srtgray
New Member
My second car was a Series 2 109 (first was a Hillman Imp). Lovely times, learned how to handle a vehicle, how to do maintenance, that speed isn't everything, that a sound system is over-rated (as indeed, is hearing...).
Can't advise on insurance, as I have no idea what chicken entrails the insurers cast to determine rates. But as a vehicle, I'd say it would be excellent as a first car.
Can't advise on insurance, as I have no idea what chicken entrails the insurers cast to determine rates. But as a vehicle, I'd say it would be excellent as a first car.
MJI
Well-Known Member
Well they love our D2 TD5 but they are not having that!
Thanks all, will keep a look out locally for a restoration job.
How tough is the 3 bearing crank?
It will get a sound system of a type. And of course a few sympathetic upgrades (poss power steering), front discs, parabolic springs.
BTW they are nearly 15 so time to start looking.
Thanks all, will keep a look out locally for a restoration job.
How tough is the 3 bearing crank?
It will get a sound system of a type. And of course a few sympathetic upgrades (poss power steering), front discs, parabolic springs.
BTW they are nearly 15 so time to start looking.
Turboman
Mab An Gov
Iann
Active Member
My brothers first motor was a series 1 with a straight six in
we used to bomb round with the screen down ,no doors or roof no belts no seats in the back
I dont know but would have though it would be best to stick to the original engine and no mods to start off there insurance life
If the government carry on with the roll over tax exempt thingy you may be able to get a motor that is eligable in time for them to drive it
Or you could have it
we used to bomb round with the screen down ,no doors or roof no belts no seats in the back
I dont know but would have though it would be best to stick to the original engine and no mods to start off there insurance life
If the government carry on with the roll over tax exempt thingy you may be able to get a motor that is eligable in time for them to drive it
Or you could have it
MJI
Well-Known Member
Interesting but this will be a long term project, I need to find a car first!
The 300 is a nice lump though, it would suit a 109 perfectly.
Plans are to find a car really cheap and local then start rebuilding.
They can learn by fixing it!
Turboman
Mab An Gov
I agree, I have heard that many insurers are now not happy to insure vehicles with non standard(ie not the engine the vehicle came with from the factory) engines. And I would think this is more likely to be an issue with young or inexperienced drivers.
MJI
Well-Known Member
My brothers first motor was a series 1 with a straight six in
we used to bomb round with the screen down ,no doors or roof no belts no seats in the back
I dont know but would have though it would be best to stick to the original engine and no mods to start off there insurance life
If the government carry on with the roll over tax exempt thingy you may be able to get a motor that is eligable in time for them to drive it
Or you could have it
Well the mods I am considering are not mad ones (power steering) or are for safety (discs), only looking at engine transplants if the one we find has an unrepairable or is the 2.25 Diesel (they are not nice), late 5 bearing 2.25 would be fine I think, but then modify to improve economy (like a head skim).
I have fancied a series for years, but the first LR I buy is a Discovery, when I was a child I wanted a Range Rover!
My boys are currently undecided in their future, both are scared of university (£45,000 of debt), one wants to do IT, the other is more practical and helps me work on cars, I think he may go modern apprentiship.
If I was doing one for me, it would be a either a V8, a tuned 2.5 or the maddest conversion of all, a TD5.
I did wonder if the old GM V6s would fit in one as they are very compact. But the one I had lying around has been scrapped.
MJI
Well-Known Member
If I find one with a usable petrol engine it will get used, it is a just in case.
I do not like the 2286 Diesel, yes I have driven one.
Turboman
Mab An Gov
Not a huge fan of the diesels either, a bit slow and rattly when worn, and the three bearing ones are prone to crankshaft end float, sometimes gets hard to even disengage the clutch! I think the later ones were a bit better. 2.5na is a nuch nicer engine, although not standard in a series, of course. Might be better not to have too much power for your kids to learn on anyways
marccleave
Active Member
As for modifications... A standard swb or lwb Series with a healthy engine and standard brakes that have been looked after and maintained are perfectly adequate otherwise why would they have fitted them in the first place? Obviously any modifications have to be declared, and modifications mean higher insurance! Although finding a friendly insurance company that will understand will help. Long story short, maintenance is key and a series would be a good one to learn about it on.
Sometimes I think that people should learn or use cars without power steering first before they get spoiled! But perhaps that's just me.
As for the university debt, under the new system I tend to think of it as more as a "university tax" when you finish, and then after 30 years poof its gone... Nothing much to worry about anyway.
The maddest wouldn't be a TD5... It would be a TDV6 perhaps?
right.. err as a first car? umm depends
it would be bloody awful to learn in and the fuel would cost a bomb (hope you aren't paying)
personally, i'd say no.. you want to get them a pile of crap as they will batter it when learning and also for a year or two after.
fabia, ibiza or something for <1500 would be my vote.. they can then destroy that car.
it would be bloody awful to learn in and the fuel would cost a bomb (hope you aren't paying)
personally, i'd say no.. you want to get them a pile of crap as they will batter it when learning and also for a year or two after.
fabia, ibiza or something for <1500 would be my vote.. they can then destroy that car.
MJI
Well-Known Member
I know very little about those sort of cars, you lift the bonnet and the engines are the wrong way round for a start. Only things with with transverse engines should have two wheels.
Reasons for a series was that they are slow without being pathetic or un cool, they are also tough and user maintainable.
I did not buy a car until I was in my late 20s, passed car test at 20. So do not know much about under 20 cars as they were not common then. But the days of cheap to run decent motorcycles has gone forever.
