Classic (old, retro) cars for sale £0-5k vol 2

Classic (old, retro) cars for sale £0-5k vol 2

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Discussion

Derventio

1,227 posts

97 months

Friday 5th March 2021
quotequote all
CharlesdeGaulle said:
Derventio said:
I decided to throw in a 1.6 diesel lump that my friend had lying around at the back of his workshop, effectively building an Orion 1.6D Ghia. Once we tweaked the pump a bit, it made quite a nice car, actually.
I enjoy this type of story of mechanical skill and improvisation. It's about as far from my life and (lack of) talent as it's possible to be.
To be honest, it didn't really take much in the way of skill. The 1600 diesel lump pretty much bolted straight in and as the car was a fuel injection model, it already had fuel return lines, etc, required for a diesel engine. Once the existing fuel tank was bled it worked really well. The 1600 Ford diesel engine wasn't a bad little engine.
The only real downside was the horrible clatter from the engine. But I learned to live with that pretty quickly once I realised it was doing over 60mpg!

ETA, the same friend who gave me the engine and helped me with the install, also fitted a Montego Perkins Prima engine con added intercooler into an MGB, a Series 3 Landrover and a MK1 Sirocco. All three ended up being considerably quicker as a result!


Edited by Derventio on Friday 5th March 10:06

ElectricSoup

8,202 posts

150 months

Friday 5th March 2021
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Derventio said:
Spleen said:
0a said:
Or have an earlier one at the other end of the trim spectrum: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009043...

I passed my test in one of those!


boxedin
So did I. It was a 1.4LX IIRC.

I've had two escorts and one Orion from this era and I enjoyed owning them all. Aside from the 1.6 Ghia, I also had a rare 1100 CVH engined car (which was way quicker than you'd expect) and an Orion 1.6i Ghia.

Unfortunately, the engine in the Orion had an unplanned rapid disassembly. As money was tight and I needed to get back on the road urgently for work, I decided to throw in a 1.6 diesel lump that my friend had lying around at the back of his workshop, effectively building an Orion 1.6D Ghia. Once we tweaked the pump a bit, it made quite a nice car, actually. Sadly, the dreaded tinworm ate away the floor pan in the end.
I learnt to drive in my Mum's metallic red Escort 1.6 Ghia. B181 NPL. Once I'd passed it was used for many, many teenage adventures. I loved it. It was a B-reg like this one, but there was a really minor facelift that year which changed the headrests to rounded ones form these Dame Edna pointy ones. If I ever buy one, it's going to have to be one with the rounded headrests. That's how fussy I am.

braddo

10,399 posts

187 months

Friday 5th March 2021
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LuS1fer said:
I bought a 1997 Mondeo 2.0 LX on eBay in 2007 for £400.11 (about 100 more in 2021 money) so I understand the incredulity.

I think the cars cited have become more popularly expensive as a result of young drivers now looking to cheap classics to pull down their premiums.

Even if the Mondeo had been £1000, it would still only be £1500 these days.
And today you can buy a Mondeo from around 2007 for £500.

There are still dirt cheap cars around and they're still in the 10-20 year-old bracket like they always have been.

Back in 2007 you wouldn't have been able to buy a time warp Cortina for £500 and today you can't get a time warp Sierra for that amount. But I agree anything slighly retro or rare is a lot pricier than they used to be.


Howard-

4,950 posts

201 months

Friday 5th March 2021
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Sticks. said:
Howard- said:
Am I missing something?

Nearly £1500 for an absolutely ancient crap old Hyundai or a nasty-looking Fiat Brava?

Almost TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED pounds for a Suzuki Swift from the 1980s?

An old Nissan Primera for not far off 3 grand?

Has the price of absolutely everything second hand gone absolutely berserk in the last year? These are £500 cars at absolute best, surely?

None of them are exactly in concours condition.

Where do we draw the line between "classic/retro" and just old tat?
laugh I thought it was just me. Sorry, that Swift, much as I like an auto, just no. But then I can not think of any reason why someone would pay £6k for this. I suppose it's a time warp, maybe a museum, or if they remake Frost. https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1232117



This might be cool, but I suspect you'd need a reserve of cash as well as the £4250 and I suspect you could find a better BMW/Merc for less money https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1315373



But this looks good vfm at £3650, spares are cheap and more character than an Escort https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1314958

In the case of things like the MG, I get it. And classic 80s/90s hot hatches. Or a nice old well-kept solid boat of a BMW or Merc. I really do get the appeal, and I love cars like that of all ages even if I wouldn't buy one myself.

But some of the cars posted here are about as unremarkable as it gets. There is absolutely nothing "classic" about them. If you just wanted a cheap runaround you'd be bonkers not to spend the same (or a little bit more.. or even less!) on something a decade newer and better in every single possible metric.

braddo

10,399 posts

187 months

Friday 5th March 2021
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Howard- said:
In the case of things like the MG, I get it. And classic 80s/90s hot hatches. Or a nice old well-kept solid boat of a BMW or Merc. I really do get the appeal, and I love cars like that of all ages even if I wouldn't buy one myself.

But some of the cars posted here are about as unremarkable as it gets. There is absolutely nothing "classic" about them. If you just wanted a cheap runaround you'd be bonkers not to spend the same (or a little bit more.. or even less!) on something a decade newer and better in every single possible metric.
It has been like that for decades though - plenty of stuff like Morris Minors, Minis, Austins, Anglia, Zephyrs, 1950s yank tanks etc have been popular classics and preserved over the years and they were just the humdrum stuff back in the day.

Chrishum

1,413 posts

67 months

Friday 5th March 2021
quotequote all
Howard- said:
But some of the cars posted here are about as unremarkable as it gets. There is absolutely nothing "classic" about them. If you just wanted a cheap runaround you'd be bonkers not to spend the same (or a little bit more.. or even less!) on something a decade newer and better in every single possible metric.
The unremarkable cars are IMO the cars that make far more interesting classics. There were millions of old fords in the 80s so while it’s nice to see a survivor it’s not as interesting as seeing something that was considered unpopular crap in its day being kept.

Maybe it’s the internet that causes this, but I can’t see why it’s possible for anyone to decide what is interesting or retro for everyone else. There’s a lot of cars out there and a lot of people who will all view things differently.

plasticpig

12,932 posts

224 months

Friday 5th March 2021
quotequote all
Chrishum said:
The unremarkable cars are IMO the cars that make far more interesting classics. There were millions of old fords in the 80s so while it’s nice to see a survivor it’s not as interesting as seeing something that was considered unpopular crap in its day being kept.

Maybe it’s the internet that causes this, but I can’t see why it’s possible for anyone to decide what is interesting or retro for everyone else. There’s a lot of cars out there and a lot of people who will all view things differently.
yes There are a lot of old Jaguars, BMW and Mercs etc. about but a classic car shows you often get something that was common and is now rarer then hens teeth. Things like a Renault Fuego or a Triumph Acclaim.

Howard-

4,950 posts

201 months

Friday 5th March 2021
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I understand all of the above. I just don't think a mid-90s Suzuki Swift or Fiat Brava is interesting enough to be anything other than a boring old banger, and to command prices well in excess of their book value. It's not like they offer a misty-eyed memory of mid-century motoring.

Edited by Howard- on Friday 5th March 13:18

Pothole

34,367 posts

281 months

Friday 5th March 2021
quotequote all
Howard- said:
I understand all of the above. I just don't think a mid-90s Suzuki Swift or Fiat Brava is interesting enough to be anything other than a boring old banger, and to command prices well in excess of their book value. It's not like they offer a misty-eyed memory of mid-century motoring.

Edited by Howard- on Friday 5th March 13:18
They may offer something similar to someone.

ferrisbueller

29,260 posts

226 months

Friday 5th March 2021
quotequote all
Pothole said:
Howard- said:
I understand all of the above. I just don't think a mid-90s Suzuki Swift or Fiat Brava is interesting enough to be anything other than a boring old banger, and to command prices well in excess of their book value. It's not like they offer a misty-eyed memory of mid-century motoring.

Edited by Howard- on Friday 5th March 13:18
They may offer something similar to someone.
Quite. And you're frequently going to be in the realms of "find another" pricing on some of this stuff. If you want that specific thing and nothing else will do, for whatever reason, then there's going to be a rationale for the value.

Sticks.

8,707 posts

250 months

Friday 5th March 2021
quotequote all
plasticpig said:
Chrishum said:
The unremarkable cars are IMO the cars that make far more interesting classics. There were millions of old fords in the 80s so while it’s nice to see a survivor it’s not as interesting as seeing something that was considered unpopular crap in its day being kept.

Maybe it’s the internet that causes this, but I can’t see why it’s possible for anyone to decide what is interesting or retro for everyone else. There’s a lot of cars out there and a lot of people who will all view things differently.
yes There are a lot of old Jaguars, BMW and Mercs etc. about but a classic car shows you often get something that was common and is now rarer then hens teeth. Things like a Renault Fuego or a Triumph Acclaim.
I totally get what you're saying and it'll be different for every age group. I'm not so sure about unpopular crap as you put it, but of their age stuff, like a Fuego is interesting. I suppose if some of these cars were before you were born/driving you'd see it differently, which is fair enough.

Howard-

4,950 posts

201 months

Friday 5th March 2021
quotequote all
ferrisbueller said:
Pothole said:
Howard- said:
I understand all of the above. I just don't think a mid-90s Suzuki Swift or Fiat Brava is interesting enough to be anything other than a boring old banger, and to command prices well in excess of their book value. It's not like they offer a misty-eyed memory of mid-century motoring.

Edited by Howard- on Friday 5th March 13:18
They may offer something similar to someone.
Quite. And you're frequently going to be in the realms of "find another" pricing on some of this stuff. If you want that specific thing and nothing else will do, for whatever reason, then there's going to be a rationale for the value.
I guess I just struggle to see why an old Fiat Brava in a basic trim level with scuffed bumpers and grubby-looking cloth seats was posted in this thread, especially with the price commanded. Surely being PH there needs to be some sort of intrigue in the car? A nicely looked-after Bravo HGT 5-cylinder, for example, would be a bit different.

I grew up around Fiats in the '90s as my dad worked at a dealership. They all give me massive pangs of fond nostalgia. This doesn't mean I would want to buy them all. I would love a nice Tipo 16V or Coupe Turbo, but you can keep your bog standard Puntos and Bravas.

I had a Cinquecento as my first car. Your first car is great, it takes you everywhere. Freedom!

But it was a st car really, and I'd never want to go back to that.

Pothole

34,367 posts

281 months

Friday 5th March 2021
quotequote all
Howard- said:
I guess I just struggle to see why an old Fiat Brava in a basic trim level with scuffed bumpers and grubby-looking cloth seats was posted in this thread, especially with the price commanded. Surely being PH there needs to be some sort of intrigue in the car? A nicely looked-after Bravo HGT 5-cylinder, for example, would be a bit different.

I grew up around Fiats in the '90s as my dad worked at a dealership. They all give me massive pangs of fond nostalgia. This doesn't mean I would want to buy them all. I would love a nice Tipo 16V or Coupe Turbo, but you can keep your bog standard Puntos and Bravas.

I had a Cinquecento as my first car. Your first car is great, it takes you everywhere. Freedom!

But it was a st car really, and I'd never want to go back to that.
Ah, you're moaning about other posters not sticking to your interpretation of the thread title? OK.

Howard-

4,950 posts

201 months

Friday 5th March 2021
quotequote all
Pothole said:
Howard- said:
I guess I just struggle to see why an old Fiat Brava in a basic trim level with scuffed bumpers and grubby-looking cloth seats was posted in this thread, especially with the price commanded. Surely being PH there needs to be some sort of intrigue in the car? A nicely looked-after Bravo HGT 5-cylinder, for example, would be a bit different.

I grew up around Fiats in the '90s as my dad worked at a dealership. They all give me massive pangs of fond nostalgia. This doesn't mean I would want to buy them all. I would love a nice Tipo 16V or Coupe Turbo, but you can keep your bog standard Puntos and Bravas.

I had a Cinquecento as my first car. Your first car is great, it takes you everywhere. Freedom!

But it was a st car really, and I'd never want to go back to that.
Ah, you're moaning about other posters not sticking to your interpretation of the thread title? OK.
Not moaning. Just wondering. And nobody has yet been able to justify what makes that car interesting. This is a discussion forum after all.

Again, surely there has to be some level of intrigue or interest around these cars, otherwise the thread would just turn into an eBay/Autotrader <£5k RSS feed.

Pothole

34,367 posts

281 months

Friday 5th March 2021
quotequote all
Howard- said:
Not moaning. Just wondering. And nobody has yet been able to justify what makes that car interesting. This is a discussion forum after all.

Again, surely there has to be some level of intrigue or interest around these cars, otherwise the thread would just turn into an eBay/Autotrader <£5k RSS feed.
Appears others disagree

for example, this from a few pages back, despite a few posters straining to give it some BTCC cred:

36k mile Volvo S40 for £1500

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLVO-S40-2000-T-1-6-Pe...


crusty

752 posts

219 months

Friday 5th March 2021
quotequote all
Howard- said:
Pothole said:
Howard- said:
I guess I just struggle to see why an old Fiat Brava in a basic trim level with scuffed bumpers and grubby-looking cloth seats was posted in this thread, especially with the price commanded. Surely being PH there needs to be some sort of intrigue in the car? A nicely looked-after Bravo HGT 5-cylinder, for example, would be a bit different.

I grew up around Fiats in the '90s as my dad worked at a dealership. They all give me massive pangs of fond nostalgia. This doesn't mean I would want to buy them all. I would love a nice Tipo 16V or Coupe Turbo, but you can keep your bog standard Puntos and Bravas.

I had a Cinquecento as my first car. Your first car is great, it takes you everywhere. Freedom!

But it was a st car really, and I'd never want to go back to that.
Ah, you're moaning about other posters not sticking to your interpretation of the thread title? OK.
Not moaning. Just wondering. And nobody has yet been able to justify what makes that car interesting. This is a discussion forum after all.

Again, surely there has to be some level of intrigue or interest around these cars, otherwise the thread would just turn into an eBay/Autotrader <£5k RSS feed.
I agree, some very dull cars here being regarded as "classics" there is a lot of choice for up to £5k that is massively more interesting

ferrisbueller

29,260 posts

226 months

Friday 5th March 2021
quotequote all
Howard- said:
ferrisbueller said:
Pothole said:
Howard- said:
I understand all of the above. I just don't think a mid-90s Suzuki Swift or Fiat Brava is interesting enough to be anything other than a boring old banger, and to command prices well in excess of their book value. It's not like they offer a misty-eyed memory of mid-century motoring.

Edited by Howard- on Friday 5th March 13:18
They may offer something similar to someone.
Quite. And you're frequently going to be in the realms of "find another" pricing on some of this stuff. If you want that specific thing and nothing else will do, for whatever reason, then there's going to be a rationale for the value.
I guess I just struggle to see why an old Fiat Brava in a basic trim level with scuffed bumpers and grubby-looking cloth seats was posted in this thread, especially with the price commanded. Surely being PH there needs to be some sort of intrigue in the car? A nicely looked-after Bravo HGT 5-cylinder, for example, would be a bit different.

I grew up around Fiats in the '90s as my dad worked at a dealership. They all give me massive pangs of fond nostalgia. This doesn't mean I would want to buy them all. I would love a nice Tipo 16V or Coupe Turbo, but you can keep your bog standard Puntos and Bravas.

I had a Cinquecento as my first car. Your first car is great, it takes you everywhere. Freedom!

But it was a st car really, and I'd never want to go back to that.
I note you've trimmed back your list of offence to exclude the Primera. Handy, not least because someone on this very thread bought it.

The Swift appears to be an absolute minter with 24k miles on it. If you look at dealers like KGF, set up specifically because a market for such things exists, you will see there is a demand. Is it worth £2500? I don't know. Not to me it isn't, but to someone that is very desirable.

The Brava isn't such a low mileage example but they're pretty rare and were a pretty bold piece of product management by Fiat with the different Bravo/Brava variants. I cannot recall the last time I saw an example of either in the flesh. Is £1500 outrageous in the current climate? Again, I don't want it, but someone possibly will.

Ironically, mint examples of the cars you've mentioned probably exceed thread budget. I've posted a Tipo 16v earlier in this thread, it certainly wasn't mint, nor cheap.

Forums like retrorides and gatherings like the Festival of the Unexceptional are further proof that there is a thriving culture around these things.

Personally I enjoy looking at them but don't want many of them. I've got no love for the Hyundai Pony, but if I see one parked up I will stop and look at it. Practical limitations around space, storage etc limit my consumption, which is just as well or I'd have a barn full of curios.

ferrisbueller

29,260 posts

226 months

Friday 5th March 2021
quotequote all
crusty said:
I agree, some very dull cars here being regarded as "classics" there is a lot of choice for up to £5k that is massively more interesting
Post some then.

braddo

10,399 posts

187 months

Friday 5th March 2021
quotequote all
I can see the appeal of the Sierra (to someone else hehe ) that was posted but it's hard to imagine the Swift of the Fiat appealing to anyone; maybe in another 10-20 years' time though... Stuff like 1970s Datsuns (120Y, 240B etc) that I detested as a kid - ugly as well as boring - now have retro cool.

ferrisbueller

29,260 posts

226 months

Friday 5th March 2021
quotequote all
braddo said:
I can see the appeal of the Sierra (to someone else hehe ) that was posted but it's hard to imagine the Swift of the Fiat appealing to anyone; maybe in another 10-20 years' time though... Stuff like 1970s Datsuns (120Y, 240B etc) that I detested as a kid - ugly as well as boring - now have retro cool.
Honestly, I think things like this are very hard to value. One man's trash is another man's treasure applies in this sphere IMO. The value of a low mile minter anything is disproportionate to the typical examples.

The nearest comparison I could find for the Brava is in the Netherlands and it's 1000 Euro.

https://www.reezocar.com/en/occasion/annonce-fiat-...

Here's a similar Bravo for 1500

https://www.reezocar.com/en/occasion/annonce-fiat-...

ETA, here's a 120Y, and it exceeds thread budget. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Datsun-120y-nissan/1647...

Edited by ferrisbueller on Friday 5th March 18:32