Cheap motoring with "classics"

Notmyrealname

Joe_Horner wrote: »

So where does the money saving come into all of this?
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It doesn't. I've owned classic cars for well over a decade. They are not cheap to run unless you're happy letting the body rot into the ground. Using them in winter when there is salt on the road kills them in no time.

Even if you don't keep up to the bodywork, running a classic is no cheaper than running a banger.

mikey72

Notmyrealname wrote: »

It doesn't. I've owned classic cars for well over a decade. They are not cheap to run unless you're happy letting the body rot into the ground. Using them in winter when there is salt on the road kills them in no time.

Even if you don't keep up to the bodywork, running a classic is no cheaper than running a banger.

Look after them properly in the first place, and they last well enough.
I've got a 45 year old that was used every winter by me in the 80's, and parked outside. Then stored for twenty years, and put back on the road. Only thing that had rusted was the brake lines.
It's still not been welded yet.

Clean them, waxoyl them occasionally.

Joe_Horner

Notmyrealname wrote: »

It doesn't. I've owned classic cars for well over a decade. They are not cheap to run unless you're happy letting the body rot into the ground. Using them in winter when there is salt on the road kills them in no time.

Even if you don't keep up to the bodywork, running a classic is no cheaper than running a banger.

With a little "updating" of their corrosion protection (essentially cavity and underbody wax) and the washing you should give any car when there's salt on the roads, there's no reason at all that they shouldn't last. When they were new did people have to lock them up when winter came??? As for the implication that more modern is automatically better for this - have you looked at many 8 year ol Ford KAs lately?

The rest of the running costs depend entirely on what car you choose (pick a bloody great V8 and of course it'll cost!), how well you choose it (pick a clapped out wreck with zero parts availability and it'll hit you later) and how well you maintain it. All those points apply to any second-hand car, old or modern.

The difference is that the old stuff is well within the capabilities of a reasonable home mechanic to maintain / repair without spending out ££££ on test gear and still having to diagnose many things by replacement.

motorguy

Just bought a 1989 MX5 for £690. Near bullet proof mechanicals and a hoot to drive.

TrickyWicky

So what are the best old cars to buy then? - I saw allegros and maxis mentioned but you're hardly going to get parts for those at the local parts shop are you or even the local scrapster. I suppose its a matter of scavenging via ebay and classics sites but thats hardly going to make for a reliable car is it?

mikey72

TrickyWicky wrote: »

So what are the best old cars to buy then? - I saw allegros and maxis mentioned but you're hardly going to get parts for those at the local parts shop are you or even the local scrapster. I suppose its a matter of scavenging via ebay and classics sites but thats hardly going to make for a reliable car is it?

There are still a lot of parts available, usually very cheap, either ebay, or other on line suppliers.
Last thing I bought was a set of steering gaiters, £6 delivered, french 80's car.

50's or 60's cars are harder to source, 70's aren't too bad, but it helps to be in a club for some bits, most 80's cars are fine.

forgotmyname

All my classic policies have excluded anyone from under 25.

Finding older cars that dont need £10,000 worth of welding will be time
consuming, Especially if you look at 70's british cars.

What about theft?

Useless locks and security.

justjohn

What about old land rovers?
Parts are plentifully and have a great user base
Built like tanks.

Drawbacks - heating,fuel consumption and comfort (however that can be sorted)

Mind you they are easy too nick lol

TrickyWicky

forgotmyname wrote: »

What about theft?

I did wonder about that myself. I suppose there is the other way of looking at it - If its old and ugly looking no-one will want it but even then boy racers and !!!!!! might.

mikey72

forgotmyname wrote: »

All my classic policies have excluded anyone from under 25.

Finding older cars that dont need £10,000 worth of welding will be time
consuming, Especially if you look at 70's british cars.

What about theft?

Useless locks and security.

Mine have 18 year olds on. Until this month, 17 year olds were ok.

There's always going to be bad cars, even on newer ones.
Good ones aren't hard to find though.

Put an immobiliser on. (We haven't, but occasionally put a steering wheel lock on)