Learn to Drive in a Classic?

SligoBrewer

At the ripe age of 18, want to dive fully into driving. After having a few lessons and accumulated some mileage, it's now at the stage where I need to get a car. However, here's where my problems start. I've always a kind of halfhearted interest in the vintage variety, and tbh, I don't want to drive a bloody Micra that has zero respect on the roads.

What I'm basically looking for is a cheap car with bags of style, but yet is practical for someone my age to drive.

Any thoughts?

manta mad

yer gonna have to wait till your 25 years of age for cheap insurance for a classic though !

unless you get named as a driver on one !!!

carchaeologist

SligoBrewer wrote: »

I've always a kind of halfhearted interest in the vintage variety, and tbh, I don't want to drive a bloody Micra that has zero respect on the roads

Half hearted interest?A classic will take a little bit more looking after than a micra,do you know what a manual choke is?;):)
Beetle,or a mini or something along that line might suit?

kyote00

Ahh, come on lads. Don't be so negative....remember when you were 18....:D

Go for it, man. Jump in, **** the begrudgers....

At 18, insurance is going to cost a packet whether its a classic or a micra...

My advice, start with a classic that is simple mechanically. Find a club or enthuasiast local to you to learn from....

SligoBrewer

carchaeologist wrote: »

Half hearted interest?A classic will take a little bit more looking after than a micra,do you know what a manual choke is?;):)
Beetle,or a mini or something along that line might suit?

I do indeed know what a manual choke is.:p:cool:

manta mad

kyote00 wrote: »

Ahh, come on lads. Don't be so negative....remember when you were 18....:D

Go for it, man. Jump in, **** the begrudgers....

At 18, insurance is going to cost a packet whether its a classic or a micra...

My advice, start with a classic that is simple mechanically. Find a club or enthuasiast local to you to learn from....

yep i agree !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jump in boyo just letting you know that insurance is a bugger when yer young

S.I.R

hmm , only relyable first classic worth buying is a nissan micra R ( 1300 cc super charged, good for 60 in roughly 7 seconds tops out at 130 un restricted, Very rare ) couple knocking around for under 1k so you cant do better, after all, im on a provisional and still get insured for under 2.5 so its not too bad either...


proven glanza, civic, impreza 1.6 and all the other wannabe bangers beater.


most of all, its the retro box shape...

and it does have a manual choke...


smiple mechanics also

if your to buy one, buy 89 onwards,as the other older models love to cook the oil, its sorted in letter models

peasant

S.I.R wrote: »

nissan micra R ( 1300 cc super charged, good for 60 in roughly 7 seconds tops out at 130 un restricted,

Not exactly the type of car to learn driving in.

OP, don't go too classic. Reliable brakes and an engine that doesn't conk out every five minutes would be helpful.

A late "classic" Mini in good order should fit the bill (although they tend to be a tad expensive)

carchaeologist

^hes right,buy as new as you can,it will be easier to get started.

Was just joking about the manual choke,youd be surprised at how many people today have no idea what it is though,my brother was in the 100A with me the last day and was mystified by the start procedure!!:D:D

L-M

Got a drive in the fathers Midget a few weeks back. God there's such a major, major difference to a new car. Tbh, i don't think it's worth the hassle, unless your staying up around the late 80's.

carchaeologist

Limerick-man wrote: »

God there's such a major, major difference to a new car. Tbh, i don't think it's worth the hassle, unless your staying up around the late 80's.

You have to love it,its as simple as that.I often get asked why have i an old crappy tinny little datsun,but i enjoy every drive i take in that car.If it wasnt fun i wouldnt have it,simple as that.

S.I.R

peasant wrote: »

Not exactly the type of car to learn driving in.

OP, don't go too classic. Reliable brakes and an engine that doesn't conk out every five minutes would be helpful.

A late "classic" Mini in good order should fit the bill (although they tend to be a tad expensive)

its actually the easist car in the world to drive, you have to actually force it to choke out/stall...

corktina

go for it Bud...I learnt in a Hillman Imp...dont see why you shouldnnt (even though that was 35 years ago:D

How about a four door mk1 or 2 Escort they are relatively cheap and dead simple to maintain and are this cool to look at.

(2 doors are way overpriced)

You wont get classic insurance at all unless you are 25 AND have a normal policy too, so forget that. Get a car 30+ years and you WILL get cheap raod tax and it WILL be NCT -free...

mustang68

I tried to go that route when I was 18 too, the response I got from all the insurance companies was "we don't have a product that would suit you". They have certain requirements for new drivers and age of car (regardless of condition) seems to be one of them.

My advice would be to pick a car mentioned above, have all the (fictional) details and ring a few companies. It will give you a rough idea of what you can get insured on.

SligoBrewer

S.I.R wrote: »

its actually the easist car in the world to drive, you have to actually force it to choke out/stall...

mini on carzone

mini on autotrader

Thanks for all your help. I've been looking at the two cars above. Personally I've a small preference for the one on carzone. Looks better, smaller engine, and it'll work out cheaper too. Although the one in the north is closer to me.

L-M

Isn't minimum vrt something like 800 yo yo's now, so that white one could prove to be a bit more expensive. Plus the fact you'll have to NCT it.

That lad Capri Spare's seems to have a lot of classics, some in not so good condition. If you could get him to guarantee an NCT, the red one wouldn't be too bad. There could be someone on this from that side of the country that might have a look at it for you.

carchaeologist

If looking at a mini take a look here first for ammo...
http://www.minimania.com/web/DisplayID/613/SCatagory/PANELS/DisplayType/Technical%20Information/CarType/ArticleV.cfm

S.I.R

SligoBrewer wrote: »

mini on carzone

mini on autotrader

Thanks for all your help. I've been looking at the two cars above. Personally I've a small preference for the one on carzone. Looks better, smaller engine, and it'll work out cheaper too. Although the one in the north is closer to me.

weekend trip to england is your best bet... buy two... one solid one and on from a breakers yard for nothing... the two fit in the back of a iveco daily ( lwb van ) so get a mate with a full leisence or whatever ( 25 + to rent right or a long trailer ) and you have all your spares should you need them....


plus you get a nice holiday and a nice browse.... might find something else thats rare that takes your eye ?