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Posted

Hi guys,

 

I'm planning on a long (could end up being months) trip around Europe next year. I want to do it in an OSF. No way I'd take the Anglia, care too much and a 4.1 with a 4 speed and suspension with as much give as a couple of breeze blocks makes me think it wouldn't be fun!

 

So what would you all say is the best 'Grand Tourer' OSF is?

 

Things to consider:

Fuel economy

Price (Don't want to spend a fortune!)

Ease of driving (low cruising revs, no larey cams!)

Comfort

And of course it needs to be fun to drive

 

What would you buy/build?

  • Admin
Posted

I'd be looking at a Capri, 2.8i probably but if fuel economy is a big factor, a 2.0S or Laser. Smokem's Granada recommend is a good shout too though.

 

 

Posted

Didn't even think of a Granada or a Sierra!

 

I was thinking Capri but never having been in a mk3/driven one don't know what they're like on the road. I do love a Capri though!

 

What are they like on the motorway? Hold the road well? Could be driving for 8+ hours at some points.

 

Or what about a mk3 cortina? They don't seem to much atm and they definitely have a good classic look

  • Like 1
  • Admin
Posted

I ran a mk3 2.8i Capri as a daily between about 1991 and 1996. No complaints from me about its long distance cruising comfort and ability. I regularly drove 8 / 9 hour trips from Southern England to Western Scotland.

 

Sierra? #NotAnOSF :-)

  • Like 1
Posted

I'd love a 2.8 but I feel like they're quite pricey right now, if one came up cheap enough that'd be great.

 

What are the 2l like? I imagine they don't quite have the same ooomph of the v6!

  • Admin
Posted

I'd love a 2.8 but I feel like they're quite pricey right now, if one came up cheap enough that'd be great.

What are the 2l like? I imagine they don't quite have the same ooomph of the v6!

No they don't. Standard about 100 to 110 bhp (new) against a claimed 160bhp for a 2.8i. You can get quite a bit more power out of a pinto without spending too much though.

Posted

How about one of those xr6s, the south African mk4/5 cortina. Standard 3.0 ltr v6! Got to be comfortable, reliable and a rwd hoot. Only draw back is there are not many about. Or they did a v8 Sierra, the xr8 I think. There you go even more options :-), Pete

Posted

Agree with smoke em got to be a Granada would of thought a 2.0 would be ok, not a rocket ship admittedly but will get you there in comfort.

Posted

I've done the Cortinas to Cortina-de-Impezzo in a Mk3 Cortina 1700 Crossflow saloon, and a Mk5 2 litre Cortina Crusader estate which was very usefull over the two weeks with the huge rear load space for bags etc, and it went up and down the Stelvelo pass ok, went to Leuven in Belgium last year in the Mk3 Cortina with a 2.9 V6 Cologne engine fitted, all 3 trips went without any serious hassle....

Posted

I'd say a Sierra. If you were going into eastern Europe there are still quite a few being daily driven.

 

Depending on how "old skool" you want, yup Sierra was my first thought - preferably a Ghia with aircon.

 

Failing that a 2.0/2.3 Mk5 Cortina.

  • Like 1

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