My first classic car... 2+2?

[Franjipane]

Hi folks,

Just registered but have been reading a fair few threads for a while, seems to be a great source of info here.

I'm looking at getting a 4 seater car possibly a Lotus Excel, I've read up quite a bit about them and they sound great for me. Love the design, looks a little like an Esprit but with the benefit of 4 seats, and there's apparently a great garage for them in near me in Guildford!

But i also just wanted to explore other options, good performing 80s/early 90s cars with 4 seats. I've looked at the Porsches (924/944/968) and something about them doesn't quite appeal as much as the Lotus, but admittedly I'm yet to test drive any of these!

Anyone know of any other awesome 80s/early 90s cars in a similar vein that could be had for between £3k to £6?

Cheers
Steve

[williamp]

One of thew car magazines this month has a buying guide for the excel. I was reading it in smiths thinking "hmmmmm"

I've owned 2 944's, and greatc asr thought they are, the seats are really next to useless. I'm 5ft 10, and with me in the front, I could not get my legs into the back. So, other thoughts:

Audi Quattro? No idea what these go for, but they have back seats
Renault Alpine/ A610
Mercedes SL/SLC (the latter has (I think) an extra 10cm rear leg room, but no soft top)
Other Merc coupe
Jaguar XJ Coupe? (I think the XJS rear seats are about as useful as the 944 ones-possibly worse)

[Todzilla]

Maserati Indy?

[slomax]

Opel manta
datsun 260z

both pretty cars in my opinion. Surely worth a look.

[plasticpig]

Alfa Romeo GTV6
Maserati Bi-Turbo
Middlebridge Scimitar

[Franjipane]

Thanks for all the suggestions folks

My gosh the Maserati Indy looks nice but that's about 3 times my budget!

Time for some research, cheers all.

[Yertis]

williamp said:

Audi Quattro? No idea what these go for, but they have back seats

Unless you are an automotive masochist FFS not, they are a world of exquisite pain. Trust me, I have two.

[Yertis]

On a more positive note Scimitars are cheap, reliable and indestructible.
Obviously, I don't own one.


But did in the past.

Edited by Yertis on Saturday 16th October 19:27

[ROOODBOY]

plasticpig said:

Maserati Bi-Turbo

Don't do it!

I did!


I keep coming back to Porsche 928, and I nearly bought one a while ago, but the price of some of the parts...

Mazda RX-7 Twin Turbo...

I had one for a year and it was uttely fantastic, apart from averaging 12mpg!
Not all had rear seats, and when they did they are very tight for space.

Also from experience, Nissan 200SX S13.
Great car, quick, easy to tune and reasonable amount of room in the back.

S14 would also be good.


How about a BMW E24 6-Series, preferably a 635i manual!
Very cool car, in my opinion.


Got me thinking now.....

[Tazio1]

I have just looked at similar options, I bought a Bitter SC which is now being restored. There is a nice one for sale at http://www.monzaman.com/for_sale.htm . The other car I seriously thought about was an 8 series BMW, which look like great value to me.

Good Luck with the search I am sure a Lotus will also be great fun.

[Oelholm]

How old are the kids - who I presume will be using the rear seats? If they aren't too old (tall), a Alfa GTV6 would be lovely. Semi-classic, period motoring with grunt and a lovely engine note



picture from www.hiperformancestore.com - no affiliation

[Franjipane]

Wow only 28 made of that Bitter? That is definitely rare! Love some if the Nissans but think I might be onto a winner now...

Persuaded my wife that she should get a pink figaro (her dream car) and I should get a lotus esprit. I'm not totally sold on it yet as I'm sure the S1-S3 esprits would be a lot of upkeep.

[gr88]

an Jaguar XJS 5.3 or 6 litre or the smaller ones



i bought mine for under £ 1000 with mot

[Sutol2]

I’ve owned an Excel SE & 944S2 and the Excel is much more the drivers car. The Excel is immediately user friendly and invites you to get the max out of it with no feeing its going to bite back. Mine was real reliable in 7 years I owned it ( inc some track days) but majority of parts are reasonably priced
In comparison the S2 felt heavy and cumbersome and reminded me of an old 3000 Capri I had – ie loads of grunt but a bit agricultural. It does seem to get better the faster you go but I always had a nagging feeling that at the limit you could be in trouble.

With the Excel. they tend to need head work at 100k, and those Dellortos invite bore washing if not it tune. The S2 is good for 200k at close on 30mpg as some compensation

Go for the Excel & Enjoy!

[Franjipane]

Oelholm, no kids as yet but planned for sometime over the next few years, which means I may still get a bit of time with a 2 seater Lotus yet


Thanks for the input Sutol2, I was considering a Porsche of that time for a while too but I've just read too many comments like yours.

If anyone else is considering an Excel there's a nice write up (and cover shot) in the latest issue of Classic Car World, and I believe the car was sold just after on these pages...

[Gompo]

635CSI? Could get a decent one for £6k but you'd need to be careful.

Admittedly I'd prefer something metioned earlier in this thread, but possibly worth considering - I do love their look.

[Gruber]

Another vote for the 635csi (not that I'm biased...)

This looks like it might be a good'un, and could just fall within budget with a bit of haggling:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2092409.htm

[braddo]

It looks like someone has put an awful lot of time and money into this Excel and it might be quite near you:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2098756.htm

If there's one bit of advice I can give, pay slightly over your budget if necessary now, in order to secure a car in fantastic condition. In the next year or two you will spend the same and more if you settle for a car in less good condition. That was my experience with my Alfa and I'll never repeat it. I want the car for driving, not tinkering/repairing...

Get a car so you can enjoy it to the maximum now, rather than spend the next two years sorting out issues on an average car just to get it in the condition you wanted in the first place.

Enjoy the search.

[Sharknose]

Regarding the BMW E24, this looks a steal compared to what I've seen sell lately, and it's a very rare manual too:

http://www.pistonheads.com/SALES/2164586.htm

Choose wisely and they are a practical and depreciation-proof classic.

I can also personally recommend the M635CSi but prices for good examples are much higher due to their rarity.

[80quattro]

BMW M3

for example http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2173394.htm