I would like to buy a classic car soon thats easy to maintain and run?

Question

What kind of classic car would be a good as a first time classic.
I like mk1 escorts, manta gt/e ,opal ascona or what do you think?
i have around £4k to spend and have a garage to store it. I also have another car for work ect. so this will only be a weekend car.
other favorites are, strada tc, 121 sport, golf gti mk1, 205 cti 1.9.

Answer 1

Of those you mentioned, the Manta would be my pick, because of its reliability, costs and ease of keeping it going (easy to get parts for etc.).

The Strada would be a nightmare, and the 121, Golf and 205 are simply not classic enough! The Mk 1 escort is a real classic (the higher performance 2-door ones, that remind everyone of the rallying versions especially)... just not my cup of tea, though.

And I second the idea of going for a Triumph Herald (bit slow) or Vitesse (more costly), especially if you would like a convertible. Don't forget not to spend the whole £4k on the car, as any classic car will cost you money to keep it on the road. Good luck!


PS I like the original ('Mark 1') MR2s as well, although I'm not sure that they have reached "classic" status. I used to have a Fiat X1/9 - I loved driving it, but it wasn't the most reliable or rust-free car I've ever had! But for £3k+, you should be able to find a well cared-for example.


PPS - Scott (answer below mine): a RHD de Tomaso Pantera for $1000? Unless it's a complete shambles, snap the guy's hand off, mate! Then ship it over here and make a fortune! Failing that, give me his phone number!

Answer 2

All a bit dull and recent if you ask me.... Mark 1 escort fair enough, Opel Manta GTE a good looking car and with all those Vauxhall bits easy enough to run, Ascona dull as dishwater. Strada???? one of the worst cars ever built and will not be a classic when there's only one left (and with their rust problems, that won't be long): No idea what a 121 is: GTi mk 1 probably the only true classic there apart from the Escort, 205 too boy racer.... how about an MGB GT or a Triumph Vitesse - both true classics, sporty enough and almost all the parts still being produced - excellent owners clubs too.....

Answer 3

Aircooled Volkswagens
Renault Dauphine, 4CV, R8.
Chevrolet Corvair
Morris/Austin Mini

The Renaults mentioned above and the Corvair are all rear engine, therefore they will handle differently than what you are used to. The VWs are too if you are into the Beetle or Karman Ghia. I've never driven one so I can't tell you about it, except from what dad told me.
I know Ralph Nader said the Corvair is "unsafe at any speed". It isn't true if you stick with radials that are at the proper pressure.

Classic cars rock! :) I have a '62 Plymouth Valiant in the garage that dad and I will be restoring fairly soon. Dad has a Renault 4CV that he has been monkeying with over the years. The only thing left that is 4CV is the body shell. The Renaults I mentioned above are literally interchangeable mechanically.
A few years ago dad and I did some repairs and mods to a VW powered bathtub buggy that belonged to one of mom's friends. I didn't have driver license so I didn't get to drive it, but I rode in it. It was great fun.

There is a Renault you want to stay away from...the R16. My dad says its great fun to drive but it is a royal pain in the a r s e to repair.

My dad has owned several Dauphines, R8s, and Corvairs...before he met my mom.

Answer 4

Mk1 Mr2, U can pick up a mint example for 2K, the engines are bullet proof and still give alot of cars a run for their money today. If you wanted to push the boat out the get an imported superchager version. The 1.6 supercharger pushes out 145bhp as standard if not the standard 1.6 gives you 122bhp.

They also look cool and are rare, yet parts are still easily available and they are cheap as chips to run. I use one as my daily driver and it returns 35mpg around town and over 40 on a run. They are as fast as the other cars metioned, do better fuel economy, handle better (mid engine, rear wheel drive) and have pop up head lights.

What more could you ask for?

Answer 5

124 sport if you like fiat the 2000 is the better.
Lancia fulvia 1.6 hf

My choice for starting off would be a Jensen gt.
Its the smallest of the jensons with a two litre lotus engine.
Parts are easy to come by from the owners club.
The steering brakes etc all came from the old viva so no probs there.
They are a cracking car and still quite easy to find.
You can pick one up for £2 k needing work

Answer 6

VW Golf GTI, the values for mk1's are going up and there are a large number of specialist who can look after it, and parts are easily available, provided you looked after it and bought a good one, you could resell it in a few years at a profit. They are fun to drive and not too thirsty either.

Answer 7

I'm in America so I'm sure this won't help but it is odd that I came across this question. There's a '71 pantera about a mile away that's for sale, only $1,000, but it's right hand drive. It's not a ford/pantera sold here in the states but an owner imported Italian car.

Answer 8

Go for the Escort, Mexico if funds allow, magic to drive easy to maintain, loadsafun.

Answer 9

i would get something off ebay the olny porblem is shiping go for like a 50s belair

Answer 10

mgb gt good car easy to repair