Car for a new young driver. - Page 2

foggyjames · Dec 6th, 2002, 15:37

Indeed, electrics are electrics (up to a point - don't tell alfa owners!), and it very much depends on how well it has been maintained. However, the only two cars I have known to have major (ie: put the car off the road for a few days) electrical difficulties were both British - a '90 Astra, and this Fiesta. It appears to have a brand X alternator. I forget who it is actually made by, but its the factory one, and its not one of the big manufacturers.

I saw an awesome MK1 the other week - the guy had totally restored it...then put a 2 litre zetec motor from a mondeo in it! (despite the 2 litre mondeo engine being gutless (125bhp? the 360 is heavier, but still faster with just 105bhp?!), its in a really light car, so its gonna fly!)

My main beef with the fiesta is the MK3 - it appears to have no rust prevention at all! i have seen quite a few M-plate examples with far more rust than my F-plate 360. An early one (89-90 ish) will be a heap by now. Finest British build quality...!

Anyway, buy a 360 :) Dya think that puts us back on topic?!

James

Dec 6th, 2002, 20:12

May I remind you that an Astra is as British as a Micra, i.e. built here but that's about it. As for the topic, although I am aware of the insurance issue and high insurance costs, I would never, ever, in my whole life put anyone at all willingly and conciously in a Micra or Polo or anything like that, let alone my own child who is about to learn how to drive. I would refuse to be a passanger in one, and I would not allow my children to be passangers in one either. These cars are about as safe as a tin of sardins.

George

Resident near Leuven in Belgium

'87 745 GLE Turbo Diesel Intercooler
'88 745 Turbo Intercooler

Dec 6th, 2002, 20:47

Hi all

(Group 8 insurance) Sorry folks, I was mistaken, I have been told it should be group 5. I am hanging my head in shame. (maybe I hit the wrong key or something).

Cheers
Crunchie

foggyjames · Dec 7th, 2002, 00:38

No worries :) If a 1.4 340 is group 8 i had better give up - I'll never be able to insure that skyline GTR :)

George - polos are pretty solid, no? I agree about the others though!

cheers

James

Dec 6th, 2002, 15:37	#11
foggyjames 300 Register Keeper Last Online: Today 12:11 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Nottingham	RE: Car for a new young driver. Indeed, electrics are electrics (up to a point - don't tell alfa owners!), and it very much depends on how well it has been maintained. However, the only two cars I have known to have major (ie: put the car off the road for a few days) electrical difficulties were both British - a '90 Astra, and this Fiesta. It appears to have a brand X alternator. I forget who it is actually made by, but its the factory one, and its not one of the big manufacturers. I saw an awesome MK1 the other week - the guy had totally restored it...then put a 2 litre zetec motor from a mondeo in it! (despite the 2 litre mondeo engine being gutless (125bhp? the 360 is heavier, but still faster with just 105bhp?!), its in a really light car, so its gonna fly!) My main beef with the fiesta is the MK3 - it appears to have no rust prevention at all! i have seen quite a few M-plate examples with far more rust than my F-plate 360. An early one (89-90 ish) will be a heap by now. Finest British build quality...! Anyway, buy a 360 :) Dya think that puts us back on topic?! James __________________ VOC 300-series Register Keeper '13 V70 D4 SE Lux '89 740 Turbo Intercooler '88 360 Turbo Intercooler '84 360 GLT '81 343 GLS R-Sport '79 343 DL '70 164

Dec 6th, 2002, 20:12	#12
George Holmer Guest Location:	RE: Car for a new young driver. May I remind you that an Astra is as British as a Micra, i.e. built here but that's about it. As for the topic, although I am aware of the insurance issue and high insurance costs, I would never, ever, in my whole life put anyone at all willingly and conciously in a Micra or Polo or anything like that, let alone my own child who is about to learn how to drive. I would refuse to be a passanger in one, and I would not allow my children to be passangers in one either. These cars are about as safe as a tin of sardins. George Resident near Leuven in Belgium '87 745 GLE Turbo Diesel Intercooler '88 745 Turbo Intercooler

Dec 6th, 2002, 20:47	#13
crunchie Guest Location:	RE: Car for a new young driver. Hi all (Group 8 insurance) Sorry folks, I was mistaken, I have been told it should be group 5. I am hanging my head in shame. (maybe I hit the wrong key or something). Cheers Crunchie

Dec 7th, 2002, 00:38	#14
foggyjames 300 Register Keeper Last Online: Today 12:11 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Nottingham	RE: Car for a new young driver. No worries :) If a 1.4 340 is group 8 i had better give up - I'll never be able to insure that skyline GTR :) George - polos are pretty solid, no? I agree about the others though! cheers James __________________ VOC 300-series Register Keeper '13 V70 D4 SE Lux '89 740 Turbo Intercooler '88 360 Turbo Intercooler '84 360 GLT '81 343 GLS R-Sport '79 343 DL '70 164

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)