Buying a Capri Mk3
 

Hey,

This is my first post on here, so a little about me. I'm 19, working part-time whilst looking for an apprenticeship. I've got a Fiesta MK4 at the moment thats my first car but when my insurance runs out in November I wanna get some thing a bit more interesting.

I've been looking at Capri's and just wanna know what I should look out for? It will be my daily driver, so will I be able to make it reliable enough? and are they any good as a daily?

Thanks in advance!

Ive had my 2.8i Capri for 22 years now,and restored it twice.
So i can safely say they will rust anywhere thats not plastic or glass :cry:

Im guessing your going for a 1.6 or 2.0 Capri ?
If so they are a good engine to work on being as basic as it gets,and no complicated electrics to worry about.

Check out a web forum called Capripower for more info.

Rust is the enemy.Inner sills/outer sills,inner wings/outer wings,rear spring hangers,Floor pans,A posts.Wheel arches. Bonnet,doors and roof !!!

Its worth the effort though :top:

Ah, I thought that might be the case. I assume waxoyl and normal waxing just slows it down haha! You guessed right, I'd go for either but I'd prefer a 2.0 as I'd like the extra grunt.

I'm no stranger to a bit of rust and simple engines, we've got an old Triumph GT6 as well, but that only comes out on sunny days for exactly that reason.

Glad your saying its worth the effort, exactly what I needed to hear! :-)

hi m8

http://www.fordcaprilaser.co.uk/buyers_guide.htm

hope this helps

stuart

Cheers mate, looks good.

What are they like to drive? I've had a few people tell me they go sideways so so easily, But it wouldnt surprise me if they just weren't driving it properly.

Greg

They do go sideways easily, so you need to drive appropriately! just remember to to be too stupid pissed off ant anything! the plus side is that they can be alto of fun to drive as they have a lot more "feel" than most modern cars! you need to find somewhere that you can practice and play SAFELY. this is not only so you don;t hurt your self and others but so you don't right the car off! learning what it is feels like as the rear starts to break traction, using power to make this happen WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU BREAK especially round corners!

The other thing is rust, as said these cars were made before ford thought of galvanising their cars never mind doing it! so you have to be vigilant to stop it early! The best way is a warm dry garage at night so try to do this as much as possible!

Also remember that salt spray (if you live near the coast) or at winter from gritting will screw the bodywork so fast you an watch it rust!

good luck and have fun!

Thanks for the tips, thats exactly what i'm after to be honest. I love the extra feel that older cars have, haven't driven anything with electric anything since I started driving and its so much better.

Body work could be an issue in that case, I do live by the coast so that will take its toll on it and the garage has our old Triumph in it so that means its going to have to live outside. I had planned to keep it waxed and wash it weekly to try and help it. Any idea when Ford did start galvanising their cars? I'd love to know if my fiesta was, because thats deteriorating :/

Thanks again!

Greg

don't know if anyone else has noticed this but I found a 2 litre Capri mch more arse happy than a 2.8... Although my 2.8 did have axle triangulation and an LSD..... You will love it... But go careful...

Also steering is HEAVY on a pinto Capri....... Love it... Saves money on gym membership!

After having 2 2.0 capris and one 2.8 I'd go for the 2.8 every time. Better all round car, more power , power steering , better handling , and better fuel consumption !!! And this is the best bit classic insurance mate. Get a nice one and this car will only go up in price as well.

Ive had 4 MK3 Capri's a 1.6 laser, 2.0S, 2.8 special and the 280 Brooklands which i still have! I found they dont seem to rot as bad as Escorts etc do, rear chassis rails, front inner wing dip rails and outer wings seem to be the worst places aswel under the front windscreen! To be fair theses not really any odds between power on the 1.6 and 2.0 as long as you have the webber twin barrel carb but the S was a bit shaper as it had the 4 speed gearbox! I also found these didnt go side ways really as theres no real power or LSD, the 2.8's go sideways all the time which is fun but can be a pain when your just getting to work lol The thing is there nothing like a newer car, brakes are rubbish as well is the handling really and even the 2.8s are slow today not any faster than a Zetec S Fiesta other than top end

Check for rot on a posts scuttle panel wing edges front and back strut tops rear chassis rails around sunroof inner and outer cills. Change read springs for single leafs off 2.8 along with front legs as well a frame to rear and strut brace to front and you'll have a Capri that will handle well. I've had 13 of them over the ninetys and would love another one

Look on budgeting £2k for one worth buying I reckon. Cheaper ones about but will always cost more in the long run! As for an everyday car no worrys as long as all is good! Is more of a hobby car though that will need constant fettling