Buying an everyday classic

[dessiato]

There was a thread in 2006.

I‘m sort of in the market for a hobby car. I fancy something that’s a bit everyday rather than exotic. Something I could potter to the shops in.

Ive still got my, now very old, convertible Astra. It’s got 180k on it. I love it. But it’s going to need re-registering in the U.K. and some work. The roof doesn’t work properly, and the body needs some tidying up. It’s got a full history from new and has passed the last few ITV without issues.

Do I put some money into the Astra, or buy something else?

Your opinions, and suggestions please.

 

[Spymaster]

How much money do you want to spend?

 

[friedaweed]

How much money do you want to spend?

Straight in like a car salesman.

I'm considering a vintage car.

 

[dessiato]

How much money do you want to spend?

Not a lot, 2k to 4k depending on what it is and what it needs. There's wiggle room for the right car.

 

[friedaweed]

Not a lot, 2k to 4k depending on what it is and what it needs. There's wiggle room for the right car.

You'd look good in an E-type mate.

 

[Spymaster]

Not a lot, 2k to 4k depending on what it is and what it needs. There's wiggle room for the right car.

That's quite limiting. You won't be geting a recognised classic car for that.

In terms of something a bit different for "sports" type runaround, look at Audi TT, BMX Z3/Z4, Alfa Spider, MK5 GTi, maybe a fucked SLK ...

 

[Pickman's model]

You'd look good in an E-type mate.

might get some parts for a triumph

 

[friedaweed]

The Mrs wants one of these. I've told her she'd need to find a Sugar Daddy instead of the toyboy she's currently running into the ground.

MGB Roadster

MGB Roadster

www.cchl.co.uk

 

[Chz]

Z3s are a hoot, have plentiful and cheap parts. Going older than that makes parts a concern. Which makes Mercs a particular problem, as quality control really went off the rails for them in the 90s and you really don't want something older than that unless you enjoy scouring scrapyards in your weekends.

The most "interesting" stuff from the 90s would be grey market Japanese imports (an FTO would be fun!), but again parts are going to be a problem.
If you need loads of space, Volvo 940? Or even an 850 is pretty big for a sedan.
The GM/Ford products of the era aren't really desirable, but that does make them very cheap I suppose.

 

[DownwardDog]

The answer to "Do I put money into an Astra" is always 'NO' no matter what the Astra. (possible exception, Mk.1 GTE, maybe?)

2-4k is fuck all and there is very little in that price bracket that isn't going to be a money pit that provides zero return on investment on the cash you'll pour into it. ie if you buy it for 2k, spend 2k on it then it'll still be worth 2k..

You don't want anything with any rust because bodywork is where project cars go to die. You can't do it yourself to any acceptable standard and it doesn't make any sense to break bodywork into smaller jobs. You want as little bodywork as possible. I'd take a seized engine with 100 point bodywork over an engine that ran like a sewing machine in a rusty shell.

You want something with massive aftermarket support so...

EK Civic
NB MX-5
4th or 5th gen Golf
E46 3-Series (if you can find one, E90 if you can't)
3rd gen MR2 (the market is sleeping on these)
350Z if you can afford the fuel
7th gen Celica

 

[Cid]

There's a K reg 190E going here. And an H reg Volvo 460GLi, very rare, so definitely valuable . The 190E came with a pair of aviators, and therefore may be on some kind of watch list if you drive near a school.

They belong to the guy who works next to me, he does excellent bodywork welding/repairs but fuck me is he crap at getting rid of things. And I'm sick of walking past them. There's a Nova and a Corsa too. But those 'will only go up'.

 

[dessiato]

I was thinking about something basic, an A40 or a Renault 4 for example, or a van. Just something basic and old for fun.

 

[dessiato]

That's quite limiting. You won't be geting a recognised classic car for that.

In terms of something a bit different for "sports" type runaround, look at Audi TT, BMX Z3/Z4, Alfa Spider, MK5 GTi, maybe a fucked SLK ...

Not really what I'm thinking of.

 

[Chz]

I was thinking about something basic, an A40 or a Renault 4 for example, or a van. Just something basic and old for fun.

It's old. You're going to spend time and money on it. If you truly love a Renault 4, then good and more power to you. But most people are going to go for something a bit more swank if it's going to take time, effort and money to keep it on the road.

You want something fairly basic, but still comfortable and reliable? Volvo 240 says hello.

 

[dessiato]

It's old. You're going to spend time and money on it. If you truly love a Renault 4, then good and more power to you. But most people are going to go for something a bit more swank if it's going to take time, effort and money to keep it on the road.

You want something fairly basic, but still comfortable and reliable? Volvo 240 says hello.

The thing with an R4 or an A40 is that they're easy and fun to work on. And could be used as everyday run around vehicles.

It'd be nice to get an E type or similar but I'd be too concerned about it getting damaged in a supermarket car park.

 

[youbeauty]

How about an E36 3 series: 1995 LOVELY 318i - MODERN DAY CLASSIC For Sale ? or an E46: 2000 W BMW E46 330Ci Launch Car For Sale

 

[Saunders]

I saw a Renault 4 yesterday, hadn’t seen one for years. Also one of those old Saabs, in orange.

 

[friedaweed]

How about a Chrysler PT Cruiser?

Becoming quite collectable now I hear and well within your price range.

What's not to love about a ZZ-Top car

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

 

[spanish_tim]

The Mrs wants one of these. I've told her she'd need to find a Sugar Daddy instead if the toyboy she's currently running into the ground.

MGB Roadster

MGB Roadster

www.cchl.co.uk

I'm 68, driving for 51 years so I've had a lot of cars including an MG MGA, MGB and an MGB GT great vehicles back in the day, loved them all; would I buy one now? No, remember every 'classic' car no matter how well restored will cost you money just maintaining them. I've got from new a 1991 Fiat Ducato campervan I use as a mobile ham radio shack and its in great condition but...its done very little mileage and kept undercover.

 

[Leafster]

I was thinking about something basic, an A40 or a Renault 4 for example, or a van. Just something basic and old for fun.

There's an A40 Farina in a road near me. I think I've posted a photo on the 'Cars you never see' thread. As far as I can tell they do use it from time to time but it's definitely not a daily driver.

How about a Wolseley 1500 or a Riley 1.5? Basically posh Moggie Minors so parts are easyish to come by and simple to work on. I'm not sure you'd get a decent one for your budget though.

 

[friedaweed]

There's an A40 Farina in a road near me. I think I've posted a photo on the 'Cars you never see' thread. As far as I can tell they do use it from time to time but it's definitely not a daily driver.

How about a Wolseley 1500 or a Riley 1.5? Basically posh Moggie Minors so parts are easyish to come by and simple to work on. I'm not sure you'd get a decent for your budget though.

I saw a nice Wolseley go past our the other week. Lovely motor.

 

[friedaweed]

I'd buy this A40 van just for the reg plate.

1953 Austin 40 Van in nice rust free condition with Low o...

1953 Austin 40 Van in nice rust free condition with Low ownership For Sale, £13,495 Austin A40 Van 1953 with Low owners, Starts, Runs and...

www.carandclassic.com

 

[Leafster]

I saw a nice Wolseley go past our the other week. Lovely motor.

There was a teacher at my primary school who I hated and he had a Wolseley 1500. It took me about 40 years to get over my irrational dislike for them based purely on their association with him.

I quite like them now.

 

[friedaweed]

If I came into a wedge I would go out and buy this without thinking about the fact that I don't yet have a Garage. Then I'd go and pick my dad up and take him around Liverpool in it.

He sold his to buy Christmas presents for us lot in the early 70's when he was on his arse during the building workers strike.

Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Cabriolet | 2nd Owner | 1966 For S...

Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Cabriolet | 2nd Owner | 1966 For Sale, £158,844 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Cabriolet | 2nd Owner | Good condition | 19...

www.carandclassic.com

 

[dessiato]

1990 Nissan S-Cargo Auto For Sale

1990 Nissan S-Cargo Auto For Sale, £4,750 1989 s-cargo, a funky little van complete with, power steering, air con, full sunroof and bags...

www.carandclassic.com

Not exactly a classic but might be fun,

1989 Bedford Rascal For Sale

1989 Bedford Rascal For Sale, £2,000 Bedford Rascal Van 1989 solid van, starts and drives. Been off road for almost a decade but used reg...

www.carandclassic.com

 

[Chz]

How about an E36 3 series: 1995 LOVELY 318i - MODERN DAY CLASSIC For Sale ? or an E46: 2000 W BMW E46 330Ci Launch Car For Sale

Both seem... worryingly cheap. I know they're not massively expensive cars, either of them, but that's definitely at the very low end of the price range. My dad leased a 330Ci of that vintage and it's a nice car, if lacking a bit in terms of the old 80s-90s BMW road feel. But then I often forget just how undesirable petrol-drinking cars can be here. I only do 3500 miles a year, tops, so I don't really care about fuel efficiency.

 

[hash tag]

Too many more things to consider. 2 door or 4 door, something sporty, something a little off piste
something British, Japanese, Italian etc. You are not going to get concourse for that budget.
Do you want a project or ready to run?, What era do you want?

There are dozens of A30's around, so plenty of spares I imagine. So many around that they even have their own class for racing.

1956 Austin A30 Black in Leeds, United Kingdom - For Sale...

1956 Austin A30 Black in Leeds, United Kingdom - For Sale | Car & Classic, £4,250 Lovely 1956 A30 12m MOT with two minor advisories: slig...

www.carandclassic.com

 

[hash tag]

Here you go https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/guides/best-cheap-classic-cars/

 

[dessiato]

Here you go https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/guides/best-cheap-classic-cars/

I fancy all of them.

 

[Voley]

When does your old banger become a classic car then? I mean, there's Austin fucking Allegro's on that site up there.

Asking for a friend with a 20 year old Mini Cooper S.