Gawd, not another 'which autoshite' thread!

[dollywobbler]

Yeah, 'fraid so.

 

I think the BX is nearing the end of the line with me. She still goes well enough, but she's somehow lasted almost 18 months in my ownership, clocking up 20,000 miles with very little in the way of fuss. The body is suffering though and I can see that work will be needed - work I'm not sure I can justify. I feel in the mood for a change as well. Like I say, cars usually come and go pretty quickly on my fleet, 2CV excepted.

 

Tricky thing is, what to replace it with. After all, it does a lot of things really well. It's good on fuel, a hoot on twisty roads, swift on motorways, hugely practical, a bit odd and actually fairly simple (despite perceived complexity - it's nowt compared to modern cars!). It's one major failing is that it possesses all the character of a Morrisons shelf-stacker and doesn't quite cut it as a 'classic.'

 

So, any thoughts? My silly thought is a Reliant Scimitar GTE on LPG. I do like 1980s Hondas, but they're still not quite 'classic' enough. I don't want another PSA dizzler.

 

Anyway, a BX tribute. It was quite plain when I got it!

 

Tea break in the Pyrenees

[Lankytim]

Have you got an erection in that last pic?

[Shep Shepherd]

How about a Volvo 850 estate or a series 1 V70?

 

Incidentally, I saw a BX identical to yours on the A127 this evening

[Cavcraft]

I think these were very characterful DW, in fact I'd suggest one of the last of the true 'quirky' Citroens. Comfortable, economical and something a bit different, they're great fun.

 

I don't know what to suggest you replace it with but if there's a bit of test left and I have the money I'd have that in a heartbeat.

[dollywobbler]

There's tax and test, just can't remember how much. April seems to ring a bell. It's quirky, and I love it for that, but it doesn't speak to me in the way other cars do.

 

Volvo 850's not a bad shout, but probably too modern.

 

Tim - what can I say? I really like my tea...

[Split_Pin]

What about something a bit older like a Renault 18 estate or a 12 'Break'?

 

Bit old and rare mind you.

 

Or how about a Volvo Estate of some sort?

 

Or even something like an Talbot Alpine? That surely ticks the 'bit odd' box?

 

Never driven/owned any, just thinking out loud.

[eddyramrod]

What exactly do you need it to do? Looking at the rest of your fleet, I'd guess it needs to be something you can use (and enjoy) for regular medium-to-long-distance work.

 

One of these perhaps:

Chrysler leBaron convertible, c.1989-95. Mitsubishi 3.0V6, same as the Shogun/Pajero, FWD, all the toys. Perfectly acceptable in daily use, I know, been there; no bigger than an Omega, say. Exhibitor rights at any show as it's American and therefore an oddity. If you find it as a 4-door sedan it'll be way cheaper and still plush. Depends if you like LHD.

Just an old Maestro? Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh no, way better than that! 2.0 EFI and surprisingly comfy. Instant MG points in case you like Real Ale! Also available in Montego flavour, and Turbo too.

Or maybe you prefer something a little more mainstream? Plenty of W123/124 Mercs about in all engine sizes; saloon/estate/coupe. I wouldn't, not even with yours, but vive la difference and all that. Volvo 740? Oft discussed on here and well-loved, on the whole. Easy to find one! Camry? Laurel? Mk1 Primera estate? Kia Sedona V6? That should be cheap, and a load of fun until the dainty bits break. Hyundai Stellar? Kia Magentis? Stuff like that will depreciate savagely for a couple of years, then bottom out, so you might find something quite young for banger money, and they tend to be well specced-up. It might even be healthy!

 

Best of luck.

[dollywobbler]

I was going to say that corrosion is a problem, but it really isn't given how long I usually own a car!

 

Have got a bit of a hankering for a Talbot Sunbeam - are there any left or have they all become rally toys?

 

Eddy - have done both the Maestro (albeit a dull, dull, dull 1.3L) and W123 Merc (300D). Don't really want to revisit either. I do need some attempt at economy. I'd like at least 40mpg ideally. This is where things start getting difficult! Oh, and I've got sod all budget - assuming I get at least something for the BX.

 

Hold on - rather than a Maestro, how about a Montego turbo diesel? Yeah, that's got me thinking...

[eddyramrod]

Sunbeams? Rally toys? Possibly! Or perhaps, possibly not...

 

 

Montego TD estate, yeah, should be perfectly practical, and I think there are a few left yet.

Mk1A Mondeo V6 estate? Oval-grille model, that is.

Don't blame you one little bit on the Merc.

[Angrydicky]

Talbot Solara Rapier. KTHXBAI

[Justin Case]

A Saab 95 estate should be able take anything Mid-Wales can throw at it and bags of character too. Not quite 40 mpg, but you shold get 30-35 if you use the freewheel.

[catsinthewelder]

According to SWMBO we're having a Saab 900 (old shape) when our stripy BX dies. It appears to be a well trodden route although I have no idea why. I'm just glad that she shares my opinion of modern rubbish

[STUNO]

maxi

[messerschmitt owner]

Buy an XM petrol - cheap as chips!

[dollywobbler]

I've had a Saab 900 already, and found it utterly boring and charmless. Bit disappointing really as I've always been drawn to the looks.

 

Maxi is a cracking suggestion - that bronze one in the Ebay thread is a hunny. I dare say I would consider striking it. Saab 95 - I'm not sure. I've driven a two-stroke and loved it, but the V4s a bit tricky for parts, and they rot in horrible and nasty ways. Given the hills around here, I'm a big fan of engine braking too!

[Captain Mainwaring]

Ramrod, that Maestro is stunning.

[Lukas]

I´d say get a second generation Camry Estate, that´s the most perfect car of the 80s! Well, in my book. Ahh...

[garethj]

Whilst a Volvo 740 is roomy enough and you won’t (usually) have to worry about rust, you can kiss goodbye to 40mpg. My 2.3 petrol does about 24mpg, with just over 30mpg on a run. The 2 litre petrol is worse, the turbo about the same and the diesel will break 30mpg more often but not much more.

 

Diesel Montego estate would be worth a look if you need the space.

[dollywobbler]

I've had a 740 - 2.3 non-turbo manual. I was staggered by the economy to be honest. Never dipped below 30 in my ownership, and that was with it running like a sack of cack! Great for tail out action too...

 

But I think something smaller and more nimble than that would be a good idea around here. The BX estate has been useful, but it's been a while since I needed that load space. I do like something that's engaging to drive on twisty roads. The MG Maestro idea is more appealing today. It is the 1980s Maxi HLS after all...

[mattblack]

Just checked out that website on the tax disc holder... imagine my disapointment Ect Ect....

[AnthonyG]

 

Diesel Montego estate would be worth a look if you can find one that hasn't dissolved.

 

EFA

[Cavcraft]

If you get a Perkins engined Montego estate I'll give you a free ticket* to ChodmongCatDeely Castle show in May. How do you like them apples?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Terms and conditions apply. E&OE exempt. Your vehicle must contain badly fillered arches and smoke like a laboratory beagle. No concessions.

[Six-cylinder]

There are lots of great cars about for not a lot of money but 40mpg makes it tough. How about an Audi GT Coupe?

 

[dollywobbler]

Audis bore me, which is annoying as I love the sound of their five-cylinder engines.

 

The economy thing is a big barrier, and I might just ignore that - or maybe I need to consider LPG. I can get it near here.

[Six-cylinder]

How about the most styish Volvo! 30+mpg.

 

[dollywobbler]

I've owned a CX - I've had enough of electric misery! Those Volvos don't have a good rep (don't really get me all that excited either to be honest).

 

I have spotted a beige Neue Klasse Beemer on Car and Classic that seems cheap at £895! That's about £600 over budget though...

[trigger]

Hmm... LPG, Don't expect it to be cheap to buy though, here's a few of the more intresting ones on ebay at the moment.

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1974-DATSUN-260C- ... 45f83fdb1c

 

As cool as funk but I expect it to get pricey.

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LPG-VOLVO-V90-CD- ... 20b693f64a

 

This V90 24v may be a bit modern but it does have a caravan club sticker.

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1994-BMW-525I-SE- ... 4aa801dc0b

 

You could do worse then a 525i estate, May feel a bit posh compaired to a BX though.

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ROVER-MAESTRO-LED ... 35af2034ed

 

A 1999 T plate Ledbury LPG converted Maestro van does scream shite very loudly to me for £895 ono (especially with 360000 miles under it's belt! )

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Theres only one option here,

 

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

Just stick some drum instruments and some kind of lurid orange velour interior in the BX.

[Six-cylinder]

I like E34 BMWs, alway a nice way to travel for low cost. The Rover 200 is nice to drive as long as they have Power steering.

 

One more try for something older, they are still comfortable for long drives.