I have had no major mechanical problems since I got the car, and it appears it has never had any major work done to it. Someone in the past replaced the voltage regulator with a solid-state one, though.
I've had to replace the rear brakes, the rear left wheel studs (I broke off the old ones not realizing it was reverse thread), and otherwise have done little, but change the oil.
The A/C needs a charge, but works.
I've got some minor rust on the corners of the hood hood and around the windshield, but otherwise the paint is still pretty good elsewhere.
This car is my daily driver, I've put over 3000 miles on it in less than two months.
The slant-6 engine is known for its longevity, and I intend to see if I can wrap 300,000 around it in the coming years.
I bought this car for a grand total of $800 from a fellow who is a frequent customer of my work.
I'm normally a GM kind of guy, but this little friend was just too nice to pass up, it is a classic and yet still an excellent daily workhorse, who gets 20-23 miles to the gallon.
I owned the 1969 version with the 170 CI engine, always wished I had the 225, but even so it went 138,000 miles with no problems. The body on the other hand was not great thing, rusting out in the rear quarters and the tops of the fenders (no innerfenders to prevent it). I also had trouble with leaky windshield wiper shaft seal, always had a wet foot during the rain. Great first car, purchased for $1400 in 1973 with 45,000 miles on it. Always got over 21mpg with it, but went through three starters!
Checking back in after some time, its not the end of the line for the old Valiant I put the review up on here, but she's not going anywhere for a while. Ate a crank bearing, the engine is currently out and on a stand being rebuilt. The rest of the engine was solid, I figure I could have just gotten away with fixing the bearing, but since I had to pull the whole engine out, might as well give it the once over. Hopefully by the end of winter '06/'07 she'll be back out on the road again. The bearing failed at ~159,000 miles, I believe due to a partial oil pressure loss that went unnoticed as it was not severe enough to activate the oil warning light.
Do you think this car is a good investment? Is the Valiant known as Scamp? Someone in my building is selling there's and I'm looking for a car. I'm trying to do some research, can you help? Thanks.
A valiant is a great car, I would still have my '63 but I was offered way more than I paid for it so away it went. If your looking for only in town transportation its good, not very good hwy car, a little under powered and handling is not the greatest, but in town they are good, very easy cars to work on, and any mechanical part is still readily available, check out the suspension. I can't really say anything else other than take it for a drive and it all depends on the pocket book. You should replace all belts and hoses, spark plugs etc on any older car.,
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