440?

Post by **Azurael** » 15 Nov 2004 01:39 am

I know you read the title of this topic with great horror, but it's occurred to me that It's going to be an awful lot of hastle to get my car back on the road, and well... a reasonable 1.7/1.8 440 of about J-M reg can be found for not much more than a good example of 340 kind. They seem to be larger, more comfortable and more luxury than 340s, and (I hate to say it) better looking too (Post facelift). Is there any reason I shouldn't desert and consider one over a 340? (Insurance isn't too much more than a 1.4 340 for the 1.8 NA 440... Which I consider highly unfair)

Post by **redline** » 15 Nov 2004 07:24 am

Don't forget they are heavier too, so the power might seem a bit down on a similar sized engine 300

Post by **5lab** » 15 Nov 2004 08:48 am

Azurael wrote:I know you read the title of this topic with great horror, but it's occurred to me that It's going to be an awful lot of hastle to get my car back on the road, and well... a reasonable 1.7/1.8 440 of about J-M reg can be found for not much more than a good example of 340 kind.

how'd ya work that out? a good 440 is at least £1k. anything less thna that will have major probs..

Azurael wrote:They seem to be larger, more comfortable and more luxury than 340s

same size, same comfort really (i actually find the dash far more cramped), no more luxury than a late glt cirtainly

Azurael wrote: and (I hate to say it) better looking too (Post facelift). Is there any reason I shouldn't desert and consider one over a 340? (Insurance isn't too much more than a 1.4 340 for the 1.8 NA 440... Which I consider highly unfair)

insurance will be an extra £1-200 a year. the cars rust (and a 14 yr old example cirtainly will), they wheelspin a lot, and the clutch will go at 140-160k, after which the car is a write off. i know all this cos i spent all weekend fixing my dad's kreg, 1.8 440 li.

Post by **SteveP** » 15 Nov 2004 03:45 pm

Don't do it!!!

Plagued by electrical problems, poor rustproofing, ugly, and in my opinion not as comfortable as a 300. My money would go on a good 340, for say £250-300 easily sourced with around 50-70k, far more reliable than the 440s too, which inherently tend to have higher mileages.

I've heard the clutches are a total pig to change, and the gearchange is supposed to be terrible - strange really that the 300 gearchange is better, even with the gearbox in the back!

Steve

Post by **5lab** » 15 Nov 2004 03:49 pm

leccy is only really a problem on 480s and cars with info computers. seats aren't quite as good, and as i said, a clutch failure is a write off.. you can find low milage examples, but i'd suggest that a nice 360 is a better buy.. or what about that other link to that other website thats on here somwehere?

Post by **Azurael** » 16 Nov 2004 03:31 am

360s are more expensive to insure though... I don't want a car because it goes fast, I want one because it will get me from A to B is relative comfort and reliability. I would prefer a 5 door car since I find 3 doors a right pain to load and carry more than one passenger in. 340s tend to be... somewhat poorly equipped by comparison to 360s or the 400 series, it has to be said, and I find that the post facelift 400s look nicer than 340s... Maybe some prefer that 80s style though.

If anything, it would have to be a 440 since I don't like boots. That said, you've quite sucessfully put me off. I'll go hunting for late 340/360s, and meanwhile kick the doors of my otherwise perfectly MOT worthy 345 from the inside a bit more aggressively (while holding the catch, of course). Public transport is doing me head in, and costing a fortune

Post by **redline** » 16 Nov 2004 09:14 am

theres a couple of 340's on that website at the moment that are worth a look

Post by **redline** » 16 Nov 2004 09:22 am

in fact theres one finishing todayat midnight in Romford thats got a few toys (lecky windows, sunroof , alarm )and its got mot til April

Post by **foggyjames** » 16 Nov 2004 01:25 pm

Late 440s are fairly cheap (sub £1k), modern (in terms of refinement and styling), and reasonably able cars. They're also terminally dull. Surely you didn't buy that 345 just because it was cheap?! If you just want a cheap compact car to get you from A>B, don't get a Volvo. If you want a moderately cheap car with a load of character....which will always get you from A>B if you look after it, keep the 345.

If you insist on changing, don't scrap the 345 - its too rare for that!

cheers

James

Post by **Azurael** » 16 Nov 2004 03:41 pm

Well there's the differentiation... The 340 isn't really a 'compact' car. I can't stand small cars (Get that Fiesta away from me - I'm warning you!) and don't want to be another battered Escort/Cavalier driver... I wouldn't mind a 340 if either mine worked (minimum hastle) or I could pick up a late one with mod cons. I also feel safe driving a Volvo

I'm not quite sure what I'd do with the 345 if I were to get another car... I guess it can stay in the garage, but then it might just stay in the garage for 20 years. It can't be that rare... There's another one on eBay right now - same year & plate.

Post by **redline** » 16 Nov 2004 05:25 pm

I am not sure if Hugh , Tom or myself would agree about feeling safe drivind a volvo anymore

Post by **foggyjames** » 16 Nov 2004 05:28 pm

If you wanted a cheap larger car, I'd say run a Volvo (200/700), as they're damn reliable / don't rot. I used 'compact' in inverted commas

I haven't seen many 345s...they're pretty rare. I can only think of 3 in the past 6 months.

If budgetry considerations rule-all, I'd certainly trade up for a 440....but personally, I'd spend the money on fixing up the 345. Long-term, the 345 will last longer.

cheers

James

440?

440?

Re: 440?