Recommend me a classic car for 1k - 5k
Discussion
For that price and convertible you're a bit limited, Astra, XR3, Saab, 205, Golf, Cavalier, Metro (!?!?!) - but I don't count them as classic!, and there must be some 60s saloon based drop tops, eg Hillman Minx,SuperMinx, Triumph Herald / Vitesse or a mini.
Then there are things like Crayford Escorts, Cortinas etc, but they are pretty rare and probably too expensive.
I think Minor convertibles would be outside that price.
I wonder if Austin 7s are that cheap? The downside is that they only do 45mph flat out!
Try 'convertible' on ebay, there are 50 including a 1970 BMW currently at 4100 and a crayford mk 3 Cortina. (There's also a Jensen Healey, but they aren't 4 seats.)
Then there are things like Crayford Escorts, Cortinas etc, but they are pretty rare and probably too expensive.
I think Minor convertibles would be outside that price.
I wonder if Austin 7s are that cheap? The downside is that they only do 45mph flat out!
Try 'convertible' on ebay, there are 50 including a 1970 BMW currently at 4100 and a crayford mk 3 Cortina. (There's also a Jensen Healey, but they aren't 4 seats.)
Jaguar XJS Cabriolet:
For: Lots of specialists around, fast for its day, V12 engine!
Against: V12 engine, rust and more rust.
80's Mecedes SL:
For: Built like tanks, very good parts supply.
Against: Likley to be a 280 or 300 for under 5K.
Triumph Stag:
For: Classic british top down motoring, Lots of specialists
Against: 5K is the starting point for a useable Stag so it wont be pristine.
Pugeot 304 Cabriolet:
For: Very rare in the UK, Quirky looking car.
Against: Not very fast and I think they are all LHD.
Reliant Scimitar GTC:
For: You will get a decent one for 5K. Rarity value
Against: Quality of interor.
I am somewhat biased as I have a Scimitar GTC. You will probably get the best condition car for your money. Maintenace cost are far lower than the Jag or Merc. However the SL is of far better build quality but is quite sluggish with the smaller engines.
Depends on what you mean by Classic.
£5k will get a very nice BMW E30 convertible, but if it's a simpler, more tinkering friendly car, then +1 for the Scimitar.
Stags are nice (used to have one) but, yes, would need work at that money.
Had a Crayford MK2 Cortina as well, great car but not many around.
£5k will get a very nice BMW E30 convertible, but if it's a simpler, more tinkering friendly car, then +1 for the Scimitar.
Stags are nice (used to have one) but, yes, would need work at that money.
Had a Crayford MK2 Cortina as well, great car but not many around.
Edited by Motown Junk on Thursday 2nd April 13:12
Motown Junk said:
£5k will get a very nice BMW E30 convertible
This would get my vote. Good classic looks, and not that complicated really. I imagine you would have to look quite hard for a nice unmolested one that hasn't been boyracered up. Get a nice original one though and you'd be laughing. iirc there were a few with electric soft tops and you can get hard tops for winter. Oh, and get a 2.5 if you can find one.edited to add, I was going to suggest an Alfa spider but they are only 2 seaters, shame.
Edited by Nuisance_Value on Thursday 2nd April 21:30
what would you prefer- the convertable or the 4 seats/
Having both will be an issue at that price, but one/other would be easier.
The convertable option easily opens up mx5, MGf, midget/spitfire/MGB etc.
For a 4 seater, somehting from the 70s or 80s will be different and could be interetsing.
Having both will be an issue at that price, but one/other would be easier.
The convertable option easily opens up mx5, MGf, midget/spitfire/MGB etc.
For a 4 seater, somehting from the 70s or 80s will be different and could be interetsing.
Nuisance_Value said:
Motown Junk said:
£5k will get a very nice BMW E30 convertible
This would get my vote. Good classic looks, and not that complicated really. I imagine you would have to look quite hard for a nice unmolested one that hasn't been boyracered up. Get a nice original one though and you'd be laughing. iirc there were a few with electric soft tops and you can get hard tops for winter. Oh, and get a 2.5 if you can find one.On a J plate, blue with black hood, don't know anything about spec/history/model/mileage/Etc. as I've only driven past it but it looks A1.
It's stickered at £2495.
I can get more info next time I go that way if anyone wants it.
CS111 said:
Im From N ireland , but would be prepared to travel across the water as long as the mainland journey wasnt tooo long.
What sort of money is a good Karmann Ghia?
£8250 for top condition, 5500 for condition 2 - What sort of money is a good Karmann Ghia?
http://www.practicalclassics.co.uk/car.php?c=997
It's worth buying a copy of Practical Classics or Classic cars for the price list, then you can quickly look down the list and see what's in or out of your range.
XJS or Merc sound good, but might be expensive to fix!
XJS are only expensive if they've been poorly maintained in the past.
The problem stems from people buying them because they are relatively cheap, and spending nothing in servicing or maintenance. Then when it breaks they curse it out as being a typically unreliable old Jaguar.
Get a good one with a good service history, and it shouldn't be a bad car or too expensive.
Ric
The problem stems from people buying them because they are relatively cheap, and spending nothing in servicing or maintenance. Then when it breaks they curse it out as being a typically unreliable old Jaguar.
Get a good one with a good service history, and it shouldn't be a bad car or too expensive.
Ric
the chap wants the roof to come off, not the whole body 
We go out in the Herald as a family regularly, it's always good fun, and it's a daily driver too (well, was...) so we know it is reliable.
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