does anyone have a 2nd or 'weekend' car ?

positivenote

just wondering if many folkes have a second car that they use at weekends that isnt their 'main' car, something along the lines of a car youve always liked and got yourself as a 'toy' of sorts?
im looking at getting a pre 1990 320i at the moment for this purpose, as its something that i always thought looked great if well kept and not too 'pimped'.. although im not willing to spend over say a grand and a half or so...

Anan1

I do, i've been trying to sell it for the past year. TBH, I think a better plan would be to spend a bit more on one car that does everything.

Saab Ed

I've had more weekend cars than everyday cars. 1500 quid cars are the best. You can get all sorts of fun motors that nobody else wants for that money just dont buy a shed.

positivenote

positivenote wrote: »

im looking at getting a pre 1990 320i

get the 318is :P lower tax, more powerful more modern engine and better suspension etc!

alpina

The main problem for the Classic Car enthusiast is that we are in Ireland Yes it is fantastic to be able to get your teenage kick/dream for the weekend/days off etc. but be aware that realistically you most likely will not get out in it as much as you had imagined... It inevitably spends the week in the garage, where it tends to get plenty of attention/waxing/polishing....quite frequently, Saturday/Sunday morning it's p***ing out of the heavens, "damn I don't want to get it destroyed", "damn I just spent last w/end waxolying the underneath", "damn it's no fun giving it welly in the wet" & then before you know it! it's "damn the 3 months I just taxed it for is up!:(" (if you just tax for the summer)

Now not trying to put you off the idea, just pointing out what is often looked over & not thought about, so now that you are aware & if you don't care about above, personally I'd say jump at it as possibly one of the best things I ever did & never fails to give hours of enjoyment, whether driving/maintaining or just working on. No they're not new (in alot of cases close to 30 yr.), there will be problems & it may not start every time but it's worth it! If you take the plunge just do your research & go see plenty prior to purchase and most of all enjoy!!;)

Big Nasty

Do it! Do it! Do it!

Personally if looking for an E30 I would go M3 or 325is at the least - ball of fun! Only thing is E30's of any description in decent condition are getting expensive these days. You might be better off with an E36 as it will be cheaper, have more room and be more reliable. Then again you may get classic insurance on the E30 but will not get classic tax until it's over 30 yrs.

Also join a car club, it's great to cruise around for a couple of hours on a Sunday but that gets boring after a while. Regular meets with like minded enthusiasts keeps up the interest and tends to be great for technical advice.

This is my weekender: €50 Tax, €250 Insurance (Don't ask about the fuel though!!!)

Yakult

^I want that one

How many mpg do you get outta it?

pixbyjohn

R_H_C_P wrote: »

^I want that one

How many mpg do you get outta it?

Its gallons per mile, lol

kdevitt

Have an E30 323i I'm restoring as my weekend toy. That said, I commute to work by train every day, so even my 'daily driver' is really a weekend toy as well.

Big Nasty

R_H_C_P wrote: »

^I want that one

How many mpg do you get outta it?

Does about 18mpg on average - not too bad considering she's a 6.6 V8 and I have a heavy enough foot!

how much did it set you back if ya don't mind me askin?

L-M

Very true what Alpina said about not using them. The father has three vintage cars, one of which very rarely gets seen, the other was always used and now the newest arrival seemed to have taken over. When I say always used I mean the rare time they are. There is a stretch in the summer of shows and runs etc., but winter time they're locked away.

Big Nasty

Deleted User wrote: »

how much did it set you back if ya don't mind me askin?

Enough!

Bought her as you see it. Was rebuilt about four years back so very tight, no floundering over bumps or any of that jazz. A few performance upgrades, disc brakes and upgraded suspension so handles a lot better than it would have done in it's day. Am presently fitting a 77 model nose to her (she's a '79) which will look a lot smarter and looking into fitting BBS RS-GT rims that will finish her off nicely!

Anyhow, am hijacking the E30 thread so back on topic............

L-M

MCMLXXV wrote: »

Enough!

Bought her as you see it. Was rebuilt about four years back so very tight, no floundering over bumps or any of that jazz. A few performance upgrades, disc brakes and upgraded suspension so handles a lot better than it would have done in it's day. Am presently fitting a 77 model nose to her (she's a '79) which will look a lot smarter and looking into fitting BBS RS-GT rims that will finish her off nicely!

Anyhow, am hijacking the E30 thread so back on topic............

Lol, she was forsale a year or two back at a handsome figure IIRC, very nice motor BTW.

JHMEG

MCMLXXV wrote: »

Does about 18mpg on average - not too bad considering she's a 6.6 V8 and I have a heavy enough foot!

You should really record some sound clips of that and post them up.

Big Nasty

JHMEG wrote: »

You should really record some sound clips of that and post them up.

Might have a go of that over the weekend!

positivenote

okay chaps, heres two that ive come across...
just wondering what should i be ensuring to ask prior to having a closer look?
namely timing belt, rust etc...
http://www.gumtree.ie/dublin/53/44569353.html

http://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=410245&r=s.php%3Fm%3D10%26amp%3Bo%3D948%26amp%3Byn%3D1071%26amp%3Byx%3D1992%26amp%3Bg%3D0

alternatively, this one from the north would be nice, but what would the situation be for vrt etc?
http://www.usedcarsni.com/28494835

thsnk

Mac 3

The convertible in the North is nice, These were a limited edition 318i, they come in either blue or green. They were kind of a run out limited edition. The one thing I've noticed on these one is the fabric on the driver's seat seems to wear quickly.

Some have electric roofs and these can be problematic.

Regarding VRT, the powers that be regard these as being collectable now so they dont appear on the VRT website.

positivenote

so which of the 3 do you reckon would be worth following up on if you dont mind me asking or do you reckon that i should keep looking for something more of a bargain.

siralfalot

I have a Subaru Forester turbo for the daily grind, boring reliabale and very versitile

and I have a Fiat Coupe 20 Valve Turbo for when I prefer to hoon.

I actually looked into this about two years ago before buying the Coupe,
It was working out way cheaper for me to have the two cars bought taxed and insured, one sencible, and the other insane, then it was for me to go out and trade up to either an M3 or Alfa GT 3.2 at the time, both of which woud have involved compromises. The way it is now , both cars can do everything that I require from them well, there are no compromises.
I've also just changed herselfs Fiat Bravo for an Alfa GT 1.9

positivenote

positivenote wrote: »

so which of the 3 do you reckon would be worth following up on if you dont mind me asking or do you reckon that i should keep looking for something more of a bargain.

i wouldn't be too excited about any of them really.. the 318is and the 325 are the models to look for.

keep an eye out on e30owners.com
http://www.e30owners.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=13

and definately look around the site before buying.. alot of good info in there. it's where i got my yoke.

RMM555

I have a weekend car. Nothing out of this world just a mint 97 Golf GTI 16v. Its a great novelty and good fun.

Definatly go and do it. You'll mind the weekend car better than your regular car that prob cost 10 times as much!!

RMM555

The first one looks the nicest, sun roof and all. Buy it you'll enjoy it!! its a great bit of fun having a weekend car!!