Classic investment - 3rd car for under £1500
Discussion
crostonian said:
How about a Series 1 Alfa 156 with either the 2.0 Twin Spark or the 2.5 V6, going older but harder to find maybe a wide body Alfa 155 or if you fancy a Coupe then a Series 1 Alfa 916 GTV or perhaps a Fiat Coupe 16V Turbo.
Good thinking, I like those.Anybody have any thoughts on MG ZR/ZT based on the rover 200 I think?
IceBoy said:
crostonian said:
How about a Series 1 Alfa 156 with either the 2.0 Twin Spark or the 2.5 V6, going older but harder to find maybe a wide body Alfa 155 or if you fancy a Coupe then a Series 1 Alfa 916 GTV or perhaps a Fiat Coupe 16V Turbo.
Good thinking, I like those.Anybody have any thoughts on MG ZR/ZT based on the rover 200 I think?
ZR was based on 200, ZS on 400 and ZT on 75.
ZR is fun and quite quick, however the petrol variants are prone to head gasket failure and the diesels are noisy. The v6 in the ZS and ZT would be my choices.
IceBoy said:
daemon said:
The most likely to go up in a short timeframe is the MX5. You can still get a reasonable mk1 for under a grand.
Most of the other stuff discussed could be in the doldrums for price for years yet.
Why would this increase in the short term, quicker than the others?Most of the other stuff discussed could be in the doldrums for price for years yet.
IceBoy
There arent that many around
Convertibles always sell
They're easy worked at
They already have close to a cult following
They're fun
They made the likes of a 156 up until 10 years ago - much too recent to be going up in value any time soon.
The Rovers / MG maybe too. Bit of a cult following.
Puma - most have rotted away, so if you can find a decent 1.7 for under £1,000 it will hold its money.
daemon said:
IceBoy said:
daemon said:
The most likely to go up in a short timeframe is the MX5. You can still get a reasonable mk1 for under a grand.
Most of the other stuff discussed could be in the doldrums for price for years yet.
Why would this increase in the short term, quicker than the others?Most of the other stuff discussed could be in the doldrums for price for years yet.
IceBoy
There arent that many around
Convertibles always sell
They're easy worked at
They already have close to a cult following
They're fun
They made the likes of a 156 up until 10 years ago - much too recent to be going up in value any time soon.
The Rovers / MG maybe too. Bit of a cult following.
Puma - most have rotted away, so if you can find a decent 1.7 for under £1,000 it will hold its money.
IceBoy
)daemon said:
They made the likes of a 156 up until 10 years ago - much too recent to be going up in value any time soon.
Agree with you on the MX5 however I disagree with you slightly re the 156. I have been looking on and off for a Mk1 2.5 Veloce, so 1998 to 2001 cars. Last year there were plenty of reasonable examples for sale around the £1k mark now there hardly seem to be any for sale and any decent examples with sub 80k miles seem to be selling for up to £2k. They are an affordable way into the Busso V6 and the Mk1 is seen as the best looking both inside and out. Personally I prefer the look of the non Veloces, the side skirts are just wavy cheap plastic held on with double sided tape and hide the lovely unadorned sills. The stiffer suspension of the Veloce, or should I say 'Sport Pack' when referring to earlier cars is worthwhile and the orange dials/carbon effect is very nice but again I also like the standard/Lusso spec with the Wood Wheel and Gearknob.
I would also say that due to the ownership demographic it is easier to find low mileage, well maintained standard/Lusso spec cars as opposed to the Veloces/Sport Packs.
Just adding to this.
I have owned a 156SW (2.4 though) and a 1991 1.6 Eunos.
Both good cars but I would avoid the Lusso spec Alfa (far too soft and wallowy). I am not sure whether they will appreciate enough to cover the maintenance costs. (mine swallowed brakes, had problems with rusty brake lines, front of chassis, suspension made from chocolate etc.)
The Eunos had a few issues, but was easy to fix myself and parts were not expensive.
Other choices could be
Mk1 MR2, Smart roadster (just), Fiat Coupe, Alfa GTV/ Spider, all have potential to rise in value - but it is obviously dependent upon the 'classic car market' in general, which I would say is very bubble shaped at the moment.
Mike
I have owned a 156SW (2.4 though) and a 1991 1.6 Eunos.
Both good cars but I would avoid the Lusso spec Alfa (far too soft and wallowy). I am not sure whether they will appreciate enough to cover the maintenance costs. (mine swallowed brakes, had problems with rusty brake lines, front of chassis, suspension made from chocolate etc.)
The Eunos had a few issues, but was easy to fix myself and parts were not expensive.
Other choices could be
Mk1 MR2, Smart roadster (just), Fiat Coupe, Alfa GTV/ Spider, all have potential to rise in value - but it is obviously dependent upon the 'classic car market' in general, which I would say is very bubble shaped at the moment.
Mike
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