Classic Cars

Gloomendoom

Limey wrote: »

I used to use my Mk1 MR2 (1987) as a daily commute of 75 miles (round trip)but as above it was pampered hugely and unlike most of the folks I arrived at work with a grin on my face. :cool:

You can arrive at work in a modern car with a grin on your face too. You just need to buy the right car.

Gloomendoom

pulliptears wrote: »

Here's my boy, though like I say I think practically the time has come for us to part

Nice. I have one of those too. A 4 litre V8. Like the 'persian aqua' one in the background.

Sat at the back of the garage at the moment though

Limey

Gloomendoom wrote: »

You can arrive at work in a modern car with a grin on your face too. You just need to buy the right car.

:rotfl:Quite but I can't afford an Elise or a Noble M12.:D

I've alwayrs had a soft spot for the TRs although I love the looks of the GT6.:cool:

pulliptears

Limey wrote: »

:rotfl:Quite but I can't afford an Elise or a Noble M12.:D

I've alwayrs had a soft spot for the TRs although I love the looks of the GT6.:cool:

There is another influence to the decision in fairness.... we also have a 72 Pimento Red TR6, which is 90% restored. The time we put in on the 7 is sadly stopping us from finishing the 6 so I think it's high time we got her finished as she's been 90% for about 5 years now

Loved the V8 though, very nice motor indeed.

andygb

forgotmyname wrote: »

Saving £100 or so on road tax is one thing what about the thousands of pounds it may need welding it up at each MOT?

Not many pre 1973 cars around that wont need welding.

Very true, that is probably the biggest downside of buying an old classic car. The only way to do it, is a chassis up rebuild, making sure that everything on the chassis is waxoyled/rustproofed.
If I had to recommend a pre 1973 car, it would be the BMW 2002, quite economic and quick enough to keep uop with modern traffic.

Wireless_2

If you're not worried about mpg and don't intend to drive far then a Landrover Series 1 (1948-58) with a galvanised chassis rebuild is probably a good bet, if you wish to drive any distance then perhaps a pre-73 Series 3 is a better bet.

Jason1969

I've been looking at pre 73 minis but they seem to have gone up in price a fair old bit especially if you want one in goosd condition. I don't mind the ongoing maintenance, my wife has a Golf and the issues and costs associated with that have been appalling. We had a problem with the computer whic controlled a valve on the carburretor which was expensive at the time. You wouldn't get that [roblem with a good old SU carb, just fit a new jet and off you go.

knightstyle

What about passenger and driver safety. If you have a crash in an old car you will have no airbags, no crush zones etc. They might be fun but for me not worth the risk with all the idiots on the road nowadays.

forgotmyname

I think i would rather be in an old non rusty late 70's big volvo than a small airbagged, crumple zone
equipped hatchback.

By the time you got past the headlight washers and rubber strip on the bumper the front of the little
hatch will look a mess. Then by the volvo bumper bends it will be parked in the boot of the little hatch.

rev_henry

Jason1969 wrote: »

I've been looking at pre 73 minis but they seem to have gone up in price a fair old bit especially if you want one in goosd condition. I don't mind the ongoing maintenance, my wife has a Golf and the issues and costs associated with that have been appalling. We had a problem with the computer whic controlled a valve on the carburretor which was expensive at the time. You wouldn't get that [roblem with a good old SU carb, just fit a new jet and off you go.

I think that's true of many classic cars now unfortunately. When I was buying my first car a couple of years ago I really wanted something interesting - a 2CV or a Morris Minor. Couldn't find anything decent much less than £2000. About 10 years previously my parents bought a 2CV for £350. Ok it needed a new chassis almost immediately but call it £600 with a galvanised chassis. Would be nearer £2000 now. Shame as the insurance was literally the cheapest of ANY car I tried, and its a convertible!