I Want to Buy A classic!

dermob

Hi Guys,

I have never owned a classic, and i dont know much about car engines but i`m fairly technical minded and think that i could improve my mechanics with some help and a lot of research.

i am currently looking to buy a running classic car/ or nearly classic car. i would like it to meet the following criteria.

- i would prefer it to be a diesel, from an economical running point of view
- i would like a soft top/convertible/cabriolet mainly because it will be used for a runaround during the summer.

Do any of you experienced heads have any ideas to guide me, bearing in mind that it needs to be a functional run around, and not going to cost me any more to buy than 3K.

I have been looking at Volkswagen Golfs MK1, Clippers and would be happy with a mk2, but do these come in soft tops??

Thanks in advance

Dermot

dermob

i would like to have the option of using it fairly regularily throughout the year if need be. If i can find a car and get it to run pretty well, i would prefer a diesel over a Petrol.

RobAMerc

diesel convertible ?

That's a very new phenomenon, I think even modern ones here in Ireland would be few and far between.
A4, 3 series, Saab 9-3 maybe or a 635d, I cannot think of a lot more although I am sure there is a CLK variant.

Classic diesels even are rare - your best bet would be to find something like a golf convertible and convert it to diesel if you really wanted one - but it would be no fun !

dermob

I thought that Volkswagen made the MK1 cabriolet or the clipper in diesel engine also, i cant find any for sale mind you!

Pity about that! Maybe i should go for the Mk3, will have to wait 18yrs for it to become a classic though!

Right so, if diesels are hard find, what economical convertible petrols are there out there?

Thanks for the help!

bijapos

^ +1 to RobAMerc, diesel convertibles have only been on the market in proper numbers since the late 90's.

A nice practical convertible that can be used as a daily run around is the Golf Mk1, the original Saab 900 or a BMW E30 with one of the smaller engines. The original MX-5 is a great car but only has two seats. Both are reliable and not too bad on petrol. convertible prices have dropped a lot in the last couple of years and you should be able to get something good.

gyppo

Here ya go!




http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/2062689

RobAMerc

^ jaysus !

Anyway - convertibles are for posing in, can you imagine pulling up to the lights in a 81 golf diesel convertible "looking cool" ? you'd be deaf, if not from the engine clatter, from the mullah's whoopin and a hallaring bout the daysal with no roof !

there is a good reason no one made them until recently - diesel = agricultural ( well it used to ) not chic

Anan1

dermob wrote: »

Right so, if diesels are hard find, what economical convertible petrols are there out there?

Petrol has never comprised more than a tiny fraction of the running costs of any classic i've ever owned. Have you considered a Mk1 Mazda MX-5?

dermob

To Be honest i dont really want a car to pose in or to try and look cool, its more for the experience.

I want a convertible because i would like to own one in my lifetime, but i dont really see them as a "practical" car.

Also i dont have the luxury of having a lot of money to spend on one, hence the sub 3k price bracket, and i am looking for a diesel as they are cheaper to run, and if there is a fossil fuel dilemma in the future, at least i could convert it to Chip oil (god forbid).

alpina

dermob, you should share your location so you could meet up with someone, at least you'd get to discuss, touch smell hear etc...have had a few friends who have liked the idea of a 'classic' then experienced the interiors/differences from today's cars & ran a mile...always remember being asked to come look at a '78 911 for a 2nd opinion, I loved it my friend hated it, "man that interior is mank" we're still friends, but what a muppet!
Basically what I'm saying is try & get out there & between a few options...

dermob

Thanks alpina!

i`m up in dublin most of the time!

i would love a 911!

Good advice!

RobAMerc

dermob wrote: »

To Be honest i dont really want a car to pose in or to try and look cool, its more for the experience.

I want a convertible because i would like to own one in my lifetime, but i dont really see them as a "practical" car.

Sorry - I didn't mean to suggest you were looking to pose in it, I meant that when new convertibles are bought by the kind of person who likes to pose a bit ( btw, I have had a few myself ) - a classic is a great way to enjoy open air motoring at a reasonable rate.

why not look for a nice Triumph spitfire, Herald, or even Stag ( although heavier on juice ) - none should be overly expensive to keep, should be fun to own ( in the summer at least ) and shouldn't ever depreciate ( the biggest cost in ownership ). You could pick up an MX5, but it will come with modern motors tax and ins costs that a 30 yo+ won't but should be utterly reliable. ( and huge fun )

Dades

What's your budget, dermob?

Also - I think you need to lose the diesel fixation unless you going for an 80's merc saloon or something. I agree that soft-tops are the business. But you need to look for a car with a degree of comfort and usability rather than fuel type.

bijapos' suggestion of an early E30 is a good one. Or you could go full-classic and just get a nice MG. Really depends on your budget.

dermob

Thanks for the replies!
Its very Helpful!

i have found to be what seems to be a clipper diesel, but its LHD, and i would be skeptical as to wheter it is a diesel!! What do you think?

http://www.autoscout24.eu/Details.aspx?id=vtvrrwvlozmb


I will try and loose the diesel fixation, its probably something i shouldnt get hung up on i suppose!

Robamerc, those spitfires are georgeous. 1.3 or 1.5 petrol should be economical enough and they are relatively cheap to buy depending on their condition. Good call.


How easy or hard would it be for the likes of a starter classic car owner to revamp a car. i have access to a good and cheap panel beater and a few local mechanics.

dermob

oh and Dades, budget to buy would be sub 3K!

pappyodaniel

If you lose the diesel fixation the opportunities in attaining a decent classic are endless. This e30 for example is only listed at €900. There looks like she needs a few jobs done but it could be a little project.

dermob

Cheers pappy,

Nice - but i think 2.5litre is a bit large for me!

Dades

dermob wrote: »

How easy or hard would it be for the likes of a starter classic car owner to revamp a car. i have access to a good and cheap panel beater and a few local mechanics.

Most people will tell you it's better value to spend the money on a car that someone else has already put money into.

You could buy a doer-upper for €1,000 and spend €2,000 over a couple of years getting up to a €2,500 value car! Depends how much of the work you undertake yourself, and the type of car and whether parts/spares are cheap.

jerryg

Hi Dermo try this site for all Irish vws
http://vagdrivers.net/forums/index.php?showforum=17
and on this site there are lots of open tops (UK) coming up.
http://www.vwgolfmk1.org.uk/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewforum&f=35
Regards,
Jerry

Mr Benevolent

OP, can you give us your definition of a 'classic'?

dermob

How many of you Are there?

RobAMerc

dermob wrote: »

How easy or hard would it be for the likes of a starter classic car owner to revamp a car. i have access to a good and cheap panel beater and a few local mechanics.

As others have said - unless you are buying something ultra rare, buy the best car you can and forget about pumping money into it. I have owned a few classics ( 3 ) two I tried to revive both cost me dearly in time, money and tears - the last one I truly enjoyed ( it still needed tinkering )

dermob

Thats solid advice, the less thats wrong with a car, the smaller of a task it will be to maintain it......

Avoids me jumping in at the deep end ! and what maintenance the car needs i can learn as time goes on.

Good stuff.

RobAMerc

dermob wrote: »

Thats solid advice, the less thats wrong with a car, the smaller of a task it will be to maintain it......

Avoids me jumping in at the deep end ! and what maintenance the car needs i can learn as time goes on.

Good stuff.

However - it's very easy to buy a "restored" car that looks great on the outside but is full of filler, sticky tape and chewing gum. Get someone who knows what they are at ( preferably with knowledge of the specific classic at hand ) to give it a thorough inspection.

chiefwiggum

what about this:P

http://www.adverts.ie/car/other-cars/other-cars/vw-golf-mk1-gti-cabrio-may-swap-fordiesel-car-or-other-classic/343153

ahal

From my own rather limited experience of older cars the one lesson I've learned is, old cars are like old houses. You start off doing one job and there's usually another 3 jobs around it that need to be done. Don't look at the price it costs to buy - that's the cheap part - look at the cost of getting it back to standard and keeping it there!

As others have suggested, and I fully agree, buy the best you can afford; it's far cheaper.

end a eknny

its simple buy a ford escort convertible stick a 1.8 td engine into it. buy a rover 216 convertible stick a peugeot 1.9td engine into it. i suppose i should confess i have all of the above witout the conversions done think of all the hours of fun

maidhc

end a eknny wrote: »

its simple buy a ford escort convertible stick a 1.8 td engine into it. buy a rover 216 convertible stick a peugeot 1.9td engine into it. i suppose i should confess i have all of the above witout the conversions done think of all the hours of fun

.. or buy the Escort in the Ad above.

I have never had a petrol daily driver, but I echo all the comments that buying a diesel classic makes no sense.

I started my Capri for the first time in 12 months today. I had the charge the battery, and away it went, so even old petrols are quite reliable and easy to live with.

If i was to get a convertible there would be only 1 option in my book, an Mx5.

gyppo

maidhc wrote: »

If i was to get a convertible there would be only 1 option in my book, an Mx5.

+1 to that. you should get a nice early 90's one for 2k or so if you look around.

johnos1984

OP:

Forget diesel and get a pre 1980 large displacement petrol. Very little tax to offset the fuel bills

I recommend a Rover SD1 V8 or Jag.

RobAMerc

I love the idea of an SD1 v8 myself, but lets be honest,
unless you find a very good one they can be a bit of a nightmare ( even when new they were badly made ), and secondly its nothing like what the OP stated he was after - it's neither frugal nor a convertible !

johnos1984

RobAMerc wrote: »

its nothing like what the OP stated he was after - it's neither frugal nor a convertible

Aye but I always end up buying something totally different to what I started out looking for

OP there are lots of nice convertibles out there but it depends what you are looking for really. Frugal isn't something they are in the modern sense of that, mid 30's is as high as you will get from anything out there and there is always the possibility of a large bill looming which will really negate the fuel savings or anything.

There are some great British and German models out there, Triumph, MG and Merc to name but a few. Also consider the Fiat X1/9 and various Peugeot models form the 70's although these can be hard to find.

Frugal and easy to fix, my choice would be a well cared for Triumph Spitfire but don't expect creature comforts.

dermob

Good stuff,

The spitfires are lovely, i`m assuming that the MKIV ones are the nicest looking models? I`ve seen some ones restored beautifully, but they can be up to 7K for nice ones. The interchangeable hard soft tops is something i like also.

Nobody seems to like the VW Clippers, i kinda do but dont really fancy buying a 1.8

I know a guy who has a 1993 Mazda MX5, 1.6 not sure of too much after that.

I like mercs also, but they have large engnes and can be pricey....


Search continues.......................

RobAMerc

Triumph Herald/Vitesse convertible?
Sunbeam Alpine ?
Fiat x1/9
Triumph Stag ( I think I stated it before )
TR7 maybe ?
Alfa Spider - could be a world of trouble but my brother had an 81 one in superb nick that never gave an ounce of trouble in 15 years of him owning it ( nor a scratch till I crashed it )

You could look at a Barchetta maybe if you think an MX5 is a runner, but it won't be cheap to keep.

Mully_2011

What about getting a mk1 convertible and slapping in a pd150 tdi lump into it would be frugal and she'd shift