Present

southofnowhere

Hi all,

Right first off, disclosure - I know nothing about cars.

That's why I need your help.

My dad does know about and like cars.

My mam wants to get him a classic/vintage car for his birthday.

Nothing too fancy, something he can drive and tip away on, maybe use in charity runs etc

Thing is she's talking about a budget of two grand max. Is that a completely unrealistic figure?

Best to know if it is. I would fire another thousand on top of it for her if it would make a tangible difference.

What could you get for that? Would it be worth it?

Would really appreciate any information or help in this regard.

Saab Ed

http://classiccarsales.ie/buy might be of some help. See if you like anything and come back here and ask questions. There's a good few very knowledgable chaps on here regular who could probably answer anything you ask.

southofnowhere

Thanks, will have a look now.

245

Very difficult to suggest without knowing the man himself but as a start I'd suggest a Triumph Dolomite - they're within your first budget, easy and cheap to maintain and have classic 'cred'.

Micky Dolenz

Ya, a classic car is a very personal thing, like picking a lover, some you will fall over for and others that don't really float your boat. For under two grand you'll get a decent motor. Sound out your ould man and see what he's into.

Great present BTW, he'll be delighted

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/940421

May send him the wrong message, but cool all the same.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/902557

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/932232

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/931339

Check out www.donedeal.ie for a small sample of what is out there.

Big Nasty

Such a nice thought but I don't think I would like anyone to choose a car for me same as I don't like anyone to go clothes shopping for me.

A pair of jeans is not just a pair of jeans - do you like the fit, the style, the colour, how they ware, etc.?

Similarly a Mustang is not just a Mustang - do you like Coupe / Fastback; 289 / 350; Blue / Black / Red; etc; etc; etc.

You see what I'm getting at? And you can't exchange a classic car like you would a pair of jeans!

southofnowhere

Thanks again.

And point taken regards the choice of car.

Maybe it would be better come up with a shortlist of cars/places to buy them and let him at it.

Still, my mam is keen enough to surprise him and no matter what he won't be disappointed.

It's not a lot of money for some, but it's a big outlay for her.

Micky Dolenz

southofnowhere wrote: »

It's not a lot of money for some, but it's a big outlay for her.

It's a lot of money for most, make no mistake, esp to spend on a hobby.

Find out is your Da into coupe,saloon, hatchback etc two door, three door etc.

southofnowhere

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

It's a lot of money for most, make no mistake, esp to spend on a hobby.

Find out is your Da into coupe,saloon, hatchback etc two door, three door etc.

It's tricky if she wants to surprise him.

I would say he's a saloon man, but not adverse to hatchbacks.

Oh and we grew up travelling to football matches in Ford Cortinas

welder

Also may help to know what sort of age he is-I know the classics I usually prefer are the ones I remember from My yoof in the 70's, ahhhh,nostalgia !!
Or the stuff I could'nt afford when I started driving in the 80's ! Or the stuff
I did buy but sold when they were ten-a-penny.

Any idea what his first few cars were and does He go all misty eyed talking
about them ? If so they might be a good place to start.

As said above great idea of Your mums-now all I have to do is show this
thread to the missus,wax lyrical about my first 250GTO and sit back and
wait.....and wait....and wait !

BeardyGit

Get him to a classic show and see what floats his boat.

In terms of something useable for 3k, I'd look at:

Mini's, MG Midgets / MGB, Morris Minor, Ford Anglia etc.

But, find out what he likes first. And get it looked at by someone who knows the particular marque inside out, not just any old petrol head.

Gil

Big Nasty

Gil_Dub wrote: »

Get him to a classic show and see what floats his boat.

In terms of something useable for 3k, I'd look at:

Mini's, MG Midgets / MGB, Morris Minor, Ford Anglia etc.

But, find out what he likes first. And get it looked at by someone who knows the particular marque inside out, not just any old petrol head.

Gil

+1

Trim Show this weekend!

Micky Dolenz

http://cars.donedeal.ie/donedeal/classifieds/viewFullPhoto.jsp?cid=1447905

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/907296

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/925068

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/938369

All Cortinas, all different Marques, all different styles.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/find/cars/for-sale/Ireland/Ford%20Cortina

southofnowhere

Great stuff, thanks.

What do you make of these?

(just browsing the different sites to see what's out there)

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Cortina/2.3LGhia/200910192070359/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/MG/MGB/200927194491681/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Other/Other/Austin-C/200840190287571/advert?channel=CARS

8~)

Cortina - pricey enough, so would want to be a good one; does he want an automatic 'box. D'you have to consider the practicalities of fuel consumption?

MG - I am guessing it's rotten.

Austin - that's a very old fashioned driving experience. You'd want to be sure it's of your dad's generation.

I second (third?) the suggestion of Trim to see what gets his interest. Also, there are often cars for sale at these shows.