A pleasant what car purchase question
Discussion
I recently bought a Mercedes SL500 to run alongside my TVR Chimaera to evaluate which I preferred before selling one.
Trouble is I couldn't decide, so have put both up for sale. I've now got interest in both. If I actually sell both (!!) I'll have about £15K left after paying off a loan.
What do I go for?
Thinking along the lines of a straight forward car to maintain at home, with parts that are readily available.
Pre 1980 would be good to avoid VED etc on a car where mileage would be limited
Convertible would be nice but not essential
4 seats or 2+2 would be nice but not essential
What is essential is that it must have charisma, be a pleasure to drive, sporting pedigree preferably, make my heart skip a beat when I open the garage door and make me look back at it and smile when I park it. (Maybe I'm better off with what I have!)
I've always admired the 635csi, Alfa Junior, Lancia Fulvia (have had one), Integrale, but fear for spares availability or repair at home.
I wanted a Frogeye when I was 17, have thought of one now but I'm 66 and struggle to bend sufficiently to get in one (still get into my Caterham though).
Was a big Imp fan when I was younger but worry I'd be underwhelmed by one now.
Or an earlier TVR? Had a "Wedge" once, liked some of it wasn't keen on other bits. Maybe a Vixen or M Series?
Often thought of a Stag or Scimitar GTC but never found one that I liked enough when I've driven them.
Volvo 1800ES? I'm a long time Volvo 940 owner, still have one.
Something totally left field and 1950's or 60's? Not been down that route since I was 17.
Of course if only one car sells I won't have this "problem" although might think about a cheaper restoration project....
Trouble is I couldn't decide, so have put both up for sale. I've now got interest in both. If I actually sell both (!!) I'll have about £15K left after paying off a loan.
What do I go for?
Thinking along the lines of a straight forward car to maintain at home, with parts that are readily available.
Pre 1980 would be good to avoid VED etc on a car where mileage would be limited
Convertible would be nice but not essential
4 seats or 2+2 would be nice but not essential
What is essential is that it must have charisma, be a pleasure to drive, sporting pedigree preferably, make my heart skip a beat when I open the garage door and make me look back at it and smile when I park it. (Maybe I'm better off with what I have!)
I've always admired the 635csi, Alfa Junior, Lancia Fulvia (have had one), Integrale, but fear for spares availability or repair at home.
I wanted a Frogeye when I was 17, have thought of one now but I'm 66 and struggle to bend sufficiently to get in one (still get into my Caterham though).
Was a big Imp fan when I was younger but worry I'd be underwhelmed by one now.
Or an earlier TVR? Had a "Wedge" once, liked some of it wasn't keen on other bits. Maybe a Vixen or M Series?
Often thought of a Stag or Scimitar GTC but never found one that I liked enough when I've driven them.
Volvo 1800ES? I'm a long time Volvo 940 owner, still have one.
Something totally left field and 1950's or 60's? Not been down that route since I was 17.
Of course if only one car sells I won't have this "problem" although might think about a cheaper restoration project....
Hmmm, XJS Cab might, but home maintenance? Need to check the dimensions for the garage.
TR6 and Doly Sprint would be in budget, certainly the Doly. I have been in a few TR6 over the years, never thought oooh I want one of these. Had a a Doly 1500 or 1850, can't recall which, nice enough car but would it replace the two outgoing cars?
Forgot Alfa prices have risen. (While everything else seems to be dropping at the moment)
TR6 and Doly Sprint would be in budget, certainly the Doly. I have been in a few TR6 over the years, never thought oooh I want one of these. Had a a Doly 1500 or 1850, can't recall which, nice enough car but would it replace the two outgoing cars?
Forgot Alfa prices have risen. (While everything else seems to be dropping at the moment)
An Elan + 2 would be a great chocie if you have never had one, they are so underrated and fantastic to drive and live with. I recently sold mine and now have an Evora - I never though I would miss the + 2 but I flippin well do!
I would go so far as to say that the + 2 was more fun to drive and provided more sense of occasion than the Evora, great though that car is.
.....or a classic Mini?
....by coincidence I have one for sale
I would go so far as to say that the + 2 was more fun to drive and provided more sense of occasion than the Evora, great though that car is.
.....or a classic Mini?
....by coincidence I have one for sale
Possibly a bit more recent than you're thinking but how about this:
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Well within budget, sporting pedigree, fabulous (and reliable) engine. Scope for some improvement if desired and the prices are only going one way.
Personally I prefer the earlier Ph2 (3l or 3.2l from 2000) but then I have reason for a bias
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Well within budget, sporting pedigree, fabulous (and reliable) engine. Scope for some improvement if desired and the prices are only going one way.
Personally I prefer the earlier Ph2 (3l or 3.2l from 2000) but then I have reason for a bias
Do you fancy a project car? A Bristol within your price range: https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1169265
85Carrera said:
You'd easily get a decent Series 4 Spider for that kind of cash - for many tastes, the last facelift makes for a much nicer looking car than either the Series 2 or 3.The Veloce has the 2 litre engine, is fuel injected, reasonably rust proof (for an Alfa) and reliable. Parts are not much of a problem.
Alfaholics and others provide a sensible upgrade path if you want to tighten things up but bone stock the car is pretty sorted and goes round corners as if on rails. It is a real hoot.
I am considering upgrading to ITBs to make the Nord engine even more fun.
85Carrera said:
Nice but alarm bells ring when the car has barely covered 500 miles in 7 years (20 in the past 2) and the MOT expired a year ago. Some bills to be expected!I know it's not old but what about one of these?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2019...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2019...
Captain Smerc said:
I know it's not old but what about one of these?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2019...
A lot of car for the money there. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2019...
obviously performance is not an issue so would LHD be a deal-breaker? If not you could go:
- Peugeot 504 Coupe (or indeed Cabrio)
- Fiat 130
- Lancia Beta Coupe Volumex
2 seats:
- Lancia Monte Carlo
- 3rd generation Corvette
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1173908
- Peugeot 504 Coupe (or indeed Cabrio)
- Fiat 130
- Lancia Beta Coupe Volumex
2 seats:
- Lancia Monte Carlo
- 3rd generation Corvette
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1173908
Wow, some interesting options although I'm looking and thinking would one of my current pair not be better kept to be honest.
Elite , no sorry just no, never got them, had an Excel for a while, nice car but they tend to leak a bit resulting in tatty wet smelly interiors
TVR S, would that just feel like a lesser Chimaera?
Elan +2. Often fancied one of these so a possibility. Prices have risen over the last 18 months or so. I had a S4 Elan for a while, used to self destruct regularly.
Alpine, loved these as a kid in the 60's, outside possibility. Need tol ook at prices, they do rot rather a lot.
B/BGT, no sorry, had one in the 70's wouldn't go there again in any shape or form.
GT6, a fave of my wife in the 80's, a possibility.
Alfa Spider, don't know enough about the various options, have considered one in the past or a Fiat Coupe turbo. Not a FWD fan though.
Classis Mini, been there ( a lot) vowed after the last never again. Rusty, pain to work on, still have the scars..
Bristol, that could be lovely with work, never a brilliant design aesthetically, not sure it's "me"
Alfa Spider, that white one in the ad screams "flip" to me.
C3 Corvette. Loved these in the 70's and 80's not now so much though. C5 would be good but not sure how it would work on the narrower roads up here and would stick out like a sore thumb against all the L200 and hi luxes
That fulvia (apart from the colour) is lovely.,
Monte Carlo, knew a lad with one in the 80's interesting but expensive to run.
Need time to consider these against the current Chimaera and SL500 both of which are great cars in their own right. Just a bit too alike.
Elite , no sorry just no, never got them, had an Excel for a while, nice car but they tend to leak a bit resulting in tatty wet smelly interiors
TVR S, would that just feel like a lesser Chimaera?
Elan +2. Often fancied one of these so a possibility. Prices have risen over the last 18 months or so. I had a S4 Elan for a while, used to self destruct regularly.
Alpine, loved these as a kid in the 60's, outside possibility. Need tol ook at prices, they do rot rather a lot.
B/BGT, no sorry, had one in the 70's wouldn't go there again in any shape or form.
GT6, a fave of my wife in the 80's, a possibility.
Alfa Spider, don't know enough about the various options, have considered one in the past or a Fiat Coupe turbo. Not a FWD fan though.
Classis Mini, been there ( a lot) vowed after the last never again. Rusty, pain to work on, still have the scars..
Bristol, that could be lovely with work, never a brilliant design aesthetically, not sure it's "me"
Alfa Spider, that white one in the ad screams "flip" to me.
C3 Corvette. Loved these in the 70's and 80's not now so much though. C5 would be good but not sure how it would work on the narrower roads up here and would stick out like a sore thumb against all the L200 and hi luxes
That fulvia (apart from the colour) is lovely.,
Monte Carlo, knew a lad with one in the 80's interesting but expensive to run.
Need time to consider these against the current Chimaera and SL500 both of which are great cars in their own right. Just a bit too alike.
Sticking on the Alfa theme, what about the GTV6 ?
This ones a bit over, but its a top end one by the looks
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C855818
You can pretend to be Clarkson
This ones a bit over, but its a top end one by the looks
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C855818
You can pretend to be Clarkson
I'm only 10 years your junior, and no way can I get into most of your considerations, so your doing bloody well to still be able to get in and then out of a Caterham...
15k might just get you a nice P1800ES, which would be about the only think your mentioned that would tick any of my boxes.
I still wouldn't say no to a Stag though, as have driven a few, and their similarity to the 2000/2500 saloons which I have had 1000's of miles at the wheel of would be a home from home for me.
A mint Rover P6 3500 would be my likely direction for a 15k budget other than either of the above.
I would have said a C3 'vette, but I'd only want a chrome bumper model, so 68-72 years, and you won't get a nice one of those for 15k budget, that ship has long sailed.
15k might just get you a nice P1800ES, which would be about the only think your mentioned that would tick any of my boxes.
I still wouldn't say no to a Stag though, as have driven a few, and their similarity to the 2000/2500 saloons which I have had 1000's of miles at the wheel of would be a home from home for me.
A mint Rover P6 3500 would be my likely direction for a 15k budget other than either of the above.
I would have said a C3 'vette, but I'd only want a chrome bumper model, so 68-72 years, and you won't get a nice one of those for 15k budget, that ship has long sailed.
Not sure on the GTV, I should really look at a Stag again. Never thought of a Z, hmmm.
The GT6 might just be the car, was a fave of my wife many years ago and I like the baby blue.
1800ES would complement the 940 I have. Or even replace it if we were to 'lose' the dogs. Only joking.
ps Caterham is easier to get in as you just step in and slide down. Not quite so easy with the roof up though.
The GT6 might just be the car, was a fave of my wife many years ago and I like the baby blue.
1800ES would complement the 940 I have. Or even replace it if we were to 'lose' the dogs. Only joking.
ps Caterham is easier to get in as you just step in and slide down. Not quite so easy with the roof up though.
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