What £5k interesting, classic, minimal maintenance ideally?

[ChrisH79]

As above really.

Background I’ve wanted something interesting for years, and a recent health scare has me thinking it’s no good waiting for tomorrow so a plan is afoot.

In March a savings account will give me £2.5k to play with and some juggling could get me to £5k.

Ideally I’d love a Volvo Amazon so pace isn’t a concern, neither is driven wheels, and preferably a hard top as it may not always be possible to garage the car. Other than that something that doesn’t need constant work would be a bonus.

Yes I could, and will endlessly search the classifieds, but some help in narrowing the search would be appreciated

[pb8g09]

Mini Cooper S (R53). It’ll have quite a few niggly issues but most of them should be a single fix (e.g rusty tailgate, loose glovebox, oil leaks, supercharger service).

Bags of fun once you’ve got it spotless and will definitely add value if you get one that hasn’t had ‘everything done’.

[smn159]

I liked our R53, despite the constant niggly problems with it, but surely they're still too common to be called a classic?

[85Carrera]

Any of these interest you:

MGB
MG Midget
924
Boxster
MX5
MGF (should be able to get one with hardtop within budget)

[ChrisH79]

924 & Boxster tick a few boxes but they’re not what I’m after neither is a mini.

[anonymous-user]

On the Volvo theme- go full antiques dealer with a 240?

[Stick Legs]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225849761834?mkcid=16&a...

When you said Amazon I immediately thought Rover P4.

Completely DIY-able, fun to drive in that they reward smootness & carrying momentum rather than power & grip, capable of living outside & charming.

Everyone will smile at you.

You’ll never wait at a junction.

They make a nice noise.

[ChrisH79]

Pickle_Party_247 said:

On the Volvo theme- go full antiques dealer with a 240?

That’s an option, although very dodgy when cheap

[ChrisH79]

Stick Legs said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225849761834?mkcid=16&a...

When you said Amazon I immediately thought Rover P4.

Completely DIY-able, fun to drive in that they reward smootness & carrying momentum rather than power & grip, capable of living outside & charming.

Everyone will smile at you.

You’ll never wait at a junction.

They make a nice noise.

I’d say yes, but that car just leaves me cold

[PositronicRay]

I'll weigh in with triumph herald.


Easy to fix & learn on
Good spares supply
Involving drive.

[blueovercream]

Some ideas of varying vintage, none as old as the Volvo though

- Alfa Romeo GTV (the 90's one)
- VW Scirocco
- BMW E30 (though £5k might be a bit tight for a really good one)

[Hippea]

Mercedes 190e

[ChrisH79]

Herald is a good shout, equally a dolomite would tick a few boxes

[ChrisH79]

blueovercream said:

Some ideas of varying vintage, none as old as the Volvo though

- Alfa Romeo GTV (the 90's one)
- VW Scirocco
- BMW E30 (though £5k might be a bit tight for a really good one)

The trouble with all of those is they really stretch the budget and I think they might be more modern than I want

[andburg]

Outside the box classic, more festival of the unexceptional than classic but should see a plethora of options

Stick £4K in autotrader, sort oldest first by you and see what’s around

Near me

Morris minors
Metros
Ford escort
Mazda 121 saloon!!!!
Renault 5
Peugeot 205