What classic would you buy for £20k?
Discussion
Kind of understand the OP's situation.
I'm onto my 4th TVR, third Chimaera. Had it 8 months and it's the best one yet.
BUT, this year the weather has been so poor and I've just bought back the Caterham I built in 1990 (and sold in 2002).
I feel like (when it is restored) the Caterham and TVR are too much of a duplication. (Funnily I sold the Caterham after I bought my first TVR). And somehow this TVR just somehow doesn't excite like past TVR, too much same as before?
I have a Volvo 940 Estate that is great to cart around the family, dogs, shopping, stuff to the tip, park it without worrying etc. It sits outside and is the easiest to just get in and go without 15 minutes of car shuffle.
I keep thinking of selling the TVR, but what to replace it with (if anything).
I really would prefer to go for something easily maintainable but the sort of thing I fancy or have fancied in the past are:
Triumph Stag but too much of a duplication? Would also need to stay in garage so would not be out as much as I'd like
Subaru Impreza - might get used more but might not, half way house between the Volvo and the Caterham and a saloon not a drop top which family would prefer
Mercedes 500SL - some have the extra rear bench seat but too much like the TVR
Integrale - less practical than the Impreza but a long term itch
BMW E36 M3 convertible a 4 seater convertible which therefore ticks a lot of boxes but "just another BMW" to look at and not that simple to maintain.
Mazda Bongo Frendee lift top.......always fancied a day van....
Or just keep the TVR
I'm onto my 4th TVR, third Chimaera. Had it 8 months and it's the best one yet.
BUT, this year the weather has been so poor and I've just bought back the Caterham I built in 1990 (and sold in 2002).
I feel like (when it is restored) the Caterham and TVR are too much of a duplication. (Funnily I sold the Caterham after I bought my first TVR). And somehow this TVR just somehow doesn't excite like past TVR, too much same as before?
I have a Volvo 940 Estate that is great to cart around the family, dogs, shopping, stuff to the tip, park it without worrying etc. It sits outside and is the easiest to just get in and go without 15 minutes of car shuffle.
I keep thinking of selling the TVR, but what to replace it with (if anything).
I really would prefer to go for something easily maintainable but the sort of thing I fancy or have fancied in the past are:
Triumph Stag but too much of a duplication? Would also need to stay in garage so would not be out as much as I'd like
Subaru Impreza - might get used more but might not, half way house between the Volvo and the Caterham and a saloon not a drop top which family would prefer
Mercedes 500SL - some have the extra rear bench seat but too much like the TVR
Integrale - less practical than the Impreza but a long term itch
BMW E36 M3 convertible a 4 seater convertible which therefore ticks a lot of boxes but "just another BMW" to look at and not that simple to maintain.
Mazda Bongo Frendee lift top.......always fancied a day van....
Or just keep the TVR
Skyedriver said:
Kind of understand the OP's situation.
I'm onto my 4th TVR, third Chimaera. Had it 8 months and it's the best one yet.
BUT, this year the weather has been so poor and I've just bought back the Caterham I built in 1990 (and sold in 2002).
I feel like (when it is restored) the Caterham and TVR are too much of a duplication. (Funnily I sold the Caterham after I bought my first TVR). And somehow this TVR just somehow doesn't excite like past TVR, too much same as before?
The best thing to replace an old TVR with is a newer TVR, don't be put off by the Speed6 engine as they are epic. Tuscans, T350's and the Tamora are so much more of an 'event' than the old RV8 cars. They'll cost more to tun but the rewards are worth it. I still miss my Tuscan 'vert....I'm onto my 4th TVR, third Chimaera. Had it 8 months and it's the best one yet.
BUT, this year the weather has been so poor and I've just bought back the Caterham I built in 1990 (and sold in 2002).
I feel like (when it is restored) the Caterham and TVR are too much of a duplication. (Funnily I sold the Caterham after I bought my first TVR). And somehow this TVR just somehow doesn't excite like past TVR, too much same as before?
The Surveyor said:
Skyedriver said:
Kind of understand the OP's situation.
I'm onto my 4th TVR, third Chimaera. Had it 8 months and it's the best one yet.
BUT, this year the weather has been so poor and I've just bought back the Caterham I built in 1990 (and sold in 2002).
I feel like (when it is restored) the Caterham and TVR are too much of a duplication. (Funnily I sold the Caterham after I bought my first TVR). And somehow this TVR just somehow doesn't excite like past TVR, too much same as before?
The best thing to replace an old TVR with is a newer TVR, don't be put off by the Speed6 engine as they are epic. Tuscans, T350's and the Tamora are so much more of an 'event' than the old RV8 cars. They'll cost more to tun but the rewards are worth it. I still miss my Tuscan 'vert....I'm onto my 4th TVR, third Chimaera. Had it 8 months and it's the best one yet.
BUT, this year the weather has been so poor and I've just bought back the Caterham I built in 1990 (and sold in 2002).
I feel like (when it is restored) the Caterham and TVR are too much of a duplication. (Funnily I sold the Caterham after I bought my first TVR). And somehow this TVR just somehow doesn't excite like past TVR, too much same as before?
Also don't like the interior of the Tuscan (or didn't until I saw a late Mk 2 a few months ago.
Also looking something a little more "family" orientated
Nice suggestions of classics here, but people seem to forget just what £20,000 is and that is a alot of money (well to the average Joe anyway). I often hear people say 20k is ridiculous for a classic rust bucket that has no roof, no heating, falls to bits, no modern suspension, etc, especially when you can buy a modern equivalent for £1500, an example would be an MGB roadster and a modern MGF. MGBs are everywhere, yet they can range quite dramatically in price, some for a few hundred to a few thousand, right up to 20grand+ (or in some cases really silly figures like 40 grand for the gullible types). I know someone who didn't even spend anything close to that, he bought a 93 Ford Escort convertible (yes an hairdressers car) for £200 off eBay, all that was wrong with it was a dent in the door, worn interior, no tax or MOT, and a few minor mechanical and electrical issues, nothing that hard graft, time and a bit of money wouldn't sort out. In the last few months he's had it its nearly finished and on a budget. Not exactly a classic, but shows what can be done even sub a grand.
Spitfire's are good, and for some reason though they don't seem to have risen in value, yet you barely see any on the roads IMO, certainly less so than the MGB. Scimitar GTEs are great and still affordable for sensible money, unless it happens to be a Middlebridge; not keen on ones which have been butchered or messed with. Primitive but a great looking car, certainly better than the Jensen Interceptor (which some people often mistake it for) with that huge back window, rust and that beast of an engine which must cost a fortune to run (no wonder you don't see many driving around), especially in the UK. MGAs are lovely things, but prices are rising well into the 20s, though you can see some around the 10-15k range, the only thing is that sowing machine engine:-), god knows why some police forces in the 60s use to use them.
Spitfire's are good, and for some reason though they don't seem to have risen in value, yet you barely see any on the roads IMO, certainly less so than the MGB. Scimitar GTEs are great and still affordable for sensible money, unless it happens to be a Middlebridge; not keen on ones which have been butchered or messed with. Primitive but a great looking car, certainly better than the Jensen Interceptor (which some people often mistake it for) with that huge back window, rust and that beast of an engine which must cost a fortune to run (no wonder you don't see many driving around), especially in the UK. MGAs are lovely things, but prices are rising well into the 20s, though you can see some around the 10-15k range, the only thing is that sowing machine engine:-), god knows why some police forces in the 60s use to use them.
Edited by Jukebag on Thursday 26th November 15:01
Edited by Jukebag on Thursday 26th November 15:41
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