Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) need a bit of inspiration - car choice

The performance might!

H'mmmm just spotted an octavia vrs whilst out and about this morning - still looked like a minicab to me.

I think the basic problem is that I'm not keen on modern designed motors - despite them being very efficient etc they all seem the same to me. Even alfas look like vauxhalls these days.

I think I'm gonna have to stick with the old merc once the mogs gone, and maybe keep an eye out for a tidy W124, or upgrade it to a legacy/outback.

What I also need for you lot to keep buying new morgans so that there will be some nice used examples in a few years when I can get another....

May I be a little different, what about a dreaded MG "B" or TR7.
If you can find one, a Reliant ( but with 4 wheels ) Jensen Healey, Alfa Spider Twin Spark, Fiat Barchetta, Golf Cabrio

REg

Hi REg,

god options for replacement fun car, my challenge (Which I think I have decided is impossible for my budget) was to find something fun/characterful, which I could also use for chores like work and towing.

I did briefly wonder if a mazda rx8 could do the job, but I am not sure if they homologated for a towbar - does anyone know the answer to this?

Could you afford the 22mpg fuel costs?

Well Graham (happy birthday btw!), its not that much different to the 30mpg I get from the merc, although i suspect the rx8 prefers higher octane fuel?

incidentally, I notice a lot of scimitars have towbars...... not sure I would fancy subjection one to 20k miles a year, but I do quite like them.

A sorted Scimitar would do the job, but the Essex V6 can be thirsty on short trips. My Gilbern would do a whiff over 30 on a long run, but local trips had it around 20mpg. This was with a manual choke as well. A Scimitar with a later V6 transplant would be Ok I suspect, as would one with a Rover V8, which are surprisingly economical.

What about using one for 20k miles a year though Dave? Do you reckon it would hack if

Find the right car and I don't see why not. I was looking at a Yellow one at Gaydon yesterday, and they still look good.
The interiors fade a bit, but the mechanics are well enough tested. The Essex V6 is just a bit thirsty, and it's weak spot is the timing gear, but that's not a reason not to buy. The timing is set by two gearwheels. The big one has fibre teeth for quietness, but fibre teeth don't last forever so it's a bit like a timing belt. You can get steel replacements, but they are a bit noisier. I think we put about 8k miles on the Gilbern in a year.
Go and try a Scimitar, that's the only way you'll get a feel.

Yes, I've a soft spot for them too...
Might still have an original brochure at home.