Classic motoring

[macp]

Im really looking to buy something a bit special that will hopefully rekindle my motoring passion and as swmbo says make me smile again.

Plus or minus a bit I have around £2k to spend and I tend to like Germanic/Swedish stuff so was thinking one of the following.

Mercedes 190E

Porsche 944

Saab 900

BMW M535 or 635

So PH massive just asking for thoughts,advice & comments.

[Pat H]

None of the above would set my underpants on fire. They are a bit too mainstream for me.

For a couple of grand I would buy an old Landie or a Citroen 2CV.

[LeoSayer]

Everything about your post says MX5, except the german or swedish bit!

[West4x4]

on the list a 635 but you'll be lucky with 2k how about something older like a 2002 or a stack light merc

[lescombes]

Pat H said:

None of the above would set my underpants on fire. They are a bit too mainstream for me.

For a couple of grand I would buy an old Landie or a Citroen 2CV.

+1........although there is some good classic stuff out there for around £2K....Triumph Heralds...A35's...and the like....for a SAAB...got to be a 96...

[TonyRPH]

Out of your list, about the only thing approaching decent for £2k might be a 944, but more likely a 924.

No doubt you'll find plenty of 190's but they're all most likely to be the 1.8 / 2.0 variety, which are underpowered.

And a 6 Series BMW for that money is likely to be a money pit.

You may find an old 90's 535 - but rust could be a problem (same for the 6 series).

[macp]

Thanks all

Just looking around now there are a lot of nice BM 7`s and a few nice looking Jag S Type 3.0 manuals.And all easily within budget.

But cant really be considered classics ?

[Caruso]

An E30 325i would fit the bill.

[Hungry Freak]

Get a proper Mini. Fall in love with driving and looking after it

[Garlick]

190E would be nice, but it won't rekindle any lost excitement i'm afraid.

My 944 is excellent, but it's very efficient and as a result it can lack excitement. You'll enjoy it though, make no mistake.

2k could buy you something leftfiekd like a Saab 900 Turbo?

[MGB Boy]

From your list I'd be straight in the 944!

Not germ or sweed but in my unbiased suggestion how about an MGB?
RWD, Plenty of choice between GT or roadster, Cheap parts, Simple mechanics, Many easy upgrades and more than up for a bit of arse out action!

[Ephraim]

I love my 944. Fabulous car, that goes well, looks great, and gets lots of smiles wherever I take it. I'm going to struggle to find something that gives similar bang for buck but that will fit a child seat in the back. That said, I'm looking at selling it later in the year and even tho it's not the best example cosmetically I'll be looking for more than £2k for it. £2k will get you a 944, but you'll probably need to spend half that again having the belts/pumps/etc done. Better, if you can, to spend a bit more for a well looked after example.

[Mark-C]

Caruso said:

An E30 325i would fit the bill.

Yep - E30 325i works for me as well ... or maybe a 318iS

[heebeegeetee]

macp said:

Im really looking to buy something a bit special that will hopefully rekindle my motoring passion and as swmbo says make me smile again.

Plus or minus a bit I have around £2k to spend and I tend to like Germanic/Swedish stuff so was thinking one of the following.

Mercedes 190E

Porsche 944

Saab 900

BMW M535 or 635

So PH massive just asking for thoughts,advice & comments.

Er, they're all modern cars, so i'm not sure you'll find what you're looking for.

[macp]

heebeegeetee said:

macp said:

Im really looking to buy something a bit special that will hopefully rekindle my motoring passion and as swmbo says make me smile again.

Plus or minus a bit I have around £2k to spend and I tend to like Germanic/Swedish stuff so was thinking one of the following.

Mercedes 190E

Porsche 944

Saab 900

BMW M535 or 635

So PH massive just asking for thoughts,advice & comments.

Er, they're all modern cars, so i'm not sure you'll find what you're looking for.

Im not sure what else you would call these then, Iconic ?

[rockandrollmark]

My worry would be that a lot of those cars in the £2k price bracket will either be leggy or could turn out to be dogs.

Would something like a 205 GTI or a Golf GTI still tick the boxes, 'cos you're likely to pick up a tidy example of something like this within budget.

[aww999]

If I had £2k to spend on a car I just wanted, rather than needing it to perform a particular role, I would be straight into this like a rat up a drainpipe.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1840451.htm

Classic shape 750 with low miles and impeccable history for under two grand? Get it bought!

[garethj]

Pat H said:

None of the above would set my underpants on fire. They are a bit too mainstream for me.

For a couple of grand I would buy an old Landie or a Citroen 2CV.

What he said. They'll all do 90mph on the motorway, corner without drama and do things a new car would do. It'll be just like a new car, but use more fuel and be a bit noisier.

For a sensation of old motoring, I find something on 165 tyres fits the bill

A Land Rover is a hoot; I loved mine, and I've got a secret desire to build a 2CV with a bit more power. Back in the day they used a 4 cylinder GS engine, I reckon a turbo or a flat twin bike engine would be just the job. 80bhp would give you 100mph, 0-60 in under 10 seconds (if you could get the traction) and even more absurd lean angles when cornering.

I’m currently getting my old car kicks from a 1980s Ginetta, a grand would probably buy the best one in the world, leaving a few quid to get the Pinto replaced with a Duratec. Galvanised chassis doesn’t rust, GRP body doesn’t rust, Ford mechanicals can be fixed easily, 165 tyres means you can be a driving God at 40mph

[jet_noise]

Dear garethj,

[quote=garethj <snip> and I've got a secret desire to build a 2CV with a bit more power. Back in the day they used a 4 cylinder GS engine, I reckon a turbo or a flat twin bike engine would be just the job. <snip>
[/quote]

You need: clinky,

regards,
Jet

[kambites]

As above, get something older. Things built in the 80s might be a bit crude by today's standards, but they aren't really "classics" in the sense of the ownership and driving experience.

If it was me, I'd be looking at 60s cars.