A classic car for weekend use but reliable

MorningStar

Hi,

We have really little use for a car as we live close to most things. The wife does use a car to work but only for 15 minutes each way. SHe wants to get an environmental car to suit the short run but we still need a proper car for bigger distances like cross country. DUe to tax an insurance a classic car might fit the spec for a weekend car. I am really asking if that is a good idea? What type of car we should get? And general costs

mustang68

Hmmm, dosn't sound like a great idea for your needs, few points that you mentioned

bigger distances: Classic are *generally* not for driving large distances,
Costs: The cost of running a classic (like any car I suppose) is very unpredictable, insurance and tax are fine, bit repairs can be unpredictable, with some repairs needing difficult to find bits that will leave you off the road for a few weeks
Type: If your not thinking that "i'd love to drive a X, or the Y has always been my favourite looking car, then your not getting a classic for the looks/love
Enviromental concerns: You mentioned that you are trying to drive an enviromentally friendly car during the week, if you suddenly find yourself drive a 30 year old car without emmission control, coming in at a low milage then you've pretty much wiped out all your green driving during the week

You might want to consider a more modern classic Nissan Figaro (spelling?), or what I do: get a 92-96 Toyta/Mazda/Nissan, You'll get whatever a big ~94 Toyota is for less then a grand, good condition, cheap/availilble parts and if it dies...no tears

Alfasudcrazy

A good chance to plug my 1977 peugeot 504 perhaps.:o

For sale at just €3,600 this 1977 504 has just 41,000 miles on the clock since new and is 99.9% rust free. Just a bubble or two at the base of one of the rear doors.

The car has only had two owners and comes with reams of service history and old mot certs.

Its a comfortable dependable 1.8 petrol 4 speed luxobarge but is still quite economical.
It will reach the magic 30 year classic milestone in August of 2007 thus reducing the annual tax bill to €46. It already qualifies for classic insurance of course.

I am selling it as I have just bought a 1980 scirocco and need the garage space.:rolleyes:

PM me if you are interested.

MorningStar

Actually the car there is not far off what I would be interested in. I would Robin Reliant or a fancier version Reagal? A VW Beatle, a few of the 70s Citren cars are still pretty cool. A car for the short runs to work would not be ignore either. I am pretty open to ideas. Having two cars is part of the idea but one might not be used that regularly so the cheaper insurance and tax was what I was thinking. It is cheaper right? I have a garage for it but a small garage at that.
I don't want to spend lots of time fixing it or maintatining it is there anything close?

phoenix_nights

Alfasudcrazy wrote:

1977 504 has just 41,000 miles on the clock since

If i had the space i would. Never into french cars except the renowned 504. How did you come across one with only 41K ! A mate of mines one year old car is coming close to that number!

ds20prefecture

Despite the higher emissions, a classic is an excellent choice environmentally. Far more harmful byproducts are produced when a car is being made than when a car is used. If you buy a classic, that's potentially one less new car being made. Think of a classic car as the ultimate in recylcing.

Regarding long distances, any regular sized classic will be fine - in fact the car will enjoy regular long journeys much more than frequent short ones. The Peugeot above (and most French cars of this vintage) is an excellent long range cruiser, with lovely soft suspension, tall gearing and torquey engines. Likewise they have sufficient poke to keep up with traffic. Avoid small engined or underpowered cars (like the Fiat 500, Reliant robin, Beetle or 2CV) if you want to enjoy regular long journeys. Having said that occasional long journeys in something like a 2cv can be a lot of fun, for the sense of acheivement.

For a weekend car, and with your limited garage space, you could consider something a little less practical - a two seater convertible or a small sports car, for example.

MorningStar wrote:

I don't want to spend lots of time fixing it or maintatining it is there anything close?

For me, this all depends on how well you buy it and how frequently you use it. I would pay as much as you can afford when buying to get a good example and have an expert in the chosen model inspect it for you first so that you know what you're getting into. Cars do not like sitting up, and will develop all sorts of irritating and difficult to diagnose issues if left idle. Regular use with regular professional servicing will ensure reliability.

I've put about 40000km on my 1972 Citroën DS in the 3 years I've had it, and it has been a paragon of reliability and a joy to own. I've had to renew a lot of the components through wear and tear, but that was down to the level of originality that I sought when I bought it. It is still cheaper to own than a modern car, primarily due to the lack of depreciation.

What is your budget? Anything older than 30 years will qualify for cheap insurance and road tax. Most things will hold their value well, provided they are maintained well.

Stevo11

oh I've got just the thing for you! I have to sell my 1995 VW Beetle (old shape, aircooled 1.6 engine).

See my thread here :
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054896218

All the clean joys of Fuel injection + catalytic convertor, plus its only 11 years old!

Steve

mustang68

The beetle would be a perfect car as it would tick all your boxes (that sounds rude, sorry ) so to speak.

MorningStar

I am really open to ideas on this as a whole. A two seater is fine only me and the misses. We currently have a Nissan Micra but it does the job as we don't need it for much.

We either buy one new car or my idea buy a second classic car. Ideally it would be for weekend use such as weekends away and the odd carrying loads (chair, table). THe Mirca more or less does the job but is not cool and a little tight in the front seats width wise (short people but broad sholder not fat).

Cars I like VW Beatle (70s ones i think bigger bumpers but not sporty?)
Bubble cars (any of them really)
Smart car
Town Life (Italian Smart Car type thing)
PTO
The mini vans fom the early 90s (like a Hiace but just smaller, like it shrank)
Morris Minor 1000 (althought the estate is lovely too but I hear the wood is structural so very risky)

The VW mentioned is a 95 so how would that be a classic car? Is it not 20 years old. I know nothing so names and models would be great as would any suggestions. I like the rounded cars I guess . The garge I have is empty but quite narrow. If it a samll car it wouldn't be difficult to make a pully system to put it on top of the garage.:D

Thanks for the replies thus far

p.s.

Sorry I love the Citren DS there and my budget is I guess 3k-7k depending on the car really.

Blue850

Have a look at this, right budget, can carry a load , looks the part and its an old ford so parts will easy to get
http://carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=289829

Alfasudcrazy

phoenix_nights wrote:

If i had the space i would. Never into french cars except the renowned 504. How did you come across one with only 41K ! A mate of mines one year old car is coming close to that number!

I suppose it had the life of the classic low mileage classic. Bought new by one careful owner who never ventured far from his home - and had it for 27 years until he went blind and could not drive it anymore.

Its the kind of car that deserves the cossetted home its always had and I am not sure if I even want to sell it at all tbh.:)

ds20prefecture

MorningStar wrote:

Bubble cars (any of them really)

Me too. A friend in wexford has a collection of them, including two irish made Heinkels. I believe he also has a goggomobil and a BMW Isetta


Last summer I got to drive this little beauty through the wilds of Maine.
1957 Messerschmitt KR175


At 180kg, it makes an Ariel Atom look like a lard ass. Not very suitable for a weekend away though

p.s. Sorry I love the Citren DS there and my budget is I guess 3k-7k depending on the car really.

This truly excellent ID 19 is for sale here in Ireland for €8500. It is an older type DS/ID with the Red fluid - as such it requires a little more care and commitment than my later type. Overall the DS requires a lot of commitment from the owner, and really prefers a large garage - they are a very large car.

Stevo11

MorningStar wrote:

The VW mentioned is a 95 so how would that be a classic car? Is it not 20 years old.

ehhh... its not officially a classic... but... it is sort of a classic... it was built exactly as the older models were (bar the fuel injection + cat, the heaters work and it has front disk brakes), same classic shape...

Steve

MorningStar

Blue850 wrote:

Have a look at this, right budget, can carry a load , looks the part and its an old ford so parts will easy to get

My reighbours had a wine one of those for years. They had 5 kids so two would sit in the boot.

THe Heinkels are lovely any idea how much they are?

RobAMerc

Hi,

I don't if this suits, but its within budget and would be fun, you also said theres just the two of you right?

I am currently in negotiations to buy it, and may be willing to sell it on, was going to in mid summer anyway.

Would cost about 5-6k all in. 1975 with 99k miles its a 1.3 so should be economical (as classic go) too.
I am considering running it as a daily driver.

dublind

Some more cars for sale.. just do as search on the left hand side for, all makes, any models and then search ..theres only 15 or so.. and ull get the results.....Lovely looking Spitfire there..

http://classic.cbg.ie/

-x-x-O-x-x-

If I were you I'd keep my eye out for an MG Midget - they area a great little classic - really easy to work on - cheap parts and really great fun to drive - reliable too if you get a good one & maintain it properly

Welcome to the world of real motoring!