Do Zeds grow old???

daytona365 · 31-01-14, 08:53 PM

I have owned my Zed now for almost 4 years, and a;though covered in love, he is not in prime condition. few scratches, creaks. So I thought, is he getting on?? You know, as a car, is he getting over the hill? I have always thought taht if you love your car, you will keep him for as long as he carries on running, which I hope is longer than me, with my ZED.

Anyway all this got me thinking over my morning coffee, with new car sales at a post crash high, how many other older motors are still running. SO from leavig the garage at 9.30 to do my deliveries, back for lunch and out for the afternoon run, I thought I keep a tally of pre 03 motors. Only private cars were noted, and any that looked like "dead" werent counted. I was pleased to say I counted 675 by the time I finished work. I reckoned on about a 1/4 of my views were Zed age or older, still being run by normal people.

So the moral of this strange story, is that although over 10 years old I feel that if loved and looked after out Zeds are just as good as new cars.

stamford · 31-01-14, 09:08 PM

Interesting thread Gordon. My first car I ever bought was 10 years old and that seemed to be really old back then. Today I don't consider my ZS to be 'old' even if it is older than my first car. Mine isn't exactly mint as it needs some body love as it were, but overall is still solid and has plenty of life left in it.

talkingcars · 31-01-14, 09:19 PM

I have a feeling that cars still running after ten years are proberbly not Friday afternoon cars.

LozMachine · 31-01-14, 09:24 PM

i dont see them as being "old" more Retro with a cult following, believe me when mine starts to feel like its "tired" i will rebuild her , been the most reliable car i have ever owned , 8yrs and 60k+ miles. Cost in that time? Cambelts and rear brake discs & pads , can't complain at that!

Dan1971 · 01-02-14, 08:07 AM

I often look at how old my car is compared to others. The thing about it is the difference between privately owned and company.

My morning commute into London for an early turn gets me stuck in traffic at the bottom of the M11 and north circular every time and I very rarely see a car older than mine - 04 - and when I do, more often than not, it's a mashed up van belonging to a tradesman.

All cars will go on for a long time if some care is taken into maintaining them. It's not the cars that are at fault - it's the owners.

mattie007 · 01-02-14, 08:40 AM

Mine will be 12 years old next month, 8 years under my ownership. It's had the usual ZS issues and wear and tear items but if looked after it should see many years yet. Considering a quarter of its total mileage was done in the last year, it's getting used a hell of a lot more as it's getting older!

stamford · 01-02-14, 08:40 AM

The build quality in general is much better than it was 30 years ago, many cars were deemed old purely because of the level of visible corrosion, not so much today. New cars today are more readily affordable which makes many bin 10 year old cars before they are ready. The scrappage scheme also culled a few before they were ready.

My youngest has just traded in her 99 Fiesta for scrap value against a brand new Ibiza for £150 a month, no brainer.

Now it seems its now myself with the 52 plate ZS and the wifes 2000 MGF being the oldest in the household!

sheldore · 01-02-14, 09:25 AM

Agree, had an 04 plate vectra that I have to admit I let slip and the cam chain snapped. Bye Bye vectra couldn't be bothered repairing it. However the same week the Clutch and Starter motor went on the Zs and without hesitation I had them fixed. Have to admit compared to the vectra the MG is in mint condition. Plus I no longer needed the Vectra and was looking for an excuse to get rid. Now starting to save up for a ZT V8, I'll use that as a weekend car and enjoy the ZS on the commute to work.

ian zs180 · 01-02-14, 10:07 AM

my mk2 will be 10 years old in September but its still in good nick and reliable . I also think it doesn't look old or out of place when parked next to some of these much newer cars I think it still looks quite modern to look at and I still get people saying nice car mate which does make you proud to own a mg

peterzs · 01-02-14, 10:16 AM

Never been in the position of buying and swapping cars when they get old. Usually run them into the ground.

The ZS was the newest car I have owned and well pleased with it.

Long may it run!!!