If I were to buy a commuter car but wanted it to be a classic and wanted to keep it till I retire in 30 years at 68 (probably 80 by then), and wanted something not to wicked on the Juice, reasonably easy (ish) to fix and get bits for, probably racking up about a million miles by that time. Would I be right in thinking I should go for a Morris Minor or... should I look elsewhere.
This is a car I will use every day until I die, I dont mind putting in the effort to look after it, just wondered what people think would be the best vehicle to get away from my current diesel choices containing more electric nonsense than I care to own.
I am currently thinking of dumping my moderns, buying a classic commuter and keeping my MGB as backup plan A when commuter classic throws a spanner at me.
Commuter Classic
Re: Commuter Classic
I used to run a morris minor every day, they are not the most comfortable, practical of cars to be using on the daily comute espicially in bad weather unless you are going to make some upgrades (better heater, better lights, comfier seats, possibly a 5 speed box if you are doing any motorway miles).
They are briliant cars and I wouldn't dream of trying to talk you out of purchasing one but it does depend how many miles you are planning to do every day as to the classic that you should be looking at.
1,000,000 miles will require a fair few engine rebuilds on an a-series. An old merc would be the most comfortable way of doing it but the cost of petrol would be significantly higher than a mog.
They are briliant cars and I wouldn't dream of trying to talk you out of purchasing one but it does depend how many miles you are planning to do every day as to the classic that you should be looking at.
1,000,000 miles will require a fair few engine rebuilds on an a-series. An old merc would be the most comfortable way of doing it but the cost of petrol would be significantly higher than a mog.
Understeer: when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Re: Commuter Classic
I'm commuting in a '92 190 Merc with a 2.0L diesel engine. It's super economical (49MPG), comfortable, capable of motorway work and easy to maintain.cybermat wrote:If I were to buy a commuter car but wanted it to be a classic and wanted to keep it till I retire in 30 years at 68 (probably 80 by then), and wanted something not to wicked on the Juice, reasonably easy (ish) to fix and get bits for, probably racking up about a million miles by that time. Would I be right in thinking I should go for a Morris Minor or... should I look elsewhere.
This is a car I will use every day until I die, I dont mind putting in the effort to look after it, just wondered what people think would be the best vehicle to get away from my current diesel choices containing more electric nonsense than I care to own.
I am currently thinking of dumping my moderns, buying a classic commuter and keeping my MGB as backup plan A when commuter classic throws a spanner at me.
No matter how hard I try, I can't come up with a better solution.
Re: Commuter Classic
nissan sunny diesel, pug diesel or austin 1300?
Re: Commuter Classic
I already have a 106 - 1.5 diesel as backup car 
- its not very comfy, refuses to start point blank as soon as there is a bit of a chill in the wind but when it does go its damn economical.
I have only had it a week, and the previous owner obviously hasnt serviced it so I am going to do it all including glo-plugs and give it an overhaul.
Parked it up in this snow we have had in Wales away from the road and some swine has smacked into it and bent my drivers door badly - leaving no note either the gits! - I wouldnt mind but it is out of the way so they would have had to really try hard to hit it as well !!!
anyway enough ranting
With the Pug on full form as backup car I should be safe ish when Moggy decides to chuck spanners at me, but in general I would prefer to use her as my daily.
I drive 40 miles round trip so not too terrible, mainly dual carriageway and some A Roads - there is the option of using the motorway but I usually avoid it anyway as I am a chilled out driver (im that annoying one who sticks to the speed limits).
How do you manage the likes of road salt etc as Mogs love to eat themselves ?
Someone said try a Herald - are they on par with Moggys ?
I have an MGB but I aim to take her off the road shortly to get Chrome bumper conversion done and perhaps an engine overhaul so she may be out of action for some time.
I alos have a Daimler 2.5 V8 but Id need to sell my kidneys to run it for a week
- its not very comfy, refuses to start point blank as soon as there is a bit of a chill in the wind but when it does go its damn economical.I have only had it a week, and the previous owner obviously hasnt serviced it so I am going to do it all including glo-plugs and give it an overhaul.
Parked it up in this snow we have had in Wales away from the road and some swine has smacked into it and bent my drivers door badly - leaving no note either the gits! - I wouldnt mind but it is out of the way so they would have had to really try hard to hit it as well !!!
anyway enough ranting
With the Pug on full form as backup car I should be safe ish when Moggy decides to chuck spanners at me, but in general I would prefer to use her as my daily.
I drive 40 miles round trip so not too terrible, mainly dual carriageway and some A Roads - there is the option of using the motorway but I usually avoid it anyway as I am a chilled out driver (im that annoying one who sticks to the speed limits).
How do you manage the likes of road salt etc as Mogs love to eat themselves ?
Someone said try a Herald - are they on par with Moggys ?
I have an MGB but I aim to take her off the road shortly to get Chrome bumper conversion done and perhaps an engine overhaul so she may be out of action for some time.
I alos have a Daimler 2.5 V8 but Id need to sell my kidneys to run it for a week
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suffolkpete
- Posts: 1141
- Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2011 11:54 am
Re: Commuter Classic
With any car of that era you are talking about having to spend a lot of time on care and maintenance. Cavity wax, regular pressure washings underneath and with your proposed mileage of 20,000 per year, a service every couple of months.
1974 Rover 2200 SC
1982 Matra Murena 1.6
1982 Matra Murena 1.6
Re: Commuter Classic
A Herald will be a bit more comfy than a mog but still not on par with even your 106.
I would argue for a classic merc for that mileage but i wouldn't expect 50mpg from a 60s car. From memory my mog gets 35-40mpg depending how I drive it. I have polly bushes fitted to the suspension and have newton commercial seats, driving it from London to Staffs almost killed me with the vibration and how loud it is. (For all my complaining, it is a wonderful car and i will never part with it). Regardless of the mileage you do I would recomend fitting Halogen headlamps as the Lucas sealed beams are about as much use as an oil lamp.
I would argue for a classic merc for that mileage but i wouldn't expect 50mpg from a 60s car. From memory my mog gets 35-40mpg depending how I drive it. I have polly bushes fitted to the suspension and have newton commercial seats, driving it from London to Staffs almost killed me with the vibration and how loud it is. (For all my complaining, it is a wonderful car and i will never part with it). Regardless of the mileage you do I would recomend fitting Halogen headlamps as the Lucas sealed beams are about as much use as an oil lamp.
Understeer: when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Re: Commuter Classic
what about a rover sd1 2.4 diesel... if there are any left??
Re: Commuter Classic
I do wonder if you're asking too much. To do that sort of mileage all year round in all weathers for 30 years, I just can't see any point in expecting any car to do it, new or old. I recon you'll be replacing bits left, right and centre... Then there's the fear that you'll have an accident and that'll be that!
Cheaper to just get a half-decent 10 year old car and replace it every few years for minimal cost and keep the classic for fun. If you choose wisely the newer car will be just as cheap if not more so than a classic...
Cheaper to just get a half-decent 10 year old car and replace it every few years for minimal cost and keep the classic for fun. If you choose wisely the newer car will be just as cheap if not more so than a classic...
Re: Commuter Classic
ive been looking at cars over here & mercedes & volvo diesels seem to do starship milage, anything up to 850,000 km are in reasonable nick still seem to sell well