Recommend me a first time classic
Discussion
Hi all. Been left some money and would love to invest it in something unusual so a classic car came to mind.
Budget around £15k and I’m planning to keep it for a long time - driving it occasionally (let’s say once a month).
Any recommendations or anyone seen anything in the classified which is ‘interesting’?
Thanks all for any suggestions
Budget around £15k and I’m planning to keep it for a long time - driving it occasionally (let’s say once a month).
Any recommendations or anyone seen anything in the classified which is ‘interesting’?
Thanks all for any suggestions
Going to depend very much on what sort of car you want. Bearing in mind classics can cover everything from a pre war Austin Seven, to ‘modern’ classic like an MX5.
Here’s my punt at what you might like
https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1546633
Alfa Spider, that one is one of later versions, an S4. Has some modern features like fuel injection and power steering, but is still essentially a design from the 1960’s.
Here’s my punt at what you might like
https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1546633
Alfa Spider, that one is one of later versions, an S4. Has some modern features like fuel injection and power steering, but is still essentially a design from the 1960’s.
If you want to invest the money, don’t put it in a classic car at that price range as ownership costs will negate any small increase in value that may or may not happen.
If you’re after a first classic to use and enjoy, you’ll get a very good MGB for that money, which will be easy to work on yourself if you’re so inclined but even if not is well supported with plentiful and reasonably priced parts and any local garage will be able to work on it. Plus classic car insurance will be dirt cheap.
Main thing to worry about is rust. Bodywork is very expensive to fix. Everything else can be sorted out relatively inexpensively.
If you’re after a first classic to use and enjoy, you’ll get a very good MGB for that money, which will be easy to work on yourself if you’re so inclined but even if not is well supported with plentiful and reasonably priced parts and any local garage will be able to work on it. Plus classic car insurance will be dirt cheap.
Main thing to worry about is rust. Bodywork is very expensive to fix. Everything else can be sorted out relatively inexpensively.
Cheers, it's not an investment, I just want something 'interesting' rather than money just sat in the bank/ISAs/etc.
Granada sounds fun, but surely finding a good one is going to be difficult? The reason I have no particular car is because I want a good example of whatever I get.
I'm liking the thought of an early XR2 or 3, but like I say, I'm not that fussed if something good and interesting comes along
Granada sounds fun, but surely finding a good one is going to be difficult? The reason I have no particular car is because I want a good example of whatever I get.
I'm liking the thought of an early XR2 or 3, but like I say, I'm not that fussed if something good and interesting comes along
audi321 said:
Cheers, it's not an investment, I just want something 'interesting' rather than money just sat in the bank/ISAs/etc.
Granada sounds fun, but surely finding a good one is going to be difficult? The reason I have no particular car is because I want a good example of whatever I get.
I'm liking the thought of an early XR2 or 3, but like I say, I'm not that fussed if something good and interesting comes along
Just picked up on the word “invest” in your post; a decent classic probably won’t lose money (provided you ignore ongoing maintenance costs) and will certainly be more fun than getting paid interest which doesn’t keep up with inflation in a bank account.Granada sounds fun, but surely finding a good one is going to be difficult? The reason I have no particular car is because I want a good example of whatever I get.
I'm liking the thought of an early XR2 or 3, but like I say, I'm not that fussed if something good and interesting comes along
Granadas and 304s are both good shouts but have nothing like the spares availability of an MGB which is a big factor in keeping ownership costs down. Worth trying one or two if you’ve not driven one. They were/are very popular for a reason.
audi321 said:
Cheers I like that, but I was after something a bit older. I’d say max year would be 85 but preferably earlier.
Ah, going for the ULEZ, MoT and VED exemption in a couple of years then. 
Mid 1980s Audi may be good, perhaps a Fiat, or something Japanese like a Honda Prelude? Fords, VWs and BMWs already fetch too much, IMHO.audi321 said:
Cheers, it's not an investment, I just want something 'interesting' rather than money just sat in the bank/ISAs/etc.
Granada sounds fun, but surely finding a good one is going to be difficult? The reason I have no particular car is because I want a good example of whatever I get.
I'm liking the thought of an early XR2 or 3, but like I say, I'm not that fussed if something good and interesting comes along
It kinda goes from a car to a memory though which is nice..... the smell, starting procedure etc....as above my best fun was heading to the goodwood members meeting in my grandfather's car with my dad up front and my little boy in the back...Granada sounds fun, but surely finding a good one is going to be difficult? The reason I have no particular car is because I want a good example of whatever I get.
I'm liking the thought of an early XR2 or 3, but like I say, I'm not that fussed if something good and interesting comes along
audi321 said:
Cheers, it's not an investment, I just want something 'interesting' rather than money just sat in the bank/ISAs/etc.
Granada sounds fun, but surely finding a good one is going to be difficult? The reason I have no particular car is because I want a good example of whatever I get.
I'm liking the thought of an early XR2 or 3, but like I say, I'm not that fussed if something good and interesting comes along
Not sure you could go wrong with a sporty Ford. XR3i would be my preference. Granada sounds fun, but surely finding a good one is going to be difficult? The reason I have no particular car is because I want a good example of whatever I get.
I'm liking the thought of an early XR2 or 3, but like I say, I'm not that fussed if something good and interesting comes along
Riley Blue said:
Ambleton said:
If you want a usable, unusual and reliable classic then I'd probably be looking to buy a 2door Volvo Amazon.
They're just a really lovely thing.
An Amazon was on my shopping list but I found my Riley first - still wondering if I made the best choice...They're just a really lovely thing.
Classic car ownership isn't the same as 'normal' car ownership.
In my experience, you buy a classic with your heart more tha your head. People I know who bought the classic they were told to buy were never happy.
Use the suggestions here as jumping-off points to find what's out there, but don't buy a specific classic (or even a classic at all) because somebody here tells you to.
In my experience, you buy a classic with your heart more tha your head. People I know who bought the classic they were told to buy were never happy.
Use the suggestions here as jumping-off points to find what's out there, but don't buy a specific classic (or even a classic at all) because somebody here tells you to.
sixor8 said:
Ah, going for the ULEZ, MoT and VED exemption in a couple of years then. Mid 1980s Audi may be good, perhaps a Fiat, or something Japanese like a Honda Prelude? Fords, VWs and BMWs already fetch too much, IMHO.
I’d avoid a mid-eighties Audi unless you enjoy scouring the internet for spare parts. Mid 1980s Audi may be good, perhaps a Fiat, or something Japanese like a Honda Prelude? Fords, VWs and BMWs already fetch too much, IMHO.I’m going to recommend a Stag or a 2CV. I really wish I’d got a Stag rather than a TR6.
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