Good Starter Classic Still Thinking?

[rjnicko]

Hey guys,

so its been about a year and as much as I want a Triumph Stag (as posted previously a while back) I'm just not sure at current its a viable option. I.e. the insurance, fuel costs etc.

However, I am interested in the next 12-18 months looking at a good starter classic and finally getting rid of my Grande Punto.

I am really liking the Triumph Dolomite and they seem a bargain decently priced, seems that you can get a good one for about £2500-£3K, insurance seems reasonable too I can get one insured for just over a grand on my own policy Perhaps most likely cheaper with specialist classic insurers?

I was also considering the Mini and I do rather like the Rover (SD1) although perhaps that is a bit ambitious as a first classic as me being only 20 LOL.

I also really like the Cortina 1600E, but they maybe just a smudge out of my budget for one in good shape

Any thoughts or opinions on this? Personally I like old British classics, I guess they just have some charm about them and go back to a better era. Even if they were to put it bluntly not "that" well built.

cheers,

Edited by classiccarfan93 on Friday 8th March 08:23

Edited by classiccarfan93 on Friday 8th March 08:23

[Jefftav]

Triumph Dolomite is a good call. Start with something that is easy to maintain and has good parts availability as a classic car does need more looking after than a modern. Some clubs will have deals with insurance companies to help get insurance at a decent price. If there is a clasic car club locally then get involved so that you learn from other owners and sometimes you will hear of cars for sale before they get advertised.

When buying a car take a knowledgeable friend who you will listen to as not all classics are bargains and you don't want to part with your cash for a rust bucket or a knacked engine.

Good luck

[griffter]

I had an sd1 when I was 20. Surprisingly good fun and very usable. You don't have to have a v8. The other engines are cheaper to buy and charismatic in their own right.

[dycecooper]

My TR7V8 £2500

[DocArbathnot]

MGB GT

Coupe looks, tough mechanicals, parts availability second to none.

[classiccarfan93]

dycecooper said:

My TR7V8 £2500

I'm not sure i'd want a TR7 LOL. My dad had one almost from brand new and said it was the worst car he'd ever owned. That was back then, personally I do love Triumphs and I'm swaying towards a Dolomite. If only a stag was viable at the moment LOL I'd get one of them in a heartbeat.

[Jon Brown]

Triumph spitfire?

[dycecooper]

Stags are nice but very expensive, TR7s were a tragic car and the reputation remains in tatters, buy a standard one and its just as bad today but buy one that's been modernised and its awesome. I had problems on a daily basis but now I have total reliability.

[OllieC]

V6 Capri, should be able to find a good 2.8 for under 3k (if you look around a bit)

Cant go wrong with an MG, great parts availability etc

[na]

most first time classic owners, especially younger ones, have an incorrect understanding of classic car ownership based on the experience and poor practices of previous and present classic owners

they are given the ideas that:

a) classics if left in standard form are slow, poor handling and unreliable rather than this is the fault of present and previous owners

b) that the important things do with the car is to worry about the engine and constantly fiddle with the carbs

c) having faulty items on the car is all part of having a classic

the important systems and items on a classic are the same as any car - brakes, tyres, steering, suspension, lights, windows and mirrors

the fact that most British classics can run with the engine and running gear in poor condition is exactly why they continue to do so, many owners don't do the necessary full and proper servicing, maintenance and repairs, many also think that as they don't use the car much that it needs less or no servicing rather than it actually needs more servicing, others think a full service is an engine oil change

to fully enjoy and keep a classic car in good condition it needs to be, more so then modern cars, frequently driven and regularly serviced

Edited by na on Friday 8th March 09:07

[classiccarfan93]

na said:

most first time classic owners, especially younger ones, have an incorrect understanding of classic car ownership based on the experience and poor practices of previous and present classic owners

they are given the ideas that:

a) classics if left in standard form are slow, poor handling and unreliable rather than this is the fault of present and previous owners

b) that the important things do with the car is to worry about the engine and constantly fiddle with the carbs

c) having faulty items on the car is all part of having a classic

the important systems and items on a classic are the same as any car - brakes, tyres, steering, suspension, lights, windows and mirrors

the fact that most British classics can run with the engine and running gear in poor condition is exactly why they continue to do so, many owners don't do the necessary full and proper servicing, maintenance and repairs, many also think that as they don't use the car much that it needs less or no servicing rather than it actually needs more servicing, others think a full service is an engine oil change

to fully enjoy and keep a classic car in good condition it needs to be, more so then modern cars, frequently driven and regularly serviced

Edited by na on Friday 8th March 09:07

To be honest I'd say on a classic there is far less that can go wrong, if stuff does go wrong I imagine its far easier to repair. I'm lucky too I guess my dads a Coded welder and both him and grandad have worked on a tonne of cars for as long as I can remember.

These days most cars now need diagnosing on a computer before you know whats wrong with it and so much which can go wrong, especially if you consider the amount of computers and sensors on cars these days. A friends Mercedes A-class was scrapped because the garage told her that the automatic gearbox was ruined and it would cost more than what the car was worth to fix. At the end of it all it turned out a sensor had failed going into the EMC.

If/when I do get a classic it will most defo be a daily driver. I'm not one for modifying cars either unless completely necessary, like on the Stag with the overheating and cooling problems on the Triumph V8. Other than stuff like that I'd prefer to keep everything as factory original as possible. To me customising a classic car is sacrilege.

Edited by classiccarfan93 on Friday 8th March 09:18

[na]

classiccarfan93 said:

To be honest I'd say on a classic there is far less that can go wrong, if stuff does go wrong I imagine its far easier to repair. Most cars now need diagnosing on a computer before you know whats wrong with it. So ,much which can go wrong especially if you consider the amount of computers and sensors on cars these days.

yes you have a good point but you've not allowing for wear, poor parts quality, lack of servicing, maintenance and repair by present and previous owners

classiccarfan93 said:

If/when I do get a classic it will most defo be a daily driver.

in that case you need prevention of faults rather than repair of them, getting, reading and following the servicing schedule and details of how to do the work in the Driver's Handbook for the car

classiccarfan93 said:

I'm not one for modifying cars either unless completely necessary, like on the Stag with the overheating and cooling problems on the Triumph V8.

by now all overheating problems should be a thing of many years ago, a Stag with an overheating problem now would have to be very original and never used or poorly looked after both of which would not be for you

classiccarfan93 said:

Other than stuff like that I'd prefer to keep everything as factory original as possible. To me customising a classic car is sacrilege.

a very original car is hard to come by now and will be expensive, over the years most cars have been modified/customised usually not OTT so you might not even notice

for everyday use some changes can make the car even more useable, my car looks quite standard to most people but has many changes to make it very reliable and useable, I've been using various classics as daily cars for over 20 years so I know what is important to me - my cars have all lived outside and been used the whole year round, with my present Midget if required I'd expect to be able to leave it covered in snow in freezing weather for say 3 or 4 weeks and still be able to start it and drive off with only the same driver checks I would do on a modern car

Edited by nta16 on Friday 19th July 21:18

[jimbob82]

DocArbathnot said:

MGB GT

Coupe looks, tough mechanicals, parts availability second to none.

+1, with some suspension upgrades (front polybushes, slightly stiffer front springs and shocks, uprated rear shocks) and a brake upgrade, they are as good as a modern day car. I've done loads of MGB's and they always put a smile on my face when I drive them. 1.8l engine that has more than enough poke for general daily use and they are suprisingly comfortable

[classiccarfan93]

na said:

very original car is hard to come by now and will be expensive, over the years most cars have been modified/customised usually not OTT so you might not even notice

I was talking more about the likes of original paint colour, original trim levels, etc.

[na]

classiccarfan93 said:

I was talking more about the likes of original paint colour, original trim levels, etc.

what you mean all those MGBs originally didn't come with bright red paint and chrome wire wheels

if you go to the cost and hassle of a respray then you might as well have the colour you want even if it's not an original colour to the actual car, model range or year, some do go too far for my taste but it's their car

some period extras to trim or car added many years can add to the car, some don't

some add a bit too much non-standard stainless steel and wood bits for my taste but again it's their car and choice

[na]

jimbob82 said:

+1, with some suspension upgrades (front polybushes,

replace worn suspension bushes whether or not upgrading the springs and dampers and changing to poly is a good idea

jimbob82 said:

slightly stiffer front springs and shocks, uprated rear shocks)

possibly if the ones on the car need replacing but not strictly necessary, just uprating the ARB could be enough

jimbob82 said:

and a brake upgrade,

now I don't agree here, the standard set up in good condition is fine, replacing old hard tyres (regardless of the tread depth on them), old hard brake pads, the brake fluid and old worn flexi-hoses should be more than enough for the cars to brake well

jimbob82 said:

they are as good as a modern day car.

possibly but do they need to be and do you want them to be and as good as which moderns, part of driving is adjusting to the vehicle your driving and the conditions you're in, different moderns have to be driven in different ways too

jimbob82 said:

I've done loads of MGB's and they always put a smile on my face when I drive them. 1.8l engine that has more than enough poke for general daily use and they are suprisingly comfortable

and I'm sure you'd also agree that as well as bringing them nearer to the standards of a modern car if they're left fairly standard and have all their standard systems, components and parts in good condition and the car regularly serviced and maintained and frequently used then a standard car is easily capable of daily use and pleasant to drive even in a spirited way

[onomatopoeia]

rjnicko said:

However, I am interested in the next 12-18 months looking at a good starter classic and finally getting rid of my Grande Punto.

Imp. I'm biased though as my first was my "starter classic" and daily driver at the same time. I did 25,000 miles in it over two years and once I'd ironed all the problems left behind by previous owners it was fine.

One would certainly teach you about head gaskets, the importance of using a torque wrench and maintaining cooling systems.

[na]

onomatopoeia said:

I did 25,000 miles in it over two years and once I'd ironed all the problems left behind by previous owners it was fine.

exactly what I meant, mind most wouldn't do that mileage in 4 years (some would take 10 years)

onomatopoeia said:

maintaining cooling systems.

this is often missed on models that don't have a history of cooling problems but is still very important on them and can often partially at least account for less than optimum running and poor cabin heating

Edited by na on Friday 8th March 14:18

[jimbob82]

na - I agree with you entirely. But, everyone who has come to me with an MGB GT, has always commented that the front end could have been a little stiffer from the factory. I'm not saying their wrong nor am I saying your wrong, but in my experience they are a little podgy on the front in standard form.

You wouldn't want to see my MGB GT

[ClassicMotorNut]

MG Midget, Morris Minor, Mk. II Escort, etc.

Good luck finding a car.