Just because a marque is six feet under does not mean the models it once made are no longer usable, relevant or even desirable.
Quite the opposite, in fact. Dead marques have never been cooler, better value or more worthy of your reappraisal. So let’s dig up old favourites, some of which have been reborn, in which case we’ll consider the dead and gone models from the old company, and see how we could get along together now.
The list of dead British brands is almost endless. From ‘A’ for Allard to ‘W’ for Wolseley, you can invest in dozens of expired classics that might make it to a damp field on a summer weekend for a car club meet. But what we are after here are models you can use on a daily basis.
So let’s start with one brand that, you might think, is almost certain to leave you stranded by the roadside at some point: TVR. In fact, the TVR marque is being resurrected, with its first new model under the ownership of Brit Les Edgar due in 2017, so we’re looking forward to that. Right now, though, the old-school ones are around in fair numbers as TVRs you can actually buy, and we believe that a well-maintained one really can be a daily driver.
Avoid the needlessly complex Tuscans and target the Rover V8-engined beauties that stand a chance of surviving in the real world. That means the entry-level Chimaera is the no-brainer buy. Realistic money is £12,000-plus, rising to £15,995 from a dealer. Top money is £24,995 and starting to rise.
The thing is, you don’t come across a Chimaera every day. But you will see a Rover, or its MG cousin (before the days of Chinese ownership and the current MG Motor firm, born out of the ashes of the old one in 2006). There are dozens of them – towing caravans, parked in supermarket car parks, and sometimes with a drainpipe exhaust. I wouldn’t call it misplaced loyalty – just a realisation that 25s, 45s and 75s always were solid, reliable motors that were overpriced when new and are now great value. We’d rate the 75 as the first and possibly last hipster saloon and estate.
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Not dead but might as well be...
It's got full leather, heated seats auto dimming mirrors, sat nav, electronic boot amongst other things and just acres of space. I recently took my 2.0M tall broken fridge freezer to the tip in it no problem.
My mechanic states it will just go on and on. I have of course maintained it, changed the fluids (power steering fluid, auto box oil etc etc) and the engine is just a powerhouse wave of torque but at 70mph barely touching 2k rpm. As it's a turbo I always let it idle for a min before switching off too. I was only going to keep it for a few months while I decided what company car to get. Not any more - the co car list is rubbish and so expensive and all diseasel. There is joy to be had even just cruising on the motorway etc listening to a creamy petrol V6 purr away instead of a tractor clattering my eardrums.
But its a Vectra ..... so unloved by the car community and thus a complete bargain - and yes it is a total wreck on a fast winding b road - too sloppy, overweight etc but you don't buy it for that, I do 60 miles a day almost and 55 of those are motorway - thats what this is for. This particular model in estate form is something of a gem, especially when it looks like a rep special or a taxi but has a brilliant engine. I have, like the owner before me, kept it completely stock (apart from the K&N panel filter I put in). And thats where the fun can be had.
My advice? Buy relatively old tech big engined petrols that are low revving...you'll get mega miles out of them and a smile each time you drive.
I can't believe I am saying this but its probably one of the best cars I have owned and I am including my beloved Subaru Legacy Spec b here too...
There is something special about driving around in something that no one cares about but is probably better than most on the road, but only to those in the know.....
75
I run my 2003 2.5 V6 alongside an 18 month old Jag XF. I've had it longer than any house I've ever owned and it has 211,000 miles on it. Some of the guys at work call it the Grandpa-mobile, but what do they know? They lose more in depreciation in a month than my Rover is actually worth. And like any active, older gent (ahem!) - it takes a little more maintenance but everything works as it should.
Saab 9-5