will an old car disappoint?
Discussion
for some reason I have the urge to change from a modern car with all the (sort of)necessary (to me!) creature comforts to a (modified) classic, however, I'm not sure if it'll end up being a disappointment, I guess that 'poster cars' from yesteryear all have that (potential) issue: for example you may decide to trade in your MX5 and get yourself an MGB or even TR6. The reality is that neither of those 2 would see which way an MX5 went on a straight road, let alone round twisty bits. The upside to the lack of performance and road-manners is that you're in for a different way to drive (probably cruising rather than 'spirited' driving) which may (?) be more restful.
Currently my car has (among other things): cruise control; heated/cooled electric seats & windows; climate control; decent ICE; 8sp auto with flappy paddle (I do love this!!); ABS/ESC/etc;
If I go for a modified classic I can have a great deal of the creature comforts as either a retrofit or even standard fitment (AC for example) but will the 50 year old driving manners just piss me off? I would hope that a well sorted classic/restomod would be (relatively) reliable but.... Has anyone on here made the move and regretted it or glad they made it?
One thing to mention is that this is not the main car so there is a degree of flexibility...
Currently my car has (among other things): cruise control; heated/cooled electric seats & windows; climate control; decent ICE; 8sp auto with flappy paddle (I do love this!!); ABS/ESC/etc;
If I go for a modified classic I can have a great deal of the creature comforts as either a retrofit or even standard fitment (AC for example) but will the 50 year old driving manners just piss me off? I would hope that a well sorted classic/restomod would be (relatively) reliable but.... Has anyone on here made the move and regretted it or glad they made it?
One thing to mention is that this is not the main car so there is a degree of flexibility...
DodgyGeezer said:
for some reason I have the urge to change from a modern car with all the (sort of)necessary (to me!) creature comforts to a (modified) classic, however, I'm not sure if it'll end up being a disappointment, I guess that 'poster cars' from yesteryear all have that (potential) issue: for example you may decide to trade in your MX5 and get yourself an MGB or even TR6. The reality is that neither of those 2 would see which way an MX5 went on a straight road, let alone round twisty bits. The upside to the lack of performance and road-manners is that you're in for a different way to drive (probably cruising rather than 'spirited' driving) which may (?) be more restful.
Currently my car has (among other things): cruise control; heated/cooled electric seats & windows; climate control; decent ICE; 8sp auto with flappy paddle (I do love this!!); ABS/ESC/etc;
If I go for a modified classic I can have a great deal of the creature comforts as either a retrofit or even standard fitment (AC for example) but will the 50 year old driving manners just piss me off? I would hope that a well sorted classic/restomod would be (relatively) reliable but.... Has anyone on here made the move and regretted it or glad they made it?
One thing to mention is that this is not the main car so there is a degree of flexibility...
If you are planning on using it as a daily driver then yes, this is why people have second cars as we can't let go of all the creature comforts in modern cars.Currently my car has (among other things): cruise control; heated/cooled electric seats & windows; climate control; decent ICE; 8sp auto with flappy paddle (I do love this!!); ABS/ESC/etc;
If I go for a modified classic I can have a great deal of the creature comforts as either a retrofit or even standard fitment (AC for example) but will the 50 year old driving manners just piss me off? I would hope that a well sorted classic/restomod would be (relatively) reliable but.... Has anyone on here made the move and regretted it or glad they made it?
One thing to mention is that this is not the main car so there is a degree of flexibility...
My toy is from 1992 so 32 years old now. I could use it daily, but it's not the lack of certain creature comforts that stops me using it daily.
Firstly it wouldn't feel as special if I used it every day and secondly, while old cars certainly liked to be used, they don't like getting wet, or salt, and because of their age they will need more maintenance.
Firstly it wouldn't feel as special if I used it every day and secondly, while old cars certainly liked to be used, they don't like getting wet, or salt, and because of their age they will need more maintenance.
An MGB or a TR6 is perfectly suited to spirited driving, so long as you concentrate and accept that you won't be going as fast as if driving a modern sports car in a spirited fashion - which of course is probably an advantage on the road anyway.
I reckon that the reason you see them being used to bumble around in is more about the age of the average TR6/MGB driver than the car itself!
I reckon that the reason you see them being used to bumble around in is more about the age of the average TR6/MGB driver than the car itself!
You say it won't be a main car so what have you got to lose trying one for a while. Depreciation if bought at the right price is likely to be virtually zero and at least you will know.
I've used various 60s and 70s cars as regular daily cars over the past 10 years and I'm fine with them.
Yes, they don't have the creature comforts, safety systems or economy of anything built in the last 30 years but they have a charm and character which makes it worthwhile.
I've used various 60s and 70s cars as regular daily cars over the past 10 years and I'm fine with them.
Yes, they don't have the creature comforts, safety systems or economy of anything built in the last 30 years but they have a charm and character which makes it worthwhile.
When I first went permie with my current company in 2004 I used my 87 Porsche 944 as my daily driver. I did 38K miles in 18 months. Aside from a couple of punctures it was fine, no other breakdowns. I either serviced it myself at weekends or used an indy to do it. Over that time it returned low 30ish MPG.
Not quite as bad an older classic it had electric windows, central locking and a sunroof. The only thing I really wanted was a/c. A trip to Leeds from Chatham in the summer was a hot sweaty experience.
Not quite as bad an older classic it had electric windows, central locking and a sunroof. The only thing I really wanted was a/c. A trip to Leeds from Chatham in the summer was a hot sweaty experience.
As long as you accept it for what it is then older cars are very useable.
I travelled to Goodwood last year 4 up in a friends Bristol 401 and was amazed by how good it was.
Lights and HV were a bit ropey but the ride and handling was much better than many modern cars I’ve driven.
I think it would be a very interesting project to gently upgrade with, for example, LED lights, electric air con, hidden head unit with wireless Apple CarPlay.
I travelled to Goodwood last year 4 up in a friends Bristol 401 and was amazed by how good it was.
Lights and HV were a bit ropey but the ride and handling was much better than many modern cars I’ve driven.
I think it would be a very interesting project to gently upgrade with, for example, LED lights, electric air con, hidden head unit with wireless Apple CarPlay.
I’ve got an old P38 Range Rover which I use most days. It’s been very well looked after and I love driving it. Regular maintenance is key, especially if you do it yourself and they love being used. I’ve got a period looking Blaupunkt head unit, which has Bluetooth and DAB. It also has cruise control and heated seats that work.
I say go for it.
I say go for it.
Edited by KingGary on Monday 10th June 19:27
mac96 said:
An MGB or a TR6 is perfectly suited to spirited driving, so long as you concentrate and accept that you won't be going as fast as if driving a modern sports car in a spirited fashion - which of course is probably an advantage on the road anyway.
I reckon that the reason you see them being used to bumble around in is more about the age of the average TR6/MGB driver than the car itself!
I reckon that the reason you see them being used to bumble around in is more about the age of the average TR6/MGB driver than the car itself!
In many ways my MGB was more fun to push hard on the road than my Elise simply because its limits were so much lower. You could throw the thing through corners playing with the limits of grip at two-thirds of the speed that a modern Kia Picanto could take them without trying. I'd love to have space and funds to run a 60s classic of some sort alongside my Lotus. It was even less suited than the Lotus to being a daily though - it was temperamental, tended to leak, rusted if you allowed water within a couple of miles of it, felt like it was going to take off at motorway speeds and used far more fuel.
Edited by kambites on Monday 10th June 19:34
I have an 87 El Camino that I daily in the summer months. I used to cycle to work for the most part, with the car being mainly used at weekends. A bit accident left me unable/unwilling to bike in so I use the car a lot more. It's fine, but as another poster has said, it does make it feel less special. And relying on it as a work vehicle adds a lot more stress!
Years ago I bought a tatty 205 Gti as a project. It had been lowered far too much at the rear and it just bounced everywhere whatever the speed.
Id also bought an 18m old 182 and as soon as I drove the Clio and enjoyed the decent air con etc, I knew I would never really enjoy the 205 so I flogged it eventually.
Perhaps an extreme example given the 205 was an old s
tter and I am a very hot and sweaty person!
Id also bought an 18m old 182 and as soon as I drove the Clio and enjoyed the decent air con etc, I knew I would never really enjoy the 205 so I flogged it eventually.
Perhaps an extreme example given the 205 was an old s
tter and I am a very hot and sweaty person! Well, an old car is an old car, that's what it is.
Just how old is your decision.
You simply have to accept that it's different to today's cars, but mostly in the entertainment and NVH areas, whereas modern(ish) tires and regular service go a long way.
Folk in every era drove their respective cars daily, as long as it is in good technical nick there should be no issues whatsoever using it today as well.
I drove my C2 Corvette (manual, no mods) more than any other car last year, around 6k miles, no heated seats, no ac, no ps, original tire size, and enjoyed every minute, never missed anything.
Actually every gadget you have in your latest models was invented at least 50 years ago anyway, American cars from the 40s onwards had most of the stuff you consider high-tech today. You'll be surprised how long all these comfort features have been available.
But going for an older car is a commitment, you simply have to find out which era or type of car is right for you.
In the end you won't regret it, this I can promise.
Just how old is your decision.
You simply have to accept that it's different to today's cars, but mostly in the entertainment and NVH areas, whereas modern(ish) tires and regular service go a long way.
Folk in every era drove their respective cars daily, as long as it is in good technical nick there should be no issues whatsoever using it today as well.
I drove my C2 Corvette (manual, no mods) more than any other car last year, around 6k miles, no heated seats, no ac, no ps, original tire size, and enjoyed every minute, never missed anything.
Actually every gadget you have in your latest models was invented at least 50 years ago anyway, American cars from the 40s onwards had most of the stuff you consider high-tech today. You'll be surprised how long all these comfort features have been available.
But going for an older car is a commitment, you simply have to find out which era or type of car is right for you.
In the end you won't regret it, this I can promise.
If you like what's fitted to a modern car then yes, probably, a classic car is going to disappoint. Older cars are better suited to those who look at what's fitted to new cars and wonder what on earth one is supposed to do with all those bells and whistles whilst driving. I'm in that camp; as a 'driving minimalist' I didn't even bother to use some of the stuff fitted to a car once owned that was so old it would now be thought a real classic.
As a thought experiment: would you be happy driving something like a Mark One Mondeo or a mid-nineties Cavalier, Primera, Peugeot 405 or similar? If not, indeed if the thought fills you with dread, then you'll despise something older. If, however, you're the type to think that the only vehicle that needs eight gears is a lorry, then you'll probably be fine.
As a thought experiment: would you be happy driving something like a Mark One Mondeo or a mid-nineties Cavalier, Primera, Peugeot 405 or similar? If not, indeed if the thought fills you with dread, then you'll despise something older. If, however, you're the type to think that the only vehicle that needs eight gears is a lorry, then you'll probably be fine.
Edited by Missy Charm on Monday 10th June 21:30
Old cars are flipping brilliant.
Anyone who has owned anything vaguely new has no clue what they are missing out on.
Depends on the car but buy a good one, have it fully rustproofed and keep on top of any body issues and you will be fine.
Something normal like an old Mondeo as mentioned or a 3 Series which has been refreshed will show a brand new car how it's done in many ways.
I really dislike new cars in general. Hateful things which have made people lazy (as seen on multiple PH threads).
Anyone who has owned anything vaguely new has no clue what they are missing out on.
Depends on the car but buy a good one, have it fully rustproofed and keep on top of any body issues and you will be fine.
Something normal like an old Mondeo as mentioned or a 3 Series which has been refreshed will show a brand new car how it's done in many ways.
I really dislike new cars in general. Hateful things which have made people lazy (as seen on multiple PH threads).
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