1975 Mini Clubman or 1980 Citroen 2CV best FE?

[rmay635703]

My father wants a mini car and seems to be borrowing my vehicles all the time, he found a running restored Mini Clubman that the owner would take decent pickup in trade for.

My main concern (since I own a now irritating 360 with fuel system rust issues) is engine/drivetrain reliabilty.

Which classic mini car would you buy if you wanted one mainly for FE?

From my standpoint the Citroen around town would get the best and the motors usually go 200k before they need service.

The Austin Mini Clubman, might well be fun but I don't believe FE or reliability is in the cards for it. My father thinks 50mpg, I know the citroen 2CV's can get in that area especially around town but the older but not ancient Clubmans seemed to get in the 30ish area, sadly I can't find any MPG info for the 75 clubman. I also recall a lot of frustrated mechanics relating tales in regards to the old clubmans. I think my father is mixing up a 50's Mini Cooper with the 75 clubman as if I remember they are very different in FE.

or Maybe I am imagining it.

I know both have rust issues, I will make sure to put on good thick coats of xmsn fluid and grease to the undersides to try and avoid that fate.

Thank You
Ryan May

[Frank Lee]

I don't know the particulars of those two regarding fe; if it was me I'd just go for the best combo of price/condition and enjoy because I think they are both cool! And, he's probably not racking up huge miles anyway right?

[Peter7307]

Ryan,
I have had experience with both.

Clubman: It IS possible to get 50 mpg AFTER a LOT of work.
Off the showroom floor expect closer to around 30 and even less if driven with verve.
In that case expect around mid-low 20's.

2CV: Conservatively driven closer to 40 than 50 but 50 can be had if you work at it.
Fun car but not in the Mini area for driving spirit.

Just my experience,
Peter.

[euromodder]

Some real world data - MPG and Cost Calculator and Tracker - Spritmonitor.de

Mini :
Overview: Austin - Mini - Spritmonitor.de
and
Overview: Mini - Mini Classic - Spritmonitor.de

They seem to top out at 39 mpg.



2CV

Overview: Citroen - 2CV - Spritmonitor.de

Seems to be getting 42 mpg at best.

Not that much difference.

[rmay635703]

He racks up a lot of miles and many of them on my vehicles. (we run them into the ground real good)

He has the habit of buzzing around town, no way of getting him to stop either. My good habits seemed to take hold of him for a little bit and now he wants to just drive and slam on the brakes like he always did. He also doesn't believe my mileage slips, not sure what his denial BS is about. I have to keep them every time for business records, seems that the odometer and the fuel slip don't lie.

My Subaru 360 with a fuel leak in the winter and my father driving usually got mid to upper 30's with a few dips into the low 30's when he didn't drive it much and more fuel had a chance to escape. Compared to me getting high 40's to low 50's with the same fuel leak and mild hypermiling around town only.

I would hope a 4cycle car would beat my subaru, but maybe not. Given the way he drives, the Clubman would probably get in the 20's and the Citroen in the 30's. And yes a citroen can top 60mpg with a bit of hypermiling and low speeds. (not that much though)

I guess if he just wants a fun car the only deciding factor is drivetrain reliability.

The likehood of rust I can deal with but mechanics, no way too time consuming and costly on those type of cars.

Cheers
Ryan

[Frank Lee]

My Dad's got a lead foot too- says I drive like an old lady. He has a Metro to beat the $%*&# out of so at least the damage (fuel use) is minimized.