Classic for my wife?

[JCW]

OK, have convinced the wife to invest in a car that's not going to depreciate so a 'classic' is the way forward. The budget is up to £10k but doesn't HAVE to be spent but the vehicle does need to meet the following criteria:

- smart enough to meet clients and be able to be left on the company car park on occasion, so no bangers.
- reliable enough to complete £4k mileage per annum so not just a 'high days and holidays' motor.
- ideally appreciate in value or at least be sold for more than its purchase price.
- have some luxuries and not be a pig to drive.

Basically, she's left the decision to me and so far I have come up with the following...

1972 Triumph TR6 - meets the above criteria.
197? Triumph Stag - fulfils most of the above if a little toppy price wise.
1991 Peugeot 205 - just like them and unlikely to devalue.
1992 Porsche 944 - drop top seems to hold it's value better.
1999 TVR Chimaera - her choice but I'm unsure.

So, what do you guys think? Any opinions on these or other candidates? Thanks in advance.

[52classic]

I reckon the TR6 would be a bit tempramental for a daily driver.
Stag's a great choice but fuel costs may be a consideration.
205 is interesting but lacks a classic cachet just yet and perhaps the same for the Porsche.
TVR does it of course but is perhaps a bit new for your objective.

I would add to the list an E30 and a W108 Mercedes. Maybe Volvo 121! The former has the cleanest lines of any on the road, the Merc has more gravitas than anything else in the company car park and the Volvo makes an 'alternative lifestyle' statement.

[sassthathoopie]

What about an S4 Alfa Spider?

[vixen1700]

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C294473

XJ-S Convertible?

Edited by vixen1700 on Thursday 12th April 17:33

[HeatonNorris]

Has she driven a classic recently? - it's one thing being persuaded by a spouse that it's a good idea, but the reality of actually driving something designed half a century ago on a daily basis is very different. Which is why most of us don't.

Even a 20-30 year old car, which we'd still consider to be fairly modern, will feel agricultural to drive when you're coming from a modern car.

[Roman]

Mercedes R107 SL (ideally a 300 or 280):
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3695729.htm

Like the Chim, Alfa & XJS though!

[a8hex]

Another vote on an R107 Merc

[varsas]

Stag would be OK. They feel quite modern and have power steering, servo brakes etc.

I would think £10k would be more then enough to spend to be honest. Spend £7k, get a really nice one and save the rest for a top end engine rebuild should the heads fail. I get 25mpg out of my manual.

Have you considered an XK8? I bet the money you save in depreciation on a classic will be more then offset by higher maintenance and ongoing repairs, loss in value due to rust etc etc.

[Yertis]

HeatonNorris said:

Has she driven a classic recently? - it's one thing being persuaded by a spouse that it's a good idea, but the reality of actually driving something designed half a century ago on a daily basis is very different. Which is why most of us don't.

Even a 20-30 year old car, which we'd still consider to be fairly modern, will feel agricultural to drive when you're coming from a modern car.

I agree completely.

And especially not a TR6 – not because they are temperamental (they shouldn't be) but because heavy and uncomfortable. Diabolical things really, don't know why I love mine so much.

[JCW]

Schoolboy error, I showed her this thread which was stupid as I thought I had a clear run at this and now she's declared a vested interest in the type of car, which unfortunately rules out 52Classic's contributions which is a shame as I liked the look of that Mercedes and the Volvo.

Now she's seen the Alfa and Jaguar, both of which she likes it may have to be a drop top but she's questioned the Alfa choice by asking if 'the roof will leak?' Fair point I'd say having run numerous Alfas in my youth, albeit late '70s models. Oh, and apparently I've made here sound like a hooker by using the 'visiting clients' description so strike that one out.

I'm not that worried about fuel consumption, as man maths dictates that additional fuel costs will be factored in to the massive appreciation this car will have (within reason) so for the moment the Jag stays in the game although its a little large for her.

Is the TR6 really not reliable enough for this type of motoring? And we can rule out a Spitfire as I simply don't like them - apologies to any owners on here!

[JCW]

HeatonNorris said:

Has she driven a classic recently? - it's one thing being persuaded by a spouse that it's a good idea, but the reality of actually driving something designed half a century ago on a daily basis is very different. Which is why most of us don't.

Even a 20-30 year old car, which we'd still consider to be fairly modern, will feel agricultural to drive when you're coming from a modern car.

That's an excellent point and should be added to the list of requirements. For clarity, she won't be driving it every day (snow, ice and general inclement conditions) so whilst I said its not a high days and holidays vehicle, the likelihood is that she'll mostly use it in summer and when conditions are good. To be fair, she bangs around in a '96 Mondeo for trips to the station and uses the MINI when she needs to 'look smart' if that helps define the usage.

Thanks for your thoughts so far, as I'm charging off in one direction looking at this mostly from my perspective!

[Yertis]

JCW said:

Schoolboy error, I showed her this thread which was stupid as I thought I had a clear run at this and now she's declared a vested interest in the type of car, which unfortunately rules out 52Classic's contributions which is a shame as I liked the look of that Mercedes and the Volvo.

Now she's seen the Alfa and Jaguar, both of which she likes it may have to be a drop top but she's questioned the Alfa choice by asking if 'the roof will leak?' Fair point I'd say having run numerous Alfas in my youth, albeit late '70s models. Oh, and apparently I've made here sound like a hooker by using the 'visiting clients' description so strike that one out.

I'm not that worried about fuel consumption, as man maths dictates that additional fuel costs will be factored in to the massive appreciation this car will have (within reason) so for the moment the Jag stays in the game although its a little large for her.

Is the TR6 really not reliable enough for this type of motoring? And we can rule out a Spitfire as I simply don't like them - apologies to any owners on here!

The TR6 fails to meet your fourth criteria in every respect. Trust me, I built mine with the intention of using it exactly as you suggest, and I don't (unless the weather is very nice).

[Roman]

Picture of a nice 107 for comparison:


Great investment when you consider how much it's predecessor costs now though I would be tempted by a 'modern classic' E46 M3 convertible personally..

[Yertis]

Roman said:

Picture of a nice 107 for comparison:


Great investment when you consider how much it's predecessor costs now though I would be tempted by a 'modern classic' E46 M3 convertible personally..

That's what I would buy, in fact I probably will buy one soon.

AllRoad in the background a good day-to-day maid-of-all work BTW.

[HeatonNorris]

I'd say something with power steering and fuel injection is a must if you're doing this as her daily driver.

Which means stuff like the 944 would be ideal.

But you could just save a stack of cash and buy a Mk1 MX5... old enough to be a classic, but modern enough to use every day. And they don't leak like an Alfa Spider would.

[deltashad]

BMW M635csi highline one of 101 rhd
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C196932
BMW E28 M5
Lancia Delta HF integrale 16v
Lancia Fulvia coupe
Mercedes 500e
Mercedes R107
Audi UR Quattro
Audi 100 coupe (1970's)
TR8
MGC
Maserati Ghibli
Original Mini Cooper
Nissan Figaro
Renault Alpine
Saab 99 Turbo
TVR Chimera
VW Golf Mk1 Gti Campaign
Volvo P1800s

[themanwithnoname]

Some kind of 911? That's where my 10k would be going

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012... - 996 Carrera

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012... - 964 Carrera

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012... - 964 Carrera convertible (sadly auto)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011... Perhaps sir would like a Rolls

Or a Bentley Mulsanne http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011... a 4.5 Chim

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012... Wolseley 15/60

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012... Austin 7

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012... Mustang Mach1

My wife informs me that I would be on the couch for all but one of these cars.... I am seriously considering trading in the boring, sensible beemer for a 996...

[sunbeam alpine]

I can assure you that so long as it's half decent the Alfa's roof won't leak. If it leaks anywhere it will be on your feet via the rainwater ducts which run somewhere under the bonnet.

I've got an S4 which I bought as a stopgap while my Sunbeam was off the road for a complete restoration. I absolutely love it and would never sell it. The Sunbeam still gets regular outings, but we've taken the Alfa right across Europe.

[PainTrain]

A classic what car isnt complete without one of these...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-ROVER-MINI-COOPER-S...

[Yertis]

deltashad said:

BMW M635csi highline one of 101 rhd
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C196932
BMW E28 M5
Lancia Delta HF integrale 16v
Lancia Fulvia coupe
Mercedes 500e
Mercedes R107
Audi UR Quattro
Audi 100 coupe (1970's)
TR8
MGC
Maserati Ghibli
Original Mini Cooper
Nissan Figaro
Renault Alpine
Saab 99 Turbo
TVR Chimera
VW Golf Mk1 Gti Campaign
Volvo P1800s

Only urQuattro if you want a car that is poyentially off the road for months and months and months & months and months and months while a weird ecu fault is chased down. I would take solace in my 1:18 Quattro model instead but the cleaning lady has broken it while dusting.