On the Cheap

[Tib]

Hi all,

Due to a change in circumstances, I'm now going to have to commute to work. Rather than buy a boring moderately fast diesel, I plan on buying a completely boring not fast at all hybrid thing. Of course, this gives me the opportunity to have two cars. I enjoy driving cable throttle, no driver aids, old school machines, but I'm going to be on a severely limited budget. Basically, about a grand.

I'm basically after something pretty, enjoyable to drive, not necessarily very quick and easy enough to work on myself, within budget.

Does anyone have any ideas? The car does have to be kept outside (though off road and under a car cover) so maybe bare than in mind. Either way, I'm a bit new to the world of classics, so any advice on what I could get (if anything) would be appreciated!

[v8250]

OP, £1000 will only buy you a basket case and, to be frank, is a waste of money. Even the humble MGB or MX5 needs at least 3x that to buy a semi-decent one where you'll not be constantly throwing cash at it.

I have a better suggestion, add both budgets together and buy the right car to tick both boxes. If you don't need four doors and a soft top/coupe is attractive to you why not buy a Honda S2000 or a Porshe 944? Good strong cars, plenty of grunt, good mpg, comfortable, will eat the commuter miles and be a bucket load of fun for the weekends. Plus, lower combined insurance, only one road tax to pay...and the 'delicate' second car won't be sat outside all year round.

[soxboy]

You may be able to get an MG Midget off eBay for that budget, otherwise it's going to have to be an MX5.

Other ideas include Golf cabrio, Saab 900 cabrio (not sure if in budget), Jag XJS possibly, Golf mk2 gti.

Have a look at classic car section on eBay and see what floats your boat.

[anoother]

924 or (if you can find one that hasn't rusted in half) mk1 RX7?

[Keep it stiff]

MX5 would be the best bet or perhaps an MG TF if you are feeling brave.

[grumpy52]

If you can do basic spannering look at a 200 series Volvo .
They are well within budget, robust, very tuneable, very chuckable , parts are plentiful , easy to work on and pretty good on insurance .

[tortop45]

205gti

[Tib]

There isn't a car that ticks both boxes - for car parking restrictions it's got to chuck out under 90g/co2. I have a Boxster S at the moment which would be going to fund both endeavours, if I were going to buy a car that ticked both boxes, that would be it.

Looks like the budget needs to be upped then. I'll shuffle off to eBay and see what I can find...

I also have a Volvo 240 GL at the moment which is one of the things that's driving this a bit. I like its simplicity and charm, but it's a long way from being considered a fun steer. It was however, bought for moving house (which has spurred the whole need for a commuter vehicle) for cheaper than the costs of a removal van.

[forsure]

Ford Pumas are fun to drive and cheap to run. Don't think they'll get much cheaper, but it will be a challenge to find one without rusty rear wheel-arches.

[oliverb205]

Could a Morris Minor come under budget?

[Mellow Yellow]

Hmmmmmm, £1k budget rings a bell, how about looking through these for ideas: Shed!

[Humper]

You will get something for your budget but be prepared to spend time looking at ste, Scumtree is your friend at that price.

[timolloyd]

There's a lot of negative responses here. As long as you're not looking for something traditionally classic from the 60s or 70s, why not think about a Pug 205, Renault 5, VW Scirocco or as the post above suggests, something large, wafty and Shed-like?

[edgyedgy]

My first thought on reading this was obviously mk1 mx5 however if I was you I'd have a look on retro-rides for sale section. Always something interesting on there. Best of luck anyway.

[Perseverant]

W201 Mercedes. They come in a variety of engine sizes and trim, plenty around, classic insurance, fairly inexpensive bits and so far easy to work on. I've had my 190e 2 litre for 9 years - black, 5 speed manual, grey MB tex interior. A well made old car, becoming a bit more unusual these days- I've had a few random people asking if it's for sale, which has been a little silly as how would I get home? It's economical too, easily over 40 mpg on a long trip (and that's not hanging about either). Not much room for rear passengers if the front seats are back though.

[Edmundo2]

Imp. Fun, Practical, nippy, easy to work on, ripe for further improvement, etc?

[Itsallicanafford]

I'm basically after something pretty, enjoyable to drive, not necessarily very quick and easy enough to work on myself, within budget.

this is most likely the original design brief for the MX-5....

Get a good one and you will be laughing