Thread: An economical Classic - the holy grail

Just look around for one on gas. My POS with a 350 and primitive Impco lpg system costs about the same to run as a diesel. Gets around 4 k's per litre.

cheers, DL

X 2

i worked it up on a spreadsheet and my 3.5 works out quite a bit cheaper to run than my 300tdi was.

Hi guys, I'd love to own a Classic that I could afford to run as an everyday car - a standard 3.9 V8 auto I cannot. What are the logistics please of:

With respect , the youngest Classic is now 15 yeas old at least , and now has slipped into the realm of enthusiast car.

Really only feasible if you can do your own work , and subject to failures that could completely wreck your meagre resources.eg auto minmum $3500.
Seeing they only cost about $5K and depreciation and upkeepfor more modern cars are far more expensive than petrol then I would suggest that if you are that skint that you really consider whether you can afford to run one.

A Pajero Diesel around 95 would probably be a much safer proposition. although they can give expensive troubles also, but they are simpler ,and more popular so that many mechanics are familiar with them.
You cannot import a diesel RRC unless you have owned it and used it overseas and they would all be rust buckets
To fit a diesel 300tdi would be possible but IMHO would spoil the ca rand the cost unless you can buy a wreck and do all the work yourself would be more than any savings for the rest of your lifetime.
Regards Philip A

Originally Posted by PhilipA

With respect , the youngest Classic is now 15 yeas old at least , and now has slipped into the realm of enthusiast car.

Really only feasible if you can do your own work , and subject to failures that could completely wreck your meagre resources.eg auto minmum $3500.
Seeing they only cost about $5K and depreciation and upkeepfor more modern cars are far more expensive than petrol then I would suggest that if you are that skint that you really consider whether you can afford to run one.

A Pajero Diesel around 95 would probably be a much safer proposition. although they can give expensive troubles also, but they are simpler ,and more popular so that many mechanics are familiar with them.
You cannot import a diesel RRC unless you have owned it and used it overseas and they would all be rust buckets
To fit a diesel 300tdi would be possible but IMHO would spoil the ca rand the cost unless you can buy a wreck and do all the work yourself would be more than any savings for the rest of your lifetime.
Regards Philip A

How do you know he has meagre resources?

He may just not want to spend it on things that don't make him any money!

A RRC classic is an enthusiasts car that is for sure but what you get back is pretty good in return.

A friend is doing a conversion right now and he is counting on around $8k for the tdi to go in and running.
Get one on gas, preferably one that had a 4.6 installed and be happy ever after.
They are out there, I sold 2, both with 4.6 and gas.
I seen one recently too.
Carsales etc have plenty and to go gas is pretty cheap still with rebate, just the 4.6 may be pricey but so worth while.

Hi guys, I'd love to own a Classic that I could afford to run as an everyday car - a standard 3.9 V8 auto I cannot

How do you know he has meagre resources?

Er because he said so.

I think any reasonable reader should conclude that he has meagre resources.
I am just highlighting that petrol is not potentially the major cost of owning an old RRC and that if he considers petrol as a crippling cost then any problems could be wallet breakers..
Regards Philip A
BTW your friend will not get payback on 8K expenditure from fuel savings for MANY years.

Resources are different to cashflow to fund the running costs.

I think a reasonable reader should read it as he does not want to spend it on running costs.

Thats just me perhaps.
I do however agree 100% that fuel may well be the least of the cost of running a RRC. Major repairs can be crippling as can standard services I guess and all that has to be taken into account. Granted that!