Entry level Classic

Damiencm

Hi all

I am looking for some advice on an entry level classic car. Bit of a whim but its something I always wanted.

Funds are limited thanks to my wife, prob a max of e2,500 perhaps this is not near enough.

Criteria is simple enough. Decent looker, solid condition and reasonable resale value down the line, I'm definitely not looking for the purposes of value appreciation. Not that it wouldn't be nice! The last thing is that Im not after a modern classic such as 'boxy' starlet or corolla.

Couple that have caught my eye are as follows. Would love some advice on same, especially is said advice is to run away!

adverts.ie/10249332

And

adverts.ie/8964409

kadman

None of the links worked for me.

wiz569

https://www.adverts.ie/vehicles/vauxhall-cavalier-1976/10249332

https://www.adverts.ie/vehicles/triumph-dolmite/8964409

Damiencm

Thanks Wiz

For some reason anytime I try to include attachements or full web links on my posts they dont take. Not sure if its a mobile app issue or some problem at my end!

Greybottle

I'd find out first what the exact work it is that the Cavalier needs. Both cars are possibly a bit too cheap.

As a starter classic I'd be looking at a Mk 1 MX-5. I know you don't want a modern classic but I think its an exception and may be a more gentle introduction to the classic car scene.

Damiencm

Greybottle wrote:

As a starter classic I'd be looking at a Mk 1 MX-5. I know you don't want a modern classic but I think its an exception and may be a more gentle introduction to the classic car scene.

I'm a big fan of Mx-5's but any car will need a back seat for us

kadman

As a starting classic, I,d go with either, but I was brought up on these
era cars, especially the dolomites, had a few of these.

But as the previous posters point out, cheap classics mean work, and thats additional expense.

I personally have never owned a classic that didn,t need loads of work done, but I,m lucky to

do all my own mechanics and bodywork, so its only time.

Take a knowledgeable chap with you to assess the car. I believe the AA can also do this for you

for a fee.

Happy hunting.

Working class heroes

https://www.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/sunbeam-rapier-series-4-1964/18367543
Something like this perhaps.

tabby aspreme

Working class heroes wrote: »

https://www.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/sunbeam-rapier-series-4-1964/18367543
Something like this perhaps.

That is very nice

supervento

Think these are all modern classics but if u need a back seat, maybe consider a Bmw E28, or mercedes w123, W124 , w126 or a w201

jca

Working class heroes wrote: »

https://www.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/sunbeam-rapier-series-4-1964/18367543
Something like this perhaps.

That's more like it. It's certainly nicer than those two pieces of scrap.

Dades

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-magnificent-7/18055365

This Beemer has been on sale for a bit. Maybe you could cut a deal.

gfwd

The Dolly and Cav might sound cheap but that's their price level. The only Dolly you'll pay top dollar for is a Sprint. I reckon you'd get that Dolomite for 2k, it's been on Adverts for ages.

A Beemer would be good. I had an E21 and loved it but while it was cheap to buy, it was an expensive car to own.

My advice would be to pick out a few cars that tickle your wallet and look and see what's available both here and across the water. If, as an example, you wanted a Dolomite, get yourself onto the club forum and facebook pages. Lots of knowledgeable people on there who'll give you an honest appraisal of Dolly ownership (been there done it!). Arm yourself with as much knowledge before taking the plunge. These places are also good for finding a car at a decent price that's been well looked after. The market here gets a bit silly price-wise in my opinion so shop around.

Good luck!

Damiencm

gfwd wrote:

My advice would be to pick out a few cars that tickle your wallet and look and see what's available both here and across the water. If, as an example, you wanted a Dolomite, get yourself onto the club forum and facebook pages. Lots of knowledgeable people on there who'll give you an honest appraisal of Dolly ownership (been there done it!). Arm yourself with as much knowledge before taking the plunge. These places are also good for finding a car at a decent price that's been well looked after. The market here gets a bit silly price-wise in my opinion so shop around.

I think thats the only thing for it!

Thanks everyone for the suggestions

jca

Be hard to pass that 64 Rapier for that money, back in their day the were a great motor, they still are. Providing the arse isn’t completely rotten out of it and the Laycock overdrive still works I think it’s a bargain, certainly nicer than some aul nail that Uncle Ned drove back in the 70s

PauloMN

Good advice above. Having dipped my toe in the classic scene for the first time just last year, I would recommend deciding on your main requirements and budget. For example, I wanted something the family could fit in (so I can bore them all to tears on days out), 6 cylinder petrol (spend enough time in 4 pot diesels) and not a project car (something already in good shape and just to tinker with).

As gfwd says above, getting on to specialist Facebook boards and internet forums is a great tip. It's amazing how much you will learn about the car you decide on from owners, and also you'll often find good cars for sale with lots of history you can trace back. The internet and social media is great for that.

I found the choice of the car I was looking for to be quite poor in Ireland, which is to be expected I suppose. 10 x the population in the UK means you'll have much better odds of finding what you want there at the right price. You can be lucky here of course, but I struggled to find what I wanted and ended up going to a specialist in the UK.

Enjoy the search, it's all part of the package as far as I'm concerned. Just be armed with all the information you need to know, if you have a list of common weaknesses of the specific model you want, you can quickly check those when viewing any car and weed out the bad ones.

Isambard

Greybottle wrote: »

I'd find out first what the exact work it is that the Cavalier needs. Both cars are possibly a bit too cheap.

As a starter classic I'd be looking at a Mk 1 MX-5. I know you don't want a modern classic but I think its an exception and may be a more gentle introduction to the classic car scene.

that's what I thought , cheap and for sale for a long time too

unkel

Dades wrote: »

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-magnificent-7/18055365

This Beemer has been on sale for a bit. Maybe you could cut a deal.

Maybe it will never have an NCT in its life.

Looks like a punter brought it in, the car is a wreck (beyond economic repair, will never pass an NCT), so offloading it now. Easy mistake to make. I brought in an 80s Mercedes W201 190E 2.6l straight six automatic, with a fresh MOT. Put it through the NCT and it needed substantial work. 19 hours of welding (I went a bit extra, preventing future problems welding here) and all new brake lines. Unfortunately I've barely used the car, so it will come up for sale here soon. NCT and tax until October. Watch this space.

Dades

unkel wrote: »

Maybe it will never have an NCT in its life.

Looks like a punter brought it in, the car is a wreck (beyond economic repair, will never pass an NCT), so offloading it now.

Did you see it or get a heads up from elsewhere?

One more reason to never buy a car without an NCT - unless you want a doer-upper you can't drive.

A valid NCT cert is one of the most valuable things you can have in a car, if it doesn't have one it's because it can't get one.

unkel

Dades wrote: »

Did you see it or get a heads up from elsewhere?

Nah, the info is freely available from the NCT website. His car was imported in the last few months (number is a bit higher than mine, imported last September


Next NCT Due By : Sunday, February 4, 2018
NCT Certificate Expiry Date : Not applicable.
Valid NCT Certificate : No

The fact there is no expiry date, means it never had an NCT. To compare, this is from my own car:

Next NCT Due By : Tuesday, October 9, 2018
NCT Certificate Expiry Date : Monday, October 8, 2018
Valid NCT Certificate : Yes

SpitfireIV

Think theres a reason that Dolly has been on adverts for a while now...

Registration: OZX 709
Vehicle: Leyland DAF
Colour: ORANGE

Avoid!

welder

SpitfireIV wrote: »

Think theres a reason that Dolly has been on adverts for a while now...

Registration: OZX 709
Vehicle: Leyland DAF
Colour: ORANGE

Avoid!

Don't think thats anything sinister, I had a rangie years ago that showed up as Leyland Daf, probably just careless data entry when they went computerised.

Greybottle

SpitfireIV wrote: »

Think theres a reason that Dolly has been on adverts for a while now...

Registration: OZX 709
Vehicle: Leyland DAF
Colour: ORANGE

Avoid!

welder wrote: »

Don't think thats anything sinister, I had a rangie years ago that showed up as Leyland Daf, probably just careless data entry when they went computerised.

Both Triumph and Range Rover (Land Rover) would have been part of British Leyland at that time. Not sure where DAF comes into it, maybe it was the same import group here.

I remember plenty of the small DAF's (45?) with the CVT type box going around in the 1970's when I was a child, they were a popular enough car at the time.

jca

SpitfireIV wrote: »

Think theres a reason that Dolly has been on adverts for a while now...

Registration: OZX 709
Vehicle: Leyland DAF
Colour: ORANGE

Avoid!

Enough said. That whole classic scene is a joke in Ireland, dodgy chassis numbers etc.

alastair

Greybottle wrote: »

Both Triumph and Range Rover (Land Rover) would have been part of British Leyland at that time. Not sure where DAF comes into it, maybe it was the same import group here.

I remember plenty of the small DAF's (45?) with the CVT type box going around in the 1970's when I was a child, they were a popular enough car at the time.

Leyland DAF was the commercial wing of Leyland following the merger with DAF (Convoys, Sherpas etc) - as mentioned, probably just a mistake with a pull-down list of manufacturers in the tax office.

gfwd

I would say that Triumph wasn't on the list of marques so they found Leyland and used that. I don't think there's anything dodgy going on there.

RobAMerc

this might be a very usable car
https://www.adverts.ie/vehicles/golf-mk1-gti/14498399

should be fun to drive and you could bring the kids with you

unkel

Hasn't had an NCT for almost a year. Strong asking price considering that.

jca

RobAMerc wrote: »

this might be a very usable car
https://www.adverts.ie/vehicles/golf-mk1-gti/14498399

should be fun to drive and you could bring the kids with you

That yoke's a skanger.

RobAMerc

jca wrote: »

That yoke's a skanger.

I only put it up as a suggestion to the OP, I dont know the car, nor have I seen it, do you ?

Dades

unkel wrote: »

Hasn't had an NCT for almost a year. Strong asking price considering that.

Didn't notice that. Run away, so.

supervento

nice original looking W124... good first vintage car/  usable daily classic

https://www.donedeal.co.uk/vintagecars-for-sale/mercedes-e200/18448197

(Opps, just see the O.P's budget is €2500... ) i would say however if u got a good solid one of these that they will probably work out cheaper in the long run than some other vintage cars due to w124 build quality.