Buying a car like you had years ago
Discussion
Looking for a car to tinker with at weekends and was thinking about buying an MR2 Mk2 just like the one I had and loved back in the 1990s.
Anyone else gone back in their car history again? Did the experience bring back all the old memories or just remind you why you sold it in the first place?
Anyone else gone back in their car history again? Did the experience bring back all the old memories or just remind you why you sold it in the first place?
I used to work for Toyota from just after the Mk2 MR2 was released. At the time the last of the Mk1s were still new enough to be coming in for servicing with us. I can remember driving them a lot and liking them, but I was already heavily into Corolla GTIs by then ( same powertrain, although obviously different layout ).
I was looking at the idea of another Corolla about 4 years ago and started seeing ads for Mk1 MR2s and thinking how reasonable the prices were, even for rare non-rusty cars, and ended up buying a very clean low miler with history for a song. I'm smitten, and it gets used as often as possible.
I would say, as long as you find the right car, and don't end up with a bucket that will ruin the memory, it's a very rewarding experience.
I was looking at the idea of another Corolla about 4 years ago and started seeing ads for Mk1 MR2s and thinking how reasonable the prices were, even for rare non-rusty cars, and ended up buying a very clean low miler with history for a song. I'm smitten, and it gets used as often as possible.
I would say, as long as you find the right car, and don't end up with a bucket that will ruin the memory, it's a very rewarding experience.
When I was a student I had a Sunbeam Tiger, borrowed from a relative in exchange for doing quite a bit of restoration work to it in my spare time. Was quite a good deal - I had a fun car, they got their car repaired & restored.
I'd love another - but not at the prices they're commanding now. It's tempting to source a Sunbeam Alpine and perform some suitable 'upgrades'
I'd love another - but not at the prices they're commanding now. It's tempting to source a Sunbeam Alpine and perform some suitable 'upgrades'
5harp3y said:
literally just done exactly that with this
worth every penny, it's awesome
Yeah, been reading your thread, looks great. If I had the space and a more understanding wife I'd probably get another Corrado VR6, but I need to psyche myself up before embarking on a project that'll like as not end in divorce! worth every penny, it's awesome
67Dino said:
Looking for a car to tinker with at weekends and was thinking about buying an MR2 Mk2 just like the one I had and loved back in the 1990s.
Anyone else gone back in their car history again? Did the experience bring back all the old memories or just remind you why you sold it in the first place?
Slightly off topicAnyone else gone back in their car history again? Did the experience bring back all the old memories or just remind you why you sold it in the first place?
A few years back a couple of lads at work bought MK2 MR2's for about £1500 to bomb about in through summer, last time I looked even leggy ones were fetching close to 3
I say do it, you're a long time dead!
I had a Porsche 944 2.5 back in 2004 and loved it. It was nicely geared and could keep up with most stuff on a motorway despite 150bhp or so, was great fun on back roads, was well balanced, good cabin. I thought it was the dogs.
I went through 2 engines and did 30k miles in 9 months in it. But had to sell up as a project when the second engine blew on a trackday.
Fast forward to 2018 and I decided I'd spent enough time arsing about with 3 grand snotters, lost too much money on depreciation and repairs on newer stuff, and the thought of a new PCP left me cold, so I found a really nice 944 S2 with the 3.0 engine, sports seats and the best trim and feature spec inside and out. Completely made up to have the best version of what had been the best all-round car I'd ever owned to date...
Just didn't gel. Didn't like the seating position, the seat was too high, the steering wheel was too low, you sat too far forward in the car, the dash is remarkably shallow, what I thought was neat switchgear back then suddenly looked haphazard and dated now. And 210bhp felt really slow.
Sold within 3 months, lost 800 quid on it, and got a PCP Fiesta that leaves me cold.
I went through 2 engines and did 30k miles in 9 months in it. But had to sell up as a project when the second engine blew on a trackday.
Fast forward to 2018 and I decided I'd spent enough time arsing about with 3 grand snotters, lost too much money on depreciation and repairs on newer stuff, and the thought of a new PCP left me cold, so I found a really nice 944 S2 with the 3.0 engine, sports seats and the best trim and feature spec inside and out. Completely made up to have the best version of what had been the best all-round car I'd ever owned to date...
Just didn't gel. Didn't like the seating position, the seat was too high, the steering wheel was too low, you sat too far forward in the car, the dash is remarkably shallow, what I thought was neat switchgear back then suddenly looked haphazard and dated now. And 210bhp felt really slow.
Sold within 3 months, lost 800 quid on it, and got a PCP Fiesta that leaves me cold.
When I was 19 I had a Mk1 RS2000, it wasn't an exceptionally special example so maybe would be worth £20k at todays prices (based on 5 mins googling) If I had £20k to spend I don't think I'd get another.
About 9 years later I bought an E30 M3. Probably £30-35k today, would I have another.....absolutely. For me it just about falls into the era that you could still drive every day for any type of use.
About 9 years later I bought an E30 M3. Probably £30-35k today, would I have another.....absolutely. For me it just about falls into the era that you could still drive every day for any type of use.
I’ve just bought a Celica T Sport, as I had one 15 years ago and sold it after only a year and regretted it since.
It was everything I remembered, good and bad, but this time only cost a couple of grand. I’m gradually improving it so it looks nice and removing most of the dodgy mods that have been applied over the years and back to standard.
I might keep the rude boy exhaust and short shifter for now though!
The seats were a bit ropey so I’ve managed to get some red leather replacements from a Celica Red. Mechanically seems good though.
It was everything I remembered, good and bad, but this time only cost a couple of grand. I’m gradually improving it so it looks nice and removing most of the dodgy mods that have been applied over the years and back to standard.
I might keep the rude boy exhaust and short shifter for now though!
The seats were a bit ropey so I’ve managed to get some red leather replacements from a Celica Red. Mechanically seems good though.
Back in 1984 I bought a 1982 Capri 2.8 Injection and absolutely loved it.
A mate of mine buys and sells classic cars as much as a hobby as a business and keeps telling me I ought to buy a classic - but I think he means one of his.
A few years ago he had a 2.0 litre Capri that needed some work done and asked me to drive it to his regular mechanic, and I was just glad to get out of it!
80s cars were great in the 80s, but not so much now.
A mate of mine buys and sells classic cars as much as a hobby as a business and keeps telling me I ought to buy a classic - but I think he means one of his.
A few years ago he had a 2.0 litre Capri that needed some work done and asked me to drive it to his regular mechanic, and I was just glad to get out of it!
80s cars were great in the 80s, but not so much now.
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