First classic... Help!

[Totti]

Hello,

I'm currently looking for some suggestions for my first classic car. I have a daily car so would like a rolling project to get stuck into on my days off and enjoy it over the brief summer we get!

Ideally, I'd like an Élan plus 2 but know realistically, my budget won't stretch to one. I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty and class myself as a reasonably competent home mechanic.

I'm looking to spend between £2,000-£5,000.

All suggestions welcome.

[PoshTwit]

Get a nice one of these for that!



(other colours are available!)

[interloper]

I'm biased but I agree with the Scimitar suggestion!

Seriously though what do you want in a classic....

Wind in the hair? Or a proper roof?

Power? Noise? Economy?

Sweet handling, okay handling, scary slightly out of control handling?

How new is too new?

Etc

[Totti]

That is a very good suggestions and have just had a quick look at them. I could get a lot of car for my money but I'm just not sure if they are for me.

Do I play it safe with something like a Triumph Spitfire or an MGB? I'm open for any suggestions.

[nta16]

James,
there are loads of threads on this subject why not just do a site Search

what ever car you buy get the *Driver's (owners) Handbook for it and read it preferably before looking to buy the car

• this is not a workshop manual or Haynes they are for repair the DH is for prevention

I was going to list the things I usually do but you'll see them many times if you do the Search

[dpp]

5k will,buy a nice Jensen Healey wind in the hair motoring and a Lotus twin cam they are a lot of car for a little money so best to buy a good one as retoration costs will be higher than its worth.

I also like the Scimiter for this price bracket.

[kiethton]

924/944?

Often have a removable roof panel and leccy windows so nearly roof off?

[Totti]

The Jensen is a very good suggestion. I'll look in to those a little more.

As for a few more details, I'm very flexible and would happily have a coupe or open top. I have had a couple of mx-5's and did enjoy the open top but would still be extremely happy with something that doesn't leak. If it helps at all, something that's quite fun to drive and looks quite sporty would be great.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far, really helpful.

[interloper]

Another thought but would an Eighties Lotus Excel be too new?

[Totti]

I have looked at 924/944 many times over the last couple of years but I think they are a little too new for what I'm after. I'd like something from the late 60's/70's. A classic British Sports car would be ideal.

I think the lotus may just be a little bit new. Thanks for these suggestions though. They've really got me thinking....

[johnfm]

I like your taste...I just got a plus 2 a few months ago. Fun little car

[Shezbo]

Totti said:

Hello,

I'm currently looking for some suggestions for my first classic car. I have a daily car so would like a rolling project to get stuck into on my days off and enjoy it over the brief summer we get!

Ideally, I'd like an Élan plus 2 but know realistically, my budget won't stretch to one. I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty and class myself as a reasonably competent home mechanic.

I'm looking to spend between £2,000-£5,000.

All suggestions welcome.

You need to narrow down the above a bit, you must have some idea, otherwise you are going to have 1,000's of suggestions???
What age of car, 1930's? 1970?
Convertible?
Fixed head?
etc etc?

[freshmicropig]

GT6?

[benjj]

This should just about cover it.

[Dani petrolhead]

Alfa Romeo GTV V6.

[OllieC]

Capri

[terenceb]

Seconded,a 2.8i in decent condition should be had for around three and four thousand.Many have already had engines/gear box o/haul thus taking the heavy expenditure away. [as long as the work has been done properly]

[jim3000s]

S Series TVR ?

[deltashad]

The Fulvia is a great suggestion.

I'd be thinking about some of these too.

















Already suggested, these are pretty

[Selton95]

benjj said:

what is this car?