Which Car? 'Am I insane to buy this Rover?'

Edward Harris is 41, lives in Kent and works in the printing industry. He would like "counselling" to prevent him spending £3,750 for a 1971 P6-type Rover 3500. The car has covered 118,000 miles and is solid, with just a few small patches of corrosion under the bonnet. It has the automatic gearbox, which is less favoured by the enthusiasts, and leather trim, which is in good order. It is on sale at a classic car dealers. Edward has always wanted a P6 and this one seems like a good example. But he also knows that it is probably mad to buy such a car as his sole everyday runner and without the benefit of a garage to keep it in. Edward wants to know if he should take the plunge or is it totally insane?

We wouldn't dare to question Edward's state of mind, but as a principle, running a classic car every day could be the sanest thing some motorists decide to do. First of all, cars registered on or before 1972 are free from road tax. Great - you can save £165 a year straight off.

Older cars are also simpler cars. If Edward is handy with a spanner, there is no reason why he can't carry out simple servicing jobs. A good local garage should also relish the chance of working on a real car. They won't be charging £100 an hour that some main agents get for simply for opening the bonnet. Parts for popular classics can be much cheaper and sometimes more easily available. Depreciation can be marginal. Driving will be fun again. A nationwide network of specialists, enthusiasts and owners clubs is a huge help, as is classic insurance which, depending on Edward's mileage, can be temptingly low. But there could be a problem if Edward intends to use the classic to cover 20,000 miles a year. If so, he may find a modern car more comfortable and practical. Using a classic 365 days a year requires real commitment. And if Edward has that, then fine.

A car for the heart

Let's indulge Edward and even encourage him. The truth is that a Rover like this (known as the P6) in good condition is a great buy and makes a lot of sense. It is an everyday classic that can cope well with long motorway journeys without overheating in the slow lane. The unique body construction means that damaged and dented exterior panels can simply be unbolted and replaced.

Edward is correct to think that enthusiasts prefer the manual version. Also the V8 engine is thirsty, especially when connected to the three-speed automatic gearbox. For everyday use, he would be better off with a smaller-engined 2000 or 2200. The best buy is probably the 2200TC, which is as plush as the V8 he is looking at and with very similar performance but significantly cheaper to run.

If Edward is serious about running an old Rover, he should shop around for the best example and join the P6 Driver's Club on www.p6club.com. To me, £3,750 sounds expensive and £2,500 for a very good 2200TC is more realistic. A friend of mine runs a P6 as his only car and has to endure boiling radiators and failing heaters, but that is the reality of running a classic.

A car for the head

Edward wants an affordable, everyday car with character. But character can mean faults, and running an older car means tolerating lower levels of comfort and sometimes reliability. We recommend yet another old Mercedes as the sensible choice. The 190 model, built from 1983 to 1993 and a similar size to the P6, is a saloon with a sporty, rear-wheel drive layout. Prices too are fairly similar and for £3,000 Edward would be able to buy such a Mercedes in excellent condition with a full service history.

Unlike an old Rover, though, the build quality is several classes apart. Rust would be probably only superficial, while regular servicing would mean that the engine, ideally the 2.0 petrol, would be in fine shape. These models can run up massive mileages without any problems. Maintenance is straight- forward and any competent garage can handle them without charging Mercedes dealer-level prices. If Edward goes for a better-looking and better-equipped early 1990s model, he will get a high-quality, reliable classic with a very prestigious badge.

If you would like your question answered, write to Which Car?, Features Department, Independent House, 191 Marsh Wall, London E14 9RS, or email whichcar@independent.co.uk. Please include your name, address, a telephone number, and brief details of your motoring quandry.