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Anyone here run a 20+ y/o car as their only car?

  • 16-01-2017 12:19am
    #1
    tc20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,445 ✭✭✭


    Hi all,

    I'm curious to know if anyone amongst us is running a 20+ y/o car, not only as their daily but as their only car?
    If so, what have you got, and have you experienced any issues with your ins co at your most recent renewal?

    cheers


Comments

  • #2
    tuxy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,983 ✭✭✭✭tuxy


    Yes 1997 Toyota Starlet. Insurance is about €150 a year more expensive than a more modern car but it's so cheap to run and maintain that I'm happy for now.


  • #3
    pablo128
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,219 ✭✭✭pablo128


    The auld lad has been driving his 99 Toyota Picnic the last 16 years. 300k miles and still going strong. Their mortgage is just up actually, and he was talking about getting a newer yoke, but the auld wan has someone coming out to quote for new windows in the house. Lol. He'll have the Picnic another while yet!:pac:


  • #4
    clement
    Registered Users Posts: 38 ✭clement


    94 nissan sunny. Can't get a quote anywhere only the crowd I'm with and it's gone up 100% in two years. First ireland won't insure it as a classic. Pain in the ass but cheap and ultra reliable.


  • #5
    tc20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,445 ✭✭✭tc20


    clement wrote: »
    94 nissan sunny. Can't get a quote anywhere only the crowd I'm with and it's gone up 100% in two years. First ireland won't insure it as a classic. Pain in the ass but cheap and ultra reliable.

    do you mind me asking what ins co & how much your premium is?
    I know most ins co's treat Japanese cars (and not just the high-end stuff with a sh1tty stick)


  • #6
    tuxy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,983 ✭✭✭✭tuxy


    tc20 wrote: »
    do you mind me asking what ins co & how much your premium is?
    I know most ins co's treat Japanese cars (and not just the high-end stuff with a sh1tty stick)

    Isn't that Jap imports you're thinking of?


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  • #7
    tc20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,445 ✭✭✭tc20


    tuxy wrote: »
    Isn't that Jap imports you're thinking of?

    not necessarily, no.
    I'm with AIG (through First Ireland) and asked them about the '91 Accord in the link below, which is an Irish car from new, and it was no dice.
    It may not be the case with all ins co's though.

    https://www.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/honda-accord/14347233


  • #8
    duskyjoe
    Closed Accounts Posts: 643 ✭✭✭duskyjoe


    G wagen


  • #9
    gitzy16v
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,093 ✭✭✭gitzy16v


    96 Honda Civic(Rover shape)2 owner since new,Im 3rd,1.5 econo-v-tec :pac:....less than 100k miles..there is absolutley NOTHING wrong with it.
    Flies the test every time,only costs me general maintenance and fuel,ins,tax.


  • #10
    Muckie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,763 ✭✭✭Muckie


    Had a 95 Subaru Impreza for 11 years.

    Station wagon version, once it was serviced regularly, it ran like clockwork.


  • #11
    Tzar Chasm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,069 ✭✭✭Tzar Chasm


    Had a similar problem, 98 E36, couldnt get a reasonable quote for it


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  • #12
    tc20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,445 ✭✭✭tc20


    Thanks for the replies folks.
    I have had classic ins before, and am looking at getting back into the fray again, but encountered an issue with my ins co regarding new criteria (I've another thread on this) so am looking at a few different options.
    Of course, i'll be looking at other ins co's too when I have a chance to site down with the phone for a couple of hours!!

    @Tzar Chasm - what would you call 'reasonable' ?

    cheers


  • #13
    Silvera
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,033 ✭✭✭Silvera


    tc20 wrote: »
    Thanks for the replies folks.
    I have had classic ins before, and am looking at getting back into the fray again, but encountered an issue with my ins co regarding new criteria (I've another thread on this) so am looking at a few different options.
    Of course, i'll be looking at other ins co's too when I have a chance to site down with the phone for a couple of hours!!

    @Tzar Chasm - what would you call 'reasonable' ?

    cheers


    You mention 'new criteria'...this being the requirement to have an NCT or engineers report on your chosen classic? Is this such a bad thing?
    It's a legal requirement to have an NCT on a post-1979 car anyway!


  • #14
    tc20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,445 ✭✭✭tc20


    Silvera wrote: »
    You mention 'new criteria'...this being the requirement to have an NCT or engineers report on your chosen classic? Is this such a bad thing?
    It's a legal requirement to have an NCT on a post-1979 car anyway!

    @ Silvera - sorry, I think that's the other thread that's generating a lot of traffic in the Classics forum - my other thread is regarding the issue I encountered trying to have my wife insured on a classic as a named driver -
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057692792

    On the subject of youngtimers or classics having an NCT or engineers report as the case may be, no issues here with that.


  • #15
    InTheTrees
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,900 ✭✭✭InTheTrees


    1988 Porsche 944. Only car used most days for 10+ years.

    I'm in Washington though. where vehicles over 20 years old (oddly) get an exemption from any testing.


  • #16
    SmileyPaul
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,558 ✭✭✭SmileyPaul


    91 Golf MkII as my only car and used daily

    was kept in incredible shape by the original and very low miles.


    Are you able to getting classic car insurance if it's you're only car? I'm afraid the price of mine is gonna go up extortionately this year


  • #17
    tc20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,445 ✭✭✭tc20


    SmileyPaul wrote: »
    91 Golf MkII as my only car and used daily

    was kept in incredible shape by the original and very low miles.


    Are you able to getting classic car insurance if it's you're only car? I'm afraid the price of mine is gonna go up extortionately this year

    nice car, had a couple back in the day :cool:

    I last had a classic (MB190) about 15 months ago. We had a 'normal' daily driver, and the 190 was insured as a classic. I was principal driver, with my wife as named driver on both. I'm on the look for another youngtimer, and again want my wife to be a named driver. AIG's new stance is that for her to be insured, she will have to have her own private/normal car ie the household will have to have 2no 'normal' cars in order for both of us to be insured on a classic.
    Another avenue I'm thinking of is ditching the normal car, and just having the youngtimer in the household, hence the thread.


  • #18
    Skatedude
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,674 ✭✭✭Skatedude


    Yep, i was driving my 93 bmw 740 for years as my daily and only car, changed to a 97 bmw 840 and still covered under same policy .
    Only condition is that i'm limited to 6k millage a year


  • #19
    Agricola
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,547 ✭✭✭Agricola


    Had a 1994 E36 on the road up to 2015. Was just told by every company it's only insurable as a limited mile classic now, so was forced to declare it off the road.


  • #20
    w124man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,333 ✭✭✭w124man


    I have an E200 W124 as a daily driver with her indoors on it as a named driver with AXA. I have a classic policy for 4 cars with them as well as the house etc. Her indoors is a named driver on the classic policy too


  • #21
    tuxy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,983 ✭✭✭✭tuxy


    Skatedude wrote: »
    Yep, i was driving my 93 bmw 740 for years as my daily and only car, changed to a 97 bmw 840 and still covered under same policy .
    Only condition is that i'm limited to 6k millage a year

    How do they check how far you drive? Do they take a odometer reading? Or is it just based on good faith?


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  • #22
    tc20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,445 ✭✭✭tc20


    w124man wrote: »
    I have an E200 W124 as a daily driver with her indoors on it as a named driver with AXA. I have a classic policy for 4 cars with them as well as the house etc. Her indoors is a named driver on the classic policy too

    Just to confirm, is the W124 the main car on the policy? (ie its at least 21 y/o)


  • #23
    Wibbs
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,170 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wibbs


    Not quite 20 years, but a 98 Honda Integra since 05. Had one before that too, a 94 and ran it from 98. So driving pretty much the same model(both 1.8 Vtecs) for nearly twenty years and over 300,000 kms. :eek::D It's near instinctive driving at this stage.

    The only problems I had were a radiator leak, a dicky relay, a replacement catalytic convertor(secondhand), a rebuilt alternator(which turned out wasn't required) a new dizzy cap and coil and a couple of bushings. Oh that's across both cars BTW. Very much daily driving too, I've used the current one as a "van" more than once. :) Driven easy I get good petrol consumption which is a bonus. Insurance has been the biggest sting TBH.
    Agricola wrote:
    Had a 1994 E36 on the road up to 2015. Was just told by every company it's only insurable as a limited mile classic now, so was forced to declare it off the road.
    This BS really grinds my gears. :mad: For all the guff about the environment keeping that E36 going would have been far better for same compared to a new car. And how pray tell can they justify any extra risk when a car survives that long, especially with the same owner? Surely the risk is lesser with such a well looked after and clearly cherished car? Daft.

    Rejoice in the awareness of feeling stupid, for that’s how you end up learning new things. If you’re not aware you’re stupid, you probably are.



  • #24
    Skatedude
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,674 ✭✭✭Skatedude


    tuxy wrote: »
    How do they check how far you drive? Do they take a odometer reading? Or is it just based on good faith?

    You sign a declaration with your current millage on renewal but if you were in an accident then they could check millage based on previous nct certs to ensure you weren't exceeding the limit.

    Not an issue as I don't get close to 6k a year.


  • #25
    Tzar Chasm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,069 ✭✭✭Tzar Chasm


    Unreasonable in my book is when the insurance quote jumps from around 500 to 1800 euros, most other companies wouldn't even quote me because the car was 'too old' and was 'likely' to be used in insurance fraud


  • #26
    tc20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,445 ✭✭✭tc20


    @ Wibbs - I read your posts in the Insurance forum (tbh I didn't know it was there until the other day!) re your woes with the Integra.
    It is shocking the way 15+ y/o cars are viewed by the ins co's, but I won't derail this thread here.
    I'm wondering if going with an older only car is the way to go with a new insurance co - it sounds like its nigh impossible if I were to approach AXA or Aviva (for example) as a new client, rather than trying to stick with my current insurer (AIG through First Ireland)
    I'll be making contact with a few co's as soon as I have the time to see what they propose and will keep ye posted on my findings.

    BTW my annual mileage would be 10000km at most so a limited mileage policy would suit in my case.


  • #27
    Agricola
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,547 ✭✭✭Agricola


    Wibbs wrote: »
    This BS really grinds my gears. :mad: For all the guff about the environment keeping that E36 going would have been far better for same compared to a new car. And how pray tell can they justify any extra risk when a car survives that long, especially with the same owner? Surely the risk is lesser with such a well looked after and clearly cherished car? Daft.

    Had that very conversation with a couple of their agents on the phone and the company line that they're all towing seems to be that underwriters are just opting out of having 15 year old + cars on their books. No exceptions.
    NCT is required by law, yet said NCT is meaningless to insurance companies on an old car when it comes to getting a quote! It's just ridiculous.


  • #28
    w124man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,333 ✭✭✭w124man


    tc20 wrote: »
    Just to confirm, is the W124 the main car on the policy? (ie its at least 21 y/o)


    Yes the E200 is a 1995 car and is the main car and the classics are 2 x 1992, 1 x 1991 and 1 x 1990


  • #29
    MrRolex
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 193 ✭✭MrRolex


    Not quite 20, but getting closer.
    My daily is a 17 year old Polo 1.0 litre.
    Slow but ecconomical. I bought it for the cheaper insurance and tax really.
    My plan is to keep running it past 20 if it keeps passing the NCT's without any major work needed.
    Its a one previous owner car, and still going strong with 130,000 miles on the clock.
    I had trouble getting insurance on it as its over 10 years old though.
    I am with AXA and it didn't seem to be a problem.
    I think if I just keep renewing with them they will keep insuring it when its older.


  • #30
    FiftyNine
    Registered Users Posts: 10 ✭FiftyNine


    I drive a 97 Merc C180, my recent renewal with Axa saw an increase of about 35%, given the cars age and the fact that all insurance seemed to be rising by about that amount and more in some cases I did not do a lot of searching around. I will wait for next renewal before doing that. I do not want to buy an inferior policy with an insurance company who are difficult when you make a claim.


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  • #31
    MrRolex
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 193 ✭✭MrRolex


    Well my 17 year old Polo just passed its NCT.
    Shame it was backdated to September last though.
    The only thing I changed on it since its last service was as set of HT leads to cure a misfire.
    My sister is sickened as her BMW 520d just failed its first NCT on drop links!
    Should have bought a proper 400 Euro car like mine I told her.


  • #32
    fancy pigeon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,865 ✭✭✭fancy pigeon


    FiftyNine wrote: »
    I drive a 97 Merc C180, my recent renewal with Axa saw an increase of about 35%, given the cars age and the fact that all insurance seemed to be rising by about that amount and more in some cases I did not do a lot of searching around. I will wait for next renewal before doing that. I do not want to buy an inferior policy with an insurance company who are difficult when you make a claim.

    Another W202 driver here happy motoring away. At 212k miles and climbing. Needs a few bushes at the back and a passenger door, otherwise why would I bother drive anything else! Tax and insurance roughly costing the same as each other, I hope it stays that way come renewal in November


  • #33
    MrRolex
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 193 ✭✭MrRolex


    fancy pigeon wrote: »
    Another W202 driver here happy motoring away. At 212k miles and climbing. Needs a few bushes at the back and a passenger door, otherwise why would I bother drive anything else! Tax and insurance roughly costing the same as each other, I hope it stays that way come renewal in November

    I love hearing of cars with over 200K on them still going strong.
    The highest mileage Mercedes I owned was a W124 300d with 357K on the clock. Original engine, gearbox, rear differential; still going strong.
    The W202 were very good cars, and often didn't suffer with rust like the W210's of the same era. Its mad the way tax and insurance has gone though. I mean say your car is worth 500 Euro; having to pay say 636 tax plus 600 insurance every year; more than its worth itself.
    You aren't alone though. I drive a 400 Euro Polo 1.0 litre as my daily, 7 years no claims bonus, clean licence, 40 years of age, and my premium went up 30% this year!
    But what can one do? One has to have insurance and tax, so that's that.
    When I was in Warsaw I got into a W124 300d taxi with 1 million KM on it.
    The driver told me it had 3 gearboxes and 1 rear differential in its life, but it was the original engine. It sounded really smooth as well, one would never know it wasn't 100K on the clock.


  • #34
    Andrewf20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,194 ✭✭✭Andrewf20


    Yup, 1996 e36 323i. Love it. Relatively light with the 15 inch rims also. 235 k miles on her now but running great. Had to replace a load of big parts 5-6 years ago (rad, gear box, rear wheel bearings, cat, brake lines, vanos reconditioned etc) but since then nothing major. Jacking points badly corroded. 2 rear ones have collapsed over the last year. I service it every 9k miles and the engine loose very little oil.

    In many ways I prefer its back to basic approach compared to the more modern beemers. Too much tech and added weight and complexity in the modern machines. And I value my spare wheel and dipstick massively. 2 items that seem to be evaporating from newer cars.


  • #35
    pryantcc
    Registered Users Posts: 185 ✭✭pryantcc


    I'm in a 1992 Merc 190. 2.0L diesel. Insurance is about 550 a year, not on a classic policy, just a normal one.


  • #36
    clement
    Registered Users Posts: 38 ✭clement


    Just got my renewal for the year coming. €915. I was 620 last year and 420 the year before on a 94 nissan sunny diesel which I have owned for 9 years. 50% increase three years in a row. Can't even shop around as nobody will quote. Old cars are doomed to the scrapper.


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  • #37
    selectamatic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,996 ✭✭✭selectamatic


    clement wrote: »
    Just got my renewal for the year coming. €915. I was 620 last year and 420 the year before on a 94 nissan sunny diesel which I have owned for 9 years. 50% increase three years in a row. Can't even shop around as nobody will quote. Old cars are doomed to the scrapper.

    Autoline


  • #38
    kyote00
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,596 ✭✭✭kyote00


    I ran a 1981 Renault 5 for about 8 months (Apr-Nov) in 2015.

    My experience is:

    - You do really need to stay on top of maintenance. Timing needed to be tweaked 2-3 times over the period.
    - Driving in rush hour traffic with a classic is not fun
    - people are generally very chatty in petrol stations/car parks....
    - wipers/heating/cooling/lights etc were crap on old cars.
    - no abs/ebd etc so your driving style needs to change

    Had one breakdown - after car was in airport carpark for 10days. arrived in at 1230am, battery flat but had a jump start pack in the boot ... fan belt had been slipping so not charging properly ....



    Its pretty hard on the car also, rain/heat/cold etc....


  • #39
    Sono
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,482 ✭✭✭Sono


    Only issue with driving these older vehicles is if it's involved in an accident and written off the insurance companies will give you nothing for it, but I do like the idea of driving a classic :-)


  • #40
    kyote00
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,596 ✭✭✭kyote00


    I usually agree a value with them .... but who knows if they would honour it....

    Of more concern than the money is that any sort of medium speed crash in an 30+ year old car has the potential to cause you serious injury.
    Modern cars are very stiff/strong ---
    Sono wrote: »
    Only issue with driving these older vehicles is if it's involved in an accident and written off the insurance companies will give you nothing for it, but I do like the idea of driving a classic :-)


  • #41
    dhog4n
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 147 ✭✭dhog4n


    I've been driving a 93 Hilux Surf for the last ten years. The insurance went up from about 430 in 2015 to 690 in 2016, having been at around 350, give or take, every year before that. The initial quote was 930. When I asked why, they said because it is over 15 years old. When I pointed out that it had been over that age for 8 years, I got silence. It will be interesting to see what happens at renewal time this year.

    Maintenance wise, it needs ball joints a lot at test time for some reason but, apart from a new cylinder head in 2013 it has been regular maintenance all the way.


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  • #42
    DoctorEdgeWild
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,008 ✭✭✭DoctorEdgeWild


    Have used a modern classic as my daily for 5 years now, since I moved to the UK. Hopefully that won't ever change!

    The only time any of mine spend off the road is if I'm hunting down a part to get something fixed. Costs are low apart from tax and the myth of older cars being money pits is indeed a myth (in most cases anyway!)

    My currently most used daily is an 89 Sunny Coupe and it will need a clutch at some point in the next three months but other than that, a service should be all I spend on it this year.


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