*** THE MARINA Mk3 THE BEST OF THE RANGE? ***

The original northen boy · Post by **The original northen boy** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:33 pm

Although only made for 2 years i quite prepared to say In my oppion the mk3 Marina was the best of the range (especially the mk3 1700 HL) this is the car that should have been the mk2 ,and maybe swayed some of the 70's fleet buyers at the time, here's my reasons why!

A modern 1700cc engine, good but not great (but not from the 50's)

Good fuel economy

Good performance only slightly less than the 1800 T.C

By far the best dash set up

The best interior (without a doubt)

Built in spot lights

Hasn't dated like the mk1 or to a lesser extent the mk2

The best looking out of the whole range

Nice chrome and rubber bumpers

Looks good from the front and from the rear
That what i think how about you?

crashbang · Post by **crashbang** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:45 pm

i like the look of the mk1 and the dash. but the mk3 was the best put together and the best to drive not shaw if the ital was better for handling ???

The original northen boy · Post by **The original northen boy** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:06 pm

Yes the Ital did handle better thanks to the front suspension modifications,by removing the lever arm dampers and fitting proper shock absorber units,although not great it's a lot better than before,this modification to any marina is a must and would i recommend this is the first job to do when you have the chance.

ClaytonSpeed · Post by **ClaytonSpeed** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:24 pm

I like the style of the Mk3. I think the car as a whole has been over looked for many years and in my personal opinion they can be made to look the dogs! I used to have a Mk3 Estate in sandglow and if I'd had the money would not have sold it... then brought it back again... then sold it again!

Not that many around now especially in estate and commercial form so I may have to grab something in the next 12 months before it is too late!

Inspiration:

KilroyNZ Mk3 8)

martinmarina · Post by **martinmarina** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:42 pm

O yeah I love my mk3's

My Wife calls it The BumbleBee but I like to think of Hers as The W.A.S.P.

She now has the proper Chrome n rubber Bumpers too , so looks even better IMHO.

[/img]

ClaytonSpeed · Post by **ClaytonSpeed** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:56 pm

A few more Mk3's!

martinmarina · Post by **martinmarina** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:05 pm

Nice pics Ben , Kilroy has some cracking cars

stuthegasman · Post by **stuthegasman** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:12 pm

oh yes I have to agree I like the mk3 it drives more like a modern car but still retains that 70s feel, having owned mk1,2 and 3 the mk3 is definately a better allround package but can't comment on the ital but i just don't like them but each to their own I guess

stu

Clan Chieftain · Post by **Clan Chieftain** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:40 pm

8)mk3 is a good car............but you cant beat the old smell of a mk1.the smell of damp carpet and underfelt (a nice bit of damp hession backed carpet) and the warped front parcel shelf where the water gathered.sheer heaven.

carsmetics · Post by **carsmetics** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:31 pm

Nice car that stu

Kilroy · Post by **Kilroy** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:20 am

Woot..!!
Yay - Mk3's for me every time chaps.
Thanks for the pics Ben - makes me go all funny seeing some of my beasties in print..

Gotta say that the blue estate - with its modified B series engine is my pick - best of both worlds..!
Had a Mk1 estate, lovely example, but the handling was appalling.
The other two Ben has displayed are both 2 litre jobs now - and that makes a huge difference. Still to begin tuning operations on those - that should be fun.
I think the dashboard is definitely more user-friendly too - although I did not like the brown treatment of the Mk2. I have some plastic and vinyl paint that allows me to convert them all to black now..

I need to use some Mk2 dashboard bits in my 575 conversions...
Soldier on people.
2008 has my vote this far - its going great.
Regards from the antipodes,
Kilroy

Kilroy · Post by **Kilroy** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:24 am

Oh...

PS.

Obligatory holiday shot.
Just after New Year...

320,000k and just finished running-in...

northeastmarina · Post by **northeastmarina** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:03 am

mk3 are good but not as a super economical tc automatic. 8)

marinabrian · Post by **marinabrian** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:04 am

Forget mk1's & mk 2's this is the pinnacle of marinadom

Mk3 1700 H.L. in Vermillion with Black interior, Splendid

ClaytonSpeed · Post by **ClaytonSpeed** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:07 am

Nice HL Brian! Exhaust needs a nice tail trim on!