Everyday Classic: Restore or Buy?

dceire

I'm looking to find a classic - 'Vintage' tax bracket - for everyday use. I recently sold my motorbike and am looking at getting another early next year. I have a small Clio at the moment but am interested in having a classic car along with the bike next year. The thing is, my Dad has a 1979 MK2 Escort that is in need of restoration. It does need quite a bit of work; it's a non runner at the moment and has some rust in the boot along with spots of surface rust.

I'd love to get it back on the road again but the think is, I only have about 2k to spend and am not the most mechanically minded. Would I be better off spending this money on buying a classic that has already been restored? Any suggestions as to what would be most suitable as an everyday classic?

Kenny Logins

Porsche 924. €2k should buy a good one in need of very little work (with enough change to do it), tidying perhaps. From '80 on (I think..) they were fully Galvinized, so rust isn't a major concern. Parts are easy to come by, and although not fast, they are fun to drive.

€2k doesn't buy much restoration..

dceire

Kenny Logins wrote: »

Porsche 924. €2k should buy a good one in need of very little work (with enough change to do it), tidying perhaps. From '80 on (I think..) they were fully Galvinized, so rust isn't a major concern. Parts are easy to come by, and although not fast, they are fun to drive.

€2k doesn't buy much restoration..

I didn't believe that a usable Porsche would be available for sub €2k. I've wanted a Porsche since I was a wee nipper

What about one of the following: Merc, BMW, Saab, VW (Golf?), Mini, anything else?

Kenny Logins

I had my eye on this for a while. TBH, I'm not sure if it's still for sale...

http://vagdrivers.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=83006

unkel

There are very few cars that qualify for vintage motor tax that were factory galvanised, so no / very little rust and no rot!

That makes the 924 a great suggestion.

dceire

Well it sounds good to me

It's something I'd be looking at for early next year. Just trying to do some research on it now.

What would running costs be like on the Porsche? The plan would be to have a motorbike, as my main transport if you like, and the car for when traveling with others and for when the weather is really icky.

Kenny Logins

They can do around 30mpg, service kits are cheap, clutch could be pricey (labour) as the exhaust needs to come off and gearbox out.

When you say others, you mean a single passenger, yeah? I've tried the rear seats, I'd rather walk.

dceire

Kenny Logins wrote: »

They can do around 30mpg, service kits are cheap, clutch could be pricey (labour) as the exhaust needs to come off and gearbox out.

When you say others, you mean a single passenger, yeah? I've tried the rear seats, I'd rather walk.

I very rarely carry more than 1 passenger to be honest.

Dades

My 924 has it's NCT on Friday. It hasn't given me any trouble in a couple of years except today the handbrake stuck on it, and when it finally released it's still rubbing against the rear wheel. Typical!!

Very reliable cars if sorted and not too difficult to fix if something goes wrong. Plenty of 924 owners on Boards too if you need particular advice. Might be hard to find a decent one pre-1980 (no NCT requred) though you might get lucky and get an (cheap tax) 82 Model somewhere.

You can drive them year-round but be prepared for old car issues like interminably fogged windows when it's damp - though the heater is good.

Stained Class

dceire wrote: »

The thing is, my Dad has a 1979 MK2 Escort that is in need of restoration. It does need quite a bit of work; it's a non runner at the moment and has some rust in the boot along with spots of surface rust.

If that Escort is a 2 door, I'd be inclined to restore it. Provided the bodywork isn't too bad, restoring it would be pretty easy.
All Fords of that era are easy to work on & mechanical parts are cheap & easy to get hold of.

Once restored, it would be easy & cheap to run. If you wanted to upgrade/modify it, also easy.

Should you want to sell, there's always a market for a good 2 door Escort.

If it's a 4 door, I'd probably listen to other suggestions.....

dceire

Stained Class wrote: »

If that Escort is a 2 door, I'd be inclined to restore it. Provided the bodywork isn't too bad, restoring it would be pretty easy.
All Fords of that era are easy to work on & mechanical parts are cheap & easy to get hold of.

Once restored, it would be easy & cheap to run. If you wanted to upgrade/modify it, also easy.

Should you want to sell, there's always a market for a good 2 door Escort.

If it's a 4 door, I'd probably listen to other suggestions.....

Yea, it's a 2 door, 1.4L automatic with 29k miles on the clock. It was adapted for use by a disabled gentleman who was the only previous owner.

The interior is in good condition but the exterior needs some work. Some trim parts are needed and it could do with a respray. There are a few spots of surface rust but more serious areas of rust need dealing with in the boot and around the engine bay. The engine needs some work, as it's not running, and the brakes look like they're pretty much seized.

I've never attempted anything remotely like a restoration before and have little idea of the costs involved.

Stained Class

dceire wrote: »

Yea, it's a 2 door,

I've never attempted anything remotely like a restoration before and have little idea of the costs involved.

The Escort would be an ideal project for a novice, provided the bodywork isn't too bad & if you know someone who's handy with a welder.

The mechanicals of thease cars are very straightforward.

Interior trim can be difficult to source or match correctly, but you say that parts good.

2 door Escorts are way more desirable than 4 doors.

kev1.3s

Bodywork with a sub 2k budget? Nothing worse than a half arsed resto imho! As I've learned to my detriment good Bodywork don't come cheap and if I had my money to spend all over again I would have heeded the advice of buy the best of whatever model you choose you can afford, certainly less rewarding but ultimately less expensive.

mattroche

Dceirre, I have a 924, it is on D.D. Classic, under Mercedes, has a new N.C.T.. Again the handbrake cable was a problem, cost E300+ to replace cables. If interested, give me a call.

Seweryn

mattroche wrote: »

Dceirre, I have a 924, it is on D.D. Classic, under Mercedes, has a new N.C.T.. Again the handbrake cable was a problem, cost E300+ to replace cables. If interested, give me a call.

Sounds like extremely expensive cables or huge labour involved.

mattroche

Yes the 2 cables & tied rod were about £ 60 + £ 25 carriage. The rest was labour, it was a difficult job to remove the old cable as it was siezed. I also felt it was expensive.

dceire

mattroche wrote: »

Dceirre, I have a 924, it is on D.D. Classic, under Mercedes, has a new N.C.T.. Again the handbrake cable was a problem, cost E300+ to replace cables. If interested, give me a call.

Cheers for the offer but, as I said in the OP, I'm really just doing some research at this stage. Hopefully, early next year I'll be in the market for one or something similar.

I've seen a few online, here and in the UK, and it seems that cracked dashboards seem to be fairly common. Is this a known fault and how bad is it?
I just as as there seems to be a few 924 owners on here.

Kenny Logins

dceire wrote: »

Cheers for the offer but, as I said in the OP, I'm really just doing some research at this stage. Hopefully, early next year I'll be in the market for one or something similar.

I've seen a few online, here and in the UK, and it seems that cracked dashboards seem to be fairly common. Is this a known fault and how bad is it?
I just as as there seems to be a few 924 owners on here.

Cosmetic. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Most common problem I'm aware of is a hot or cold starting issue, it seems the diagnosis can take time, but the repairs are then relatively easy. Mine has a hot start issue, but a long crank sorts it every time. Starts cold on the button.

Great forum here that should answer any queries you might have - http://porsche924.co.uk/forum/

Seweryn

Kenny Logins wrote: »

Mine has a hot start issue, but a long crank sorts it every time. Starts cold on the button.

The hot start issue is usually caused by the thermoswitch that is placed at the back of the engine block on the left. It shuts down the fifth fuel injector, when the coolant temperature is above 30 deg. C. That means, the engine is starved of fuel at the hot start. Some people install a press button under the dashboard to manually override the thermoswitch. My 924 (which I sold and I am very sorry I did) also had this issue. It was a very nice car otherwise.

Kenny Logins

Seweryn wrote: »

The hot start issue is usually caused by the thermoswitch that is placed at the back of the engine block on the left. It shuts down the fifth fuel injector, when the coolant temperature is above 30 deg. C. That means, the engine is starved of fuel at the hot start. Some people install a press button under the dashboard to manually override the thermoswitch. My 924 (which I sold and I am very sorry I did) also had this issue. It was a very nice car otherwise.

TBH I haven't investigated properly, as it doesn't really affect me.

I did find a pull switch under the dash and asked about it but the PO didn't know what it was for either. One day I pulled it and an electric aerial extended from the front wing.

Just once though, it hasn't done it since...

Dades

I installed a "warm start" button on mine after getting tired of the smug looks people give you when cranking an old car. The car would start from cold and from hot, but not after being left for about 15 minutes without a good 5-10 second crank. I read the stories of all the things that *might* be replaced to fix it and decided a €2 push button under the dash would be best.

The button basically fires the cold start valve in the engine giving the squirt of fuel needed to catch. One of my vehicular DIY triumphs!

---

Regarding the handbrake, apparently they are a major PITA to fix (very fiddly), as I will no doubt be told tomorrow after the NCT guy tells me it's sticking and needs fixing. :pac:

dceire

Right, to drag up this old thread again. I'm putting more serious consideration into getting a Porsche 924. Having never had a classic before, I'm not sure where to start looking. Is there anywhere I should be looking beyond DoneDeal, Adverts, Carzone etc and would €2500 get me a decent motor? I'd probably want a 30+ years example; I've only spotted one online.

Any suggestions/advice?

Tzar Chasm

did you sell the escort?

dceire

Tzar Chasm wrote: »

did you sell the escort?

No, well, it's not mine to sell. It's up on axle stands in my Dad's garage. Although, it hasn't been worked on in about two years I'd say. He's pretty adamant that he's holding onto it though. It's become a touchy subject

I don't think it's a project for me though. Hence the search for a usable classic.

Dades

Have you seen this thread? Some good info there.