First time - minor project idea?
Discussion
Let me give you my recent car History in backwards order...
Mk2 Toyota Mr2
Mk2 MX-5
Mk1 MX-5 (A SUPERB one I was nuts to sell)
B4 Audi 80
306 GTI-6.
I know none of those are particularly notable classics, but they were all quite old at the time, I certainly don't want anything newer than 90's, no computers or any of that rubbish.
I'm 27, and generally apart from when I ran Das Audi for a winter, only ever had one car at a time - that has been the limiting factor on how much work I could ever do. I really want a project car, and I think its time that I changed to be a two car man - I'll get something dull and cheap for <£1k to mooch about in, then I want something to play with.
I am a design engineer by 'trade'. I understand anything mechanical - I've had engines out, done clutches, major suspension work etc etc, so I'm not shy of the spanners. I know the MX-5 like the back of my hand, enjoyed working on those cars.
I'm know lucky enough to have my own driveway, and a single garage - not big enough to put a car IN unfortunately, but got plenty of tools etc.
I would consider spending up to about £4k, but the less spent to begin with, the less can be spent tinkering.
I'll do mechanical or electrical work, trimming etc. I can 'stick bits of metal together' but cant weld enough to tackle outer bodywork. I really wont want to be paying other people to work on my car, which sort of rules out anything with serious bodywork issues. I do have a mate who's a painter though.
The obvious choice is to buy another Mk1 MX-5, with the perfect blend of old and new, easy parts, I know it will be great to drive once finished, its just I've already had one, and it was a wonderful one too, so I'd rather not spoil that.
What I like -
Sports car handling, Great noise, Fuel Injection, Cars I will trust enough to go to Le-Mans, on roadtrips, to start on the button, cars that I can sell after two years and 20k miles for the same as what I paid (I.E. almost every car I've owned), enough practicality to go away with the Missus for thw weekend, and cars that 'look' like an enthusiasts car (shallow, moi!?).
What I dont like -
Cars the fill with rain if you leave them outside (Westfield etc), Fixing never ending rust, cars that are dog slow such that I'd want to take the 'modern' anytime I stray ten miles from home, cars the depreciate in value.
I dont like MG-Bs, and I dont want a Mini or a big 'barge' of a car. Or anything automatic.
A very obvious choice is a 924/944, and I really, really lovee them, the only thing that puts me off is that I'd almost consider just spending all my money on a tidy one from a dealer and having it as my only car - maybe a bit too metal-roofy, bit too four-cylindery....
At the opposite end of that scale is a TVR S - I love TVR, but I worry that it might be too much tinkering and not enough driving, and there top of my budget.
Any suggestions? I keep looking at the same cars over and over but wonder if anyone can throw something new in to the mix as a possibilty.
Mk2 Toyota Mr2
Mk2 MX-5
Mk1 MX-5 (A SUPERB one I was nuts to sell)
B4 Audi 80
306 GTI-6.
I know none of those are particularly notable classics, but they were all quite old at the time, I certainly don't want anything newer than 90's, no computers or any of that rubbish.
I'm 27, and generally apart from when I ran Das Audi for a winter, only ever had one car at a time - that has been the limiting factor on how much work I could ever do. I really want a project car, and I think its time that I changed to be a two car man - I'll get something dull and cheap for <£1k to mooch about in, then I want something to play with.
I am a design engineer by 'trade'. I understand anything mechanical - I've had engines out, done clutches, major suspension work etc etc, so I'm not shy of the spanners. I know the MX-5 like the back of my hand, enjoyed working on those cars.
I'm know lucky enough to have my own driveway, and a single garage - not big enough to put a car IN unfortunately, but got plenty of tools etc.
I would consider spending up to about £4k, but the less spent to begin with, the less can be spent tinkering.
I'll do mechanical or electrical work, trimming etc. I can 'stick bits of metal together' but cant weld enough to tackle outer bodywork. I really wont want to be paying other people to work on my car, which sort of rules out anything with serious bodywork issues. I do have a mate who's a painter though.
The obvious choice is to buy another Mk1 MX-5, with the perfect blend of old and new, easy parts, I know it will be great to drive once finished, its just I've already had one, and it was a wonderful one too, so I'd rather not spoil that.
What I like -
Sports car handling, Great noise, Fuel Injection, Cars I will trust enough to go to Le-Mans, on roadtrips, to start on the button, cars that I can sell after two years and 20k miles for the same as what I paid (I.E. almost every car I've owned), enough practicality to go away with the Missus for thw weekend, and cars that 'look' like an enthusiasts car (shallow, moi!?).
What I dont like -
Cars the fill with rain if you leave them outside (Westfield etc), Fixing never ending rust, cars that are dog slow such that I'd want to take the 'modern' anytime I stray ten miles from home, cars the depreciate in value.
I dont like MG-Bs, and I dont want a Mini or a big 'barge' of a car. Or anything automatic.
A very obvious choice is a 924/944, and I really, really lovee them, the only thing that puts me off is that I'd almost consider just spending all my money on a tidy one from a dealer and having it as my only car - maybe a bit too metal-roofy, bit too four-cylindery....
At the opposite end of that scale is a TVR S - I love TVR, but I worry that it might be too much tinkering and not enough driving, and there top of my budget.
Any suggestions? I keep looking at the same cars over and over but wonder if anyone can throw something new in to the mix as a possibilty.
Edited by snotrag on Monday 29th October 21:30
TR8/TR7 V8
Lotus Elan or Excel
Several of the above on ebay.
If I had the space I'd be very tempted by this Elan +2 body with V5 though, seller is also selling a Spyder chassis:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LOTUS-ELAN-2-1968-SHELL-...
Lotus Elan or Excel
Several of the above on ebay.
If I had the space I'd be very tempted by this Elan +2 body with V5 though, seller is also selling a Spyder chassis:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LOTUS-ELAN-2-1968-SHELL-...
I can only back up the suggestion of a Celica Supra, great car. Parts are still relatively available, particularly from the US. It's also something a bit different as a lot of people don't know what they are. Mine has never let me down and I would feel more confident going on long journeys in it than what I would my daily driver. Expect to pay not over 3 grand for a good one. Handling is old fashioned 80s fun, plenty of suspension/power upgrades etc available too.
Widebody cars tend to look a bit better, but don't put down a narrowbody car if you find one, they are rare and in this country apart from the wheels, are exactly the same car.
Widebody cars tend to look a bit better, but don't put down a narrowbody car if you find one, they are rare and in this country apart from the wheels, are exactly the same car.
p4cks said:
Clio Williams. I've got two at the moment and they are superb value; Parts are relatively cheap and their values will only appreciate in my opinion.
I even managed to get one of them for £900.
Be very careful, having taken my apart, ive found rust in quite serious places. They hide rust very wheel only to reveal it when your pockets are the most empty.I even managed to get one of them for £900.
They are a wonderful amazing car, but they drain you if you get the wrong one.
I'd say a corrado, best driving position in the world, can never be more comfy.
Thanks guys, some great suggestions.
I love hatches, but a 205 or a Williams arent really what I'm after, a bit normal, and I much prefere 'proper' low down raked out RWD sports cars.
Celica Supra is a great shout, maybe a Mk3 too - I suspect that like most Japanese cars theres some very easy engine swaps to do here!
On a similar theme, I also like the Starion, and the FB/FC RX-7 - all of which are a similar era, similar price range etc to a 944 but a little different in character.
I'd LOVE an Alfetta GTV but I rather suspect there well outside my budget.
Same goes for the Lotus Elan - I bet a scrap engine in one of those would be more than my entire budget, far too collectable unfortunately. Excel is a possibility, but I reckon i'd rather have the Supra above that it takes its parts from, if I'm honest!
I love hatches, but a 205 or a Williams arent really what I'm after, a bit normal, and I much prefere 'proper' low down raked out RWD sports cars.
Celica Supra is a great shout, maybe a Mk3 too - I suspect that like most Japanese cars theres some very easy engine swaps to do here!
On a similar theme, I also like the Starion, and the FB/FC RX-7 - all of which are a similar era, similar price range etc to a 944 but a little different in character.
I'd LOVE an Alfetta GTV but I rather suspect there well outside my budget.
Same goes for the Lotus Elan - I bet a scrap engine in one of those would be more than my entire budget, far too collectable unfortunately. Excel is a possibility, but I reckon i'd rather have the Supra above that it takes its parts from, if I'm honest!
I've looked into the Scimita, and really its pointless, because it offers nothing over an MX-5 except rarity, and being asbsolutely horrendously ugly.
However...
What do we know about these...
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C311508 @ £4k, or
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C336322 @ £3k
How do they compare with, what would by my current default choice, of an MX-5?
Is the handling far more 'old fashioned'? Old fashioned good, or old fashioned just plain rubbish?
They will rust. I get it, but just how much - I'd want to use it quite a lot, it will get wet and muddy underneath.
Is everything it gains over an MX-5 in desirability, looks, alfa-ness etc, more than what it must lose out on durability, reliability etc?
Doing some light reading, it seems they have a lot of the things I like and must have been quite modern in design when the Original came out - Monococque, Independent Suspension etc... The hood goes up and down super-quick like an MX-5, they have a decent boot for touring like an MX-5. The engine should sound absolutely peachy I presume too?
How 'wobbly' is the chassis likely to be?
However...
What do we know about these...
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C311508 @ £4k, or
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C336322 @ £3k
How do they compare with, what would by my current default choice, of an MX-5?
Is the handling far more 'old fashioned'? Old fashioned good, or old fashioned just plain rubbish?
They will rust. I get it, but just how much - I'd want to use it quite a lot, it will get wet and muddy underneath.
Is everything it gains over an MX-5 in desirability, looks, alfa-ness etc, more than what it must lose out on durability, reliability etc?
Doing some light reading, it seems they have a lot of the things I like and must have been quite modern in design when the Original came out - Monococque, Independent Suspension etc... The hood goes up and down super-quick like an MX-5, they have a decent boot for touring like an MX-5. The engine should sound absolutely peachy I presume too?
How 'wobbly' is the chassis likely to be?
I have a 1977 Spider that I am currently trying to sell as a project. They are really a lot of fun, with decent handling, a lovely engine, and all round groovy Italian-ness. I would advise that you avoid the 1980s ones, as pictured, which are too heavy.
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 31st October 21:58
Excellent. As with most things, the older you go, the more expenisive they get, but I actually really like the very last of the line S4 models (much prettier than those S3's pictured above, they were just the first two that cropped up), and it at that time it really was the Italian Alternatvie to the MX-5. I can see me doing some research into this...
snotrag said:
I love hatches, but a 205 or a Williams arent really what I'm after, a bit normal, and I much prefere 'proper' low down raked out RWD sports cars.
Celica Supra is a great shout, maybe a Mk3 too - I suspect that like most Japanese cars theres some very easy engine swaps to do here!
What about one of these, or are they slightly too new? http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/nissan/300-z...Celica Supra is a great shout, maybe a Mk3 too - I suspect that like most Japanese cars theres some very easy engine swaps to do here!
Breadvan72 said:
I have a 1977 Spider that I am currently trying to sell as a project. They are really a lot of fun, with decent handling, a lovely engine, and all round groovy Italian-ness. I would advise that you avoid the 1980s ones, as pictured, which are too heavy.
A friend of mine had one of those a few years back a LHS I think , great car but the cooling jacket had cracked and was sealed up with Araldite ! He drove it as it should have been driven without any ill effects......I think !! Edited by Breadvan72 on Wednesday 31st October 21:58
A good Alfa Spider from the 1970s knocks spots off any British competition of that era except for a Lotus Elan. The Spider has a five speed gearbox and well servoed brakes, so is very usable in modern traffic. The hood goes uyp and folds down with one hand. The handling is not as good as that of a GTV or GT Junior, but is pretty good for a convertible. The twin cam engine, with double Dellortos, is a lovely thing.
There is a place by Hatfield that is supposed to be very good at rust protecting ye old jalopies.
There is a place by Hatfield that is supposed to be very good at rust protecting ye old jalopies.
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