Which Classic Car?

[DelboyMatt]

I have no idea where to start.

I am totally uninspired by new cars and am seriously considering a classic car.

Inspired by the uniqueness and detail of friends MGB V8 GT and Caterham 7's. I was looking for suggestions about a classic car for myself .

My ideal requirements (im sure you will tell me if they are feasible in reality )

. Looks, interesting and unique
. Reliability - something I can rely on.
. Not stupidly expensive to run and maintain.
. Has a fair amount of poke
. Reasonable insurance considering im 20 (my friend with the V8 is 21 and I think he pays around £700 on classic car insurance).
. Practical - as will be used as a daily car.

Any ideas/suggestions?

Thanks



>> Edited by DelboyMatt on Monday 23 May 20:39

[andymaserati]

Exactly the same situation i'm in (near enough)
i've turned to the ford capri.. i think it looks great and isn't too expensive, but i also wanted something to work on.

i can't really think of a classic that won't give you problems though...

[Twincam16]

Right - three more questions before I give you an enormous list

-How many seats?
-What age?
-What price?

[DelboyMatt]

Oooh very good point!! Knew I would forget something!!

Price would be up to around £7k, preferably around £4-5k.

As long as I have a seat im happy (2 at a minimum really though)

Would have thought anything from the 1970's on, but havent a clue really.

Just to give you an idea of my taste, I really like the chrome and black paint of the MGB, looks a bit aggressive but love the way the Caterham drives

[docevi1]

Reliant Schimatar 3.0GTE , uses the Ford V6 and is relatively reliable (old cars aren't particulary reliable).

[DelboyMatt]

docevi1 said:

Reliant Schimatar 3.0GTE , uses the Ford V6 and is relatively reliable (old cars aren't particulary reliable).

Interesting idea, seen a few at some classic car shows, but cant say its really to my taste (hides)

>> Edited by DelboyMatt on Monday 23 May 20:51

I remember reading this article www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=48&t=26491 and was considering a 2.5 lux. Or are they more expensive to run then suggested?


>> Edited by DelboyMatt on Monday 23 May 20:56

[sotons2]

One of these ? Suitably rare. Classic car insurance. Ford running gear. Cheap and easy to maintain. Can be used as a daily driver.

And they drive and sound

[zippee]

Either an S2 TVR or you could get a bloody nice Triumph Spitfire for that sort of money.

[Twincam16]

OK, so, reliable for a classic, cheap to run, not sluggish, reasonable insurance, practical, £4-7k, '70s-onwards. Here goes:

Alfa Romeo GTV6
BMW 628CSI
Datsun 240/260/280Z
Ford Capri
Ford Escort MKI/II RS
Ginetta G21
Jaguar XJ40 3.2
Jensen Healey
Lancia Beta Zagato Spider
Lotus Excel
Marcos Coupe/Martina
Matra Bagheera
Matra Murena
Mazda RX-7 (heavy on fuel)
Opel GT
Porsche 924
Reliant Scimitar GTE
Rover SD1
Saab 99 Turbo
Toyota Celica 2000GT
Trident Venturer/Tycoon
Triumph GT6
TVR M-Series
TVR Tasmin
TVR S-Series

These all seem to fit your criteria

[wculbert]

Hi,
When are you 21? I am twenty at the minute like yourself and believe classic cars are the way to go. I had a rare Rochdale GT and am now after a Morgan 4/4.

MG and Triumph offer cheap insurance through Footman James.

Go to Lancasters website and do a quick quote giving your age as 21, you can drive anything from 911 Turbo's, TVR's Lotus's etc for around £500 a year in insurance as long as you limit it to 1500 miles a year. However you could get a GPS speedo to solve that problem.

It would be difficult to get a cheap policy for more than 5000 miles as most are limited to that.

Thanks,
William

[wculbert]

Are you at University?

Thanks,
William

[tvrbob]

I've had two of these
. Looks, interesting and unique Yes, how many have you seen
. Reliability - something I can rely on Yes
. Not stupidly expensive to run and maintain Never brakes and bodywork lasts for ever
. Has a fair amount of poke Well not bad
. Reasonable insurance considering im 20 (my friend with the V8 is 21 and I think he pays around £700 on classic car insurance) Yes
. Practical - as will be used as a daily car Yes I did

[DelboyMatt]

Twincam16 said:

OK, so, reliable for a classic, cheap to run, not sluggish, reasonable insurance, practical, £4-7k, '70s-onwards. Here goes: Datsun 240 Marcos Coupe/ This one www.bullions.family.btinternet.co.uk/marcos.jpg? If so looks awesome Martina Mazda RX-7 (heavy on fuel) - Love these cars, but very expensive to run. Opel GT - Looks v interesting!! Porsche 924 - Better choice than a 944? Triumph GT6 - Like this, pretty reliable? TVR S-Series - Interesting

Like the above (filtered them down), god so much choice!!

[DelboyMatt]

mk6fiesta said:

VW Karmann Ghia?? Ok so not much poke, but they look cheap too >> Edited by mk6fiesta on Monday 23 May 21:22

Interesting cars, saw one the other day, just not quite my biscuit :P

[DelboyMatt]

wculbert said:

Hi, When are you 21? I am twenty at the minute like yourself and believe classic cars are the way to go. I had a rare Rochdale GT and am now after a Morgan 4/4. MG and Triumph offer cheap insurance through Footman James. Go to Lancasters website and do a quick quote giving your age as 21, you can drive anything from 911 Turbo's, TVR's Lotus's etc for around £500 a year in insurance as long as you limit it to 1500 miles a year. However you could get a GPS speedo to solve that problem. It would be difficult to get a cheap policy for more than 5000 miles as most are limited to that. Thanks, William

Wow, ive just turned 20!, so another full year to go.

Cant believe the value.

I only do around 4-5k miles a year at the moment anyway, so that would be perfect. I will have a paly with some quotes

[DelboyMatt]

wculbert said:

Are you at University? Thanks, William

Yep at the moment, just finishing my 2nd year

[DelboyMatt]

sotons2 said:

One of these ? Suitably rare. Classic car insurance. Ford running gear. Cheap and easy to maintain. Can be used as a daily driver. And they drive and sound

Thats quite interesting as well, god more choice than I thought!. Thanks for the suggestion.

[DelboyMatt]

tvrbob said:

I've had two of these . Looks, interesting and unique Yes, how many have you seen . Reliability - something I can rely on Yes . Not stupidly expensive to run and maintain Never brakes and bodywork lasts for ever . Has a fair amount of poke Well not bad . Reasonable insurance considering im 20 (my friend with the V8 is 21 and I think he pays around £700 on classic car insurance) Yes . Practical - as will be used as a daily car Yes I did

Quite like the quirkyness of that, but not for me. Thanks for suggestion though!

[cazzer]

I know where theres a lancia beta spyder for sale.
Just had £800 worth of welding done on it.
I would estimate another 1500 on stuff will see it mint. Going for about a grand. (its on my drive, but its not mine)

[wculbert]

Where abouts are you at University? I am at St Andrews.
William