View Full Version : Not a fan of the "daily driver" concept...but - classic Holden as a 2nd car?
Hi guys.
I've never been a big fan of the whole "daily driver" concept. IMO, your best car should be the one you use every day (unless it's a one-off or ultra-rare classic that only has limited insurance). Eg: If you have a 400rwkw car, drive it everywhere, 'cause that's what it's for (I've got a VS V6 that sits on the street while I drive my V8 600kms each week).
Unfortunately though, next year I'll be working full-time in the city and I'll have to start catching the train. While I've got no problem driving my Calais to the station, I do have a problem leaving it there for 10-12 hours every day (and sometimes overnight). Theft and vandalism aren't a huge concern, but dings, scratches and the weather are, so I'd like to leave the Calais at home.
...so that means buying a 2nd car to leave at the station (yes, a "daily driver" :(). Thing is - I'm not willing to buy a FWD 4 cylinder, and other options (old Commodore, keeping my VS, Sigma, Gemini, other RWDs) bore me to tears.
I've always wanted to own and slowly restore a classic Holden with dad (something around EH-HR) and this seems like a good opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. I'd LOVE to buy a 48-215, but it'd be too impractical and expensive.
Has anyone got any tips on driving a Holden of that vintage every day? Reliability? Economy? Theft and vandalism? Anything else I should look out for? I won't be buying a shitter (I want something that's roadworthy when I buy it), but I won't be buying a mint one either. Looking at around $5-6,000. Saw a nice one in QLD for $7k, and good condition ones like this (http://www.autotrader.com.au/Photos/Y15774920.jpg) seem to go for around $7-8k.
I'm only just starting to look into it, and probably won't be buying the car until the end of the year. Also, not sure if it'll be a restoration project (ie: to original specs with original motor), or if we'll go a bit further and stick something like a 350 Chev or Ecotec in it. We haven't even decided on the body yet. I want a sedan, dad wants a ute! :)
Cheers,
- Febs.
PS: That's just my opinion on daily drivers. I'm not talking badly of anyone who does have a daily driver, it's just that when I drive anything other than my Calais, I'm always left thinking "Damn, wish I was driving my Calais. :("
Chris5.7ltr
06-06-2005, 11:22 PM
What about a EH or HR Ute, put a Ecotec V6 and A4 in it with upgraded brakes with air and steer.
Reliable and classie!
If I needed something to leave at the station everyday I would get a VK Calais 5 litre, put a EFI 5 litre and A4 in it with a nice set of wheels.
vzsv6
06-06-2005, 11:27 PM
If I needed something to leave at the station everyday I would get a VK Calais 5 litre, put a EFI 5 litre and A4 in it with a nice set of wheels.
Sounds nice, but how long would it last at a train station car park?
Its your choice, but if I had to buy a car to park at a train station it would be something boring and undesirable to thieves like an old corolla etc...
What about a EH or HR Ute, put a Ecotec V6 and A4 in it with upgraded brakes with air and steer.
Reliable and classie!
Yeah something like that would be great...but no matter what I get it'll stay stock for at least a year or two. Ecotecs and 4L60's go pretty cheap so it'd be a good way to do it (while still keeping a degree of reliability and fuel economy).
If I needed something to leave at the station everyday I would get a VK Calais 5 litre, put a EFI 5 litre and A4 in it with a nice set of wheels.
Yeah but an old VK just doesn't do it for me. I've wanted an old EH or HR for years, and they're only going to get rarer.
Cheers,
- Febs.
Sounds nice, but how long would it last at a train station car park?
Its your choice, but if I had to buy a car to park at a train station it would be something boring and undesirable to thieves like an old corolla etc...
That's why I'm sort of curious as to how classic Holdens are with thieves and vandals. Do they tend to leave them alone, or target them?
The station is pretty safe, has it's own carpark and most days I'll be leaving it there at 8am and picking it up around 6-7pm.
Cheers,
- Febs.
vzsv6
06-06-2005, 11:34 PM
That's why I'm sort of curious as to how classic Holdens are with thieves and vandals. Do they tend to leave them alone, or target them?
Not sure..... I'm not a thief myself so I couldn't tell you. But one would think the more classic/rare a car is, the more desirable it would be to thieves due to the hard to get parts..
Red-Drop
07-06-2005, 12:14 AM
My opinion stick with the VS. That car has been your best friend for years next to me of course :)
Old cars liket that are more money than they are worth. The money you save on fuel econmy will be far out shot by modding/restoring 2 vintage cars (EH and your VX) :p
Restore some thing worth while like an old mustang or something.
My opinion stick with the VS. That car has been your best friend for years next to me of course :)
Keeping the VS is the most sensible option. I love that car, it's been ultra reliable and when I sell it (next month, I swear!) I won't get much for it.
...but it's not a classic Holden.
Old cars liket that are more money than they are worth. The money you save on fuel econmy will be far out shot by modding/restoring 2 vintage cars (EH and your VX) :p
"More money than they're worth" is relative. I could buy a mint example with low kms for well under $10,000.
I could say that the $XX,XXX you spent on all your mods isn't worth it, but to each their own. ;)
(Restoring an old Mustang would be nice, but you're looking at a LOT more money than an EH or an HR. On that note, there's a mob in Cronulla that do GT500 replicas with a brand new 4.6L Quadcam Mustang donk and updated suspension etc... for $66k...but you have to supply the 'stang! :lol: ).
Cheers,
- Febs
Just to clear up some confusion on another forum...
I'll only be driving it to the station while it's in "average" condition. By the time it's restored I won't be driving it to the station anymore.
Red-Drop
07-06-2005, 01:26 AM
Just to clear up some confusion on another forum...
I'll only be driving it to the station while it's in "average" condition. By the time it's restored I won't be driving it to the station anymore.
And then you will have 2 nice cars and think to yourself wish i was driving the calais.
Or you will sell the calais either way having both cars to restore is a waste. Gett a pulsar SSS. That sought of car is right up your ally :lol: . Then you just got the dual 5" Exhaust to fit. And 22" Cromies.
It sounds like a great idea. They can be a pain though chasing the odd things that go wrong like wiper motors, electrical switches, door hardware just to name a few.
If you want a classic it would probably be cheaper to get a good one, if you are fussy. In my experience most restore cars for love of them. When they start to drive them they realise how quaint they are and they end up taking up room in the shed. Classics wont be getting any cheaper though so if you have the space get the one you want (EH/EJ Prem wagon for me :cool: )and hoard as many good parts as you can.
Good luck Febs
OzJavelin
07-06-2005, 08:03 AM
Take it from me, I've had a lot of old "daily drivers" [ '61 Studey Lark, '65 Dodge Phoenix (x2), '63 Dodge Phoenix, '69 Dodge Phoenix, '71 F100, '78 F100, VG Val coupe, VF Val coupe, HQ Statey, VH Charger, XB GS coupe, XC GXL, '68 Pontiac Safari, '68 Impala SS coupe, '82 Jeep Cherokee, '70 Plymouth Fury convertible, '69 AMC Javelin ]. Stick with the VS as a real daily driver. Nice to drive. Starts, stops, doesn't overheat. Easy to get parts for. Doesn't leak. Doesn't rust, etc, etc. Classics are cool, but they are a passion. Things get nasty when you are late to work and they won't start. If you want a classic buy one to drive around on weekends ..
If you *really* want one, maybe get a Chev-powered HK Prem or something like that .. but loose the Chev badges and obvious exhaust if your worried about thieves?
BTW: I can still drive mine daily, but I'm only 5min from work. If it won't start then I can just walk!!
Rod.
SLEEPERVX
07-06-2005, 08:56 AM
Get an LH/LX/UC Torana 6. Put a bigger radiator in it & twin thermos (they tend to overheat in traffic). If it breaks down, the parts are cheap as. I had one for 7 years and it never missed a beat, was never stolen & looked tough.
Go for an EJ like my old mans. Complete with a Bored out 304, Stage 1 Cam, period 13" Mags and smiths rev counter!!! :D
http://www.excelerate.com.au/downloads/gts/ej and gts.jpg
RICHO
07-06-2005, 09:04 AM
My first car was an HR and damn I miss it!!
Cost me peanuts to buy. Sweet FA to run (nothing went wrong with the thing) even gave me the opportunity to play with a few things like cams, heads, triple carbs, etc etc. Didn't make the old girl run that much harder, but she sure sounded sweet!! (Although it did take some time to get used to the VERY audible sound of those carbs sucking petrol at the traffic lights). As for the handling....sort of a cross between the Queen Mary and an old Sherman tank is about the best description I can give. 30 degress of lean on any corner, the car "bouncing" for a good 50+ metres after a speed hump, old recirculating ball steering that was sloppy as hell. Shoudl never have sold her!! Worst thing I ever did!!
Hardest thing will be finding one in good nick for relatively little $$ most will have problems with rust and a fully restored can cost $7k or more. Like Rod says going for a VS or something of that vintage may be a better bet depending on your budget.
VRIIClubby
07-06-2005, 09:16 AM
how longs it going to take you to get to the station? Seriously just buy an old rolla or sumthing, it will start every time and get you to work with less hassles, if you're running for the train and forget to lock it who really cares?
Im bout to buy a train-o-hack to get there and back as long as it starts i dont really care what it is, really old like 83-84 civics are good aswell..
clixanup
07-06-2005, 09:17 AM
Go for an EJ like my old mans. Complete with a Bored out 304, Stage 1 Cam, period 13" Mags and smiths rev counter!!!
All that and 13" rims?? :shock: :burnout: :burnout: :burnout:
Highway
07-06-2005, 09:24 AM
I did up a HQ Premier V8 15 years ago and was going to drive it to the station
every day until the HZ Premier got stolen from the station.
In the end when the insurance money came through I just bought a shitbox
and never had a another problem.
The HQ stayed at home and was only driven on weekends.
Anything old is easy to knock off of course and attracts the younger joy
riding thiefs.
Just do all the hard to detect mods first and leave it at home once you start
on the outside.( or just keep the one you have now for the station)
It was hard to get really good parts for a HQ years ago it must be next to
impossible today.
Good luck.
Mike
chops
07-06-2005, 09:25 AM
To be honest, I would be more worried about leaving a classic in a car park.
If your Calais is dented, you can get panels easily (not all dents come out) but chasing panels for something like an EH might prove difficult and costly.
AS much as you don't want to hear it, here's another vote for keeping your VS.
Peter B - CV8
07-06-2005, 09:44 AM
Don't buy anything special if it's only going to be be spending the majority of its time at a train station carpark (no matter how secure it may appear to be).
When you get off the train in the evening & find an empty space where your car should be - how upset are you going to feel if the car was only a crappy old toyota or something similar.
NickS
07-06-2005, 09:48 AM
If all you need to do is drive to the station and back then either keep the VS or drive something that no one will want to steal, you won't care if it gets scratched, reliable, cheap etc etc Just think, when you spend all week running back and forwards in the "daily driver" you will think the Calais is better than it has ever been by Saturday !! Personally I wouldn't leave anything at the station that you will get emotionally attached to, if restore a classic you will not want to leave it in a public car park 12 hours a day, good luck !!
exwrx
07-06-2005, 11:02 AM
I had an FC ute loaner a few months ago. drove it every day for a month and hated it.
It was immaculate, but a grey motor, three on the tree, drum brakes and steering box do not make for a happy daily drive.
However, it will make you appreciate just how far cars have come :) Keep the VS.
Marco
07-06-2005, 01:23 PM
I'd agree with all those who've said leaving a classic at the station is a bad idea.
It probably wouldn't get nicked for parts (not a lot of supply of parts but also probably not the sort of demand that makes it worthwhile for Midnight Spares), but it would be an excellent target for vandals and people looking for something to nick for a quick ride home and dump/burn later (old car = poor theft protection).
Ideally I'd walk or bus to the station because it's a heck of a lot cheaper than running another car, but if that's not an option, my vote's for something "disposable" - ie, cheap to buy and you don't care if it gets nicked.
vxcalaiszzz
07-06-2005, 01:42 PM
For the cost of buying a classic, doing it up, insurance, rego, maintenance and fuel etc, why not just get a permanent car space in the city.
You can get undercover secure carpark from $200-$550/month depending on where it's located. If you have a nice boss you could even salary sacrifice for the carpark or the car or both.
May work out a bit more expensive but you have piece of mind and get to drive your 400rwkw Calais to work everyday. :D
Takes a bit longer than the train though in peak hour traffic.
Danv8
07-06-2005, 01:46 PM
Buy a new Magna no one would even think about stealing one.
:lol:
clixanup
07-06-2005, 02:27 PM
For the cost of buying a classic, doing it up, insurance, rego, maintenance and fuel etc, why not just get a permanent car space in the city.
Get this guy a kewpie doll. He wins the lateral thinker of the year award.
VooDoo
07-06-2005, 02:45 PM
For the cost of buying a classic, doing it up, insurance, rego, maintenance and fuel etc, why not just get a permanent car space in the city.
You can get undercover secure carpark from $200-$550/month depending on where it's located. If you have a nice boss you could even salary sacrifice for the carpark or the car or both.
May work out a bit more expensive but you have piece of mind and get to drive your 400rwkw Calais to work everyday. :D
Takes a bit longer than the train though in peak hour traffic.
you can buy these outright and in the past have shown to be a very good investment. I remember in Brisbane they were 18-25k a few years back. Try finding one under 70k these days. When your not using it you can lease it back to the center and get a return on the investment. Far better idea than buying a hack.
spiritfc
07-06-2005, 03:22 PM
I've restored a EH Premier that is valued at $15,000. If anyone want's it posted it up here I'll email it to you. I will never sell it, it is the best car I have or will ever own...
seldo
07-06-2005, 04:31 PM
I had an FC ute loaner a few months ago. drove it every day for a month and hated it.
It was immaculate, but a grey motor, three on the tree, drum brakes and steering box do not make for a happy daily drive.
However, it will make you appreciate just how far cars have come :) Keep the VS.
Couldn't agree more! The idea of driving a classic everyday tugs at the emotions a bit, but the hard light of reality very quickly bites as you struggle with no power steering, no brakes, poor handling, awful steering, poor seats, no heater/airconditioner, bad ergonomics and other very basic stuff. I'd suggest you just get someone to give you a good flogging and get it out of your system ;)
SV8VY
07-06-2005, 05:26 PM
Don't buy anything special if it's only going to be be spending the majority of its time at a train station carpark (no matter how secure it may appear to be).
When you get off the train in the evening & find an empty space where your car should be - how upset are you going to feel if the car was only a crappy old toyota or something similar.True ,just buy something that will fire up and take you there and if someone takes it just shrug your shoulders and buy another one.
I bought this the other day for when Im on the tools for $1600 with 11 months rego.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4553417889&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1
Its on gas and cheap.
Does 13 sec ( 0-100 that is :lol: ) Its a SLEEPER cause its so slow I fall asleep.
When I get in the LS1 it puts a smile on my face after driving the Ford.
Am I a Ford man now.....I think not :D
theVman
07-06-2005, 05:36 PM
I've been thinking the same thing. Having sold my old project vk I want something else, but wont be restoring for a few years. .
I work right in the centre of town and need a car to drive to work that wont really matter if it gets a few dents etc. PLus they are tough body wise in that respect.
Ive been looking at hr and eh premiers, lots around in unique cars etc at reasonable prices. Id love to get a 65 stang or similar but too expensive right now.
Thing to consider is that a stock eh/hr is going to be pretty slow and heavy on fuel. Most manuals will be the non sincro types and clunky to drive. If you like me you put in huge days and drive home in zombie mode im thinking thats prob not best.
On the other hand, you can get all the brakes etc sorted while still driving it to work, then when your ready take it for for the rebuild.
Not a bad idea, i dont think they would get targetted as much as vk's and the like as theres not much of a market for parts etc, and they dont really go fast. Id say you would be fairly safe. PLus people of all types seem to repect the old girls.
Dont forget, while it will be a daily driver you will be still driving to work in style!! he he
Thanks for all the ideas and help guys. Much appreciated. :headbang:
Or you will sell the calais either way having both cars to restore is a waste. Gett a pulsar SSS. That sought of car is right up your ally :lol: . Then you just got the dual 5" Exhaust to fit. And 22" Cromies.
Hey, I'm not the riceboy who wanted to put stripes on his SS (http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=39919). :booty:
If you *really* want one, maybe get a Chev-powered HK Prem or something like that .. but loose the Chev badges and obvious exhaust if your worried about thieves?
Sounds like fun, but I had an HJ Prem a few years ago and nah, I'd rather something from EH-HR.
no power steering, no brakes, poor handling, awful steering, poor seats, no heater/airconditioner, bad ergonomics and other very basic stuff. I'd suggest you just get someone to give you a good flogging and get it out of your system ;)
:lol:
Thing is, for 15 minutes each way, it's really not gonna bother me. We had a Hilux a while ago, one of the first models (1981). It cost us nothing, rattled, shook, was slow as anything, downright dangerous above 80km/h, no cushioning left in the seat, clunky gearbox, no power steering, no aircon, but GEEZ I loved driving it. Absolute blast.
how longs it going to take you to get to the station? Seriously just buy an old rolla or sumthing, it will start every time and get you to work with less hassles, if you're running for the train and forget to lock it who really cares?
All good points, and I agree it all makes sense...but I really just can't see myself in a FWD 4cyl...let alone spending money on one. It'd feel wrong. :(
AS much as you don't want to hear it, here's another vote for keeping your VS.
To make it harder, I drove the VS a fair bit today (had to park in a dodgy area, didn't want to leave the Calais) and geez I love it. Obviously doesn't have the power of my LS1, but it's just a fun car to drive. :)
For the cost of buying a classic, doing it up, insurance, rego, maintenance and fuel etc, why not just get a permanent car space in the city.
That's a consideration too...but driving into the city in peak hour traffic isn't fun. At least on the train I can sleep. :)
Next year I'll have two secure underground carparks in the city that I can use after 6pm for free (one in Phillip St, one at ****le Bay)...so that negates any benefit a leased carspace would give me after hours.
Cheers,
- Febs.
piffk_ss
07-06-2005, 09:01 PM
done the whole leave the car at the station thing, and i would recomend not leaving something you like there! think about it, 90% of the cars are there all day every day, so if you plan on stealling a car it's a good place to start! and as you said in first thread you'll get heaps of dents and scratches from people running for their train.
done the whole leave the car at the station thing, and i would recomend not leaving something you like there! think about it, 90% of the cars are there all day every day, so if you plan on stealling a car it's a good place to start! and as you said in first thread you'll get heaps of dents and scratches from people running for their train.
Yeah, good point...but the plan would be to only drive the car to the station while it's in average condition. ie: once it's done up, I won't drive it to the station anymore.
It's a pretty safe station wrt theft and vandalism...but yeah dings and scratches can happen anywhere.
seldo
08-06-2005, 08:35 AM
Hey Febs - sounds as if you'd already decided to do this anyway..;)
Hey Febs - sounds as if you'd already decided to do this anyway..;)
Nah mate not at all...just confirming a few points (ie: If I do go ahead with it, I won't drive it to the station once it's restored).
I'm just after some advice and tips, and so far I've gotten a lot of good ones. To be honest keeping the VS is sounding like a smart idea. :)
Cheers,
- Febs.
seldo
08-06-2005, 08:52 PM
To be honest keeping the VS is sounding like a smart idea. :)
Cheers,
- Febs.
Ahhh...thank goodness for that....you had me worried there for a bit. Now you're talking! The sad part is that to sell something like that - your VS, gives you bugga-all return, and then you have to go and spend the same or more on something that you don't know the history of. Stick with what you know...:cheers:
Ahhh...thank goodness for that....you had me worried there for a bit. Now you're talking! The sad part is that to sell something like that - your VS, gives you bugga-all return, and then you have to go and spend the same or more on something that you don't know the history of.
Yeah, that's my thinking...
The VS has a stack of kms on it too. It's in great nick, but it'll hurt the resale value.
Ahh well..we'll see how it goes. Going on a 6,000km road trip in a few weeks. If I see an EH or an HR for peanuts, I may just give in. :D
Cheers,
- Febs.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.2 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.