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I like to take notice of older cars to see which makes go on and on but still look tidy. I wonder which cars are best for long term ownership, I guess it will be the usual suspects like BMW or Volvo, you see loads of older ones of these but rarely see an old Mondeo or Citroen Bx, lots of VW's of old around but few Cavaliers.
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I would guess with the Citroens it would likely be scrapped due to hydraulic neglect. My N reg XM is still pretty much rust free.
I'm still surprised at the state of MB C classes when it comes to rust. The wifes R reg Polo is a rust bucket too, far worse than the L reg she had before it.
Steve.
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Oddly enough, I've been doing the same thing casually recently. It strikes me that the most common marque I see of early to mid 90s vintage is Peugeot, with a lot of Citroens too. Fords are conspicuous by their absence. And, as you say, VWs (but only Golfs really) and Volvos.
Just my casual observations in my area.
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Not saying this is the case but it might also be a function of typical usage. Some of the mainstream brands tend to be used by fleets. The mileages run up certainly in their early life can be huge. This may lead to their chronological lifespan being shorter. Their users may well though have had more actual use from them than the owner of an older car has had from theirs.
Dunno.
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There's still a few Escorts knocking about.
The OP asked about the best car for long-term ownership.
Usage and abusage has got alot to do with it.
A well looked after Ford or Vauxhall should last as long as a well looked after BMW or Volvo.
Same could be said of most of the mainstream makes.
I reckon ultimately it's rust that kills a cherished car, but most manufacturers seem to be able to keep that at bay for longer than they ever used to.
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Depends where you hang out I suppose, but there are plenty of Mk1 mondeos here in Rotherham. There seems to be more old VW Passats and Audis than anything else with a smattering of Golfs and BMW 3 series up here.
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People spend more money repairing cars that have perceived status irrespective of said vehicles actual hardiness. This in my view distorts the picture.
In a simular vein, the sporty variants of any particular model stay intact for longer due to the enthusiast nature of the owners. Bet there are more MK1 Golf Gtis around that base versions.
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Bet there are more MK1 Golf Gtis around that base versions
Also 205 GTI's. Most 205 examples still for sale are either GTI's or diesels, which are almost indestructible if maintained properly.
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The most common marque of early to mid 90s vintage is Peugeot, with a lot of Citroens ...
As we are talking bodywork, I'm sure we would see many more Pugs around than we do, if so many hadn't been crushed simply because their owners decided they had no residual value left. I sold on a '92 205 at 11 years old (65K miles), new owner kept it 3 years but no-one wanted it. Perfectly sound car.
And I have just bought a '90 205 cabrio - totally unmarked, looks about 4 years old.
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In the 1990s I was running a VW Jetta and a Citroen BX concurrently. When things went wrong with the Jetta they were cheap and easy to fix. The Citroen went wrong less, but it was wallet-withering to repair when it did.
Both cars suffered failed head gaskets at around 150000 miles. Even though the VW was slightly older, I was convinced that it was still worth something, and therefore worth repairing. Citroen BXs were so cheap secondhand I just scrapped it and bought a slightly newer one.
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VWs seem to be able to stay the course better than most because the bodywork and fittings are durable although the working bits are not without the occasional expensive repair bills! This is my experience with our two 15-year old VWs.
What will be interesting to see is if the VW-based SEAT and Skoda ranges will be as durable - presumably they use the same quality materials and processes as VW.
Of course Land Rover Defenders last for ever - but they're a bit like the hammer that's had 3 new heads and 4 new handles since everything is replaceable as and when, including the chassis and main bulkhead.
Edited by Sofa Spud on 28/07/2009 at 20:36
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I have noticed that among 60's and 70's survivors of mass-market cars, there seem to be a disproportionate number of automatics - I mean cars like Hillman Minxes, Ford Cortna mk 2, Austin 1800 etc.
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there seem to be a disproportionate number of automatics
Usage and abusage has got alot to do with it
I would expect private owners who bought auto Cortinas, Minxes etc were more likely to be retired and to cover a lower mileage at slower speeds, whilst spending the time in between polishing and greasing their pride and joy. On this basis can we expect to see legions of immaculate Focus saloons and Proton Impians in 30 years' time?
What will be interesting to see is if the VW-based SEAT and Skoda ranges will be as durable
Having run an Octavia into the ground in very short order I tend to notice them more than most - I've certainly seen quite a few MkI's and a few MkII's in scrapyards, without obvious life-shortening bodywork damage. Hmmm.
Dave TD
Edited by Dave_TD {P} on 28/07/2009 at 21:06
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20 yers ago, cars in scrapyards had rusted out doors and sills.
Although there are some rusters, it looks more like neglect or cost to fix..
Lots of Xantias: good bodies but I assume clapped out suspension pumps and spheres make repair uneconomic...
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