£4k - £5k Classic for Motorway commute
Discussion
I chop and change cars often (very indecisive). I tend to buy a boring but sensible car, get bored then buy a classic, run the classic for 6 months, feel sorry for myself and get something 'sensible' again.
Classics I have used as my daily driver:
1959 Hillman Minx - Loved the style, but just too slow and noisy for my commute (still miss it)
1980 MGB - Was orange, going rusty, and not really comfortable enough
Cars I get bored of quickly:
Diesel Ford Mondeo
Subaru Legacy (my current daily driver, great for what it does but just doesn't make me excited)
This time I feel like spending more money, getting something really good and hopefully 'click' with. I have already found this with my toy car (TVR Chimaera) and motorbike (Royal Enfield), so just my comfy car to go
Ideally I like 50's 60's and 70's cars, but is there anything that would suit my needs for a daily commuter? So far i have though of an older Jaguar XJ, Rover P5 or maybe Volvo Amazon?
Other things that tickle my fancy would be to wait a while, double my budget and get a Rolls Royce, but my other half thinks that would be ridiculous
Is there an older, stylish classic that meets the need of a comfortable, quiet, modern day commuter, or am I just day dreaming?
ETA
I also like the look of the Reliant Scimitar, but honestly don't know a lot about them
Classics I have used as my daily driver:
1959 Hillman Minx - Loved the style, but just too slow and noisy for my commute (still miss it)
1980 MGB - Was orange, going rusty, and not really comfortable enough
Cars I get bored of quickly:
Diesel Ford Mondeo
Subaru Legacy (my current daily driver, great for what it does but just doesn't make me excited)
This time I feel like spending more money, getting something really good and hopefully 'click' with. I have already found this with my toy car (TVR Chimaera) and motorbike (Royal Enfield), so just my comfy car to go
Ideally I like 50's 60's and 70's cars, but is there anything that would suit my needs for a daily commuter? So far i have though of an older Jaguar XJ, Rover P5 or maybe Volvo Amazon?
Other things that tickle my fancy would be to wait a while, double my budget and get a Rolls Royce, but my other half thinks that would be ridiculous
Is there an older, stylish classic that meets the need of a comfortable, quiet, modern day commuter, or am I just day dreaming?
ETA
I also like the look of the Reliant Scimitar, but honestly don't know a lot about them
Edited by AceOfHearts on Tuesday 22 April 22:18
How about.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
But I think for my money I would look for a P5 or P6 Rover.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
But I think for my money I would look for a P5 or P6 Rover.
Bentley is a nice shout, and apart from parts prices maintenance should be Ok as I do everything myself.
Capri might be a bit too 'sporty', but I will admit to having never been in one.
Porsche is nice but complicated, will have to do some more research into them
The Mercedes really doesn't float my boat at all
Capri might be a bit too 'sporty', but I will admit to having never been in one.
Porsche is nice but complicated, will have to do some more research into them
The Mercedes really doesn't float my boat at all
AceOfHearts said:
Bentley is a nice shout, and apart from parts prices maintenance should be Ok as I do everything myself.
Capri might be a bit too 'sporty', but I will admit to having never been in one.
Porsche is nice but complicated, will have to do some more research into them
The Mercedes really doesn't float my boat at all
The 928 is a lovely thing to behold, and to drive when everything's working, but all the fuel, maintenance and eventual restoration bills are about twice what you get from a 944. And a £4k 928 is way too cheap for safety unless you are a total 928 expert. A very good, near mint normally-aspirated 944 can be had for your budget, though, and is a good motorway machine.Capri might be a bit too 'sporty', but I will admit to having never been in one.
Porsche is nice but complicated, will have to do some more research into them
The Mercedes really doesn't float my boat at all
Something to bear in mind is that the older classics will have been designed before the advent of motorways; most will have low gearing and a three or four speed gearbox. A P6 with a five speed, or a Triumph 2.5 with overdrive will be much more suitable than a straight four speed. Most non five speed or small engine cars will probably not fulfil the role you have in mind.
When my other half had a nasty bike accident I bought a Mk2 Triumph 2000 auto', it handled the commute between Swindon and Stoke Mandeville several times a week for a year, it was almost 100% reliable, the other half was comfortable despite her injuries; it had an excellent heater, wipers, lights etc., the interior was a pleasant place to be, twas an entertaining drive and it returned nearly forty to the gallon (gentle driving on mainly A and B roads). If I needed a car for distances I wouldn't hesitate to buy another; I would look for a manual/overdrive version this time tho'.
A mate recently sold a Bentley similar to the one mentioned as he figured if he had to sit in traffic, he may as well sit there in comfort. After eighteen months he sold it having concluded that it cost him an extra twelve thousand pound to own over his usual Jaguars... he now drives a late model MX5...
When my other half had a nasty bike accident I bought a Mk2 Triumph 2000 auto', it handled the commute between Swindon and Stoke Mandeville several times a week for a year, it was almost 100% reliable, the other half was comfortable despite her injuries; it had an excellent heater, wipers, lights etc., the interior was a pleasant place to be, twas an entertaining drive and it returned nearly forty to the gallon (gentle driving on mainly A and B roads). If I needed a car for distances I wouldn't hesitate to buy another; I would look for a manual/overdrive version this time tho'.
A mate recently sold a Bentley similar to the one mentioned as he figured if he had to sit in traffic, he may as well sit there in comfort. After eighteen months he sold it having concluded that it cost him an extra twelve thousand pound to own over his usual Jaguars... he now drives a late model MX5...
A small haggle might get you into this, bit later than you asked but for motorway work, it will be faultless.
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C484503#
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C484503#
Great suggestions, I love Saab 900's, and the Merc is great, although i am not sure if i fancy another soft top.
Top of the list so far is a Bentley Turbo R and LPG it. My current car is LPG converted and i find it a great way to save money. Been reading up a lot about the Bentleys as well and they sound like a fantastic way to get around. Will have to take one for a drive when the time comes to look to buy
Top of the list so far is a Bentley Turbo R and LPG it. My current car is LPG converted and i find it a great way to save money. Been reading up a lot about the Bentleys as well and they sound like a fantastic way to get around. Will have to take one for a drive when the time comes to look to buy
Going to a car dealer tomorrow who has some interesting cars to look around
I know earlier I said I wasn't taken by that mercedes, but the brown one here looks gorgeous
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190982438345?ssPageName=...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191055108987?ssPageName=...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191055108989?ssPageName=...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191053991870?ssPageName=...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190983629643?ssPageName=...
I know earlier I said I wasn't taken by that mercedes, but the brown one here looks gorgeous
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190982438345?ssPageName=...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191055108987?ssPageName=...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191055108989?ssPageName=...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191053991870?ssPageName=...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190983629643?ssPageName=...
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