Interesting modern classics that aren't prone to rot

[freenote]

Hi All,

Having recently started building up my "mechanics" toolkit and doing a few bits and bobs to my small fleet, including replacing both doors and other bits on my IS over the Easter weekend, I am looking at expanding to get to grips with more car "restoration".

In general I feel like I can tackle most mechanical bits with the aid of google/youtube (some exceptions). However, one thing I cannot do is deal with major rust. I don't have a garage to start getting into welding.

So my question is, what would be a good idea for me?
I wouldn't spend more than 3-4k on a car and I'm pretty hooked on 90's stuff - anything remotely interesting.

I'm hoping this isn't classed as a What Car thread as I think moving all these threads to the sub-forum takes away half of what I understood General Gassing to be about.

A

[hman]

anything galvanised should be relatively rot free...

So Audi should be ok..

[Frankthered]

Isn't pretty much everything from the early 90s on galvanised?

OP, pick what you want and make sure it's not rusty - is that too simple?

[Krikkit]

Frankthered said:

Isn't pretty much everything from the early 90s on galvanised?

OP, pick what you want and make sure it's not rusty - is that too simple?

Lots of galved cars, but lots of rotting ones too! I honestly can't think of many cars that don't run into corrosion issues once they get to "modern classic" age...

[S10GTA]

Most volvos of that vintage will be rot free

[GreatGranny]

Just keep this indoors and you should be ok :-)

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C788391

Scirocco GT2 - bit over budget

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C840689

[freenote]

GreatGranny said:

Just keep this indoors and you should be ok :-)

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C788391

Scirocco GT2 - bit over budget

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C840689

Scirocco looks lovely. Seems a bit pricey to me though.

[300bhp/ton]

Frankthered said:

Isn't pretty much everything from the early 90s on galvanised?

OP, pick what you want and make sure it's not rusty - is that too simple?

Not sure everything is. And certainly hasn't stopped many cars rusting.

[300bhp/ton]

freenote said:

GreatGranny said:

Just keep this indoors and you should be ok :-)

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C788391

Scirocco GT2 - bit over budget

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C840689

Scirocco looks lovely. Seems a bit pricey to me though.

I'm not a VW bod, but something worth researching is parts availability. I'm led to believe VAG as a whole is pretty poor on supporting classic and older models. And tbh I'm not truly convinced they are anymore rot free than anyone else.


If you are wanting to get into restoring, then unless you plan to make bespoke components or trace down hard to find parts that you might have to pay a premium for. I'd be wanting to look at something that has a good and plentiful parts supply.

Also is there a particular type of vehicle that interests you?


For example, something Land Rover might be of interest. Series, 90's, Defenders. Have an aluminium alloy body, so no real rust in that area. And superb parts supply.

The chassis can rust, but you can also replace it with a new one. So makes it more of a nut and bolt exercise than anything else.

[Frankthered]

Krikkit said:

Frankthered said:

Isn't pretty much everything from the early 90s on galvanised?

OP, pick what you want and make sure it's not rusty - is that too simple?

Lots of galved cars, but lots of rotting ones too! I honestly can't think of many cars that don't run into corrosion issues once they get to "modern classic" age...

What do you consider to be "modern classic" age? Before the adoption of galv, ten year old cars with no rust were like unicorns (ok, I'm exaggerating, there were some around) and a lot would have significant structural issues. Cars now seem to make it to ten quite easily maybe with some cosmetic issues. Obviously, galv doesn't last forever and looking at any car that is 20+ years old must involve a thorough inspection of the bodywork. From what I've read, mid 00's Mercs, Mazdas and some Fords have a worse than average reputation for rust, but choose wisely and you should be ok, no?

[GreatGranny]

300bhp/ton said:

freenote said:

GreatGranny said:

Just keep this indoors and you should be ok :-)

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C788391

Scirocco GT2 - bit over budget

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C840689

Scirocco looks lovely. Seems a bit pricey to me though.

I'm not a VW bod, but something worth researching is parts availability. I'm led to believe VAG as a whole is pretty poor on supporting classic and older models. And tbh I'm not truly convinced they are anymore rot free than anyone else.


If you are wanting to get into restoring, then unless you plan to make bespoke components or trace down hard to find parts that you might have to pay a premium for. I'd be wanting to look at something that has a good and plentiful parts supply.

Also is there a particular type of vehicle that interests you?


For example, something Land Rover might be of interest. Series, 90's, Defenders. Have an aluminium alloy body, so no real rust in that area. And superb parts supply.

The chassis can rust, but you can also replace it with a new one. So makes it more of a nut and bolt exercise than anything else.

The Scirocco shares lots of parts with the Golf of the same era, so parts, apart from bodywork and some unique bits will be easily obtainable. The VW scene is huge in this country.
I thought with the OP's budget he can pick up a rust free example that with careful looking after, rust issues would never be a problem.

OP, it does seem expensive but I'm not up to date with Scirocco prices.

Here's another but with crap alloys, a few scratches but lower mileage for a grand less to compare.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C850960

[battered]

I know at first hand that Mazda and Ford are poor at rust prevention. By modern standards at least. Other than that most are good. VW are (or used to be) excellent, I looked under a Mk2 Golf a few years ago and it was very very solid. As someone else has said, choose a car you like and select a rust free example. Ten lash it full of Waxoyl/Dinitrol and sit back.

[anonymous-user]

Frankthered said:

Isn't pretty much everything from the early 90s on galvanised?

OP, pick what you want and make sure it's not rusty - is that too simple?

Have you seen a Ford Ka or Puma??



Joking apart it is not as bad as the 80's but still many cars were prone to rust.

[fivepointnine]

My pick would be a Phase 1 Renaultsport Clio 172.