1986 Trabant 601 S Deluxe review from UK and Ireland
"Fun transport for the price of a push bike"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Windscreen washer motor replaced.
Battery replaced (but lasted at least 6 years according to the sticker).
Front suspension joint replaced.
I hardly noticed the cost.
General comments?
Plus Points:
The lowest running costs of any car on the road - cheap to buy, low servicing costs, cheap parts, cheap insurance, good fuel economy, and no depreciation.
A real crowd-pulling classic.
Even a mechanical incompetent like myself can service or trouble-shoot.
Parts are readily available.
They are surprisingly roomy in the front (I am 6-4) and boot (trunk).
Minus Points:
The power is hardly sufficient to pull the skin from a rice pudding.
The seats are pretty uncomfortable.
Brakes are only just adequate.
Rear seats suitable only for pixies, gnomes or children.
Okay, so as a car it has limitations - what "classic* car doesn't? Personally, I choose to ignore these limitations.
Their low top speed means they are best suited to city driving, but I have regularly driven on the motorway and autobahn and lived to tell the tale.
They are best suited to transporting 2 people, but I have driven with 4 adults in the car and all were able to walk afterwards (eventually).
They are not the most comfortable car for long journeys, but I have driven up to 800 miles in one stretch and have arrived unscathed.
I returned to Germany to buy another this year, which is as good an advertisement as you can get for any car. It is still relatively easy to get a good one there, but they are becoming rarer.
Get one while you can. You know it makes sense.
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| Don't mock until you've had one |
1985 - 601 S 2 cylinder-two stroke Great car that can't be used or found anymore |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1986 |
| First year of ownership | 2000 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2001 |
| Engine and transmission | 0.6 litre two-stroke Manual |
| Performance marks | 6 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 9 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 7 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 80000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 85000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Trabant 601 |
| Date of Entry | 28th July, 2001 |