Looking to buy something, but need some advices!
Discussion
Ok, so the cars I'm looking at aren't classics per se, however one should hope they would gain that status. I'm not too worried about their value appreciating or anything, but I'm more looking for something that won't drop in value from what it's at now.
I am open to any suggestions
These are the cars I like and have thought of:
I realise these cars are very different from one another, and I maybe completely wrong.
Cheers.
I am open to any suggestions
These are the cars I like and have thought of:
I realise these cars are very different from one another, and I maybe completely wrong.
Cheers.
With a sometimes informed opinion, I'd say...
Big BMWs can give big service bills, and you'll have to look very hard to find one that hasn't been abused with cheap or non existent servicing. Image may or may not be important to you, but big old BMWs have one.
I've got a soft spot for the XJ-S, I had an early V12 which was a very nice drive, you can get almost all the bits easily (but not necessarily cheap) and the straight 6 engined ones are almost economical enough. However you're up against Jaguar's inconsistent build quality and possible neglect over the years. Choose wisely and you could be fine, choose badly and you'll be forever tracing water leaks into the cabin and welding it up.
The Merc 190 is was their attempt at a younger market, but dynamically it's not that great. Manual gearbox is a bit unpleasant but they do feel tough and like other Mercedes of their time, they'll absorb huge mileages. These cars can stand up to Paris taxi drivers (the first and only time I've been over 100mph in a taxi) so a normal person's use should be easy peasy. 1.8s are really sluggish but the larger engined ones are swift.
Volvos are quite a minefield, they've almost all done 130,000+ when I'm looking, but there are plenty in the owners clubs that have double that. The Torslanda versions are poverty spec but nothing will freeze up in Swedish winters, Wentworths are nicer to be in. They had various turbo units fitted over the years and while handling is far from race-car like, there's a certain satisfaction in hammering through roundabouts and accelerating hard in a 1980s antique dealer's car.
The Saabs (and I guess you're looking at the pre-Vectra based cars like in the photo?) are a bit odd, turbo acceleration can be addictive but I never really clicked with driving otherwise. Try one, and if you like it go for a car that hasn't been crashed and the engine doesn't smoke or rattle its timing chain.
Big BMWs can give big service bills, and you'll have to look very hard to find one that hasn't been abused with cheap or non existent servicing. Image may or may not be important to you, but big old BMWs have one.
I've got a soft spot for the XJ-S, I had an early V12 which was a very nice drive, you can get almost all the bits easily (but not necessarily cheap) and the straight 6 engined ones are almost economical enough. However you're up against Jaguar's inconsistent build quality and possible neglect over the years. Choose wisely and you could be fine, choose badly and you'll be forever tracing water leaks into the cabin and welding it up.
The Merc 190 is was their attempt at a younger market, but dynamically it's not that great. Manual gearbox is a bit unpleasant but they do feel tough and like other Mercedes of their time, they'll absorb huge mileages. These cars can stand up to Paris taxi drivers (the first and only time I've been over 100mph in a taxi) so a normal person's use should be easy peasy. 1.8s are really sluggish but the larger engined ones are swift.
Volvos are quite a minefield, they've almost all done 130,000+ when I'm looking, but there are plenty in the owners clubs that have double that. The Torslanda versions are poverty spec but nothing will freeze up in Swedish winters, Wentworths are nicer to be in. They had various turbo units fitted over the years and while handling is far from race-car like, there's a certain satisfaction in hammering through roundabouts and accelerating hard in a 1980s antique dealer's car.
The Saabs (and I guess you're looking at the pre-Vectra based cars like in the photo?) are a bit odd, turbo acceleration can be addictive but I never really clicked with driving otherwise. Try one, and if you like it go for a car that hasn't been crashed and the engine doesn't smoke or rattle its timing chain.
From that bunch it would be the Volvo for me. I must have owned at least a dozen of these, every one totally reliable at 200K plus.
Make it a 245GLT to get the extra poke of the 2.3 engine, the 5 spoke alloys and the leather interior.
Fit a Webasto roof, grow yourself a beard and buy some green wellies.
Not quite a classic yet but you can enjoy driving it around for the next 5 years and then you never know what will happen!
Make it a 245GLT to get the extra poke of the 2.3 engine, the 5 spoke alloys and the leather interior.
Fit a Webasto roof, grow yourself a beard and buy some green wellies.
Not quite a classic yet but you can enjoy driving it around for the next 5 years and then you never know what will happen!
I drive an E34 M5....3.8. Great cars but do watch out for rust issues at the front jacking points, water pumps are a weak spot, check for frontal accident damage and check all electrics.
Engines are pretty bullet proof, but they do enjoy oil. Great to drive, simple to service, loads of parts available and wonderful to drive.
Headlamps are rubbish, the interior is durable and many are loaded with some toys, but check all electricals.
A good all round classic drive, but avoid the V8 540.
Engines are pretty bullet proof, but they do enjoy oil. Great to drive, simple to service, loads of parts available and wonderful to drive.
Headlamps are rubbish, the interior is durable and many are loaded with some toys, but check all electricals.
A good all round classic drive, but avoid the V8 540.
Merc 190 for me.I have been going through a phase of trying various older cars and I got a cheap 190 from the classifieds on these forums some time ago.I love it! So much so in fact, I am picking up another one next weekend.I have never ever driven something which felt so solid and smooth for the same money you would spend on a knackered escort.Honestly, NOW is the time to buy one.I have seen them going on ebay for £400 to £500, some with full merc history and with under 120k miles.Shop around though as prices vary massively.If I had the space, I would be buying them all up at the moment!
My K plate 2.0 Auto work hack, has 157k on the clock now and drives like it has 50k.It's not the cleanest one you will find, but everything shuts and opens with a wonderful clunk, tapping your knuckles on the metal on the bootlid or bonnet produces a sound you just don't hear any longer and everything on it still works (even things like all the doors locking when you use the key in the boot etc).An Utterly superb car for the same price as the exhuast can on my mates bike.I will own one till I die now I think and the one I am collecting next weekend has just over 100k on the clock, is MOT'd and taxed, has a newish exhaust and is costing me £450.Imho, there is nothing else you can buy for that money which offers as much semi-classic enjoyment.The 2.0 auto with sport mode isn't too bad either.To be honest, due to the solidity of the car, it feels more like a straight 6 anyway.
It's quite funny looking at your list actually, as I have looked at all of those, too.I did have an E34 530 BMW and an E28 M535 and to be honest, the E28 wins hands down for me now, so maybe that's another one for your list? I also lust after a volvo estate for some reason and some of those can be had for decent money, but the merc really has won me over
My K plate 2.0 Auto work hack, has 157k on the clock now and drives like it has 50k.It's not the cleanest one you will find, but everything shuts and opens with a wonderful clunk, tapping your knuckles on the metal on the bootlid or bonnet produces a sound you just don't hear any longer and everything on it still works (even things like all the doors locking when you use the key in the boot etc).An Utterly superb car for the same price as the exhuast can on my mates bike.I will own one till I die now I think and the one I am collecting next weekend has just over 100k on the clock, is MOT'd and taxed, has a newish exhaust and is costing me £450.Imho, there is nothing else you can buy for that money which offers as much semi-classic enjoyment.The 2.0 auto with sport mode isn't too bad either.To be honest, due to the solidity of the car, it feels more like a straight 6 anyway.
It's quite funny looking at your list actually, as I have looked at all of those, too.I did have an E34 530 BMW and an E28 M535 and to be honest, the E28 wins hands down for me now, so maybe that's another one for your list? I also lust after a volvo estate for some reason and some of those can be had for decent money, but the merc really has won me over
Thanks for all the replies. I really am stumped on this one, I might have to resolve to trying one at a time!
The 5 series just looks so beautiful. Especially that example. Great design, aged well, looks perfect. I don't see a point in getting an old 5 with a small engine though, so running it wouldn't be cheap and also slightly worried about astronomical repair bills.
The Jag is a classic design and just oozes quality IMO. Again, I fear this would be costly to buy and have the potential to cost a lot to run and maintain.
The more I look at the Merc the more I like it. I just love the feeling of being in a merc. Every time I drive one you just look down the bonnet and see the emblem at the end...it's almost empowering? Weird. makes you feel somewhat invincible!
I'm not so sure on the Volvo estate. I would really go for the 240 saloon? But I couldn't find a decent pic!
Still love the Saab 900. Never had a n/a car so this would be inkeeping with my car history. Also if I got a convertible it isn't girly! Oh, and the 16v engines sound wonderful.
The 5 series just looks so beautiful. Especially that example. Great design, aged well, looks perfect. I don't see a point in getting an old 5 with a small engine though, so running it wouldn't be cheap and also slightly worried about astronomical repair bills.
The Jag is a classic design and just oozes quality IMO. Again, I fear this would be costly to buy and have the potential to cost a lot to run and maintain.
The more I look at the Merc the more I like it. I just love the feeling of being in a merc. Every time I drive one you just look down the bonnet and see the emblem at the end...it's almost empowering? Weird. makes you feel somewhat invincible!
I'm not so sure on the Volvo estate. I would really go for the 240 saloon? But I couldn't find a decent pic!
Still love the Saab 900. Never had a n/a car so this would be inkeeping with my car history. Also if I got a convertible it isn't girly! Oh, and the 16v engines sound wonderful.
whitevanman88 said:
Thanks for all the replies. I really am stumped on this one, I might have to resolve to trying one at a time!
That's what I have been doing.Anything and everything is in with a chance though if they are cheap and decent.Had an old nissan sunny (drove like new!), the box shaped 3 door civic GL (drove like new!), old shape Honda Accord coupe, Alfa 155, Merc 190 (still got)- was due to pick up a 240 saloon but it didn't happen this time round, 3 door Golf driver (still got), Mada MX5(still got), a Saab 900 and several others I can't remember off hand.A volvo is definately on the list, as is an eariler saab, then a pug Gti (309 or 205), another E28 and a 325 E30 touring, then I shall see what else crops up.I have done all this within a couple of years and just had other more decent cars should my 'retro ride/work hack world' come tumbling down.Althouh saying that, the newest car I now own is an M reg! I sold a newish mondeo as it simply bored the hell out of me and actually enjoy my drive to and from work now.Modern motoring just does nothing for me at all now.
Touch wood, nothing major has happened to any of them yet and some of the 'niggles' that may crop up are all part of the fun for me.But then my budget rarely goes above £500, so you could have a field day with £1500
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