Champagne Tour - which car?

[stuartp]

So I'm going on the Classic Ford Champagne Tour in May (anyone else going?)

 

 

I fully intended to use the mk1 Escort BUT we now have a mk4 Cortina estate (Ghia no less) and i'm torn.

 

 

Escort is obviously better looking, better handling, faster and cooler but it's also noisier, less comfortable and less reliable. The wife still calls it the death trap but it's my pride and joy.

 

 

Cortina is built to be a cruiser, it's more comfortable, has more luggage space, seems to be reliable (we did 400 faultless miles in it just a fortnight ago) and is obviously still a very cool car but it's not my Escort. The wife half owns it and likes it.

 

 

Both have a standard 2.0 pinto, Escort has 5 speed, Cortina only 4. I don't really measure mpg but I suspect there isn't a huge amount in it although maybe over many many motorway miles the 5 speed would save a bit? Also the Escort is lighter - but more likely to be driven harder

 

 

Sensible answer is Cortina isn't it?

What do you lot reckon?

[SmokeEm]

Either way you're a lucky bigger for having the choice

 

 

But I think I have an easy answer for you.

 

 

Under 35yrs old = Escort

 

Over 35yrs old = Cortina

 

If on the other hand you ARE 35 exactly then Cortina (Less nagging from Mrs)

[Vista]

Cortina for me if there's lots of mileage involved and you're going to be abroad, even with international breakdown cover, breakdown's are that much more of a pain if you don't speak the language

[stuartp]

Cortina for me if there's lots of mileage involved and you're going to be abroad, even with international breakdown cover, breakdown's are that much more of a pain if you don't speak the language

 

knowing my luck either one will break down spectacularly! (must sort out my Euro cover and insurance soon too) this will be my first time driving in France though so the least likely of the two is certainly a good bet

[stuartp]

Either way you're a lucky bigger for having the choice

 

 

But I think I have an easy answer for you.

 

 

Under 35yrs old = Escort

 

Over 35yrs old = Cortina

 

If on the other hand you ARE 35 exactly then Cortina (Less nagging from Mrs)

 

 

i'm very lucky and i know it, the mrs has very little interest in cars (she's often telling me to shut up) but she does appreciate driving round in something unusual and has also allowed us (me) to have a sensible daily car that's 34 years old!

 

 

i'm 36 btw

[SmokeEm]

Cortina it is then

[deltamal]

I still reckon the Cortina!

[shaun1.6ghia]

I wanna do a tour like this next year

Go for cortina

[Arfur]

Cortina, no question.

[stuartp]

 

for once in my life i think i'm going to make the sensible decision and go in the cortina

 

 

no, the escort

 

 

 

no, the cortina

 

 

maybe the escort

 

nope, definitely cortina

cortina

yes, cortina

 

 

right, i'm going to france in this then

 

 

talk about first world problems

[Col-ashtonmobile]

deffo cortina ( coming from an escort owner ) the cortina is so cool

[stuartp]

booked it today and have decided on cortina

 

 

i saw some numbers from previous ones and it looks like there will be at least a dozen escorts so they certainly won't miss my one

[Mk2Jo]

Good decision Stu8-)

[stuartp]

bit belated but still....

 

664.7 miles over 3 days and the cortina did us proud, no mechanical problems, good on fuel (i estimate 29mpg), happy to cruise at motorway speeds for ages, comfy seats, comfy ride (like a boat), big boot for booze, a rare sight too so even though it was by FAR the shabbiest car there people were pleased to see it

 

anyway, here it is sat in the town square at Arras (the first stop on the tour)

 

[GJUK]

Cortina for me if there's lots of mileage involved and you're going to be abroad, even with international breakdown cover, breakdown's are that much more of a pain if you don't speak the language

 

As Vista says, take a hostage that speaks the local lingo.

The Cortina is the only option due to being able to fit a person in the boot plus any bags you may want to take.

 

edit. oh, you've been already. :-/