What classic car to get????

vengeance52

Hey all,

Well i had the idea that for my dads 60th birthday, that Id buy a classic car for the both of us to use, but mainly him.

I was looking about 1k sterling at the mo for my budget, i know not much but its all I can afford.

What i need is a nice motor, thats comfy, and Automatic preferably, and wont fall apart on me. 30+ years old to avoid that nasty tax:P

Now I know my dad likes the old Jad XJ's, but Im wary of those as a few people have told me horror stories.

Was maybe thinking along the lines of a merc or BMW.

Neither of us really like the MGs and I like triumphs but my dad doesnts so there a no no.

Any info will be greatly appreciated.

-V-:cool:

Johnboy Mac

For €1k don't expect too much.

Consider a BMW E21 320i Auto 1978/79. German, nice size, lovely 6 cylinder engine, parts are cheap, good club support etc. Also there's a 316 (1800cc) version.

Check out the clubs both here and the U.K. and Ebay Motors U.K.

2cv

I'd advise you to go for something French :-)
Quirky, fun to drive, cheap, easy to maintain....

vengeance52

Johnboy Mac wrote: »

For €1k don't expect too much.

Consider a BMW E21 320i Auto 1978/79. German, nice size, lovely 6 cylinder engine, parts are cheap, good club support etc. Also there's a 316 (1800cc) version.

Check out the clubs both here and the U.K. and Ebay Motors U.K.

Well a 320i auto or even a 2002 would be nice, but cant find any in my price range.

2cv wrote: »

I'd advise you to go for something French :-)
Quirky, fun to drive, cheap, easy to maintain....

Any suggestions, remember im looking for an auto gearbox

Johnboy Mac

Decent 2002 will cost you €5000.

junkyard

2cv wrote: »

I'd advise you to go for something French :-)
Quirky, fun to drive, cheap, easy to maintain....

I wouldn't, and especially not for 1000 euros, they'll break your heart and your wallet. Some thing simple and reliable with a good parts back up, a Beetle or a Morris Minor would do the job or like someone else said, a BMW 3 series or 2002 if you can get one that cheap. Beware though, a lot of junk out there, you'd be better saving up a bit first.

vengeance52

Johnboy Mac wrote: »

Decent 2002 will cost you €5000.

dang.... and my mates dad sold one last year too

vengeance52

junkyard wrote: »

I wouldn't, and especially not for 1000 euros, they'll break your heart and your wallet. Some thing simple and reliable with a good parts back up, a Beetle or a Morris Minor would do the job or like someone else said, a BMW 3 series or 2002 if you can get one that cheap. Beware though, a lot of junk out there, you'd be better saving up a bit first.

Well i like the 3series and the 2002, but finding a decent one in my budget is hard, plus it needs to be an auto for my dad.

2cv

if you're looking for an auto box, then you're going to end up with a bigger car... and they cost money

not that many small affordable automatic classics about i think

unkel

vengeance52 wrote: »

it needs to be an auto for my dad.

You'll have a far better chance finding an auto if you go for a Merc. A grand is not a lot though, especially not for a 30 year old one...

vengeance52

2cv wrote: »

if you're looking for an auto box, then you're going to end up with a bigger car... and they cost money

not that many small affordable automatic classics about i think

Ok so it looks like an auto is not gonna work. Manual will be ok, as long as the gear change is light

unkel wrote: »

You'll have a far better chance finding an auto if you go for a Merc. A grand is not a lot though, especially not for a 30 year old one...

Was looking at mercs, but dont know much about them, and dont know which to avoid etc

Johnboy Mac

If it's an Auto you really need to get, hold out for one. Either way your going to have to up your budget. I'd really suggest the best way for you to buy is via the clubs.

JoeySully

this showed up for sale yesterday
Might be an auto.
i just got one exactly the same a month ago in UK - if i had known there was one in tralee eh

If your budget is £1000/ €1200
1200+flight+boat+fuel+food+time doesn't leave much change out of the asking of €2500 which I'm sure is negotiable.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/929009

2cv

I agree.... Depending on where the car is in the UK, you'd have to add €750-€1000 on to the price of the car. Don't forget VRT €50, a set of plates approx €50.

spidersonmars

OK your budget is tight......very tight. Junkyard is corrcet about there being a lot of rubbish out there at that level.....infact at any price!!

However it is possible. In Auto too. I'll will be accused of bias (but we all have our favorites) but as I got my first classic for under a grand and sold it for more...after a little work, the car for your fathers's 60 is possibly a rover P6B. 3.5litres V8 automatic and all qualify for classic tax. Don't be put off by the "rover" thing these were the last great rovers. These cars are great to drive. Parts are still available etc....best to go to UK to find one. I will help source a car if you like.

JoeySully

2cv wrote: »

a set of plates approx €50.

I was quite surprised to find that I got a set of silver on black ZV plates for only 28 euros.

spidersonmars

This is a manual P6 but you get the idea.

BTW 2500 - 1200 = 1300.........thats about 1000 more than I spend going to the Uk and bring a car back!!!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ROVER-P6-3500-S-BROWN_W0QQitemZ220427923980QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutomobiles_UK?hash=item335287320c&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65:3|66:2|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50[/URL]

vengeance52

I do actually like the P6 alot. Thats one that I may put to the top of the list.

I know my budget it tight, but honestly, i just dont have any spare cash other than that.

quattro777

As others have said, all you'll get for a grand is a world of pain.
Do you have some cash for when it breaks? and it will, no matter what it is at that price.

Start saving now and buy something right at Christmas.

vengeance52

Im starting to see your points about my budget. Looking at all the for sale sites, anything <1k looks a bit dodgy.

There was a nice Rover P6 for sale for 1700 but it was sold when I contacted the seller.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1068752.htm

galwaytt

..OP...I appreciate your motives, but really, a 1k car is going to be heartbreak....it it so much as stalls on the road it cost you a big % of the price to get it moving again.....