply a matter of perception or point of view.

 

Unless you experience first hand the different mentality of the Chinese over something which has been "rebuilt, but is still the original temple/(or in this argument, car)" you probably wont understand it or see how views on originality can differ.

 

To the people of Famen the temple is the original temple. It matters not to them that it has been destroyed and rebuilt over the centuries, its design remains faithful to the original therefore it is original. It is a different mindset to what you encounter typically in the West with regards originality. 

 

Im not asking you to agree, and Im certainly not saying your point of view is wrong Ian I can see why you feel the way you do,  but just pointing out that "originality" is simply a point of view for many people.

 

Autoshite - bringing you pub based arguments without the pub since 2004

[RobT]

I like the idea of running something old as a main car. All this late 80s early 90s stuff I run these days are old enough to be interesting but lack that extra bit of character you get from earlier shite, so I can see why people do it. In an ideal world you'd run the oldie but have space and money to keep something else in reserve, like this Vauxhall bloke.

[Micrashed]

  Cherry: 41,000 at 27 years old.  

A couple of times a week, on the better sort of days, should be enough to keep the thing exercised.  That's what I used to do with my Cadillacs.

Cherry gets exercised once a week at the moment, but may be getting more of a run soon.

FIL has agreed to let miladdo use his compressor and spray gun set, will do the valance and sills first and if the go OK will let him lose on the bonnet.

[trigger]

I've been running a 80's car for work, it's not all its cracked up to be, especially in this weather.

[brickwall]

I mean if it's Friday and it's a looks like fun, drive it to work as anything less is just wasting it. Some classics can be murder in stop-go traffic in my experience.

[Inspector Morose]

Ten years ago, I was running a 1952 Austin A30 AS3 with 28,000 on the clock as a daily whilst I was playing mature student. It was cheap to run, passed the MoT every year with no problems and apart from brake parts (unique to AS3 models), easy to keep in fine fettle. I knew that it was probably one of the oldest A30s around and any chance of replacing it if anything were to happen to it was probably nil. But, and this is important, I knew there were others around in collections and museums and cared for in a way to safeguard the originality of at least one example so why should I deny myself the experience of running a car that I wanted. I knew I would sell it on to the next custodian and could not safeguard its future (IIRC it ended up in Scotland) so when it broke, I repaired it using whatever replacement parts it needed. Sure, it lost some of its originality but it survived to be enjoyed by others like me. If I wanted total originality, I would have taken the advice of my mate who owns the MEB A35 van and sealed it away, only to be enjoyed on high days and holidays. I can't do it. I knew people who bought cars and stored them (50th anniversary beetle bought from a dealer in Bad Camberg) and just couldn't understand when he proudly opened the garage and proclaimed it has the original air in the spare wheel and washer fluid in the bottle.

I suppose what I'm trying to say in a long and rambling way, is that there is room for both types of collector in this world and in a way they both need each other. If people didn't keep their prize possessions used and on the road there wouldn't be a following for them once they disappeared from the mainstream and it takes those who prize originality above using them to give others a chance to see what they were like when they were built. They're both the same car just different 'snapshots' taken during their life.

I hope that makes sense.

[Talbotman]

Perhaps one of these would have fitted the bill?

[Skoze]

Bit late to the party here, but fair play to him! Can only applaud it - i'm definitely one in the "use it" camp. You enjoy it, car enjoys it, everyone's a winner. 

I'd just disconnect the speedo and pretend it never went anywhere. 

[Micrashed]

How hard can it be to import a car from India? The Contessa looks ace.

[derek9213]

due to complete failure of my old focus, thats me just taxed the classic today to put back into daily service..........sat outside for 6 months and second turn of the key with the jump leads on and its running sweet as........you just cant beat a classic for daily motoring     

[Junkman]

How hard can it be to import a car from India?

 

EPIK COLEKTSHUN THREAT ALRT!

[rml2345]

How hard can it be to import a car from India? The Contessa looks ace.

Theoretically speaking, could you not pitch up at an Indian dealers fresh from the airport, pay for the thing then drive home in it? It would be utterly fucking screwball mental but what a trip home from the dealers that would be.

[eddyramrod]

^pics of your Cadillacs please eddy!

You've seen them before, but any excuse...

First one was my 1979 Fleetwood:

Several years later, I fell in love on ebay with a 1962 model:

...and even took this one to work on Christmas Day!

[scruff]

Theoretically speaking, could you not pitch up at an Indian dealers fresh from the airport, pay for the thing then drive home in it? It would be utterly fucking screwball mental but what a trip home from the dealers that would be.

 

WCPGW?

[Inspector Morose]

FPB7 delivery service available.

[nigel bickle]

This 100 cc scooter, was ridden to the Uk, from India -2 up!

 

it seems it was the cheapest way to get here, for Mr & Mrs Patel.

 

It is the only Kinetic (Honda built under licence) in the Uk.

 

So -it can be done!

[quicksilver]

It's the old paradox of a low-mileage car - it's only worth so much because of the mileage so to keep its value it spends its entire life in storage and passing between collectors who never drive it, which seems a shame. I say good luck to Victor man, spending 7 large on that is not something done without a lot of thought so I'm sure he knows what he's doing and he'll look after it. The car gets to be enjoyed both by him driving it and other people seeing it, so that's got to be better than being stuck in a heated garage somewhere and never seeing the light of day. The car won't like its change of circumstances though so he definitely needs to have contingency plans as all sorts of niggles will manifest themselves in the first few weeks.

[plasticvandan]

Its good,it will finally get its chance to be driven every day,rot itself to dust within 7 years and join all its brothers in a chinese metal processing plant.

[wackywacerwill]

Not in the same league but I got my transit with a mere 50k on the clock and have used and abused it ever since doubling the mileage and at least quadrupling the corrosion. It has been the best purchase in terms of reliability and due to that purchase being a steal will always be worth more than I paid even if it gets bean canned.

 

Buy the best you can is a good motto, use it and enjoy it is another one.