Virgin to OSF's - What shock will i get?

[jarveye]

Like ive mentioned in another thread im building up to buying my first osf and thinking a mkIII cortina.

 

What have i got to NOT look forward too (if you understand)

 

basically ive only driven coming up for 1 year, i was taught in a toyota corrolla and bought a wee kia picanto i got cheap for my first car (cheap as chips to buy, tax and run) so that will give you an idea of what im used to (not much)

 

what did you guys all find most shocking when driving a much older car?

little things like de-steaming windows, adjusting mirrors anything like that, are these all totally different? is simply re-fueling difficult for any reason?!?! im guessing handling and ride comfort is quite different

 

lay it on for me thick so i know what im getting myself in for

[lee_capri]

if you get a standed prefacelift look fowared to woundering if your going to stop befor you hit the car in front

 

has got no servo

 

the other thing to look at when buying is what you might not be-able to see under the paint like how much filler

[mk1super]

I was once the same as you, never owned a car till i was 27 and what do i get as a first car a modded mk1 escort

 

The joys so far!

 

Ok if your engine hasnt been converted to run unleaded you have the joy of sticking lead additive into it No big deal instructions on bottle simples

 

When i bought mine i got in sorted mirrors etc and took off only to find the wind blew me drivers mirror out of position (Granted i thrashed fook out of it till the manifold was glowing red ) And passenger side one i cant see nowt but door or window no matter how much i ajust it

 

Its a fooker to get started if cold or been sat for a few days/weeks (I blame security for that for) However once started sounds ace and i calm down in a instant.

 

It also stinks of petrol sometimes in the car which means you have to roll the window down and freeze or you end up buzzing from the petrol fumes.

 

Alot of your friends and family will mock you for wasting all your money on an old jalopy

 

They rattle and vibrate and are noisy, steerings heavy at slow speeds manovering etc.

 

And if your minus heater like me windows fog up

 

 

 

However.........

I love my escort, i would sooner part with my bottom virginity than the escort

 

 

I love how raw they are... no frills all thrills! I could only compare it to riding a bike the buzz you get from driving an old ford.

People stop and stare and wave at you, flash there lights,let you onto roundabouts etc. People come up to you at the petrol station and ask "Can i take a photo of your car?"

Unless you drive some exotic super car you will never turn as many heads and see so many smiles as you go past.

 

Handling and comfort wise ive heard no complaints only praise as to how forgiving they are should you get it wrong.

 

Get one there will be times you hate it but when it works the negitives you soon forget

[bortaf]

If your deffo getting a cortina expect heavy steering, vague steering, vague brakes, vague gauges, (pretty much mostly vague ) iffy demisting, poor rear visability and a heavy clutch

 

Any of the above that you "don't" get is a bonus and points to a good car

[Fishtailparka]

Something else you may not be aware of is that since that advert on the telly it is now compulsory for all Mk3 Cortina owners to sport a massive madhead afro hairdo.

[jarveye]

Something else you may not be aware of is that since that advert on the telly it is now compulsory for all Mk3 Cortina owners to sport a massive madhead afro hairdo.

 

LOL!

 

yeah thanks guys for all the advice, if/when i get one i want to be prepared, im guessing some people never think of this before diving in and getting a classic car

[Bluesplus2s]

If it's got standard suspension, the rear void bushes WILL be fooked and it'll handle like a blancmange

 

But that aside, I loved my Cortina it was a real cruiser.

[sarkie83]

the biggest difference i notice is starting it in the morning - mondeo - first turn of the key and off you go.

 

Cortina - pump the pedal 2ice, turn the key - know it it won't start first time, and try again.

[Conor]

Poor brakes, rock hard steering. Lots of knocks, rattles and squeaks. Sat there turning it over wondering whether it'll start before the battery conks out when its not been run in a week. Electrics that'll work one day then not the next. A rattle that'll appear, shut up when you open the window and re-appear when you close it but the next day will just have magically disappeared. The ability to rust quicker than you can put paint on.

 

Most of all......

 

The magical ability to completely empty your wallet whilst making you extremely excited about it. There will always be something on Ebay for it you can justify.

[Retro-gone.]

all of the above contribute to driving a 'real' car in my opinion, if you bare in mind i could sell my mk1 capri and buy a lovely smooth perfect handling modern car yet i prefer to own/drive a draughty, ill handling/stopping old car then surely that tells you something, you get a certain proud feeling, an unexplainable buzz when you drive a classic car, regardless of the make, and i for one think its brilliant to see young lads opting for 30+ year old cars than plastic modern throwaway shite.

[Noodles]

The way they fook up every 5 mins

[Duke3s]

I agree with all the points made so far.

 

i have spent a HIDEOUS amount of money on my Capri and i could spend 10k right now on it without struggling!

But you dont have to get giddy, but if u do its a horrible feeling when something else goes wrong - even worse when the thing that goes wrong is something you think you have just fixed!

 

however........

 

i do get an idiot grin on my face when im walking to it in a car park, knowing (with no doubt) its the coolest thing parked there. That people will stop and stare as it rolls down the street and that its me who gets to do it!

[deltamal]

All of the above, but by talking to other owner's on thr site, a lot of the irritations can be improved for not a lot of money, but it is the buzz you get from people in petrol stations, car parks and shows, also the pleasure of driving it! do check for the rust worm though, Mk 3 Corty panels are rare and expensive!

[trakevlyn]

all of the above contribute to driving a 'real' car in my opinion, if you bare in mind i could sell my mk1 capri and buy a lovely smooth perfect handling modern car yet i prefer to own/drive a draughty, ill handling/stopping old car then surely that tells you something, you get a certain proud feeling, an unexplainable buzz when you drive a classic car, regardless of the make, and i for one think its brilliant to see young lads opting for 30+ year old cars than plastic modern throwaway shite.

 

here here!!

 

 

you will have to get used to going into your local autoparts shop and being looked at like an alien with 2 heads after asking for something quite logical to you

[DAZZA]

..... the middle pedal is just there for decoration.

[BIGKEV]

Your wallet will go into Cardiac arrest at least twice a month

[Stu_B]

I remember the first time I drove my mk3

 

I swapped it for a Jetta GTi & £250, had only seen the car once & never driven it.... it was dark and the middle of winter, there was even ice on the inside of the screen I remember driving it down the road, it drove like a jelly & everything was clonking & creaking! I was thinking 'Oh god, what have I done?!!!!'

 

Drove straight to the pub to show my mates, and I haven't looked back since

[mk3tina]

to be fair on these old beasts, if you look after them, they look after you. i.e MAINTENANCE, break downs shouldnt be much of a problem as they can be fixed with a paperclip and some chewing gum. expect rust, lots of rust, or speed holes as they are known. i find the brakes on my prefaceleift (no servo) mk3 cortina to be fine. i can lock them up easily i think, just no nancy ABS.

[lee_capri]

i find the one i brought last week alright,brake's were a shock when i first drove it and steering is heavly at low speed's,but it all grow's on you,and at the end of the week you would'nt drive it any-differant to any-other car or i dont