Ive managed to get a great new Job which is about 1mile away from my house, so I'm thinking of fulfilling a bit of a dream of mine and getting a classic car as my main car seeing as I dont have to travel very far to work (if at all as I will walk there mainly). Now Im thinking of ditching my uktra reliable and efficient Mini Cooper D Clubman and getting my dream car a Citroen DS 21 or 23 (currently going for anything between 6,000 - 20,000) has anyone had one of these or indeed anyone used a classic for their daily car?

The DS is the one with the hydrostatic suspension?

Avoid....

Make sure any car you buy has had the valve seats treated to run unleaded fuel too.

Thats the one! I've had mixed stories, some people have said that the suspension isnt a problem and then I've heard to avoid it. I've seen one that has had the suspension recently serviced and all the valve seats done. I am slightly worried about going from a reliable car to one that I know will have problems but I think i'd kick myself If I didn't get a classic when I have the opportunity, Ill probably be back at the Mini garage in a years time

If it's only 1 mile away, why not invest in a pair of classic shoes and walk there?

If you're going to get a classic car, don't bugger around with some French crap get a 55-57 Chevy Bel Air or Nomad

Frankly, I think you're crazy

I can't think of any old car that I have previously owned or even not owned that I would rather have instead of what you already have - you'll join those people with their head under the bonnet, half on, half off the grass verge on the way to work every Monday morning, scratching your head saying "I can't understand it, I only serviced it yesterday"

A mile each way is about all he'll be able to afford to run....

The DS is a great car, stylish, inovative - headlights follow the steering IIRC - and handles like a drunk hippo on skate. The suspension will fail - we had the later version and it was horrendously expensive to put right, and that was in the late 70s/early 80s - but if you can use spanners, and have the nouse to look for a new set before they actually go, then that's most likely to be your biggest and most expensive issue.

In fact, if you can't use spanners, then don't go near a classic car!


I'd be looking for something like a Rover P5 or P6 if I were spending the money.

My father has a couple of pre war Rileys, and over the years has also had a variety of post war Triumphs (Stag, Mk3 Spitfire, Dolomite Sprint), Saabs (95,96, 99 & early model 900's) that he used on an ocassional basis for commuting, all very good fun, but with the best will in the world, they take a lot of work to keep them going.

Parts can be hard to source for older cars, and unless your mechanically minded and have space to work on one you risk shelling out a lot to to your friendly neighbourhood mechanic, that may or may not know what to do when he can't just plug a box in and have it tell him what is wrong.

I did say I will be walking there mainly

Not a big fan of American cars, the DS is a beautiful machine all style and class, the chevy is just crass

I will probably get rid of the Mini (although it is a great great car!) anyway as I don't need to be spending £400 a month on the finance and insurance.

You could buy a PROPER mini...

Ive looked at a few, they are fetching stupid money these days! but may consider one of those too.

I did used to have a Triumph Spitfire this was actually my first car I hadnt even passed my test and got rid of it before I did, great looking car but I'm not sure have a late seventies british leyland car is a good Idea