[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference terri::cars_uk

Title:	Cars in the UK
Notice:	Please read new conference charter 1.70
Moderator:	COMICS::SHELLEYELD

Created:	Sun Mar 06 1994
Last Modified:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	2584
Total number of notes:	63384

1785.0. "Workhorse wanted" by STRIKR::LINDLEY (Strewth mate.....) Thu Jun 04 1992 16:05

    As the previous note indicates, I am leaving Digital on 1st July, and
    will be giving up my company car.  I'm going to need a cheap
    (�1500-2000) workhorse that must meet the following criteria (in order
    of importance)
    
    Not a ford (yes I'm a bigot)
    Reliable/durable
    Comfortable for 500-600 motorway miles in a day on a regular basis.
    Reasonable service/parts costs
    No smaller than Cavalier size
    Still sellable in 2 years when I'll have put 60,000 more miles on it.
    
    So I'm looking for something that isnt bothered about going round the
    clock once (or possibly twice) - I reckon I'll have to live without
    too much in the way of performance for a couple of years.
    
    I'm thinking of a Saab 900 or Vauxhall Carlton or Cavalier.  Who can
    think of other suitable contenders ?
    
    
    John
    
    PS - I'm leaving of my own free will, and I'll still be around DEC Park
    some of the time (I'm not becoming a Contractor, but Digital will be
    buying my services).

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
1785.1	Workhorses....	RDGENG::MOAKESR	Your Robot sounds just like Pink Floyd.....	`Thu Jun 04 1992 16:10`	11
	John, Perhaps a Senator or Monza? 1500 to 2000 would buy a nice '84/'85 with approx 80000 on the clock, the engines are good for 150000. Only problem is fuel, 18mpg urban, 32-35 motorway. _Richard
1785.2	Another suggestion	NEWOA::ORCHARD_T	And the next contestant, please	`Thu Jun 04 1992 17:57`	13
	How about a VW Passat ? Also known to be able to take the mileage without too many problems. However, I'm not sure of prices. John, Why does it need to be worth any money 2 years/60k miles later if you are only spending �1500 - �2000 ? Tony (the wimp) Orchard
1785.3	Tight as an aquatic Birds botty passage	STRIKR::LINDLEY	Strewth mate.....	`Thu Jun 04 1992 18:05`	7
	Re .2 Because, as you well know Tony, I'm from Yorkshire and therefore a mean g*t ;-) John
1785.4	Audi 90 or 100 ?	SKIWI::EATON	Marketing - the rubber meets the sky	`Thu Jun 04 1992 23:32`	0
1785.5	1 vote for SAAB	KAOFS::M_NAKAGAWA		`Fri Jun 05 1992 02:40`	4
	I would go for SAAB, I have 1980 SAAB 900-EMS about 140,000 km on it. Only problem I have is "MUFFLER", it lasts only about a year. Mitz
1785.6		NSDC::SIMPSON		`Fri Jun 05 1992 09:07`	7
	My uncle bought a 9000 new in 1984. so far it has done 140,000 miles with no major mechanical problems - he hasn't even had to replace the clutch. He uses it for towing his hillclimb car 10-15 weekends a year. Steve PS Good luck in the future, and keep in touch.
1785.7	Don't forget price considerations	NEWOA::ORCHARD_T	And the next contestant, please	`Fri Jun 05 1992 09:44`	11
	� -< 1 vote for SAAB >- Yes, but how good a SAAB 9000 will you get for the miserly amount John wants to spend ? (I think we need Doug in reverse-price-lookup mode here :-) I second the vote for the Audi 100 Tony (the wimp) Orchard
1785.8	VW a good choice	PEKING::GERRYT		`Fri Jun 05 1992 13:35`	8
	I'd like to support the VW PAssat option. The 1800LX with 'E' 5 speed gearbox will return over 35 mpg cruising at 77 mph on a run, and not a lot less driven carefully in and around town. Best wishes for the future. Tim
1785.9	My Cavalier is a good role model	RDGE44::ALEUC8		`Tue Jun 09 1992 15:07`	9
	My Y reg Cavalier GLS automatic has 110,000 on the clock and is still doing fine, despite some clown trying to kill my daughter by driving into it side-on. Insurance company wanted to write it off but daughter insisted no (Dad was on holiday in Oz at the time, if you get the drift). Even after this trauma it (the car) is OK and drives well. I believe you can pick up a somewhat newer one for the sort of money you're thinking of. Ken.
1785.10	Oh, no. Not another volvo/BMW/XR%	NEWOA::ORCHARD_T	And the next contestant, please	`Tue Jun 09 1992 17:09`	7
	I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the dreaded Vlv !! - could there be a reason for this ? Tony (the wimp) Orchard
1785.11		NEWOA::SAXBY	Vote for Perot : He's got $3B!	`Tue Jun 09 1992 17:27`	8
	What about an old style BM 5 or 7 series? I'd second the vote for a Monza, but at 1.5 - 2k you're going to get junk whatever you buy! :^) Well, ok not junk, but not something you'll make a packet (or anything?) on after ANOTHER 60k miles! Mark
1785.12		STRIKR::LINDLEY	Strewth mate.....	`Mon Jun 15 1992 11:08`	13
	I dont want a Volvo. I'd rather remove my own spleen with a pneumatic drill than drive a Volvo. I've decided I dont need to worry too much about selling it in a couple of years. I'm getting more convinced by the arguments in favour of a Vauxhall of some description - spares are cheap and readily available, and they are easy to work on. The alternative at the moment looks like a VW Passat or Jetta. Its a good job I'm not too concerned about street cred isnt it ? John
1785.13		MAJORS::ALFORD	lying Shipwrecked and comatose...	`Mon Jun 15 1992 11:46`	3
	Re: .12 I've only had experience of Polos and Golfs, but VW spares are NOT cheap.
1785.14		CASEE::MERRICK	IDC-France, 828-5740	`Thu Jun 18 1992 16:14`	5
	Er, rathole... Re - 2 Talking of Volvo, I never thought I'd ever be interested in one until I was persuaded to take a test drive in the 850GLT. Found it rather enjoyable and for the price in France it is resonably priced with leather interior, air conditioning, ABS etc.
1785.15	So, what did he get ?????	NEWOA::ORCHARD_T	I hate insurance brokers	`Thu Jul 02 1992 16:45`	12
	As an old aquaintence of John's, I'm curious as to what car the Tight-fisted Northern Bigot ended up getting. :-) Q1. Is he still able to get to the net ? (Are you out there, John ?) Q2. Does anyone now working with him know ? And, finally: Q3. Does anyone really care ? :-) Tony (the wimp) Orchard
1785.16	Got one to sell?	NSDC::SIMPSON		`Thu Jul 02 1992 17:15`	2
	I saw John earlier this week (he even bought me a beer!) and he said that he's going for a big Opel.
1785.17	Not selling, just curious	NEWOA::ORCHARD_T	I hate insurance brokers	`Fri Jul 03 1992 10:02`	3
	.16�I saw John earlier this week (he even bought me a beer!) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Nah, must've been another John Lindley, not the one I was thinking of. :-)
1785.18	Here I am	STRIKR::LINDLEY	Strewth mate.....	`Tue Jul 14 1992 16:03`	15
	Tony, you disappoint me. Taking my name in vain when I'm off making money for Digital... Yes, I'm still around in DEC Park from time to time, still have access to the NET etc. For the moment I'm driving my wifes 1.2L Nova - I cant afford to buy anything until I've submitted an invoice and Digital have paid it. When I do buy (in a couple of months) a Carlton looks favourite at the moment, but I may well change my mind.... John PS the Nova has rear blinds - would anyone like to call me a moron ? I know you wouldnt Tony, because I am much bigger and more unpleasant than you, and you are, after all, a wimp ;-)
1785.19		NEWOA::SAXBY	Vote for Perot : He's got $3B!	`Tue Jul 14 1992 16:05`	9
	John, You've got it all wrong. Looking through the car in front makes you a moron. You're just brain dead! :^) Mark
1785.20	Over	STRIKR::LINDLEY	Strewth mate.....	`Fri Oct 02 1992 17:03`	9
	A bit more money became available. I bought a F reg '89 Rover 827 Vitesse (Manual) with 68K on the clock and FSH from Maggs of Pangbourne. Got it for �4800 - Quite a bit less than book price. It goes well and has enough room for transporting all the junk associated with a young family, so I'm well pleased. 6 pots make a nice noise. Cheers, John