Best of the Bargain Basement Vol. 2
Discussion
What's people's opinions for a bargain soft top?
I know MX-5 would be the default choice but do people choose these just because everyone says you should.
Any other choices.
No LHD, my wife needs to drive it :-)
Nothing too old, ie. 1995 ish or older.
MR2's seem to hold their price or else that would be top the list.
I know MX-5 would be the default choice but do people choose these just because everyone says you should.
Any other choices.
No LHD, my wife needs to drive it :-)
Nothing too old, ie. 1995 ish or older.
MR2's seem to hold their price or else that would be top the list.
TonyRPH said:
CharlesdeGaulle said:
Caruso said:
Good spot. Looks a decent buy for that money. 
The 124 estate is very much a known quantity, there are numerous common faults but there's plenty of intel out there for the wary. As always, learn before or take a beard to any inspection!
GreatGranny said:
What's people's opinions for a bargain soft top?
I know MX-5 would be the default choice but do people choose these just because everyone says you should.
Any other choices.
No LHD, my wife needs to drive it :-)
Nothing too old, ie. 1995 ish or older.
MR2's seem to hold their price or else that would be top the list.
The MGTF is a cheap buy if you can find a goodun if you fancy something different to the MX5I know MX-5 would be the default choice but do people choose these just because everyone says you should.
Any other choices.
No LHD, my wife needs to drive it :-)
Nothing too old, ie. 1995 ish or older.
MR2's seem to hold their price or else that would be top the list.
I saw one go on eBay the other day for £500 which looked a minter with 40000 on the clock, but obviously check for head gasket issues otherwise you could en'd up with an expensive Kettle.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ROVER-MG-MGTF-115-SUNSTO...
Maybe something like this but that's without looking too hard, so if your not after one immediately then you will get a late one a lot cheaper.
Edited by Vince70 on Wednesday 3rd September 11:14
Thanks Vince70.
Not after one right away. Maybe next spring or even before.
MG TF appeals to me.
Great engine barrng obvious 'thing'.
Looks good IMO and they are cheap because of the scare stories.
A 160 model passed me the other day, it was shifting!
It will just be a weekend car and very occasional commuter for my wife and I now the kds are a little older.
Can't believe my wife suugested it!!!
Not after one right away. Maybe next spring or even before.
MG TF appeals to me.
Great engine barrng obvious 'thing'.
Looks good IMO and they are cheap because of the scare stories.
A 160 model passed me the other day, it was shifting!
It will just be a weekend car and very occasional commuter for my wife and I now the kds are a little older.
Can't believe my wife suugested it!!!
idiotgap said:
Maybe a bit ott if you ask me... car gets rusty after 20 years - shock!?!
The 124 estate is very much a known quantity, there are numerous common faults but there's plenty of intel out there for the wary. As always, learn before or take a beard to any inspection!
It's interesting that the thread talks about rear window rot and the car above it has really, really OBVIOUS rot there and it's all good advice when looking at tatty (or cosmetically polished) ones.The 124 estate is very much a known quantity, there are numerous common faults but there's plenty of intel out there for the wary. As always, learn before or take a beard to any inspection!
Of course if you're driving it into the ground, window rot doesn't matter. Worst case is external rash and a bit of water ingress (so perma-misty windows in winter) but the rot at the suspension mount is a bit more serious (and a lot more work)
Assume the smart ones are as tatty as the tatty ones underneath and look with your eyes and you'll be fine tho
sday12 said:
Looks perfect for the other half, will have to text the chap and find out the extent of the corrosion.405dogvan said:
This came-up looking at the tatty TE below - we don't have a worst of the basement thread and - well - I'm not - errr - the seller isn't even sure what it is (I know, I know) but it's not - well...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/mercedes-benz-s280-s320-...
I know, I know but I don't HATE it - much - and it's there and...
It's the SL next to it - it says the owner might not be QUITE as insane as you'd think - doesn't it?
I.............quite................don't...........hate...............it. I think I'd happily have that sat on my drive way with the number plate back in its correct place.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/mercedes-benz-s280-s320-...
I know, I know but I don't HATE it - much - and it's there and...
It's the SL next to it - it says the owner might not be QUITE as insane as you'd think - doesn't it?
GreatGranny said:
Thanks Vince70.
Not after one right away. Maybe next spring or even before.
MG TF appeals to me.
Great engine barrng obvious 'thing'.
Looks good IMO and they are cheap because of the scare stories.
A 160 model passed me the other day, it was shifting!
It will just be a weekend car and very occasional commuter for my wife and I now the kds are a little older.
Can't believe my wife suugested it!!!
Where are you in the UK? If your up in Aberdeenshire, it may be worth you going past the Overton Dismantlers in Dyce, They had a phase 2 MGTF that looked great outside. IIRC it was sitting at £1100 on the ticket, so there may be some wriggle-roomNot after one right away. Maybe next spring or even before.
MG TF appeals to me.
Great engine barrng obvious 'thing'.
Looks good IMO and they are cheap because of the scare stories.
A 160 model passed me the other day, it was shifting!
It will just be a weekend car and very occasional commuter for my wife and I now the kds are a little older.
Can't believe my wife suugested it!!!
Eski1991 said:
sday12 said:
Looks perfect for the other half, will have to text the chap and find out the extent of the corrosion.I'd have 10 'future classics' (ahem) if I had the space!
Cold Snail said:
A few more photos of the Jag.
If you aren't bothered about originality, i'd be tempted to smooth those bits over and paint each pillar black like they do on the rear of the new XJ's - such a thin amount of body colour i'd bet you'd hardly notice it if you did both sides of course! 
Just a little financial update on my bangernomics situation. I've had my latest banger acquisition a year now and this is what it has cost me:
Buying the car: £571
Essential Repairs:
Non essential repairs (servicing & aircon recharge):
Car Tax (Approx. 2x 6mnths): £250
Insurance (Bells & Whistles, classic policy): £290
Total Cost : £1794.43
My total running cost per mile, including purchase price, insurance, tax, all repairs & fuel @ 32mpg : 40.92 PPM
Buying the car: £571
Essential Repairs:
- Thermostat
- Rear Brake Assembly
- MOT
- Suspension Arm
- Droplinks
- Centre Exhaust Section
- Tyre / Rim Repair
Non essential repairs (servicing & aircon recharge):
- Oil & Filter Service
- Pollen Filter
- Fuel Filter
- Gearbox Oil
- Air Filter
- Aircon Regass
Car Tax (Approx. 2x 6mnths): £250
Insurance (Bells & Whistles, classic policy): £290
Total Cost : £1794.43
My total running cost per mile, including purchase price, insurance, tax, all repairs & fuel @ 32mpg : 40.92 PPM
Edited by SebastienClement on Monday 8th September 13:12
SebastienClement said:
Just a little financial update on my bangernomics situation. I've had my latest banger acquisition a year now and this is what it has cost me:
Buying the car: £571
Essential Repairs:
Non essential repairs (servicing & aircon recharge):
Car Tax (Approx. 2x 6mnths): £250
Insurance (Bells & Whistles, classic policy): £290
Total Cost : £1794.43
My total running cost per mile, including purchase price, insurance, tax, all repairs & fuel @ 32mpg : 40.92 PPM
On what car though good sir?Buying the car: £571
Essential Repairs:
- Thermostat
- Rear Brake Assembly
- MOT
- Suspension Arm
- Droplinks
- Centre Exhaust Section
- Tyre / Rim Repair
Non essential repairs (servicing & aircon recharge):
- Oil & Filter Service
- Pollen Filter
- Fuel Filter
- Gearbox Oil
- Air Filter
- Aircon Regass
Car Tax (Approx. 2x 6mnths): £250
Insurance (Bells & Whistles, classic policy): £290
Total Cost : £1794.43
My total running cost per mile, including purchase price, insurance, tax, all repairs & fuel @ 32mpg : 40.92 PPM
Edited by SebastienClement on Monday 8th September 13:12
SebastienClement said:
Doh, sorry!
2000 Rover 75 2.0 v6.
Interesting breakdown, is that 32MPG actually calculated or from the cars readout? 2000 Rover 75 2.0 v6.
I think if my SAAB 9-3 turbo shed makes it through a year of ownership I will look at doing a similar breakdown but already you've beaten me on insurance
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff