Well...
I was thinking about the 1980s. About the sweet spot in car design.
My example today is, inevitably, the Ford Sierra XR4i, to be backed up by the 1982 Citroen BX.
But first, lets sit back and consider the 1982 design, and specifically the 1983 XR4i variant, of the Ford Sierra.
The Sierra is a traditionally constructed 3 door hatchback, with rear wheel drive, fully independent suspension, a 2.8l OHV V6 producing
150bhp and 175lb ft, a 5 speed gearbox, and ample interior space.Equipped thus, it can reach 60 from a standstill in 7.7 seconds and go on to a top speed of 136mph, yet returns 37mpg at 56mph and 29 at 75 (they really do, too - 12V Cologne lumps are pretty good).
The windscreen is wide, the A-pillars are slim. And yet, I can attest to the strength of the Sierra shell in a crash, having written off an XR4x4...
To get this performance in a new car, you need to spend rather a lot, and find something with >200bhp; few options offer RWD, and none offer the efficiency, visibility and practicality for a sensible price.
It's not just the XR. The Citroen BX is another excellent example of efficient, safe modern car design. Comfortable and well equipped, the
1.6 models offered performance and accomodation similar to a 2.0 Sierra, with remarkable economy, forward visibility that simply will never be seen again, and load carrying which is only found in other Citroens with HP suspension.Both cars also enjoyed unusually long production runs (if not in the XR4i form, for some reason); both were discontinued in 1993.
I'm sure everyone can think of an example of a bloody brilliant car from the 1980s that simply doesn't have a replacement that compares, all due to safety and environmental crap. Mk II Golf GTI anyone?
And now, the point...
I reckon £100 a month - or rather, £1200 to keep a car together for a year - will sort out my XR4i rather nicely. It's already a tidy example generally with only minor bodywork required, with most of the failings being wear and tear on the transmission, suspension and engine.
£100 a month will get me a new Corsa or Punto on contract hire. £250 will barely get me a BMW 116 (for the RWD), and nothing with sensible performance. To get close to an XR4i, I need to spend £370 (I'm including the VAT here) a month and get something like a BMW 3-series Coupe.Is £1200 enough to rebuild the Cologne V6 with unleaded heads (it is showing no signs of undue wear, but compression is 2/3rd what it should be by spec), fit new mounts and a reconditioned Type 9 gearbox, and rebush/replace the suspension?
And if I choose to run the XR as an alternative to a new car, should I keep it stock, or modify it? My modifications list would run as follows, I suspect:
New stereo, wired properly. Brand new lights (IMO a mod; they cost £180 a pair because those bloody Cosworth types keep crashing their cars). Braided brake hoses. Stainless exhaust system (OEM equivalent). XR4x4 rear end - Limited slip diff and disc brake conversion (not sure about the latter, as I happen to like the way drums behave when well serviced on cars used for low mileages). MT75 gearbox and associated parts for conversion.
Bodywise I'm told I may need a sill for the next MOT, and I want to replace/repair (behind the bumper) the front wings; ideally the underside would be totally overhauled.
With the two cars - the Subaru I still hope to find a home for - I shouldn't be let down. The Sera is very reliable because I jump on any sign of a fault and fix it right away...
It isn't quite a plan. It is almost a plan. I still need to find something that can weld up a Sierra for a reasonable price, to the standards which I would want to achieve myself.
Richard