Newbee Questions
 

Hi

I am considering buying an amazon.
Before I take the plunge and go on the hunt for a one, I wanted a reality check...

I intend to use the Amazon as my primary car, which means it will typically
only get used a couple of times a week, but will need to be reliable.

The other constraint I have is that the car will need to be kept outside on a drive, as I do not have a garage.

So my questions are:

How reliable can I expect a well maintained amazon to be?
How well will it survive outside?

Obviously I have tried to find out as much as I can from books and t'internet, but thought you as experts might be able to provide some insight based on your first hand knowledge.

All help is very much welcomed

Regards

Rob

I think a well maintained Amazon is in principle an ideal car as a low use daily driver especially if you have modern modifications such as electronic ignition to help you along.

However

There are lots of buts (which will probably be listed by others!) - but the main problem you will have is keeping the condition of the car in good order. Mechanical related things are "easy" to fix but rust is not.

Dealing with "water management" will be your biggest long term struggle. Any car of any age will eventually die when left outside. Once water gets into the body you can kiss the strength of the body shell good bye - for an old car - one winter could be more than enough.

If I were you I'd build a car port on your driveway.

That is the bottom line of it. There are many amazons still in daily use.

Keeping the car outside is a risk especially in winter. With winter use you need to wash the car after each use due to the amount of salt now covering our roads

I thought that would be the answer. Looks as if it is no to getting another classic. Very disappointing :sad-smiley-047:

CK, I wouldn't fully agree with the above. I keep mine outside under a fully breathable all season outdoor car cover and the Amazon remains completely dry throughout the winter/rainy seasons. And my car has an original full length Golde canvas sunroof.

The trick is to air the car regularly. Take the old girl out for a good drive when it's dry, even in winter. Get the car up to properly hot running temps, including the heater as this removes any chance of moisture inside. The golden rule is that our old cars need to be used. Don't treat them like garage Queens, drive them.

Re' washing, of course just wash the car...and then dry off with oversized soft polishing cloths...running the engine and heater will dry off any areas still wet; job done.

My recommendation is go have some 'life fun'. By the car you want. Maintain it, wash it, drive it regularly and, above all, enjoy it :)

Eh?
 

I've kept a 144S and a 122S estate outside for 10 and 5 years respectively. They're not deteriorating much and I'm not good at washing cars. Volvos are much tougher than most classics.
I guess it depends on how insistent you are on having a very shiny old car. A mid to low priced amazon can be sorted mechanically for a reasonable cost and will still look great compared to any modern car.

After buying an "always garaged" car before I know this to be just as bad as one that was always outside - air flow is indeed the key - but keeping it dry is in my opinion the first stage. I wish I still had a car port...

My Amazon is my only car... used all year round and lives outside.

If I know it's going to sitting for a couple of days I put a waterproof & breathable cover on it.

As long as you have no leaks into the interior (the curse of the Amazon!!) there's no reason the car won't be fine.

I keep mine fairly well washed and use Amour All wax (great stuff) and occasionally use a Karcher chassis washer to keep salt, mud and muck on the underside to a minimum.

It'll never be as good as a garaged show car, but so what? Cars are meant to be used, not placed on a pedestal and used twice a year on sunny days IMO.

It's totally feasible to have one outside with no cover and use it all year round. I've done that for the last 12 years, used every day, I live next to the sea, the car has not degraded at all other than a bit of paint dulling in places. The rust has never really got worse..nothing like rust on old minis or alfas for example..I swear you could watch them dissolve. Just make sure it's water tight on the screens, job done.
As for the mechanical side of things..my amazon is the most reliable car I've ever had. I was putting 20k a year on it a while ago and it never missed a beat. I use it every day for everything. Strong as an ox, simple as a stick. Just get one. If you don't like it, sell it. Simple.

Huff said