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Thinking of getting a classic car...

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herman		Thinking of getting a classic car...	14-02-2013 @ 03:52
hermit Member 3904, 988 posts	I might be getting my first car soon. Begrudgingly as I am not really into driving and will struggle to pay for it. But needs are needs. To soften the blow I was thinking of getting something fun like a mk1 Escort. I have always liked the look of cars like this and it will make me grin to drive around in. Nice escorts are probably pushing my budget, so am keen to hear other recommendations too. Thinking of something 1970-1982 sort of period. Dont need it to go really fast, probably wont be using it on motorways. But handle & brake well, not be a rust bucket and not be too fuel hungry. Any recommendations?
Peltomaa		...	14-02-2013 @ 04:04
Finlands Strongest Man u105 Member 891, 1935 posts SQ 280, BP 200, DL 362 842.0 kgs @ 108kgs UnEq	Datsun 100A thats a f**king legend!!!! Opel Kadett model C ACE!!!! Opel Manta exciting!!!! Ford Cortina lovely!!!
keyser_soze		...	14-02-2013 @ 07:30
And like that... he is gone. Member 2848, 771 posts	Post Edited: 14.02.2013 @ 07:32 AM by keyser_soze all the above suggestions are lovely cars. but for someone who's not really in to driving (and I presume cars) then it's probably not the best idea. I absolutely love old cars and the vast majority of cars I've owned have been older than I am. but unless you spend a big chunk of time and money modernising them old cars are just not as fast or reliable as new cars. if you keep your classis standard then there is also the very very very high likely hood that your classic will fail to start or randomly break down. most of my cars have been kept pretty original and they're lovely to drive but they almost all let me down on occasion. I've also had some classics with very modern running gear and they're a lot more reliable but all required a fair bit more maintenance. you'll also have the problem that a huge amount of garages will not be able to do even the most basic of work on a classic car (some will have never even seen a carb)or know where to source any of the required parts. now if you can live with all that. in addition to the suggestions above I'd recommend any old BMWs. if you can find one for a reasonable price a 2002 is a lovely car or failing that a 1602. the original 3 series the E21s are lovely. the E28 5 series are lovely cars. you'd get one for very reasonable money and the one I drove for a year was the most reliable old car I've owned. old VWs are nice but carry a massive cool tax can't go wrong with old landrovers. except when they break down every week big old mercs don't make a lot of money and are build like tanks
milsy		...	14-02-2013 @ 07:48
Ne n coner a fuickex .ay ouse part we .be Member 1425, 4647 posts SQ 340, BP 227.5, DL 335 902.5 kgs @ 125kgs UnEq	I wouldn't do it Unless you want it as a toy and your mechnically minded with bodywork knowledge welding etc it will cost you a lot of money in the long iv done a few restorations when I was a panel beater and therfore hate classic cars I like the look don't get me wrong but the reliability and just awkwardness out wieghs it for me Projects I worked.on Mk1 escourt Mk2 escourt Austin/crysler avenger Mk1 transit van ex fire engine from Belgium ( still have nigtmares about this) Capri ( wasn't actually that bad an was very cheap just scary to drive) Hillman imp Mk1 golf Mk2 golf (the lad who had this racked up over 10 grand restoring and modrrnising it) A few diffrent minis Oh and a bright Orange Mk1 fiesta that ended up in fast Ford If you want somthing proper cheap to buy and abit diffrent by a fiat 126 We had one as a toy it was pretty fun to fly around in
brownbear		...	14-02-2013 @ 08:15
Morrisons - rump - 7£ Member 2206, 11578 posts SQ 228, BP 150, DL 260 638.0 kgs @ 98kgs UnEq	I think with your budget, itll just end up costing you more than a non classic car
Simeon		...	14-02-2013 @ 08:16
tight in the hole Member 2057, 3121 posts SQ 205, BP 140, DL 260 605.0 kgs @ 95kgs UnEq	as well as the reliability issue which has been mentioned, fuel economy as much worse in older cars
herman		...	14-02-2013 @ 10:38
hermit Member 3904, 988 posts	I've Been looking at the limited fuel efficiency info and it seems the smaller lighter old cars are similar to the typical modern cars in my budget. It seems I would need a brand spanker to do any better on fuel. I would also like to learn to fix things myself -maybe doing a welding course. Got perhaps 5k for something nice.
milsy		...	14-02-2013 @ 11:12
Ne n coner a fuickex .ay ouse part we .be Member 1425, 4647 posts SQ 340, BP 227.5, DL 335 902.5 kgs @ 125kgs UnEq	If you are wanting a classic I would spend a £1000 and save the £4000 till after you have got it through an MOT early fords are a nightmare for example you have a front wing thats rotten and needs replacing no probs on a modern car just bolt it off by the part paint it fit it blend into the door jobs a good en with a classic 1. Its welded on 2. If you can find a panel chances are it won’t fit company’s like imperial bought the original moulds from the manufactures these original moulds were high quality and made from expensive metals and would not change from mould to mould where as company’s have re created these moulds cheaper and they change mould from mould until they need replacing can have upto 10mm difference between OE panel and one being reproduced for restoration 3. If you cant get the panel you will have to make it this takes years of experience took me 2 years of panel beating everyday until I could make boot floors that looked OE etc 4. You never know what your gunna find under the wing rust spreads like wild fire I know its not a classic but If I was going to buy something abit old and fun I would by a mint mk1 106 rallye 1.3 8v really fun to drive getting rare now and will be a future classic
Fazc		...	14-02-2013 @ 11:26
Sports an extremely muscular arse. Member 38, 6253 posts	If you're going to go that old and accept the problems that come with it, then go pre-70's and road tax free. Karmann Ghia, very nice looking and sounding drive!
milsy		...	14-02-2013 @ 11:32
Ne n coner a fuickex .ay ouse part we .be Member 1425, 4647 posts SQ 340, BP 227.5, DL 335 902.5 kgs @ 125kgs UnEq	DAMN YOU HERMAN!!! this thread has made me want to buy somthing old again haha seriosly thinking of aother 126 if I could find one http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:1973_Fiat_126_IMG_7855.jpg
brynevans		...	14-02-2013 @ 12:57
Scotbasher - forever Member 59, 2115 posts	Post Edited: 14.02.2013 @ 13:00 PM by brynevans I've got a Mk1 AVO Mexico with 2 litre, 5spd box, bilsteins etc It's a really fun car to blast around the B roads in but it can be very tiring in normal traffic compared to newer cars. Things like poor wipers, wind noise, road noise and manual windows are poor and in motorway traffic the gearing is a bit short so is revving hard at 70mph even with a 5speed box. There's plenty of mechanical parts out there for them but some of the trim etc can be hard to come by these days. You never see them in scrap yards and if you look on ebay you'll see that they go for a lot now(I've had mine over 15yrs now)especially 2dr models. You'll probably find that the insurance insist that it's garaged as they are easily stolen too, cheap to cover on ltd mileage policy. Have you thought about a Mk1 golf?
Funky_monkey		...	14-02-2013 @ 13:09
403 forbidden message Member 160, 5121 posts SQ 190, BP 137.5, DL 225 552.5 kgs @ 86kgs UnEq	You wanna buy a Mk1 Golf GTI?
Rodger		...	14-02-2013 @ 13:15
salad dodger *missing* Member 1805, 10367 posts SQ 215, BP 121, DL 240 576.0 kgs @ 100kgs UnEq	Arent mk1 escort wings like £400 or somethink I heard
Frio3535		...	14-02-2013 @ 13:21
Member 346, 163 posts SQ 0, BP 0, DL 335 335.0 kgs @ 84kgs Eq	but who was logic?
milsy		...	14-02-2013 @ 13:33
Ne n coner a fuickex .ay ouse part we .be Member 1425, 4647 posts SQ 340, BP 227.5, DL 335 902.5 kgs @ 125kgs UnEq	Rodger said:Arent mk1 escort wings like £400 or somethink I heard Sounds about right my tutor at collage had us restoring his Mk2 for a project mechanics got to build a katrum style kit car and we got this pile of rust haha Tutor bid on and won a "mint" conditon rear wing for like 600 quid when it turned up it was pepperd with dents and rust patches and had been lopped off another Mk2 with a gas axe 600 well spent lol

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