Drive it or dust it?

[Jamesv6]

A very interesting thing was said about my Vee today by a major super-car dealer.

"We have of course been looking, and there have been more expensive Clio v6s for sale recently, that is great to see, but anyone looking to buy yours will have the advantage and peace of mind knowing this beautiful bronze car has actually been used and is fully serviced".

How bad can it be to buy a very low miler that's not been driven much?

 

[Tatelyle]

Drive it, without question, no contest for me.

 

[rustedandrotten]

Mr Macari? Very wise statement :bow:

 

[ColinG]

I believe there's a very happy medium myself..

I don't believe there are more than a handful of Vees which are now daily drivers or where it would be someone's only car, which majorly lowers the milage for starters...

I'm comfortable doing 1500 miles a year or less, car gets driven through the summer, always driven hard and not just 10 miles and away again, when it comes out I usually do 50-100 miles per drive.

I certainly couldn't just own a car with a few hundred miles and be happy staring at it, that's not for me.

 

[Jamesv6]

Mr Macari? Very wise statement :bow:

You were'nt supposed to guess lol

 

[srt40]

Not a daily driver, but ~5k a year, all year use, all weather, no expense spared on maintenance, 100% enjoyment.

 

[MarkK]

I've played with classic cars for a long time, and preserving them is one of the biggest challenges.

The main isues with laying up a car, or using it very little, seem to be:

Condensation in the petrol tank rusting the empty bit of the tank...not a problem in the Vee.

Petrol with ethanol deteriorates in a few months, and can gum up injectors if engine not run. More of a problem with carburetors and old fuel lines.

Acids and condensation in old oil can corrode bearing surfaces. Not a problem if oil changed frequently, and engine run up to temperature a few times a year.

Coolant / antifreeze looses it's anti-oxidant and coolant properties after a few years...often forgotten when a car isn't on the road getting 'proper' services, and leads to oxidisation in aluminium blocks, heads, radiators, heaters and water pumps.

Rubber parts take on their rested shape when not used for a while. That includes bushes, belts and tyres, all of which may have to be replaced if left static for a long time.

Hydraulic fluid is hydroscopic (absorbs water from the atmosphere) which can oxidise hydraulic systems, causing pistons to seize in the master cylinders, callipers and servos when not used. Also, rubber seals in hydraulic systems can take on a fixed shape when not used, and are more prone to failure when being used after a long rest.

The stored environment is much more important when the car isn't used, especially in our damp climate. Aluminium parts can oxidise very quickly when exposed to damp air, and using a car will 'dry' it all out. Brake discs and flywheel / clutch can rust surprising quickly as well. Using the car 'airs' everything.

The best way to store the car is in a forced-air chamber (carcoon or something like that), running it up to temperature once a month. Move the car as well, even if it's just a few feet in and out of the garage. Make everything work, like the air-con, power windows, heater, lights, brakes, power steering. Spray the metal bits underneath (not discs or callipers) with a protective oil like Scottoil.

Or use it!

Mark

 

[Kett]

Or use it!

Mark

Great post! : )

 

[Jamesv6]

I use the family MPV thing about once a week and worry about that, imagine how I feel about the Vee getting 0.02 miles a month!

 

[craigy990]

Blimey - tricky one - or is it ? If you have the facility to keep a car in good nick without driving it then fair play and you earn more money than me - I do very low milage use it once a week and is a pure luxury that has taken all my reserves and a small.loan on it I am happy to take it out on a Sunday and give it a run out (not to fast ) just "warm it up " I love it to bits [smilie=yay.gif] it's been so called refinished by a valeter and I can now clean it as it deserves without damaging it. I love polishing it so I have the luxury of doing both I suppose ? 1500 miles a year mines got 20,390 on it so in ten years 35390 ish that's still a very low milage vee [smilie=yay.gif] good post James and I don't think I've put my foot in it ! Wee hoo ! Lol

 

[REM13]

My Vee is a 3rd car/toy, and I wouldn't like to use it as a daily, however I wouldn't like to get to a point where I'm nervous to use it...my usual jaunts into the Peak District put on at least 80 miles a go... In fact, when my wife drops a couple of days from work this year, we've decided one will be a "Vee day" for a regular weekday run!... :race:

 

[PhilGT]

Took the V6 out today and did a tank of fuel in a day. Just locked it away in the garage and as I looked back at it again before closing the door (come on we all do that) it got me thinking – yes it’s better looking than me and yes it drinks more than I do. Yes I will have to spend lots on it again come cambelt time and yes maybe the gearbox may fail along with other items requiring more money having to be lavished on it. But… I have learned over many years of car ownership that the largest single cost of running any car is depreciation. To my mind a V6 is a no brainer. It’s fast enough to give you a thrill, relatively rare, puts a massive smile on your face, sounds amazing and it’s certainly not going down in value anytime soon.
So I’m driving not dusting mine..
I love it.

 

[WONGY]

As fyi you shouldn't run the Clio below 2 gallons plus of fuel then leave it standing for period of time

It actually rusts the fuel pump! I should know bought mine off forecourt after on sale for yonks and fuel pump was so rusted when you shook it sounded like sand in it !

 

[Lankan]

Now here's someone who really uses his cars: LINK

Would love to do something like that, but in the Vee............

 

[Tatelyle]

Why not, get some interested to do something similar put my name down please.

 

[Jamesv6]

Sahara! I'm ginger [smilie=icon_eek.gif]

 

[Tatelyle]

Sun tan lotion, there a whole industry out there for you guys.....

 

[DarkShines]

Now here's someone who really uses his cars: LINK

Would love to do something like that, but in the Vee............

Harry is a crazy fool !!

My Testarossa spends most of its time on bloody ramps!!!! Glad to see he has electrical issues too !!!

 

[JimA]

Nice video. Love seeing the Testarossa all covered in dirt n dust, rather than polished & shiny in a garage showroom somewhere.

They should give a pair of Harry's lucky pants away with every set of standard Vee coils!