Classic as a first car? hmm..
Discussion
Well, im already starting to think of a first car, and have decided that, i dont want some chavved fiesta or anything, i would like a classic, so what would your opinions be on having some sort of classic as my first car? is insurance cheaper? tax? MOT? I should be able to do repairs and that myself, as i am hopefully going to do a Mechanics Course at College next September. Any help out there?
BTW im serious about this
(:
BTW im serious about this
(:
Well, if you don't have to rely on the car always working 100% of the time I think it's a great idea. My first 2 cars I owned weren't classics at the time, but would be cool to have them now. If you get a classic and not destroy it or let it go, it will just appreciate in value and the cool factor. A guy I went to high school with got a rolling shell of a 1964 impala when he was 13 or 14 for his birthday present. A couple of hundred bucks at the time. From then until he was 15 and got his drivers license, his dad taught him how to do everything and they rebuilt the car from the ground up. That started around 1983 and they only had 5 or 6 thousand in it when it was done and it looked like a new car when they were finished. He's had lots of diferent vehicles since then, but he still has that car to this day, albeit under second upgrade. Not enough dads out there give good car guidance like that. I bet there's a very low percent of people who had a cool enough car for their 1st car to still have it 25 years later. When I got my 1st car, you could pick up 60s classic mustangs for 2-3 grand all day, and convertibles for 3-5. If you buy wisely now and keep it up, you will have something worth having down the road.
Insurance - unlikely to get a classic policy if it's your first and only car.
Tax - highly likely to be more expensive than a modern supermini with CO2 emissions based tax - unless you buy something pre 1973.
Then there's maintenance - you'll have to keep a very close eye on rust, oil changes / servicing will be more frequent, too.
Nice idea - but unless you want to get your hands dirty several times a year, I suspect you'd be better off with something more modern.
Tax - highly likely to be more expensive than a modern supermini with CO2 emissions based tax - unless you buy something pre 1973.
Then there's maintenance - you'll have to keep a very close eye on rust, oil changes / servicing will be more frequent, too.
Nice idea - but unless you want to get your hands dirty several times a year, I suspect you'd be better off with something more modern.
Well I did:
My first car, taken in 1996 when I was learning to drive. It's a 1961 Rover P4.
Insurance might not be cheaper: they have cottoned onto the scheme of putting the car in your parents name, and you as a named driver (and you just happen to be driving it when....) although they may not be as suspicious with a classic
Running costs: they might not be cheap to run. The Rover was, I seem to recall about 20mpg. And it struggled to keep up with modern traffic. The latter is a point worth noting: if you want to keep up with traffic, then you'll need to drive it harder then the designers intended, possibly causing more wear (clutch, brakes etc) and using more fuel
parts might not be cheaper, and they may be harder to find. What happens if the supplier says it'll be with you in a week??
Back in the 80s, people bemoaned the fact that parts are just swapped, rather then repaired. But now people are used to this. Are you preared to spend longer then normal fixing something, when your mate just replaces his part (probably cheaper)
Grease nipples. I dont need to say more then that
Having several different types of grease and oil in the garage for the service. Clrearing out the grease gun for the different grease (or spend more on different grease guns)
As someone else said: rust. And electrics. On old wiring. Useless lights, wipers, indicators (trafficators), bad brakes. There might not even be a radio. No safety protection to speak of.
God I miss owning a classic!
My first car, taken in 1996 when I was learning to drive. It's a 1961 Rover P4.
Insurance might not be cheaper: they have cottoned onto the scheme of putting the car in your parents name, and you as a named driver (and you just happen to be driving it when....) although they may not be as suspicious with a classic
Running costs: they might not be cheap to run. The Rover was, I seem to recall about 20mpg. And it struggled to keep up with modern traffic. The latter is a point worth noting: if you want to keep up with traffic, then you'll need to drive it harder then the designers intended, possibly causing more wear (clutch, brakes etc) and using more fuel
parts might not be cheaper, and they may be harder to find. What happens if the supplier says it'll be with you in a week??
Back in the 80s, people bemoaned the fact that parts are just swapped, rather then repaired. But now people are used to this. Are you preared to spend longer then normal fixing something, when your mate just replaces his part (probably cheaper)
Grease nipples. I dont need to say more then that
Having several different types of grease and oil in the garage for the service. Clrearing out the grease gun for the different grease (or spend more on different grease guns)
As someone else said: rust. And electrics. On old wiring. Useless lights, wipers, indicators (trafficators), bad brakes. There might not even be a radio. No safety protection to speak of.
God I miss owning a classic!
doof doof doof said:
Well, im already starting to think of a first car, and have decided that, i dont want some chavved fiesta or anything, i would like a classic, so what would your opinions be on having some sort of classic as my first car? is insurance cheaper? tax? MOT? I should be able to do repairs and that myself, as i am hopefully going to do a Mechanics Course at College next September. Any help out there?
BTW im serious about this
(:
Nothing wrong with the idea in principle....... in practical terms, less so.BTW im serious about this
(:
Does depend on what your budget is to buy, to run etc.,etc.
You're going to have to be a bit more specific.
I was 18 when I bought my car. I knew I didnt have to drive for at least another 3 years, and it was a good buy, so I snapped it up. Knowing I wouldn't be able to get insurance for a minimum of 1 year, possibly more, but, living away at uni, it makes no difference anyway. I have had it now for about 20 months and I am determined to get insurance this year. I have already had a look at potential quotes and it is now very realistic. But in the time I have owned it I have learnt the car inside out. My dad has been insured on it, so it has been driven quite a lot- nearly 3k miles last year. I know how it handles, it's gearbox, it's funny little quirks, join the club, everything. Insurance will be the biggest issue. IF you don't NEED to drive, get a classic, learn it, tinker with it, and tart it up a bit. When you have reached 20 or 21 you will find it easier to get insured. I have had quotes for me on the Lomax recently for circa £600 with me as the only driver fully comp on 5000miles. When I first got it, I looked and everyone said no under 21's, some are no under 25's. Joining the club means you can get a deal through them ussually though.
Anyway, I hope this has helped a bit. But just don't think you will be able to jump into it everyday and it will start first time every time.
Anyway, I hope this has helped a bit. But just don't think you will be able to jump into it everyday and it will start first time every time.
I don't know if running a classic car as your first car is as easy as it was when I was 17. Back in 1987, I bought my first car, a slightly rough Riley 1.5 (first registered in 1963, I think). After having a bit of welding done, it ran pretty dependably while I was at school, and through my time at university. Insurance was very reasonably priced, and I realise now that parts were cheap.
The main barrier to driving as a teenager now seems to be the outrageous cost of insurance. If classic car insurance is still relatively cheap for that age group, then classic cars would seem to offer an excellent way of getting on the road.
The main barrier to driving as a teenager now seems to be the outrageous cost of insurance. If classic car insurance is still relatively cheap for that age group, then classic cars would seem to offer an excellent way of getting on the road.
Throttle Body said:
The main barrier to driving as a teenager now seems to be the outrageous cost of insurance. If classic car insurance is still relatively cheap for that age group, then classic cars would seem to offer an excellent way of getting on the road.
The trouble is it's not really. Most classic car insurance schemes will prohibit under 21's, and in some cases, under 25's, and will require evidence that the car is not your sole form of transport.Which means insuring a classic on a normal policy, which of course wouldn't be recommended as a 'normal' policy will not pay out on any real classic value etc.
Of course the OP still hasn't said exactly what he/she means by classic, as being young they might mean something from the 1990's which will be no real different to those of us that are a certain age buying a 1950/60's car as a first car when we was 'erberts
Depends what era car you go for. If you have only driven a driving instructors car, you definitely want to go for something with power steering, servo assisted brakes probably unleaded fuel.. which would mean 80's..
A teenage chap I know has an '86 BMW 316, and I think he has it on a 'regular' non classic car insurance policy, in his name. Parts are cheap & plentiful, they are easy to repair & maintain, and easy to modify for future! I may, however, be somewhat biased
A teenage chap I know has an '86 BMW 316, and I think he has it on a 'regular' non classic car insurance policy, in his name. Parts are cheap & plentiful, they are easy to repair & maintain, and easy to modify for future! I may, however, be somewhat biased
If you can then buy one now, start restoring it and get to know it, learn about it while your not relying on it as daily transport etc - I'm a massive fan of BL, Austin Morris's especially anything with an A-series engine.
The 998 A-series is an incredible motor, cheap, reliable, strong and very tunable.
Also concider something a bit different to the usual Mini or Morris Minor, both are great cars, cheap, reliable and fun with fantastic spares support and value retention etc.
Other A-series options include in various CC's and guises:
Austin Metro - seriously under rated but a fantastic Mini alternative
Austin A30/35 - brilliant vehicles, rear wheel drive
Sprite/Midget - two seater roof down fun, also RWD
Elf/Hornet - Posh Mini with a boot!
Morris Marina - Different
Austin, Morris, MG etc 1100/1300 - Reputably the best Austin ever made
Meastro - 80's Hatch an aquired taste
Montego - 80's Saloon an aquired taste
And my personal favorite - The Austin Allegro!
One of the UK's fastest appreciating classics, available as 2 door, 4 door and a fantastic 3 door estate!
Allegro's are still cheap but prices are climbing steadily, a great car with good spares availability and plenty of retro anti cool styling.
Engines include 1100 and 1300 A-series or for those with a desire for something a little different, 1500 and 1750 E-series engines that include a 5 speed box.
Yes, Allegro, mmmmm
The 998 A-series is an incredible motor, cheap, reliable, strong and very tunable.
Also concider something a bit different to the usual Mini or Morris Minor, both are great cars, cheap, reliable and fun with fantastic spares support and value retention etc.
Other A-series options include in various CC's and guises:
Austin Metro - seriously under rated but a fantastic Mini alternative
Austin A30/35 - brilliant vehicles, rear wheel drive
Sprite/Midget - two seater roof down fun, also RWD
Elf/Hornet - Posh Mini with a boot!
Morris Marina - Different
Austin, Morris, MG etc 1100/1300 - Reputably the best Austin ever made
Meastro - 80's Hatch an aquired taste
Montego - 80's Saloon an aquired taste
And my personal favorite - The Austin Allegro!
One of the UK's fastest appreciating classics, available as 2 door, 4 door and a fantastic 3 door estate!
Allegro's are still cheap but prices are climbing steadily, a great car with good spares availability and plenty of retro anti cool styling.
Engines include 1100 and 1300 A-series or for those with a desire for something a little different, 1500 and 1750 E-series engines that include a 5 speed box.
Yes, Allegro, mmmmm
Edited by Ben Magoo on Sunday 23 January 09:59
mgroadster said:
Are you sure the "aggro" is the fastest appreciating car? I would seriously question that statement. In fact I would have placed it still in the "scrap bin", but each to their own.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/imgs/9.gif
To be fair, it's a car that is worth around 200 times what it was worth a couple of years ago!.Don't believe Me?, here's the maths:
Value a couple of years ago = @ £1
Value today = @ £200
Ben Magoo said:
If you can then buy one now, start restoring it and get to know it, learn about it while your not relying on it as daily transport etc - I'm a massive fan of BL, Austin Morris's especially anything with an A-series engine.
The 998 A-series is an incredible motor, cheap, reliable, strong and very tunable.
Also concider something a bit different to the usual Mini or Morris Minor, both are great cars, cheap, reliable and fun with fantastic spares support and value retention etc.
Other A-series options include in various CC's and guises:
Austin Metro - seriously under rated but a fantastic Mini alternative
Austin A30/35 - brilliant vehicles, rear wheel drive
Sprite/Midget - two seater roof down fun, also RWD
Elf/Hornet - Posh Mini with a boot!
Morris Marina - Different
Austin, Morris, MG etc 1100/1300 - Reputably the best Austin ever made
Meastro - 80's Hatch an aquired taste
Montego - 80's Saloon an aquired taste
And my personal favorite - The Austin Allegro!
One of the UK's fastest appreciating classics, available as 2 door, 4 door and a fantastic 3 door estate!
Allegro's are still cheap but prices are climbing steadily, a great car with good spares availability and plenty of retro anti cool styling.
Engines include 1100 and 1300 A-series or for those with a desire for something a little different, 1500 and 1750 E-series engines that include a 5 speed box.
Yes, Allegro, mmmmm
Totally agree with this! Had an Austin A35 as my first car, bought it when I was 13, tinkered with it to get it running with the old man at weekends and learnt to drive it around the fields before I passed my test and used it on the road. An A35 is perfect because it will teach you tyre control at 20mph, unlike modern cars where the action happens at much higher speeds. My idea of heaven would be a nicely sorted A35 on crossply tyres, and wet roundabouts! And the great thing about classics is that when you're done using them on the road, you can take them to the track as I am currently doing!The 998 A-series is an incredible motor, cheap, reliable, strong and very tunable.
Also concider something a bit different to the usual Mini or Morris Minor, both are great cars, cheap, reliable and fun with fantastic spares support and value retention etc.
Other A-series options include in various CC's and guises:
Austin Metro - seriously under rated but a fantastic Mini alternative
Austin A30/35 - brilliant vehicles, rear wheel drive
Sprite/Midget - two seater roof down fun, also RWD
Elf/Hornet - Posh Mini with a boot!
Morris Marina - Different
Austin, Morris, MG etc 1100/1300 - Reputably the best Austin ever made
Meastro - 80's Hatch an aquired taste
Montego - 80's Saloon an aquired taste
And my personal favorite - The Austin Allegro!
One of the UK's fastest appreciating classics, available as 2 door, 4 door and a fantastic 3 door estate!
Allegro's are still cheap but prices are climbing steadily, a great car with good spares availability and plenty of retro anti cool styling.
Engines include 1100 and 1300 A-series or for those with a desire for something a little different, 1500 and 1750 E-series engines that include a 5 speed box.
Yes, Allegro, mmmmm
Edited by Ben Magoo on Sunday 23 January 09:59
4rephill said:
mgroadster said:
Are you sure the "aggro" is the fastest appreciating car? I would seriously question that statement. In fact I would have placed it still in the "scrap bin", but each to their own.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/imgs/9.gif
To be fair, it's a car that is worth around 200 times what it was worth a couple of years ago!.Don't believe Me?, here's the maths:
Value a couple of years ago = @ £1
Value today = @ £200
The value of my estate has easily doubled in the last two years of ownership!Yes that is right, my Allegro is now worth £2!
(to save the bother )Thanks for the replys (:
so it seems insurance could be a problem then?
Also, would this work as a first car?
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C183728/
so it seems insurance could be a problem then?
Also, would this work as a first car?
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C183728/
doof doof doof said:
so it seems insurance could be a problem then?
Proper 'classic car' insurance certainely could be, which means on 'ordinary' insurance you would be running the risk of not being insured for the cars worth as a classic.doof doof doof said:
Also, would this work as a first car?
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C183728/
Good points about a MGB is that almost every part is available for them form specialists, which makes it a good choice as regular classic transport.http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C183728/
Downside is the potential insurance issue of course.
Try the owners club schemes for insurance. I had a MG Midget at 20 & the MGOC was the only place I could get classic insurance for it.
Some other poster on here has classic insurance at 17, can't remember what on. It was mentioned in a recent thread, a good read of the first page of threads should find who.
Some other poster on here has classic insurance at 17, can't remember what on. It was mentioned in a recent thread, a good read of the first page of threads should find who.
Hooli said:
Try the owners club schemes for insurance. I had a MG Midget at 20 & the MGOC was the only place I could get classic insurance for it.
Some other poster on here has classic insurance at 17, can't remember what on. It was mentioned in a recent thread, a good read of the first page of threads should find who.
Is that not 'MGB Boy'?Some other poster on here has classic insurance at 17, can't remember what on. It was mentioned in a recent thread, a good read of the first page of threads should find who.
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