Is Democracy Over-rated?

[michaelmaltby]

In Canada - Honda (Civic) sells best year-over-year - and Honda manufactures it locally.

"... acres of ill fitting trim put me off ..."

Fit and finish are more important to some than others ... like bespoke vs off-the-peg. But when its -20 and there's 10 inches of fresh snow .... fit and finish won't get the job done.

Nice Midget, Parsifal. Your road-racing saga sounds like an Australian version of Hot Rod Lincoln and the Coup de Ville ----- Maybelline ---- why can't you be truuuuue --- oh Maybelline ----

(just scared the cat)

MM

 

[parsifal]

Nice Midget, Parsifal. Your road-racing saga sounds like an Australian version of Hot Rod Lincoln and the Coup de Ville ----- Maybelline ---- why can't you be truuuuue --- oh Maybelline ----

(just scared the cat)

MM

i know why the cat was startled....he must know thats no MG, its an Austin Healey Sprite.....thats like calling a hurricane a sort of spitfire.........

 

[michaelmaltby]

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Jeep and Land Rover have a very poor reputation in Europe. I wonder if the Jeep's made in the States are better than the exported ones?
John

Funny, I have never been left stranded by a Jeep. Of course both of mine are US built ones.

My 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited, never had a problem with it. 200,000 miles before I finally had one and then decided to buy another one. The 2005 that I have has 63,000 miles on it, and has never a problem with it.

In fact Jeep is the only thing that my family has owned. We had a 1986 Jeep Comanche, 1988 Jeep Cherokee, 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It is all I will ever buy. I can drive though any kind of terrain, and I have all the space and comfort that I could ever ask for.

Proud Jeep Lover

Damn straight!

Jeep there is only one!

(Wow we really have taken a turn with this thread haven't we?)

 

[michaelmaltby]

".... Jeep there is only one!"

Agreed.

"... (Wow we really have taken a turn with this thread haven't we?)

Disagree.

MM

 

[michaelmaltby]

Clearly, Democracy is NOT Over-rated.

MM

 

[Readie]

For me the epitomy of british motoring were its sports cars. I always loved the Sprites, but a good Jaguar, or Aston Martin, Morgan or Lotus......you cant beat them. not that they were the fastest, or the best, just had a certain class about them.

My Sprite was a bucket of bits when I got it. An exracing machine. was mildly worked, but I reconditioned and balanced the engine. 1275cc bored out to about 1370 I think, huge over sized valves (like the old Coopers), double valve springs. 40mm SU carbs, 4 of them, flat pistons, and the stroker crank, a slightly worked camshaft, 4 bolt main bearings to hold the camshaft in place (why on earth did the brits only have 3 main bearings with just two studs per bearing. Straightened exhaust with extractors. I put different gear ratios in to the gearbox, they dsaid I should have put 5 speed gearbox in but I didnt. Reco power brakes system, sway bars front and back, slip diff. A fully reconditioned body and re- upholstered. She pured like a kitten (straight through twin exhaust 9fitted after the photosd). Could get to 0-60 in about 8 seconds from memory. Top speed was about 108mph, could sustain about 95). Would rev out to about 8500 rpm with very little valve bounce.


My best trip was from Canberra to Sydney (roughly a four hour trip, although we did it in two this night). Just outside of Canberra, nosed up against an Alpha Spyder. Thought this will be easy......took off from the light, and left him in my wake. In straight line speed , hillclimbing, and accelaration I had it all over this guy, but he could beat me in the corners....those things are on rails i tell you.

We battled it out for two hours , neither one could get the advantage....sometimes it was me, sometmes him. As we entered SAydney, he was slightly in front, but he slowed down, and we entered the city in line abreast. It was the best street episode I ever was stupid enough to get involved in.

If cars are a reflection of a nations democracy, I reckon this was the symbol of British freedom......completely impractical, a real pain in the a**** to maintain, but a joy to ride in


Now i drive a safe, practical Subaru........

For me the epitomy of british motoring were its sports cars. I always loved the Sprites, but a good Jaguar, or Aston Martin, Morgan or Lotus......you cant beat them. not that they were the fastest, or the best, just had a certain class about them.

My Sprite was a bucket of bits when I got it. An exracing machine. was mildly worked, but I reconditioned and balanced the engine. 1275cc bored out to about 1370 I think, huge over sized valves (like the old Coopers), double valve springs. 40mm SU carbs, 4 of them, flat pistons, and the stroker crank, a slightly worked camshaft, 4 bolt main bearings to hold the camshaft in place (why on earth did the brits only have 3 main bearings with just two studs per bearing. Straightened exhaust with extractors. I put different gear ratios in to the gearbox, they dsaid I should have put 5 speed gearbox in but I didnt. Reco power brakes system, sway bars front and back, slip diff. A fully reconditioned body and re- upholstered. She pured like a kitten (straight through twin exhaust 9fitted after the photosd). Could get to 0-60 in about 8 seconds from memory. Top speed was about 108mph, could sustain about 95). Would rev out to about 8500 rpm with very little valve bounce.


If cars are a reflection of a nations democracy, I reckon this was the symbol of British freedom......completely impractical, a real pain in the a**** to maintain, but a joy to ride in


Now i drive a safe, practical Subaru........

Epitomy of British sports cars? Austin Healey 3000. A proper mans car.

That's a good spec on your Sprite. Did you get a steel crank as well?
I must admit I haven't seen 4 40mm SU's on a 1370 A series before. Twin DCOE 40 ( 45) or twin big SU's but not 4. That is some carburation Michael.

I had a 1976 Escort Mk2 Mexico with a 2.1 Pinto with a race cam, big valve head and single 45 DCOE that I used for rallies hillclimbs in the 1980's. I never liked the Pinto and planned to build an all steel 1700 Kent or 1300 Kent as they were lighter and would rev like f***.
People were starting to put twin cam Fiat engines in Fords as that was the cheapist way to get nearer BD power.

Great days and great cars.

John

 

[Readie]

Funny, I have never been left stranded by a Jeep. Of course both of mine are US built ones.

My 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited, never had a problem with it. 200,000 miles before I finally had one and then decided to buy another one. The 2005 that I have has 63,000 miles on it, and has never a problem with it.

In fact Jeep is the only thing that my family has owned. We had a 1986 Jeep Comanche, 1988 Jeep Cherokee, 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It is all I will ever buy. I can drive though any kind of terrain, and I have all the space and comfort that I could ever ask for.



Damn straight!

Jeep there is only one!

(Wow we really have taken a turn with this thread haven't we?)

So, I need a 4WD to tow and carry with. Land Rovers are too unreliable and from what you Michael are saying Jeep's seem good.
Which model year is best?
I'm not worried about age etc. So, if a 1990 Jeep is US built and better than say a 2000 model then I'd rather have the 1990.
Manual or Auto?
Diesel or Petrol?

Serious question, and any sensible advice welcomed

John

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

So, I need a 4WD to tow and carry with. Land Rovers are too unreliable and from what you Michael are saying Jeep's seem good.
Which model year is best?
I'm not worried about age etc. So, if a 1990 Jeep is US built and better than say a 2000 model then I'd rather have the 1990.
Manual or Auto?
Diesel or Petrol?

Serious question, and any sensible advice welcomed

John

Of course you don't need 4WD to tow and have space, but having 4WD is nice when the weather turns to crap in the winter. I cut through 40+ cm of snow last winter like it was butter.

As for reliability of Jeeps, I think that the 90s and 80s Jeeps were the best. Like I said, I never had one quit on me. In the early 2000s the Jeeps started having a problem with reliability (go figure, Chrysler was owned by Diamler...). Since about 2005 they have gotten much better again, and the new 2011 is supposed to be the Jeep that is going to save the SUV market.

All of my Jeeps have been automatics, but obviously there are advantages to Manuals. Diesel is much better on gas, but I find that the Petrol (V6 or V8) have much more power.

 

[michaelmaltby]

Any Chrysler-built Cherokee with the push-rod straight six 4.0 liter (no timing belts) + manual 5-speed. The Grand Cherokee is a nicer ride (coils in the back end) but I'm guessing there are more older Cherokees on the road than Grand Cherokees where you are.

My first Cherokee (December, 1983) was Renault-built (in Ohio). It was what sold me on Jeep, BUT, some components were just unreliable (hydraulic clutch cylinders, alternators). The motor was the GM 2.5 liter Hurricane 4 cylinder. Aspirated. Kept it until 1994 and sold it with 444,000 ks.

MM

 

[Readie]

Thanks Chris Michael.
I'll have a look out for the Jeeps you recommend.
Cheers
John

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

With Jeep, you either love them or hate them. I have not found anyone in the middle. I love them...

 

[Readie]

With Jeep, you either love them or hate them. I have not found anyone in the middle. I love them...

I haven't got an axe to grind either way. I just want a tough, reliable 4WD with a bit of grunt.
Jeep has the heritage and I have spotted a Wrangler soft top that is local to me.
John

 

[tyrodtom]

I tow with a 82 Jeep J-10, sometimes use it to carry firewood out of some mountain trails. 360 V8 and manual.

I've got a 66 AMC American station wagon i've put a 4.0 from a 90 Cherokee and 5spd from a Mustang, fun little car. My grandkids love it.

 

[Readie]

I tow with a 82 Jeep J-10, sometimes use it to carry firewood out of some mountain trails. 360 V8 and manual.

Big Pick up. Looks the business !
John

 

[michaelmaltby]

"... I have spotted a Wrangler soft top that is local to me"

That will work.

MM

 

[parsifal]

Epitomy of British sports cars? Austin Healey 3000. A proper mans car.

That's a good spec on your Sprite. Did you get a steel crank as well?
I must admit I haven't seen 4 40mm SU's on a 1370 A series before. Twin DCOE 40 ( 45) or twin big SU's but not 4. That is some carburation Michael.

I had a 1976 Escort Mk2 Mexico with a 2.1 Pinto with a race cam, big valve head and single 45 DCOE that I used for rallies hillclimbs in the 1980's. I never liked the Pinto and planned to build an all steel 1700 Kent or 1300 Kent as they were lighter and would rev like f***.
People were starting to put twin cam Fiat engines in Fords as that was the cheapist way to get nearer BD power.

Great days and great cars.

John

Actually my memory fails me, it was twin SUs (thats two carbs.....still a lot of carburettor)

 

[Njaco]

So, I need a 4WD to tow and carry with. Land Rovers are too unreliable and from what you Michael are saying Jeep's seem good.


Serious question, and any sensible advice welcomed

John

Well, I never had any problems with my LR the 11 years I owned - then again I had the 4 banger replaced witha Chevy 250.

and I didn't always have a LR - I love Jeeps just as much. This is my '76 CJ-7 with my kids in a Marine Corps Toys-4-Tots parade I did.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I would love to have a CJ-7. As a Jeep lover, I want my Grand Cherokee as a family vehicle, but I want an old CJ-7 as my weekend fun car. Go out and do some off-roading with it. Eventually I want an old Willys Jeep as well.

 

[michaelmaltby]

"... 66 AMC American station wagon i've put a 4.0 from a 90 Cherokee and ..."

IIRC the origin of that motor is the old AMC Ambassador ... so AMC just naturally turned to that motor for the GC just before they were sold to Chrysler by Renault. And Chrysler got good service from it, too. Ah history.

Great story


MM