Forever Car

[dollywobbler]

Citroen XM. Though it has one of those back seats that are really best for two adults rather than three.

[Inspector Morose]

Rover p4, maybe with a taller diff. Mines done 60 years so it bodes well.

[Bone]

2.8 Pajero lwb. I put 320k on my last one, of which 50k ish was off road.

 

If it wasn't for the merciless hammering it took off road it would likely have outlasted me.

[gordonbennet]

If fuel economy isn't an issue then a 70/80/90 series Landcruisier would fit the bill, 70 series especially, and made up until last year for Japan market...my choice would be a mid noughties grey import 70 with the 4.2 NA Diesel engine and auto box....rustproof it when it arrives, then service it (many moving parts greaseable) and you will have a vehicle that will outlast you, still on rear cart springs live axles both ends, parts not a problem either as the model is still made in troop carrier guise virtually unchanged from the late 70's.

 

Ovlov 740 with the VW van engine is brilliant, not an ECU to be found (as per LC above) apart from ABS, but its finding one thats been cared for.

 

Frank for sale currently would be a good bet, even though its loaded with electrical stuff of the day, get it LPG'd job done.

[Jim Bell]

405 diesel?

This. With a turbo.

[New POD]

Mk2 Cavalier estate. With all the mechanicals off a 130 SRi and all the electrics off a CDi

[Taff]

Has PBK said MGF yet?

 

 

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[hairnet]

740 volvo estate with 5 pot audi engine converted to lpg so could make it do noise all the time

[Junkman]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-CARLTON-EAGLE-QUEST-WEDDING-CHAUFFEUR-LIMOUSINE-WHITE-/171888176843

 

There. Sorted.

 

Next question?

[chrisjvm]

Peugeot 505 GTD Turbo ... If you can find one.

[Tamworthbay]

3.0 Capri, hatchback so practical, minimum electrical complexity and we had six lads in my mates 1.6 when we were 17 so gets a tick for space too.

[John F]

Discovery 300 TDi and a mig welder, or exactly the Cavalier that Billy suggested. Ideally with the 20SEH engine.

[fordnut]

Scorpio Cosworth or MK1/MK2 Granada would be a safe bet, as would a Volvo 2/7/8/9/V70 series

[scdan4]

You're all wrong. Sorry, but you are.

 

Toyota camry with non interference v6 (1mz-fe?). Automotive cockroach and very, very comfy.

 

Mines going to outlast me - it actually astonishes me how well it's made. Popular with the yanks and arabs too (although it's called something different out there).

[chasesdragons]

1980s Mercedes G Wagen Diesel? Had a 190d from a forum member, that was an introduction to awesome engineering.

[purplebargeken]

No idea whatsoever, I am unfamiliar with the concept of a 'forever car'. 

[Asimo]

Distance yourself from the idiotic fashions of "the scene" and one of these could be a good bet providing rust is kept under control. Tough, simple and maintainable and with enviable parts availability. Very slow but a nice place to be once you get in the groove of the thing. Stupidly expensive right now but that will change when the fashion-wind blows from another direction.

[Cavcraft]

I don't reckon those old VW campers will ever drop in price. All that will occur is that all those horrible 'Hi-Line' newer type ones will gain bonnet bras and stupid wheels then be advertised at 15 times their actual value 'because VW'

[cros]

Rover p4, maybe with a taller diff. Mines done 60 years so it bodes well.

P4 80 with 2.25 engine maybe, I'm less happy with the sixes, I'm running one at the moment and looking after it for regular use is a pain. Changing the starter means removing the exhaust and oil filter head. Getting to the dynamo means removal of lots of stuff, no better than modern cars. They use plenty of oil if you drive at a decent speed. A transplant is needed.

[Inspector Morose]

Ah, mines a four but the mighty powerhouse that is the two litre. Access is better on these.

[Felly Magic]

I don't reckon those old VW campers will ever drop in price. All that will occur is that all those horrible 'Hi-Line' newer type ones will gain bonnet bras and stupid wheels then be advertised at 15 times their actual value 'because VW'

 

It's already happening Billy. VAG wankers the lot of them

[Felly Magic]

Sunderland built Nissan Bluebird? Most had standard PAS, and are surprisingly roomy, plus decent ones can be picked up for very little

[cros]

Ah, mines a four but the mighty powerhouse that is the two litre. Access is better on these.

Well its not as if the earlier six is fast that's for sure, though later ones got better.I can only envy the 4 cylinder 1.6 which has just one bolt to hold the starter in. It goes without saying that all the manifold studs sheared and the filter pissed it's contents over the workshop floor during the operation..

[eddyramrod]

P4 80. A transplant is needed. 

Yes, and thoughtfully provided by Rover for many many years, once they bought the design from Buick...

[Lukas]

You are almost all wrong here!

 

It´s not just a car that´s reliable and well-made. There is more to it if it should be a forever-car. For example you will have to think about part-availability. If there are no parts in case of a small accident, you´d be in trouble. I look at the japanese cars there. 

 

And there are environemtal zones like in Germany ahead of us, we just don´t know it by now. Or nobody is telling us. Yet. But they will be here soo. I expect them to be all over the EU. So old Diesel-engines and petrol without catalytic converter will be banned soon. Maybe exceptions for classic cars are planned like the H-number in Germany. We will see. 

 

So my choice would be a Mercedes-Benz W124 200E from ~ 1989. Best rust-protection (but needs attention every year), parts will be available almost forever (expensive) and it may be safe in case of enviromental zones. 

Or a VW T3 WBX.

 

I´m a japanese car guy, but I fear the problematic availability of spare parts will make them impossible to drive "forever". 

[billyboy406v6]

1990 Mercedes estate, hope I am right, as mine has to last forever cos I is skint forever !!

[cros]

Yes, and thoughtfully provided by Rover for many many years, once they bought the design from Buick...

Buick V8 tempting but like Henry Ford l have no use for an engine that has more cylinders than a woman has teats. (4 in Anglia)

[UltraWomble]

Hmm, food for thought. I hadnt considered the Toyota J70 et al. 

 

Yes a Moggie 1000 / Traveler will seat 5, they have to be friendly but they will fit. The early Disco is tempting, but unsure of the amount of electronic gubbins in them. Early Range Rover even more tempting though getting expensive now.

 

Not sure if I would actually physically fit behind the wheel of a Series / Deafener Landy but might be an idea to try one out for size Aside from that a 405 with the NA dizzle would actually be quite sensible, boringly reliable and swift enough for me.

 

The Ovolovol Torslanda edition really does light my fire but they seem thin on the ground.

 

Just catching up with the forums after a week of scant interweb up in the wilds of Borwick.

 

Why the aversion to anything with an electronic brain - well I had one that did its time on the recovery truck and this is my friend Sharons Zafira earlier today....

Yellow lamp of doom on - ECU says NO....

[Noel Tidybeard]

ford ,mk3 nada estate with poojoe 2.5 turbot diseasel powa

[LC Torana]

My P6B has served me well for 30 years, and it might well outlast me.