The best everyday car to avoid modern cars?

[transfer]

This dealerstamp is from a dealer in my hometown! That´s what I call coincidence.

Obviously that's why I chose it. Isn't that near where Steyr-Puch are/were?

[Lukas]

Yes Sir. But Graz is a small town, everything is near Puch.

[shite_meister]

Anything BMW gets my vote, you'll be amazed what you can still buy for them from the dealers, they're easy to work on, you'll have a choice of 324td or 318i/318is if you want ecomony (or even 316i) good build quality and old fashioned in a nice way but still up to the job of everyday driving.Or Merc 190 or the W124 series.

[alfetta]

Older mercs or saab 9000C900? Now I know I love them but most have rust in nasty places now or are generally tatty - gearboxes have issues, also rather dated in some areas being a 60's design... Decent ones are expensive.

[The Moog]

C900's gearboxes are only made of cheese if people have been launching them from 0 - 60. They are designed for 900i so T16s so add alot more torque. Overall tend to be looked after and with a few mods can be made very quick. MPG on them sucks though! 9000 nice (esp Aero.. lovely seats) but a bit less involved.

[Rogue trader]

Im with the 205 club had mine a while now and never had any problems with it thirsty though

[retrogeezer]

that looks clean, but I'm more interested in the RS1600i!!

[gtd2000]

I'd have to say I'm biased and it would have to be Japanese or Korean but that could spell trouble with rust if you get the wrong vehicle.If you could find one a Hyundai Stellar would be a good possibility Ford running gear and Mitsubishi engines - sound very cheap and reliable ;)But try and find one these days that isn't like a teabag..

[Rogue trader]

The 16i's mine too il dig out some photos and put them on

[Lukas]

All Diesel-versions are officially not possible anymore now, today our government declared that from summer 2011 on, all petrol-cars without catalytic converter and all Diesel-cars with emission-rating Euro II and lower will get banned from the city and the suburbs. It´s called "environmental zone". So all Diesel-powered cars from 2002 and older will be worthless for everyone who wants or needs to drive into the city of Graz or the suburbs.

[blackbird]

Nissan Bluebird....CheapRust ResistantCheap Parts if you need anythingCheap to runBulletproof mechanics.Comfy inside with plenty of toys and loads of room.Tough in a crash (1000's of banger racers can't be wrong)

Totally agreeGot to be a Bluebird Mine at a 1989 is still by far the oldest in my work carpark , looks different but still I have electric every thing , comfy etc (add 1000's of minicab drivers too !)

[dollywobbler]

All Diesel-versions are officially not possible anymore now, today our government declared that from summer 2011 on, all petrol-cars without catalytic converter and all Diesel-cars with emission-rating Euro II and lower will get banned from the city and the suburbs. It´s called "environmental zone". So all Diesel-powered cars from 2002 and older will be worthless for everyone who wants or needs to drive into the city of Graz or the suburbs.

Jeepers. I find this sort of thing very worrying (not that I tend to visit cities very often!).

[Milford Cubicle]

Surely a better idea would be to ban cars with catalytic converters & Euro II+ emission ratings, as there are many more of them.

[transfer]

If Europe continues as it is going, cyclists and walkers will be banned through excess emissions. Measure the amount of energy required to make your food - especially meat - and human energy is a definite no-no.

[Lukas]

Today it´s official. Diesel-cars with Euro II or worse will get banned from 2011 on, Diesel-cars with Euro III will not be allowed to drive in that area from 2012 on. That´s cars built before ~ 2005.

[transfer]

Today it´s official. Diesel-cars with Euro II or worse will get banned from 2011 on, Diesel-cars with Euro III will not be allowed to drive in that area from 2012 on. That´s cars built before ~ 2005.

Is pubic transport ok, then? I'm thinking about poor, older people who can't afford a newish car and ar past riding bicycles. S'pose electric and Aixam shite is deemed ok, then...

[dieselnutjob]

Today it´s official. Diesel-cars with Euro II or worse will get banned from 2011 on, Diesel-cars with Euro III will not be allowed to drive in that area from 2012 on. That´s cars built before ~ 2005.

What happens if a foreigner attempts to drive an old car into the town? Does it overrule European freedom of movement laws?My understanding is that similar things have happened in some German cities and in the end they had to allow cars over 30 years old into those cities because the classic car movements complained so bitterly.

[gtd2000]

Well the answer is very simple - don't live or do any business in any city that has these restrictions They would soon change their tune - I couldn't tell you the last time I went shopping in Edinburgh since they stopped all the decent parking spots...and I've not missed the place at all.

[CreepingJesus]

I note from the badging that it is also a spackamatic. What engine does it have?? Did they do an auto in smaller capacity engines (i.e. cheap tax)??

No, just the 1600. And it's a carb too, IIRC. Probly the Solex.On-topic: definitely the early 90's Passat. I've had two 2.0 8v estates, and I'm looking at my '97 Mondy, wishing I had another Passat. Simplicity to work on - I even changed the oil pump on one in the street - built like a Panzer, and spares can be adapted from all sorts of other VAG cars. You can even get them new.Best of all, economy. I remember coming back from an Ikea trip with mother-in-law, and half the shop. Still recording 40+ mpg along the Edinburgh City Bypass at some 'interesting' speeds.The only real downside's the rear caliper issue. But EuroCarParts usually have exchange units in stock, so it's just a case of stumping up the cash.