Advice on classic purchase

[_Leg_]

I've decided to add a classic to my small but growing collection. Given the cars I have a think a convertible would add something different. Preferably a 4 seater so I can enjoy it with the family.

However, I'm completely open on which model to go for. It doesn't have to be fast as I have fast cars already. In fact I fancy something that I can cruise in. That doesn't rule out sports cars though.

Budget is £15000 (ish, who ever stuck to a car budget!).

I've browsed around and looked at everything from a 993/964 Porsche (a modern classic I guess) to older stuff such as an Austin 10/4.

Just wondered if anyone could recommend any cars as good to own, 'reliable' for a classic and mainly that I can get a good one of for the budget please.

Cheers

Rich

[LordBretSinclair]

Many, many years ago I had a Triumph Vitesse 2 litre convertible. I loved it.

One might fit your bill. Good luck in finding the right car

[neutral 3]

Interceptor Convertible, they really are lovely, but rare and you will only get a project if you are very lucky for 15k.

[Old Merc]

Old Mercedes ? take your pick they all are REAL classic`s.An E220 convertible is a family car well in your budget but the one to go for is the SL series,you could pick up a nice 80`s model for 15K and provided its been properly cared for it will last for ever.

[hidetheelephants]

Saab 900s are an acquired taste, but they are well screwed together. If you can live with the 'princess of hearts' image the Audi Cabriolet's not bad. Alternatively pick a classic tintop you like and have a webasto roof fitted; presto, opentop(ish) motoring! Crayford chopped the roofs off lots of 1960s Fords like Zephyr/Zodiac, Corsairs etc. Impersonate Field Marshal Montgomery with a Humber Snipe. Provided you can live with the leisurely performance a 60s Mustang ragtop with the straight 6 is probably within budget; more obscure ragtop Americana can be had with V8s for your money. Peugeot 504 Cabriolets are very pretty. Benz W111 cabs are usually silly money, but this one has a non-original engine; cheap at the price?

Edited by hidetheelephants on Thursday 12th January 23:35

[spoodler]

£15000, four seater convertible, reliable and enjoyable - a sorted Triumph Stag, within budget, plenty of spares, reliable (if sorted and looked after), a nice handsome,wafty cruiser with an upmarket feel and a gorgeous exhaust note. Or put ten grand back in the bank and pick up a Reliant Scimitar GTC, drives like a (sporty!) truck, few rust worries as glass fibre bodied, reliable well known running gear but laughed at by snobs...anything much older takes more dedication, or you could go a bit left field and try something American especially if you need the room for the family.

Edited by spoodler on Thursday 12th January 23:12

[pacoryan]

for £15k? SL, Yank, Stag, 911 or if you want to take the proverbial a Ferrari Mondial but it will be one to use and not a show queen at that money.

SL has to be the "head" choice, money in the bank if you buy a good one.

[vixen1700]

For £15k, I'd head to the SL Shop and have a browse at some of their pretty nice stock, like this: http://www.theslshop.com/Website/WebItemForSale_id...

[_Leg_]

Some good ideas there, thanks. Few ideas of my own below. More ideas of models rather than actual cars to go for although a couple seem to be very nice including the grey/blue 911 and the Alfa.

Any opinions on these cars would be appreciated. Whilst I've been car mad for years and have a few they are all modern so I'm a bit of a fish out of water here. I seem to be drawn to the Porsches.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C271627# (4 seats?)
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3423451.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2947160.htm
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C200446#
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C241963# not sure about this one. Might not even fit in the garage for starters.



Bit of a wild card but I can see me enjoying one of these or similar http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C268629# no idea about the maintenance.

As can be the case so often when car buying, completely off spec and I did have thoughts of going for summer, open top cruises with my two sons in the car but......they are nice. Arrghh! I think a convertible will win out in the end though. The kids will enjoy it more.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C234201#
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C274175#
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C267343#
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C265141#

Still trawling for ideas. These are all sub £15000 so I'm looking at just over now. Shortlisted, view, drive and choose. Liable to take me a couple or three months knowing how much I deliberate.

[PH lurker]

I can't offer much further advice, but to my eyes you've a fine taste in cars. All of the cars listed seem super. They are worlds apart but I especially liked the Austin 7 and the Jaguar XJS. I love the Minis, the Alfa and the Daimler too.

[niagra]

Can't go wrong with the Minis and that Alfa is gorgeous!

[_Leg_]

Thanks for your comments. I'm a complete car nut, obsessive even. I've only been able to indulge in recent years as my business really took off since 2007.

This seems a corker too.. http://www.eclecticcars.co.uk/2011/12/vw-karmann-g... even with some negotiation a bit over budget.

I'll have to get face to face with some examples of the list above.

Anyone know of any shortcomings of anything ive listed please? I. Also concerned that being somewhat naive in terms of classics I may think a car is fine but be unaware of common faults, shortcomings etc of a particular model. For example the 911 has so many variations it's easy to get a dog I expect.

I'll be taking the chap who owns the Motorsport garage (he races classic midgets and sprites and is a stickler for quality) that look after my Indy with me to any final purchase to get the car fully checked but anything I can learn up front is useful.

Blame this forum for this. I stumbled into the classics forum, read the entire thread where everyone is posting pics of their classics and that was it.

Autos port International on Sunday so I should be able to get up close with some classics, they usually have some there.

[vixen1700]

Considering your choices are so diverse, here's another suggestion.

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-pa...

Rugged, stylish a good availability of parts and look fabulous. I'd love one.