Ideas please - 5-10k budget - 6cyl preferably

[VeeReihenmotor6]

Hi,

I've got 3 "modern classic" VWs (Corrado VR6, mk2 Golf 16v and a mk3 Golf 16v), mid life crisis perhaps, but want to swap out the latter for something older aka a proper classic. Those 3 cars taught me hands on welding and mechanicals so now is the time I think to get something older that I can confidently maintain.

I can only think of a MGB GT in my budget range, though I like them and my parents had one when I a baby it's too obvious and not 6cyl in my price bracket. I'm not from the era when these cars were childhood memories (my current cars are) and would consider a project or if top end of budget it would need to be usable and presentable, though not perfect. I like sports - coupe, convertible. It would be really great if it had more than 4 cyclinders as in time I may swap my Corrado out for a 944 and will loose the 6 cyl from my mini fleet.

Also it would be good to get a classic that has a parts supply line that doesn't make me a hoarder or prevents me using it (the Corrado is terrible for this).

Usage will be sunny days and if there was an active club then road trips etc would be excellent too.

Cheers
Matt

[Harry Flashman]

R107 Mercedes SL in 6 cylinder guise? A lot cheaper than the V8s, I believe, and ageing well after many years living in the Pagoda's shadow...

[VeeReihenmotor6]

That is a good shout and on googling reminds me it was a car that has stood in my memory banks from a car show I went to this year. Mercedes look after their classics for older parts too.

[Chunkychucky]

If you want a 6 pot for that price range i'd possibly consider a Triumph, either GT6 or a Pi Saloon (depending on body style preference). Had a go in a healthy 2.5Pi Mk 2 with a overdrive manual box, was great fun

[Turbobanana]

I've just bought a Triumph GT6:



Decent ones are a bit over budget, but you can get lucky (I did ) if you look around.

2.0 straight 6, sounds great, keeps up with modern traffic and everything's available from a plethora of suppliers. Slightly smaller than a B GT (I've had one of those as well) but no less practical.

[VeeReihenmotor6]

Nice idea as well and actually the early Triumph had an article in last months Practical Classics I read with interest. Perhaps 4 door would sit in nicely with my current cars and be a practical car with family. Like the styling of the mk2.

Mercedes would be nice but I think they are beyond me reach for an older classic.

[vixen1700]

TVR S Series.

Lots of V6 fun and noise plus the roof comes off.

[Turbobanana]

This went through Matthewson's a couple of weeks ago, sold for £5000.



If I hadn't just bought the GT6 (and it would have fitted in my garage) I'd have been sorely tempted.

https://www.mathewsons.co.uk/auction/lot/lot-415--...

[LuS1fer]

If you can stomach a more modern future classic, there are plenty of choices in the Alfa GT, Brera, GTV and 147 GTA arena.

[Flying Phil]

Just a thought, but I'm enjoying wafting in an SLK 350.....on an 05 plate and purchased for less than £5K.

[Yertis]

Looks like TR6s have left your budget range now, unless you fancy a LHD US import. But as above, Triumph six cylinder cars great value, I struggle to think of an engine that sounds so good for the price. Ebay occasionally throws up GT6s with Spitfire bodies (nice) and Stags with the 2.5PI engine (not as daft as it sounds, the Stag was originally conceived with this engine in mind.

[HJG]

At the top end of your budget you could probably find a 6 cylinder 60s Mustang which requires welding.
Indeed a few options if you are brave enough to go American.

[Dashnine]

HJG said:

At the top end of your budget you could probably find a 6 cylinder 60s Mustang which requires welding.
Indeed a few options if you are brave enough to go American.

Or an eight cylinder Mustang engine in a MG ZT (manual) or Rover 75 (auto)…

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1465575

https://www.carandclassic.com/auctions/2006-rover-...

[healeyneil]

I know someone who is selling an MGC roadster that’s in bits. Quite cheap I think

[AMGSee55]

Still on the Triumph theme, but how about a Vitesse convertible? Or a mid-80s TVR ‘S’ (v6 Granada engine). Reliant Scimitar/Gilbern/early XJS 3.6 to add a few more….

[aka_kerrly]

VeeReihenmotor6 said:

Hi,

I've got 3 "modern classic" VWs (Corrado VR6, mk2 Golf 16v and a mk3 Golf 16v), mid life crisis perhaps, but want to swap out the latter for something older aka a proper classic.

It would be really great if it had more than 4 cyclinders as in time I may swap my Corrado out for a 944 and will loose the 6 cyl from my mini fleet.

We have very similar garages, car tastes. Getting shot of the mk3 is absolutely the right thing to do as the Mk2+Corrado are in my opinion different leagues. The short answer to you problem would be a 924/944 with a VR6 or straight 6 engine swap, what about a Boxster 986 with a hardtop.as a compromise of newer build date but relatively old feel.


I'm a little short of ideas for pre 80s V6s British stuff , would a Foxbody Mustang a wild card idea, a Nissan 350Z too new??

[Dapster]

A £5k - £10k R107 SL would just be the deposit for a 3 year wallet melting rust renovation project!

How about:



https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1499444



https://www.classic-trader.com/uk/cars/listing/peu...



https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1457423

These may be a bit "modern classic" and wafty for you but classic 6 cyl sports cars don't dip in under budget as far as I can see...

[VeeReihenmotor6]

All very nice dapter, both the merc and the bmw. Perhaps I keep my Corrado for my manual 6 cyl fun as they now appear worthless vs my cost on renovating it (3 x as much) and look for something 4 cyl to increase the classic car selection pool. Or perhaps a wafty auto 6 cyl is the right option for variety.

[InvaderMK2]

AMGSee55 said:

Still on the Triumph theme, but how about a Vitesse convertible? Or a mid-80s TVR ‘S’ (v6 Granada engine). Reliant Scimitar/Gilbern/early XJS 3.6 to add a few more….

+1 for a Gilbern!

[Harry Flashman]

I have a W124 E320 convertible and will be selling it to a friend soon for £10k. Very wafty and a real event to drive, but at this price needs minor stuff doing (drivers seat retrim and ideally a new hood, plus some general attention underneath) as I expect they all would. Also may not be old enough for you, OP. But were it not for the fact the London ULEZ will likely envelop my house soon, I would keep it. Gorgeous old thing.







I also have a Saab T16 cab, which I can highly recommend, and I bet a good one is in budget. A 4 cyl, but a lovely, woofly, offbeat noise and hugely characterful. But both of these cars are modern classics, rather than "true" classics?

Edited by Harry Flashman on Wednesday 21st September 09:45