mk5 cortina as everyday car???

corktina

ianobrien wrote: »

OP, go for it, I'd listen to Corktina as he had enough of them.

.

QUOTE]

around 40 since 1998....:rolleyes:

Victor Meldrew

corktina wrote: »

Mk3 escort had a wheel at each corner same as a Cortina....otherwise it was entirely dis-similar. I had one from new an 84 I think 1.3L and it was a very good car indeed, better than anything I had had up to that time.

My point was that cars of that era had bad brakes that were prone to fade. Which they were. And that points ignition sucked. Which it did.

The 00 Fiesta looked far better with those lights. That era fiesta was a great little terrier of a thing. The Yamaha 1.25 and even the poverty spec 1.3 "Endura" were great fun.

Capri86

Had a mk 3 Capri for 3 years as a daily driver. Best car I've owned to date. The 1.6 pinto was plenty of power to get you around. 5 speed gearbox was great for motorways

Henry Ford III

Victor Meldrew wrote: »

My point was that cars of that era had bad brakes that were prone to fade. Which they were. And that points ignition sucked. Which it did.

The brakes weren't great, and nor were the tyres of that time.

Brakes only fade on a track where there's huge heat and the fluid boils. Doesn't happen in normal road driving.

Sounds like you had a busted servo, or more likely a leak, or contamination.

corktina

never known brakes to fade, never had problems with the ignition...

Henry Ford III

corktina wrote: »

never known brakes to fade, never had problems with the ignition...

Points can be a pain, but an upgrade to electronic ignition is pretty easy to do.

Victor Meldrew

corktina wrote: »

never known brakes to fade, never had problems with the ignition...

If you were at all overzealous riding the brakes down a long hill, they went to mush until they cooled down.

The points were a nightmare. On a wet morning, any puddle meant pulling over, popping the bonnet and spraying WD40 into the distributor cap.

And then there was the "cutting out on over-run". you'd lift off as you were coming to a set of lights, and the engine would die. But on a sunny day, you'd not notice because the lights on the dash were weak....

It was usually the hard pedal and no brakes that alerted you to the issue....

Just saying that the past is not rosy...

ianobrien

Victor Meldrew wrote: »

My point was that cars of that era had bad brakes that were prone to fade. Which they were..

I've never had brake fade in the Escort, using standard calipers and discs, and I've used the car for Retro Rallies......

as for points, sod's law comes into operation. If you carry spares, you wont need them for a Ford. However, other cars were not so well designed, eg dizzy inside the grill in a Mini....

corktina

Victor Meldrew wrote: »

If you were at all overzealous riding the brakes down a long hill, they went to mush until they cooled down.

The points were a nightmare. On a wet morning, any puddle meant pulling over, popping the bonnet and spraying WD40 into the distributor cap.

And then there was the "cutting out on over-run". you'd lift off as you were coming to a set of lights, and the engine would die. But on a sunny day, you'd not notice because the lights on the dash were weak....

It was usually the hard pedal and no brakes that alerted you to the issue....

Just saying that the past is not rosy...

your car must have been shagged, it's not the norm.

Jesus.

corktina wrote: »

Mk3 escort. I had one from new an 84 I think 1.3L and it was a vey good car indeed, better than anything I had had up to that time.

I agree, nice wee car. But again, I'd add the proviso "for its time".

She'd be destroyed on the Motorway today, trying to keep her at the speed limit for long periods - 75 mph.

You'd nearly melt the engine in it.

corktina

that's just not true....I regullarly took my Cortina's to the UK and did a good bit over the limit for long periods...never once had a problem with my engine.

power pants

so by this logic, sierras would also be terrible cars to drive today as they had the same engine too??

Ded_Zebra

Jesus. wrote: »

I agree, nice wee car. But again, I'd add the proviso "for its time".

She'd be destroyed on the Motorway today, trying to keep her at the speed limit for long periods - 75 mph.

You'd nearly melt the engine in it.

You have to remember that even though at the time cars couldn't be driven for long periods at speed because of the roads in Ireland. However the same cars were sold in other countries and they were driven at high speeds for long periods of time without major bother. No reason why one that is properly maintained can't do the same today.

kermitpwee

Jesus. wrote: »

I agree, nice wee car. But again, I'd add the proviso "for its time".

She'd be destroyed on the Motorway today, trying to keep her at the speed limit for long periods - 75 mph.

You'd nearly melt the engine in it.

Sure that's crazy talk, if its running right it will run cool on a motorway at high speed not a bother. you don't seem to have much mechanical knowledge mate. most older cars will only overheat when in slow moving traffic and even then you have the Fan!

Jesus.

corktina wrote: »

that's just not true..

I'm on about the Escort Mk 3 1.3. I don't know what the horsepower of them was but I remember driving them well. Not many times you had to exceed 60 in those days so it was fine but today you'd have to cane it to within an inch of its life.

Different era's man

Jesus.

kermitpwee wrote: »

Sure that's crazy talk, if its running right it will run cool on a motorway at high speed not a bother. you don't seem to have much mechanical knowledge mate. most older cars will only overheat when in slow moving traffic and even then you have the Fan!

I didn't mean "melt" literally! And I wasn't on about over-heating!

Should have used a different word but what I meant was that you'd have to constantly push it really hard to keep it at high speeds. You wouldn't have much comfort. It wouldn't be long wearing you down if you had to use the Motorway every day.

Jesus.

Ded_Zebra wrote: »

You have to remember that even though at the time cars couldn't be driven for long periods at speed because of the roads in Ireland. However the same cars were sold in other countries and they were driven at high speeds for long periods of time without major bother. No reason why one that is properly maintained can't do the same today.

Aye, in their day! In that era and by those standards they were great. But to compare a 1.3 Mk 3 Escort to a modern Focus would be unfair. You'd notice some difference in terms of refinement when you're belting along at 80 on the M1.

What did they have? 60 horses? Not suitable with the speed of traffic these days.

Oh you'd manage it alright but it'd soon have you frustrated!

maidhc

Jesus. wrote: »

Aye, in their day! In that era and by those standards they were great. But to compare a 1.3 Mk 3 Escort to a modern Focus would be unfair. You'd notice some difference in terms of refinement when you're belting along at 80 on the M1.

What did they have? 60 horses? Not suitable with the speed of traffic these days.

Oh you'd manage it alright but it'd soon have you frustrated!

A 1.0 Polo only had 49bhp and there are still plenty of those about.

That said I don't think it is fair to press an old car into daily driver status. I wouldn't use my capri as a daily driver because I don't think it would stand 15k miles a year for very long before showing severe signs of aging.

Also, I have seen too many w123 diesels ruined by people who think they are beating the tax man.

Bangernomics is a better option IMO.

corktina

Jesus. wrote: »

I'm on about the Escort Mk 3 1.3. I don't know what the horsepower of them was but I remember driving them well. Not many times you had to exceed 60 in those days so it was fine but today you'd have to cane it to within an inch of its life.

Different era's man

sorry to keep disagreeing but mine was a company car, thrashed up and down the UK m4 for a living, rarely under the speed limit and never had a problem with it....(got hit up the back when I was doing 90 in South Wales and it still came back from the dead...you'd know all about that stuff theough JC)

Basil Fawlty

Just buy one and dont listen to the people who say they will be too slow. I drove 1.6 and 2.0 capris all for years everyday all year round in Dublin city centre and on motorways and they were fine. People drove Cortinas around everyday and they were used on motorways all over the world. Speed limits havent changed since then either. I drive a 957cc MK1 fiesta most of the year and I overtake most stuff on the motorway. Apart from extensive rust nothing will stop a MK5 cortina.

kermitpwee

Jesus. wrote: »

I didn't mean "melt" literally! And I wasn't on about over-heating!

Should have used a different word but what I meant was that you'd have to constantly push it really hard to keep it at high speeds. You wouldn't have much comfort. It wouldn't be long wearing you down if you had to use the Motorway every day.

Well I drive a mk2 golf straight diesel up and down the motorway, not a bother on it. its 23 years old. Older cars are such a buzz as what they lack in refinement they make up in character. Refinement to some people is driving a car that is so silent and smooth you would swear it was magic carpet. that's not driving to me I want to feel alive not sedated! A Cortina should be very refined compared to what im using. My uncle had one and he said they were a cracking car and that fords that time had a better gear change then a lot of modern cars. Newer is not always an improvement.

corktina

power pants wrote: »

so by this logic, sierras would also be terrible cars to drive today as they had the same engine too??

had a 1990 1.6 one as my daily driver for about a year ...two years back....never a problem with that, just like a Cortina really....engine identical

power pants

corktina wrote: »

had a 1990 1.6 one as my daily driver for about a year ...two years back....never a problem with that, just like a Cortina really....engine identical

That was my thoughts too

corktina

really tempted to look out the pics and post them all up.... :-)

Jesus.

maidhc wrote: »

A 1.0 Polo only had 49bhp and there are still plenty of those about.

You ever drive one on the Motorway? :P

corktina wrote: »

sorry to keep disagreeing but mine was a company car, thrashed up and down the UK m4 for a living, rarely under the speed limit and never had a problem with it....(got hit up the back when I was doing 90 in South Wales and it still came back from the dead...you'd know all about that stuff theough JC)[/QUOTE]

Victor Meldrew

corktina wrote: »

your car must have been shagged, it's not the norm.

Apparently it had an engine swap before we got it at 9 months. Probably a case of a car never being right and us buying a lemon. It always felt unbelievably arthritic.

Considering the abuse it got with 3 kids learning to drive in it, I think it was just scared .

bugsntinas

we use our mk5 everyday and she is a pleasure to drive.you can't really compare her to modern stuff as she is 34 years old so there's so much difference.she starts and stops fine and unlike the modern disposable cars she just carries on with little expense apart from petrol and oil.she'll cruise at 65 if need be but i respect her too much so happily drive at 50.OP if ya want one get one you won't be dissapointed as they are a pleasure to drive.i'm a bit biased as we drive this one,i'm restoring one,have a mk4 2l auto to restore and also have 4 mk2 transits.i'd drive a cortina over a modern car any day.
as for insurance we drove a 1.3 fiesta before and going to the 1.6 cort it cost an extra €50 with axa with no need for a second car as it's on a fully comp policy.also ours is nct exempt which helps in the running costs.parts aren't too hard to get hold off as lots went into the transit and sierra and we even got an alternator from a ford tractor once.

JTbzr

Thanks everyone for the info, now im 100% gettin one :-). Iv always wanted one cars just aint the same anymore.

bugsntinas

all the best in ya hunt.where are ya based?

JTbzr

bugsntinas wrote: »

all the best in ya hunt.where are ya based?

Im in county Dublin, im currently tryin to sell my car i cant wait to get one :-)

corktina

there is two Irish clubs now to chose from...being based in Dublin Ford Cortina Enthusiasts Ireland would suit you best.

Both clubs have their annual weekends this weekend, in Dundalk and Donegal....

dr.fuzzenstein

Jesus. wrote: »

No doubt it was............... in its day. Motoring has gotten a good deal faster in the last 20-30 years. If he wants to just cruise about then no doubt it would be fine. But if he's comparing it to modern cars in the same bracket then there'd be quite a difference.

Nonsense. I had a 1973 MKIII, it was quick enough and that Pinto engine is sweet. The car will run out of handling before running out of steam. If it has a bigger engine it will also need bigger brakes and suspension tuning. Then you'll need bigger tires. Unless its going to be bodged paddy style (just dump her in, begrandtafook) were talking major mods. Thousands ans thousands. Get a 2 litre OP, it will keep up no problem. People who had one are telling you, anyone else doesn't know.

dr.fuzzenstein

And just to add on, it'll be faster than most 1.4 shyteheaps out there, which make up 90% of Irish traffic.

Wibbs

The Pinto engine was a bulletproof old bastard alright. Just watch the oil changes. There's a spray bar that feed oil to the cam which if it gets clogged, bye bye camshaft. Other than that they're a bloody solid engine(the 2.0 Cosworth engine is a pinto with notions about itself ). Even if the cambelt lets go chances are no damage.

I'd go for a 2.0 rather than a 1.6. Makes a diff. 5 speed gearbox a real upgrade. That said one of the finest gearboxes I ever had the pleasure of rowing was a four speed in a Capri. Real rifle bolt stuff. Brakes weren't as powerful yes, but I never had fade. IIRC you can upgrade the brake disks and calipers on those old fords? Austin/Rover parts IIRC.

Rust is the curse alright. Wheelarches, bonnet leading edges and front suspension top mounts I recall being a bugger. On Capris anyway. That said waxoyl and the like will save you there. My Capri was more wax than car but no rust at all. By the by newer cars can rust too. Unless they're made of aluminium or fully galvanised. The main diff being that they don't tend to rust in publicly viewable areas, but dig down under the panels and interior and take a look at weld points and people might be surprised. Some of the horror stories and pics I've seen on some Japanese sporty stuff forums surprised me. These would be cars from mid 90's to mid noughties and I remember people back then claiming new cars didn't rust. All cars made from steel will rust. It's a given. All you (and the makers)can do is delay it as much as possible. The delay is much longer today, but if you plan on keeping any car for a long time I'd still rust protect it.

Good luck with your search JT. I'd love an old capri again. Great driving position, lovely half leather Recaros... *wistful* Then again I'd probably drop a Cossie lump into her. Fall straight in pretty much.*runs from the aficionados* A last run Capri 280 would be the sex. *drools*

power pants

http://cars.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/mint-mk5-cortina-must-be-viewd-may-px/5493939

http://cars.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/classic-car/5379581

JTbzr

power pants wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/mint-mk5-cortina-must-be-viewd-may-px/5493939

http://cars.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/classic-car/5379581

That white cortina is stunnin alright, i wont be gettin one for another month or so yet tho, but it'll be worth the wait :-)

power pants

yeah, does look good in the pics. I was very tempted myself about 10 years ago to buy a Cortina but at the time nothing was really going for sale.

Id be quite interested in a Granada as well if I found a really well kept one with a decent spec interior too