Buying modern classics (ish)
Discussion
I was thinking about this today whilst browsing AT. Following some discussion on TRDs thread about losing interest in cars I started to look back on cars I always liked and admired but never tried. Nothing fancy, and mainly hot hatches as they have practicality and can easily be used year round without compromise.
Here are some cars I came up with..
R53 Cooper s
EP3 type r
Golf ed30
Meg rs250 cup
MX5 of some sort
GT86
I've been focused on newer cars for a bit and as we all know prices are crazy. Looking at an F56 Mini JCW for example takes things to 20k by the time I've found one with everything I'd want. I'm fortunate that I can afford it but really I struggle to see the value over my mk7 ST3. And last night when I found someone had left me a lovely piece of car park damage (mostly polished out now) I did feel relief that it wasn't a car I'd just forked out 20k for.
So back to older cars. Most of that list is available for under 10k, even for mint examples. I love the idea of buying one with good history and long MOT, running it for a year then moving on to the next one. I'd be interested to know if anyone does this?
If buying something like an r53 cooper s for example, where is the sweet spot in pricing?
3-4k A usable car, maybe a bit rough in places.
5-6k Nice examples with good history and hopefully trouble free for a year.
7-8k The best low milers. Are they worth it given the chance of appreciation and to cherish?
I'm kind of thinking the middle ground myself but would welcome opinions.
My usage is about 4k miles in a year. 3 days a week and usually no more than 10 miles at a time. Lives out on the drive. I'm not concerned with making or losing money and am happy to pay for proper maintenance. But I'd quite like some reliability if possible!
Here are some cars I came up with..
R53 Cooper s
EP3 type r
Golf ed30
Meg rs250 cup
MX5 of some sort
GT86
I've been focused on newer cars for a bit and as we all know prices are crazy. Looking at an F56 Mini JCW for example takes things to 20k by the time I've found one with everything I'd want. I'm fortunate that I can afford it but really I struggle to see the value over my mk7 ST3. And last night when I found someone had left me a lovely piece of car park damage (mostly polished out now) I did feel relief that it wasn't a car I'd just forked out 20k for.
So back to older cars. Most of that list is available for under 10k, even for mint examples. I love the idea of buying one with good history and long MOT, running it for a year then moving on to the next one. I'd be interested to know if anyone does this?
If buying something like an r53 cooper s for example, where is the sweet spot in pricing?
3-4k A usable car, maybe a bit rough in places.
5-6k Nice examples with good history and hopefully trouble free for a year.
7-8k The best low milers. Are they worth it given the chance of appreciation and to cherish?
I'm kind of thinking the middle ground myself but would welcome opinions.
My usage is about 4k miles in a year. 3 days a week and usually no more than 10 miles at a time. Lives out on the drive. I'm not concerned with making or losing money and am happy to pay for proper maintenance. But I'd quite like some reliability if possible!
I had a mk1 Focus 1.6 Zetec.
Loved that car and kept it around 5 years which is the most I've ever done. The other car I really loved was my Celica T sport, it was fantastic.
I know the cars I'd want (list in OP). More a question of whether to go for a cheaper usable one or pay out for a minter. Also if many people go for this kind of quick turn over. Run for a year and keep changing. Any pitfalls to be aware of?
Loved that car and kept it around 5 years which is the most I've ever done. The other car I really loved was my Celica T sport, it was fantastic.
I know the cars I'd want (list in OP). More a question of whether to go for a cheaper usable one or pay out for a minter. Also if many people go for this kind of quick turn over. Run for a year and keep changing. Any pitfalls to be aware of?
Thanks for reply Matt.
Budget doesn't matter too much other than the more you spend the more you're likely to lose. I'd be aiming at 10k max with a little flex. And nothing on my wish list is particularly exotic so hopefully issues would be cheap to sort.
My preferred MX5 is the ND so that would probably be a few cars down the line as its newer. Also I can see a time when 2 seats will be easier to manage than it is now.
I'm not really looking to go for bottom of the market cars. I do like my cars to look smart and try to keep them that way. And I like them to work too. I know anything older can throw problems but I'm sure the risk can be lessened with a more well sorted example. Happy to pay more for a good car and I think it could pay off come resale time.
The r53 Cooper S is a good contender to get started. I really like them and there still seems to be decent ones around. If I could pick up a nice one for 5k it surely can't cost me too much over a year and 4k miles. Or am I missing something?
Budget doesn't matter too much other than the more you spend the more you're likely to lose. I'd be aiming at 10k max with a little flex. And nothing on my wish list is particularly exotic so hopefully issues would be cheap to sort.
My preferred MX5 is the ND so that would probably be a few cars down the line as its newer. Also I can see a time when 2 seats will be easier to manage than it is now.
I'm not really looking to go for bottom of the market cars. I do like my cars to look smart and try to keep them that way. And I like them to work too. I know anything older can throw problems but I'm sure the risk can be lessened with a more well sorted example. Happy to pay more for a good car and I think it could pay off come resale time.
The r53 Cooper S is a good contender to get started. I really like them and there still seems to be decent ones around. If I could pick up a nice one for 5k it surely can't cost me too much over a year and 4k miles. Or am I missing something?
coldel said:
Ive been doing something similar, actually got on the JDM wagon earlier than the ridiculous price hikes we are seeing at the moment...in the last 11 years I have had
350z
VX220 NA
R33 Skyline
Celica ST205 GT4
VX220 Turbo
Z4 Coupe
I think I sold every car for more than I paid for it whilst chucking some miles on them. It is definitely getting harder to find something a bit different now.
Nice list. I do like Jap stuff but it is pricey.350z
VX220 NA
R33 Skyline
Celica ST205 GT4
VX220 Turbo
Z4 Coupe
I think I sold every car for more than I paid for it whilst chucking some miles on them. It is definitely getting harder to find something a bit different now.
A really tidy EP3 looks to be closer to 10k at the moment.
It'd be a switch around for me.
Usually I buy a good car up to around 5 years old and run it for 3. In the past I've been able to get stuff for 10k or less and they've mostly been trouble free (except my E92). The problem now is that even the 5 year old cars I'm looking at are sooooo much more money. And I'm not really feeling too inspired by them anyway. I've gotten bogged down with the thought of needing an upgrade to the Fiesta which in all honesty has been brilliant. I could just keep it but I do actually like a lot of these older cars and would like to try them.
I'm under no illusions that I can buy a cheap 20 year old car and run it without any issues. It's a risk obviously. But I have a healthy slush fund if I get caught out. I'm also not really expecting any of them to be better than the Fiesta. Just a change really and maybe nice to own something a bit interesting.
I've had older cars in the past and enjoyed them a lot.
Celica T sport
MR2 roadster
Puma 1.7
All of them were great and didn't cost me much. It was a while ago though, before I became a dad and I think trying to be more responsible has held me back a bit with cars. Our lad is 7 now so he'd most likely love an old mini or similar. Although obviously he still prefers trains to cars!
The Civic type r is an interesting one. I always loved the EP3 and almost bought one. Ended up with the Celica instead which was cheaper and I loved the looks. I have driven an FN2 and would consider it. But I did have a 1.8EX in that generation and never gelled with it so hmmmm. The EP3 is pricey though but I can't see prices falling. For 10k it may be hard to pick one over a Megane but then they made the Meg until 2016 so it seems there's no real rush.
I wouldn't buy a 10k GT86, not yet anyway. I feel they have some way to fall and again they've been on sale until very recently so aren't going anywhere.
At the moment it's the Mini and the bread van which are the most appealing. In a kind of now or never way I guess. And as they're so much older I'd be less likely to compare them with the Fiesta.
Usually I buy a good car up to around 5 years old and run it for 3. In the past I've been able to get stuff for 10k or less and they've mostly been trouble free (except my E92). The problem now is that even the 5 year old cars I'm looking at are sooooo much more money. And I'm not really feeling too inspired by them anyway. I've gotten bogged down with the thought of needing an upgrade to the Fiesta which in all honesty has been brilliant. I could just keep it but I do actually like a lot of these older cars and would like to try them.
I'm under no illusions that I can buy a cheap 20 year old car and run it without any issues. It's a risk obviously. But I have a healthy slush fund if I get caught out. I'm also not really expecting any of them to be better than the Fiesta. Just a change really and maybe nice to own something a bit interesting.
I've had older cars in the past and enjoyed them a lot.
Celica T sport
MR2 roadster
Puma 1.7
All of them were great and didn't cost me much. It was a while ago though, before I became a dad and I think trying to be more responsible has held me back a bit with cars. Our lad is 7 now so he'd most likely love an old mini or similar. Although obviously he still prefers trains to cars!
The Civic type r is an interesting one. I always loved the EP3 and almost bought one. Ended up with the Celica instead which was cheaper and I loved the looks. I have driven an FN2 and would consider it. But I did have a 1.8EX in that generation and never gelled with it so hmmmm. The EP3 is pricey though but I can't see prices falling. For 10k it may be hard to pick one over a Megane but then they made the Meg until 2016 so it seems there's no real rush.
I wouldn't buy a 10k GT86, not yet anyway. I feel they have some way to fall and again they've been on sale until very recently so aren't going anywhere.
At the moment it's the Mini and the bread van which are the most appealing. In a kind of now or never way I guess. And as they're so much older I'd be less likely to compare them with the Fiesta.
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