Gawd, not another 'which autoshite' thread!

[dollywobbler]

Sorry Mr Bol, your Rover has rather put me off them! I also hate those hideous, plasticky column stalks that sound like they're going to snap everytime you use them. Maybe it's possible to retro-fit Maestro ones? Lush.

 

E34 really isn't a bad shout. I've owned one before, but never driven it anywhere other than my driveway. Would be nice to know what they're actually like!

 

Triumph 2000 is also a wonderful motor, but not sure I could afford to run one.

 

I have been doing some internet research and have found a couple of Reliant Scimitars converted to diesel! One has a Cavalier engine. Brilliant.

[Richard]

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!

 

I've been in a 95 when the brakes started to fade on a long hill, it was quite scary. You don't have to use the freewheel though, it's selectable.

[Six-cylinder]

Rover 200s felt as well screwed together as a Honda to me and always seemed OK. I quite fancy a convertible myself.

 

If you want a few more modern comforts the 525i is great, I have a 1988 BMW 735i SE and apart from sub 20mpg around town its been cheap to run for the 3 years I have had it.

 

The Triumph is my 2500TC Manual o/d 26-28 mpg and I can’t see it would be any more expensive to run that a hybrid Scimitar.

 

Chris

[dollywobbler]

Rover 200s felt as well screwed together as a Honda to me and always seemed OK. I quite fancy a convertible myself.

 

If you want a few more modern comforts the 525i is great, I have a 1988 BMW 735i SE and apart from sub 20mpg around town its been cheap to run for the 3 years I have had it.

 

The Triumph is my 2500TC Manual o/d 26-28 mpg and I can’t see it would be any more expensive to run that a hybrid Scimitar.

 

Chris

 

Don't get me wrong, I like my Rovers (have been considering a 75...) but don't think I'd opt for the 220. I'd probably go for a 1.4 having owned a K before and not suffered the dreaded HGF.

 

Impressed with your Triumph mpg. I've owned two Rover P6s - four pot SC and a V8 - and found them very similar on fuel - ie low 20s.

[babydriver]

Looking at the amount of ganja in the boot of the BX I would have thought money was no object, get that sold and buy a triumph Dolly for laughs per mile.

[ladalout69]

The Rover 820 Fastback is your man!!. Mine is on 180k and still running sweetly, enjoyable and comfortable to drive....... Mine will do 40mpg on a run and I don't hang about!!!. Another bonus is the 2 litre ones are easy to work on.

[dollywobbler]

The Rover 820 Fastback is your man!!. Mine is on 180k and still running sweetly, enjoyable and comfortable to drive....... Mine will do 40mpg on a run and I don't hang about!!!. Another bonus is the 2 litre ones are easy to work on.

 

I fear I'd spend the whole time wishing I'd gone for a Vitesse so I could emulate Tony Pond (YouTube Tony Pond Isle of Man Rover if you haven't seen him averaging 100mph around the island yet). A good suggestion though. Was quite taken by the oddball 825Sd auto that got posted up in the Ebay thread...

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

It doesn't exist, it's a mislabelled petrol 800.

[dollywobbler]

Oh Leonard! You've destroyed my dream! I do still know of a Montego diesel estate that really is a diesel - AND automatic...

[Six-cylinder]

A Montego diesel estate is an interesting car but in two months you will be bored with it and want something else!

 

Chris

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

I wonder why they didn't offer an automatic 825D, they have a Chrysler manual gearbox so presumably a Chrysler auto 'box would have fitted no bother. A slusher would suit the high torque output I think, though maybe not the off/on turbo boost.

 

If you need something to do 20k a year in, why not just keep the proven BX? Seems like you have plenty of choice for fun/oddball second, third and fourth cars.

[dollywobbler]

You're probably right, but sensible isn't the fun option is it? BX isn't actually on the market, so maybe I'll see what happens come MOT time in May unless someone waves cash at me before then.