Cheap useable classic.....

[OllieBirmingham]

.....for about a grand. I reckon I can sell my MX5 for around about £1k, so if I were to do that, what cheap RWD classic cars are out there for that sort of money? I'd really love an Escort Mk2 but I think they go for huge money. This is the thread that has inspired me,

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

What would it realistically be like using something like this as a daily driver, if I were to do very low mileage? Am I being totally unrealistic with my budget? Just love the idea of driving something so back to basic with no ESP/ABS etc. I suppose that partly why I love the MX5.....

[mat205125]

In all seriousness, keep the MX5. It IS a cheap RWD classic IMO.

It offers everything that an old MGB would, combined with a turn of speed, safety, handling, brakes, reliability, and comfort.

For a grand, a classic is likely to be a basket case, and cost loads to maintain and keep on the road.

ETA

I've got a Mk2 escort 2 door body shell in the garage, and I'd not let that go for a hell of a lot less than your budget on its own .... and might be over the winter too if anyones interested.

Edited by mat205125 on Thursday 4th September 10:50

[chrisr29]

Drive a couple of 1k MGBs, that'll get rid of the rose tinted specks!

[2fster]

chrisr29 said:

Drive a couple of 1k MGBs, that'll get rid of the rose tinted specks!

Sold my MX to a couple who had tired of their Triumph Spitfire's lack of reliability.

'Nuff said in my opinion.

[OllieBirmingham]

Check the topic I linked too, I reckon something like that would be fun, and a bit cool too...

I'm probably only dreaming, but check this out. Slightly lowered on some little period wheels....
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1979-Mk-2-ESCORT-1300L-taxed...

You are right about the Mazda though, it does tick all the boxes for me but I've had it nearly a year which means its one of my longest keepers! MG's just don't really do it for me, how reliable would something like that Escort estate be realistically if you used it every day for less than 10 miles say?

[Welshbeef]

I think the problem you could face is overheating - old cars tend to do this a lot sat in congestion.

How much would you spend on maintaining it or would it be buy it run for a year without spending a penny on it?

[chrisr29]

Go and drive a few old cars then get back in the MX5 and breath a sigh of relief that you didn't actually buy one.

Classics are great if you want something to tinker with in your spare time, but as a daily driver in modern, congested traffic conditions, they're crap.

[OllieBirmingham]

You're probably right, can't help but dream though eh?

[Welshbeef]

chrisr29 said:

Go and drive a few old cars then get back in the MX5 and breath a sigh of relief that you didn't actually buy one.

Classics are great if you want something to tinker with in your spare time, but as a daily driver in modern, congested traffic conditions, they're crap.

+1 in fact I'd go as far as saying early 90's cars are not too good in congestion.
More or less every day on the M25 I see a car on HShoulder bonnet up & steam ... most are early 90's cars. But have seen one post 2000 car.

Remember also older cars need more frequent servicing are much less fuel efficient, much slower, much more dangerous if in an accident, some look stunning others just look old and sh^t, brakes will be far worse even if they were like new so stopping distance is longer.

Near on every day on the M way in congestion I have to hammer the brake pedal along with everyone else & I leave a gap.

[chrisr29]

Saying all that though, I've got a 1988 Merc 190 2.5 16, which at a pinch could be considered a classic. I'm using it as a daily driver at the momment and quite frankly it's brilliant. Quick, comfy, reliable (touch wood) and above all, fun to drive. I think the only old cars I'd ever consider using every day would be 80s German stuff. Over engineered and easy to work on.

[300bhp/ton]

OllieBirmingham said:

.....for about a grand. I reckon I can sell my MX5 for around about £1k, so if I were to do that, what cheap RWD classic cars are out there for that sort of money? I'd really love an Escort Mk2 but I think they go for huge money. This is the thread that has inspired me,

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

What would it realistically be like using something like this as a daily driver, if I were to do very low mileage? Am I being totally unrealistic with my budget? Just love the idea of driving something so back to basic with no ESP/ABS etc. I suppose that partly why I love the MX5.....

£1k isn't much money to play with. Not for a classic of 70's ilk or older. Anything that cheap will most likely need much money spending on it just to get it to a usable standard.

Only one I can really think of that is easily available is a Series 2 or 3 Land Rover.

MGB's are a lot of fun as are TR7's, but you'll need a tad more money to buy something that's suitable for daily duties.

As for using them every day. Well I've done well over 25,000 miles in the TR7 V8 as a DD. Not a snigle problem. I also used it prior to that with the 2.0 litre and had another one before that.

As DD's they where fine. It was only abuse that really caused issues.

I suspect a Mini would be in the budget. Or maybe a SD1 Rover.

[OllieBirmingham]

I don't want a Land Rover, had a few very old Range Rovers and they were absolute nightmares. Just want something small, light(So no SD1 I'm afraid), RWD and cheap! I really liked that KE70 Corrola that was in readers rides recently, but I bet it was mega bucks. Don't want anything fast either, already got a licence weighed down with points so something slow that I can insure on a limited mileage classic policy (Like a 1300 Escort) would be awesome.

[mat205125]

300bhp/ton said:

I suspect a Mini would be in the budget. Or maybe a SD1 Rover.

With the mini you get the bonus of being able to buy a "classic", but still get a relatively new car.

Yes, there are detail changes, but a 1980s/90s car is essentially the same as an original.

Something like this maybe?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/688626.htm

[OllieBirmingham]

Looks nice but never really been a fan of mini's, plus I have a RWD obsession. I know its wrong, I just can't help thinking front wheel drive cars are genetically inferior.

[mat205125]

This then?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/654961.htm

[Welshbeef]

mat205125 said:

300bhp/ton said:

I suspect a Mini would be in the budget. Or maybe a SD1 Rover.

With the mini you get the bonus of being able to buy a "classic", but still get a relatively new car.

Yes, there are detail changes, but a 1980s/90s car is essentially the same as an original.

Something like this maybe?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/688626.htm

hmm if you have any crash in an old mini your going to have serious injury. Its so light so compact and little/no crumple zones = massive potential injuries.

For me thats the biggest put off with old cars. New cars have advanced so much with safety that now you can have a 40-50mph crash and walk away try that in a Mini... dead most likely.

[300bhp/ton]

OllieBirmingham said:

I don't want a Land Rover

Fair point, although they do seem to tick all the boxes. Plus you can get a usable solid one for about £500 and parts are cheap and they are very easy to work on. They are also not a Range Rover.

OllieBirmingham said:

had a few very old Range Rovers and they were absolute nightmares.

What did you have problems with??

Apart from rust they should be quite good. We've had quite a few over the years. Although not as classic cars except for one.

OllieBirmingham said:

Just want something small, light(So no SD1 I'm afraid), RWD and cheap! I really liked that KE70 Corrola that was in readers rides recently, but I bet it was mega bucks. Don't want anything fast either, already got a licence weighed down with points so something slow that I can insure on a limited mileage classic policy (Like a 1300 Escort) would be awesome.

I still think you will struggle to find much.

Any of the Jap stuff from that era is either gone or well looked after. This means prices are often high. They are also very rare, at classic car shows (even ones with over 1500 cars on display), there are very few old (70's) Jap cars on display.

Personally I'd love a Hillman Imp or maybe a Triumph Vitesse 2000 convertible. But I won't be able to get one for a grand.

Maybe something like a a Morris Minor would fit the bill. You might be able to get something within budget.

[SleeperCell]

You could probably get a reasonable enough four cylinder E21 3 series or W123 230CE to do the job.

[eowen]

Cheap AND useable AND Classic AND £1k?

NO CHANCE.

[crofty1984]

E30?