18 replies to this topic

[Hrimfaxi]

I keep being un-faithful to my Mini and looking up Capri's... I keep threatening that one of these days i'm gonna pull the plug and get one!  Not for a long time, I imagine, but still want to know more about them.


So who on here has had one?  What were they like to live with?   Plus the usual question - anything model specific to look for when buying?  If someone does have one, feel free to post some pics.





 

[MaxAndPaddy]

Dont have pics but did own a 2.8 injection in the late 80's...great car to drive but kinda fell apart

 

Most cars fall apart over time but this sort of committed suicide over a year and everything went at once

 

Stick with minis 

[Hrimfaxi]

Very nice.

Must be a retro ford thing -  a friend had a Fiesta XR2, great car, until it pretty much un-dressed itself all at once on the A21, there's probably still parts of it littering that road..   

And yup, the little Mini is staying!

Edited by Hrimfaxi, 30 August 2013 - 10:40 PM.

[sonikk4]

If you want one then one of the later Lazers with the 5 speed box is a good motor. The 2ltr Pinto if serviced properly although a boat anchor is a good solid engine that with the proper bits will punch out 150 bhp with ease.

 

Worked on plenty but never owned one

 

Personal preference would be a 3000GT or 3000e but if i had the wonga a RS3100 or a RS2600.

[KernowCooper]

I look after a few, My cousin had a MK 2 RS 2000, and he sold that and bought a 1971 Escort Mexico which is stripped under a resto, and hes just bought a 1984 Capri 2.8i to drive about, Its a tidy car but watch the rear end its lively on corners.

 

We've filled his doors/sills/tailgate with ensis fliud (used to prevent rust on north sea oil rigs), tidy car which has had a few panels replaced and he picked it up for about £4000+

 

Had a customer out St Mawes who had a RS3100 and yes she let me drive it, now worth a mint

Edited by KernowCooper, 30 August 2013 - 10:47 PM.

[rikSTAR]

Ive just finished restoring my uncles 1.6 laser with him, my great grandad has a 3.0 ghia and my great uncle has 3.0S which has some form of race engine in it bored to a 3.1... His last capri before this one was actually borrowed from him and featured in the top gear ford RS special episode :) capris are the second classic in the family after the minis

[miniman retford]

I had a mk1 1600 gt xlr, can't remember much about it but it went to the scrap yard after i had it

[Tamworthbay]

I owned a 2.0GL and a 3.0 Ghia. I loved both and keep looking for another (it was over twenty years since the last one). The are tail happy and amazing fun to drive. The opposite of a mini in lots of ways. The 2.0l is better balanced but the 3.0l is amazing, especially in the wet I never drove a 2.8i but they are supposed to be a bit more refined than a 3.0l. As said above the lasers have 5 speed boxes but I wouldn't ignore an earlier one just because of the 4 speed box. I would go for a 2.0l Ghia if you find one. Of money is no object then look for an RS2600.

[rikSTAR]

I owned a 2.0GL and a 3.0 Ghia. I loved both and keep looking for another (it was over twenty years since the last one). The are tail happy and amazing fun to drive. The opposite of a mini in lots of ways. The 2.0l is better balanced but the 3.0l is amazing, especially in the wet I never drove a 2.8i but they are supposed to be a bit more refined than a 3.0l. As said above the lasers have 5 speed boxes but I wouldn't ignore an earlier one just because of the 4 speed box. I would go for a 2.0l Ghia if you find one. Of money is no object then look for an RS2600.

My great Grandads 3.0 ghia is for sale if you're interested?

[Tamworthbay]

I owned a 2.0GL and a 3.0 Ghia. I loved both and keep looking for another (it was over twenty years since the last one). The are tail happy and amazing fun to drive. The opposite of a mini in lots of ways. The 2.0l is better balanced but the 3.0l is amazing, especially in the wet I never drove a 2.8i but they are supposed to be a bit more refined than a 3.0l. As said above the lasers have 5 speed boxes but I wouldn't ignore an earlier one just because of the 4 speed box. I would go for a 2.0l Ghia if you find one. Of money is no object then look for an RS2600.

My great Grandads 3.0 ghia is for sale if you're interested?

Oohhhh! What colour? Do you know a price? It will probably be out of my budget but PM me if you know. I would LOVE another 3.0l Ghia.

[rikSTAR]

Pm'd

[Wise Old Elf]

I love the look and sound of the MK1 3 litre.

 

We had a 1980 (if I remember correctly) 2 litre GL as a works car when I was working in the garage. I had Minis at the time and I had to be careful when I forgot what I was driving as I put the rear out on the Capri many times cutting the corner too sharp. Lots of fun in the ice. LOL

 

We did work on many 2.8 engines that had small cracks in the heads. Not that noticeable when driving but a bit of a stutter on idle. They all seemed to be cracked between the combustion chambers.

[Badboytunes]

Had over 15 Capris over the years. Not owned one for about 15 years now.

 

They are tail happy, the 3.0s is a better motor than the 2.8. 5 speed type 9 box is ok but the 4 speed is much stronger.

 

 

Like any other old car they rust. Common areas are headlight bowls, inner and out sills but the worst are A posts ( if a door drops then its a good sign there is trouble there and also rear chassis legs.

 

If you find one with an original rear parcel shelf and radio, hide them away out of the  sun as they are worth money.

 

 

 

Cheers

[surfblue63]

Some Capris I've spotted this year

 

 

 

 

 

[Hrimfaxi]

I didn't expect too many replies from a Mini forum, wow.  Very informative.

Very nice pictures, surfblue -the Mk.2 is a great looking car.
 
But i'm under the impression that a late 80's era are the ones to go for?