Urge for a classic car - suggestions?
Discussion
I have just been browsing some classic car magazines and really fancy a second car, something older, interesting and fun. It isn't going to be garage bound but can live under a cover on the driveway. Thus I fear my favourite daily classics (Alfa GT Junior/Spider) are out of the window, simply because they are too special.
Budget around £4-5k
My current thoughts are :-
Triumph GT6 - Probably the MK2 as I believe the MK1 had the less desirable suspension. (I love the appearance of this car, with the twin stainless pipes and chrome bumpers)
Replica 7 - Not so classic, but has elements and great fun.
MGB GT V8 - A friend had a 3.5 injection version and it was great, but would feel like I was going over old ground.
The GT6 probably appeals the most, is there anything else on the used market that is similar to it?
Budget around £4-5k
My current thoughts are :-
Triumph GT6 - Probably the MK2 as I believe the MK1 had the less desirable suspension. (I love the appearance of this car, with the twin stainless pipes and chrome bumpers)
Replica 7 - Not so classic, but has elements and great fun.
MGB GT V8 - A friend had a 3.5 injection version and it was great, but would feel like I was going over old ground.
The GT6 probably appeals the most, is there anything else on the used market that is similar to it?
I have an Alfa Spider as a second car.
It gets used constantly in the summer, even on fairly long trips. I don't mind using it in the rain, although it does leak. Thankfully I don't have a commute. I work offshore, this year it was only used for about 5 weeks really as I was away for most of the summer. Although I think I put on a 2-3 thousand miles on her.
She gets put to bed around October time as thats when the salt starts appering on the roads up in Scotland.
It is quite special and it makes you feel like a million dollars when you get behind the wheel especially on a sunny day with the roof down.
Look on my profile for what I have spent on her. Some welding and some cosmetic things over the last two years.
I would get one if thats what you want, you will only kick yourself if you dont
It gets used constantly in the summer, even on fairly long trips. I don't mind using it in the rain, although it does leak. Thankfully I don't have a commute. I work offshore, this year it was only used for about 5 weeks really as I was away for most of the summer. Although I think I put on a 2-3 thousand miles on her.
She gets put to bed around October time as thats when the salt starts appering on the roads up in Scotland.
It is quite special and it makes you feel like a million dollars when you get behind the wheel especially on a sunny day with the roof down.
Look on my profile for what I have spent on her. Some welding and some cosmetic things over the last two years.
I would get one if thats what you want, you will only kick yourself if you dont
A good way to buy a classic is to go to car shows.
Not the ideal time of year to suggest this I know
The prev owner cares about cars.
It has an MOT.
It runs well enough to get there.
It is nearly always cheaper to buy a car that runs.
Than the "it just needs ......"
Classic means a lot of things to different people.
Often it is the car you liked when you first passed your test. Or in my case the car that won at Le Mans when I passed my test.
The suggestion above of a C4 is worth considering. Financially sound purchase I would think, parts easily available and you'll get your money back after a couple of years driving. Which is nice.
Not the ideal time of year to suggest this I know
The prev owner cares about cars.
It has an MOT.
It runs well enough to get there.
It is nearly always cheaper to buy a car that runs.
Than the "it just needs ......"
Classic means a lot of things to different people.
Often it is the car you liked when you first passed your test. Or in my case the car that won at Le Mans when I passed my test.
The suggestion above of a C4 is worth considering. Financially sound purchase I would think, parts easily available and you'll get your money back after a couple of years driving. Which is nice.
Alfachick said:
I have an Alfa Spider as a second car.
It gets used constantly in the summer, even on fairly long trips. I don't mind using it in the rain, although it does leak. Thankfully I don't have a commute. I work offshore, this year it was only used for about 5 weeks really as I was away for most of the summer. Although I think I put on a 2-3 thousand miles on her.
She gets put to bed around October time as thats when the salt starts appering on the roads up in Scotland.
It is quite special and it makes you feel like a million dollars when you get behind the wheel especially on a sunny day with the roof down.
Look on my profile for what I have spent on her. Some welding and some cosmetic things over the last two years.
I would get one if thats what you want, you will only kick yourself if you dont
Apologies to OP for non rel question, although it may be of interest to you.It gets used constantly in the summer, even on fairly long trips. I don't mind using it in the rain, although it does leak. Thankfully I don't have a commute. I work offshore, this year it was only used for about 5 weeks really as I was away for most of the summer. Although I think I put on a 2-3 thousand miles on her.
She gets put to bed around October time as thats when the salt starts appering on the roads up in Scotland.
It is quite special and it makes you feel like a million dollars when you get behind the wheel especially on a sunny day with the roof down.
Look on my profile for what I have spent on her. Some welding and some cosmetic things over the last two years.
I would get one if thats what you want, you will only kick yourself if you dont
Helen (Alfachick)
I just checked your profile, it would appear you got a steal there. A 71 in what appears to be excellent condition. 6K + 1.6 in repairs and servicing.
Already restored ?
Bought from a friend, or advertised.
Or are you Scots just really good at picking up bargins
(Brit in the US, so a bit out of touch with UK prices)
5 USA said:
If you can stretch that budget a fraction you could get yourself into a C4 Corvette which would be a couple of decades more modern, should be reliable and will be very much faster. What's more, there's no risk of rust if you're leaving it outside.
Bit different from the triumphs and such he's thinking about it though nNot quite the same but thanks for the 300bhp/ton input for this thread
jeff m said:
Apologies to OP for non rel question, although it may be of interest to you.
Helen (Alfachick)
I just checked your profile, it would appear you got a steal there. A 71 in what appears to be excellent condition. 6K + 1.6 in repairs and servicing.
Already restored ?
Bought from a friend, or advertised.
Or are you Scots just really good at picking up bargins
(Brit in the US, so a bit out of touch with UK prices)
Yes I am Scottish so managed to pick the car up for a steal. Even the salesman commented on my barganing powers Helen (Alfachick)
I just checked your profile, it would appear you got a steal there. A 71 in what appears to be excellent condition. 6K + 1.6 in repairs and servicing.
Already restored ?
Bought from a friend, or advertised.
Or are you Scots just really good at picking up bargins
(Brit in the US, so a bit out of touch with UK prices)
It was advertised at £6950 so got about a grand off The car was for sale through an independent sports car dealer down Manchester way and had been for sale for a wee while before I saw it. I traded in my GTV V6 against it and paid the difference.
When I was going through the history (that only goes back to the 80's) I found quite a few bills in there for £3000 upwards, for new sills, wings, rear pannels etc. Also one for an engine rebuild, although it was only the top end.
There is still a smallish list of things that need doing, and I think I will need a new passenger sill in the next 5 years or so, but it is not desperate at the moment. The hood needs replacing as it leaks and was a cheep replacement back in the early 90's.
Shes a keeper and I love her to bits. If I ever sell her (god forbid) then I like to think that I would make any money that I spent on her back.
Sorry for the OT reply
The GT6 is a great occasional classic. They are very easy to keep running and nothing is expensive or difficult to fix. All parts are just a call away but you don't see many of them around.
Any of the models are worth having, I'd buy on condition of the body as the priority.
You won't get an immaculate one for £5K but you'll find one that is a runner and fairly tidy.
Any of the models are worth having, I'd buy on condition of the body as the priority.
You won't get an immaculate one for £5K but you'll find one that is a runner and fairly tidy.
Go on treat yourself, they are special...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Alfa-Romeo-GTV-2000-Coupe-Bertone-105-Veloce-Classic-/170575887435?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item27b71d7c4b
Keep it under your cover and waxoil it properly, make sure it doesn't leak and dry it out quickly if it does.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Alfa-Romeo-GTV-2000-Coupe-Bertone-105-Veloce-Classic-/170575887435?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item27b71d7c4b
Keep it under your cover and waxoil it properly, make sure it doesn't leak and dry it out quickly if it does.
Thanks for all the replies
Corvette C4 looks very interesting, isn't that the series used in the A-Team? (always had a soft spot).
Alfa folk (waves)- Amazed that the GTV 2000 linked was up for offers at £5500, they were nearer £7-10k when I was looking before. (Buyers guide already in my car book collection).
I think maybe I should take a closer look at the Juniors and Spiders again, just to see what I can lay my hands on. If the spider, would probably be the kamm tail, not a fan of the rubber tail and can't afford the duetto
I remember driving a slightly ropey spider through some forest roads, sounded fantastic on the weber carbs.
GT6 still sounds like a good proposition as well, I think I need to go out and drive one.
Corvette C4 looks very interesting, isn't that the series used in the A-Team? (always had a soft spot).
Alfa folk
(waves)- Amazed that the GTV 2000 linked was up for offers at £5500, they were nearer £7-10k when I was looking before. (Buyers guide already in my car book collection). I think maybe I should take a closer look at the Juniors and Spiders again, just to see what I can lay my hands on. If the spider, would probably be the kamm tail, not a fan of the rubber tail and can't afford the duetto
I remember driving a slightly ropey spider through some forest roads, sounded fantastic on the weber carbs.
GT6 still sounds like a good proposition as well, I think I need to go out and drive one.
C4 vette was the A team one, but there are a LOT of issues, such as impossibly bad electrics - especially dashes, very dodgy handling, terrible ride, and general cheesiness of it. Nothing like as fast as you'd think either (a fiat cope 20v turbo will humiliate it in the real world, i've seen it done with my own eyes) For £4k you're going to get an early tired C4, that is going to be anything but reliable, likely auto (700R4 - a rather ropey box at best) and absolutely festooned with electrical gremlins and the sort of bodges only yank car owners seem to be able to do. kinda del boy / medallion man in image, not really a classic either.
for £4k? hmmmmmmmm..... i'd be looking for a Datsun 240 / 260Z or saving a little more and spending £9k on an early 80's 911. failing that, something 80's-tastic like a Merc 190E Cosworth, or a sierra Cosworth would do the trick, or how about a porsche 944? £4k should get a gorgeous one.
for £4k? hmmmmmmmm..... i'd be looking for a Datsun 240 / 260Z or saving a little more and spending £9k on an early 80's 911. failing that, something 80's-tastic like a Merc 190E Cosworth, or a sierra Cosworth would do the trick, or how about a porsche 944? £4k should get a gorgeous one.
Edited by philoldsmobile on Friday 24th December 20:03
philoldsmobile said:
for £6k? hmmmmmmmm..... i'd be looking for a Datsun 240 / 260Z
You won't get much of a 24Z for that money. If you are looking at plastic fantastics of the 80's how about an Alpine Renault GTA V6 Turbo. I've had a few and they are fantastic, you should get the best available for £6K. Certainly a better car to own than say a 911.Eagerbeaver said:
philoldsmobile said:
for £6k? hmmmmmmmm..... i'd be looking for a Datsun 240 / 260Z
You won't get much of a 24Z for that money. If you are looking at plastic fantastics of the 80's how about an Alpine Renault GTA V6 Turbo. I've had a few and they are fantastic, you should get the best available for £6K. Certainly a better car to own than say a 911.Edited by philoldsmobile on Friday 24th December 20:08
V6Alfisti said:
Thanks for all the replies
Corvette C4 looks very interesting, isn't that the series used in the A-Team? (always had a soft spot).
Alfa folk (waves)- Amazed that the GTV 2000 linked was up for offers at £5500, they were nearer £7-10k when I was looking before. (Buyers guide already in my car book collection).
I think maybe I should take a closer look at the Juniors and Spiders again, just to see what I can lay my hands on. If the spider, would probably be the kamm tail, not a fan of the rubber tail and can't afford the duetto
I remember driving a slightly ropey spider through some forest roads, sounded fantastic on the weber carbs.
GT6 still sounds like a good proposition as well, I think I need to go out and drive one.
To be honest that 2000GTV seemed a bit too cheap to me, you are nearer the mark with 7 to 10k, (or more for something really nice), there are a few about cheaper but they will have issues.Corvette C4 looks very interesting, isn't that the series used in the A-Team? (always had a soft spot).
Alfa folk
(waves)- Amazed that the GTV 2000 linked was up for offers at £5500, they were nearer £7-10k when I was looking before. (Buyers guide already in my car book collection). I think maybe I should take a closer look at the Juniors and Spiders again, just to see what I can lay my hands on. If the spider, would probably be the kamm tail, not a fan of the rubber tail and can't afford the duetto
I remember driving a slightly ropey spider through some forest roads, sounded fantastic on the weber carbs.
GT6 still sounds like a good proposition as well, I think I need to go out and drive one.
GT6's are nice too, but the earlier ones had a weird rear suspension set up, best avoided it seems. Back in Alfa land, what about a GTV6?
philoldsmobile said:
for £4k? hmmmmmmmm..... i'd be looking for a Datsun 240 / 260Z or saving a little more and spending £9k on an early 80's 911.
Well ho! ho! ho! in a festive stylee. You rubbish the Vette and then suggest a 40 year old rust-bucket! And I'm sure suggesting a £9k Porsche when the budget's £4k-£5k is really helpful. Each to their own...
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