What first classic car?

mac500

Hi all, i'm looking to buy myself my first classic car, ive only got 3 grand to spend.

the cars I am interested in getting are

mk1 capri.......nice 1971 blue one in autotrader

vw beetle

wolsley......... 2 nice ones in classified section of irish vintage scene magazine

datsun cherry..... http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=589950

triumph hearld.... also in vintage scene magazine

im looking to be pointed in the right direction of which to get, i wont have loads of money to do one up compleatly so i hope to get one in pretty good nik and doesnt need too much work.

also whats it like for gettin parts for these cars, i know parts for the beetle are easy to come by but not sure on the rest.

last of all, ive no garage for storage and im sure its imperative to store all classics indoors. if anyone in the clare/limerick area could assist me with that problem it would be very much appriciated.

Thanks in advance,
Rory.

Dusty1609

The type of car you get is really down to personal preference.

Each will have their own specific areas to look out for and a bit of research on the net will throw that up.

In general though buy the best you can afford even if it means stretching your budget it will be cheaper in the long run. Mechanicals are easier to put right than bodywork so checking the body is your priority.

Unfortunately bad body work is also easy to disguise so if you're not confident then take someone who is.

As for storage if you're really stuck for indoor storage consider a CarCoon, which would be the next best thing. Carcoon website.

Cheers
Jon

Mr. Presentable

Morris Minor?

http://cgi.ebay.ie/Morris-Minor-1000_W0QQitemZ150177693794QQihZ005QQcategoryZ31361QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

maidhc

I bought a Ford Capri. Easy to work on, easy to get parts, cheap, fast, and looks cool. What more to do you want!

mac500

thanks for yer input guys, ive thought of another idea and it could be a mad one, thinking of selling my 98 landcruiser and buy a 01 to 03 volkswaggen caddy and then use the money left over to get a decent classic, is that a bit mad or should i do it?

L-M

Hiya,
If ur lookin at starting into the classic cars i'd have to reccomend an Mgb Gt something like this one
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=809413
Parts are simple to get and they are fairly easy maintain. If u were to jump into one read up on them a bit first. Find out about other peoples experiences with them.

As for the storage, we had our Midget under a cover for about half a year until we got a shed, cost about 2500-3000. Can fit the two classics in it and some room for shelves and tools.

We've had the Mg Midget for a good few years and appart from it over heating in traffic(fitted a fan off a sierra{solved}) and the battery dyin the odd time it's be so reliable. Have to remember these are in no way everyday cars.

I know a few people with vintage cars, including my own family, so if u have other question i'd be glad to help.

LM

Anan1

mac500 wrote: »

thanks for yer input guys, ive thought of another idea and it could be a mad one, thinking of selling my 98 landcruiser and buy a 01 to 03 volkswaggen caddy and then use the money left over to get a decent classic, is that a bit mad or should i do it?

If the Caddy will do the job then i'd say go for it! Depending on what you need to carry, you could even consider taking it a step further - forget the Caddy and buy a W123 Mercedes 280TE?

maidhc

Limerick-man wrote: »

Have to remember these are in no way everyday cars.

Must say i was amazed at how "everyday" the Capri can be. The heater and demister are semi efficient, it can keep up with almost anything and handles a fair bit better than a modern Toyota Avensis.

But no, you do really need a daily driver too. For one thing listening to radio one on MW the whole time would drive anyone bananas!

L-M

I suppose if u wanted they could be everyday crs, but the practicality and the likes, they are better off as a weekender:D

S.I.R

ive seen loads of old xr3i seirra's popping up latly... might be worth a look.... found em on gumtree.ie a day or so ago

mac500

interesting suggestions guys fhanks for help, the mgb gt wont suit cos i want something with back seats cos ill only have 2 seats in the caddy or an alternative smaller cheaper jeep other then the landcruiser that i decide to get, and the classic will compensate for that especially at weekend.

id like to get a classic that could be used daily, but id only be using it the odd day here and there and would give me more confidence in it.

thanks again guys.

p.s. i think i'll get a beetle as my first classic as they can be picked up handy enough and parts are pleantyful and not 100% necessary to store indoors so i think its good choice to start with and to find out if im really up for getting into this classic car scene and if so i'll move on to a capri mk1 then

shagman

Have you looked at a scimitar, ticks all the boxes and GRP body so no rust.

mac500

interesting car, shagman, thanks for the heads up never would have looked at that one

Oshbosh

jump in and get your Capri now !! if you like having a classic, you'll only sell the Beetle as soon as you get it and move on to what you really want, you may lose money on the Beetle, save time and money and get the car you want now !
Get the best one you can afford, remember, there's nothing as expensive as a cheap classic car !

maidhc

mac500 wrote: »

p.s. i think i'll get a beetle as my first classic as they can be picked up handy enough and parts are pleantyful and not 100% necessary to store indoors so i think its good choice to start with and to find out if im really up for getting into this classic car scene and if so i'll move on to a capri mk1 then

Nooo...

Buy the Capri. Some parts for the Mk1 are getting a bit hard to find, but the good news is the Mk3 was made right up until 1987 and the parts are like lego. Everything fits everything for the most part.

The reality is classic cars COST MONEY. There is always something to be done, and you will never really recoup your investment in monetary terms. Were I spending money I'd prefer to be spending it on something "I" will enjoy for a good while to come.

(you can get a cheap classic though... I paid €1500 for my Mk2 on ebay, and while it does need a respray, it is immaculate, the underside is like new and it runs like a clock.)

mac500

my landcruiser is up for sale in the adverts section if anyone is looking for something strong to pull their trailers

folkswagen

I reckon a beetle is a good classic and everyday car - but I am biased:D

spidersonmars

I am on my third Rover P6 in a year an half, so I'm quite biased. But the cars are perfect for a starter as it has the performance to keep up and pass most modern cars (V8).
Its body is easier than most to work on because the panels can be removed individully to work on. Parts are cheap and readily available. I had or little knowledge to start with but I'm getting there. My latest car has cruised at well over the speed limit for hours with no problem, try that in a bettle!! Its best atribute is that its not a ford, not a merc and finally it not a vw. Before anyone complains, all the above are excellent choices, but they are default (safe)
choices.

Its great to have a car that a little different while having the parts and ease of service of more popular marques. Finally it can fit four in comfort (leather) and according to Mr Nader (unsafe at any speed) the car was in its day one of the safest cars as it has independent suspension, disc brakes and the interior was one of the first to take crash
safety inside seriously. Finally the price, Im not selling my second one yet, but a good car does not cost the earth and there are plently to chose from in the UK. there is one for sale on carzone for 6k (Ha Ha!) I reckon you get an excellent one for half that.

MercMad

Yeah I like the Rovers, and love the V8's, but my preference would be for a P5b !

spidersonmars

MercMad wrote: »

Yeah I like the Rovers, and love the V8's, but my preference would be for a P5b !

MercMad,

I'd agree that the P5B is a better looking beast, but it drives like a double decker bus and stops like a supertanker!