What classic car for 17 y/o?

[Syncromesh]

Don't know if anyone can help me but I'm hoping to change my car in the foreseeable future, but have a rather specific set of criteria.

Firstly I'm 17 so insurance is an issue. I also like cars which are slightly 'out there' so it seems a classic car is the answer (I've already owned a classic mini). Therefore the car needs to be over 15 years old to be eligible for most ccp's.

It also has to have 4 or 5 doors, do 0-60 in single figures, cost under £4000 to buy and not need any major work doing to it for. It also cannot be ridiculously big or do under 20 mpg.

Currently I'm thinking along the lines of a Triumph Dolomite Sprint or e30/e21 316/320 BMW saloon.

Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.

James

[chrisispringles]

Which insurer have you found willing to put a 17y/o on a classic policy and how much cheaper is it than a normal policy? I'm learning at the moment so anything that brings down the price when I pass is worth a look.

[carter711]

Syncromesh said:

Don't know if anyone can help me but I'm hoping to change my car in the foreseeable future, but have a rather specific set of criteria.

Firstly I'm 17 so insurance is an issue. I also like cars which are slightly 'out there' so it seems a classic car is the answer (I've already owned a classic mini). Therefore the car needs to be over 15 years old to be eligible for most ccp's.

It also has to have 4 or 5 doors, do 0-60 in single figures, cost under £4000 to buy and not need any major work doing to it for. It also cannot be ridiculously big or do under 20 mpg.

Currently I'm thinking along the lines of a Triumph Dolomite Sprint or e30/e21 316/320 BMW saloon.

Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.

James

It sounds like you are asking quite a lot. An E30 316i will struggle to do a -10 sec 0-60 and a 320 will be uneconomical and will be very expensive to insure.

My best bet would be a Mk2 golf GTi.

[daemon]

Syncromesh said:

Don't know if anyone can help me but I'm hoping to change my car in the foreseeable future, but have a rather specific set of criteria.

Firstly I'm 17 so insurance is an issue. I also like cars which are slightly 'out there' so it seems a classic car is the answer (I've already owned a classic mini). Therefore the car needs to be over 15 years old to be eligible for most ccp's.

It also has to have 4 or 5 doors, do 0-60 in single figures, cost under £4000 to buy and not need any major work doing to it for. It also cannot be ridiculously big or do under 20 mpg.

Currently I'm thinking along the lines of a Triumph Dolomite Sprint or e30/e21 316/320 BMW saloon.

Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.

James

Have you confirmed they will give you classic insurance for (a) a 17 year old and (b) what will be your main car?

[ewenm]

I'd discard the sub-10 0-60 and/or the 4/5 door criteria to get far more choice. Plenty of time later in life to go fast.

Get an old Landy and insure through the NFU.

[slipstream 1985]

hmm looks like your less interested in older cars and more inteested in getting cheap insurance, fast car, cheap to run and a good handling car.... if it could be done everyone would be doing it.

[rudecherub]

4 door O_O

If I was you I'd be looking at Triumph Spitfires.

[Tsippy]

How about a kitcar? Some are more practical than others and are a bit different to the norm (I think there are a few based on the old mini too)

[Syncromesh]

slipstream 1985 said:

hmm looks like your less interested in older cars and more inteested in getting cheap insurance, fast car, cheap to run and a good handling car.... if it could be done everyone would be doing it.

To be honest I am actually more interested in having a classic car than getting cheap insurance. I've already owned a classic mini (and enjoyed the experience) and currently pay £2000 to insure my Polo. Btw I'll be 18 when I take out the insurance and have one year's NCB.

[ManOpener]

You can get E21's on classic insurance?
Best classic for a 17y/o is an original Mini. Teaches you how to work on cars, feels much faster than it actually travels, and puts you off crashing as the crumple zone between you and the engine is you knees.

[ewenm]

Morris Minor (Traveller perhaps) - do a k-series engine transplant to get the sub-10s requirement.

[rsdaz84]

I to love old cars and in particular old fords.

Have you thought about and a mk1 or 2 escort, they are so much fun and are really reliable too (well mine is anyway)

You wont be able to get a 2door for that price but a nice 4door mk2 will easily be in your reach and all you need to do is lower it on some 13' wheels and they look uber cool.

Below is a picture of my freinds that is for sale at the moment

[rudecherub]

My first car was a triumph GT6 in 1990, I paid around £700 insurance then.

I then had Jensen Healey

And then a Scimitar GTE

The latter is a great car if you want classic with a practical side.

IIRC my insurance stuck around that number. What any of those would cost you today I don't know.

[lordlee]

Not exactly to your spec but it still has four seats and shouldnt really depreciate too much if you look after it....

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C177792/

[TVR Sagaris]

rsdaz84 said:

I to love old cars and in particular old fords.

Have you thought about and a mk1 or 2 escort, they are so much fun and are really reliable too (well mine is anyway)

You wont be able to get a 2door for that price but a nice 4door mk2 will easily be in your reach and all you need to do is lower it on some 13' wheels and they look uber cool.

Below is a picture of my freinds that is for sale at the moment

I've just found that Escort on Car and Classic. I'm tempted.

[irodger]

Just saw this on Car and Classic/Ebay...its a bit new to qualify for a classic policy but at that price....

Also, I'm sure that model of turbo engine likes a few 'hidden' mods for increased wafting pace

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

[Syncromesh]

Can I just stress that the car MUST have 4/5 doors due to family circumstances. Sorry if this defenestrates lot of great options.

[kiteless]

rsdaz84 said:

Below is a picture of my freinds that is for sale at the moment

I rather like that.

Back in the day, Mk II's with square headlights and a vinyl roof were quite "posh" in my eyes.

[ferkle]

lordlee said:

Not exactly to your spec but it still has four seats and shouldnt really depreciate too much if you look after it....

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C177792/

good call, cheap to insure as well - also consider an early 9000 - in fact for your budget you would get a very good aero or carlsson.

Alternatives like an old merc diesel - incredibly cheap to buy, own and insure.

[rudecherub]

Syncromesh said:

Can I just stress that the car MUST have 4/5 doors due to family circumstances. Sorry if this defenestrates lot of great options.

Then you're really stuck with the kind of options you've stated, sporting saloons is a limited bunch.

Triumph, Rover, BMW, assuming you want RWD.