What £5k practical/daily classic?
Discussion
I quite fancy something fun but not too expensive to run for the next 6 months or so until I succumb and buy something more sensible. This would coincide with dad's retirement and I would like to pass it on to him as a retirement present as he has never owned anything interesting (but would secretly like to). I'm interested in performance, fun, handling and day-to-day reliability and quite fancy a convertible whereas my father would probably consider fun, style, practicality and fuel economy more important than speed and would probably only use it for fun in fair weather. I would also prefer something quite, rare and unusual that will hold its value well if looked after. I have enjoyed owning older cars from the early 90s as I find them weightier and more involving to drive. I have always fancied something like a Quattro, E30 M3, Sierra RS Cosworth hatch or Integrale but I think that anything like this would be well out of my budget now! I want to buy the best example of what I can find and am not interested in a basket case that needs a lot of restoration and is going to cost a fortune to keep running. Here are some of the cars that I have considered.
Alfa Romeo Spider (classic RWD shape)
Mazda MX5 mk1 (maybe one of the late special editions like a Merlot/Berkeley or are the 1.6s better?)
Porsche 944 S2 (although these seem to have gone up in value out of budget over the last few years)
Saab 900 Turbo Convertible (classic)
Suzuki Cappuccino
Toyota MR2 mk1
VW Golf GTi mk1 harch/cabriolet
Rover Mini Cooper (although I'm not sure if I want to own one rather than just try one. Although thet were made up to 2000, it doesn't really seem like a modern car rather than a 1960s car with old car problems. A Mini-owning friend has claimed to have spent £40k in engine and suspension rebuilds on his over the last 10 years (this is a tuned Mini though)).
I would also consider some of the more popular sports cars such as a Z3 (not a 1.9), SLK or MGF VVC. The Z3 and SLK are very pretty cars and I just have an irrational fondness for the MGF (maybe it's the badge). There are quite a few examples of these in my budget but they are a bit common (relatively).
I think that a Golf GTi Cabriolet is a really cool retro car and may be quite a good compromise between what I and my dad would want but are they any good? Have I overlooked anything in my budget? I really can't justify going over £5k.
Alfa Romeo Spider (classic RWD shape)
Mazda MX5 mk1 (maybe one of the late special editions like a Merlot/Berkeley or are the 1.6s better?)
Porsche 944 S2 (although these seem to have gone up in value out of budget over the last few years)
Saab 900 Turbo Convertible (classic)
Suzuki Cappuccino
Toyota MR2 mk1
VW Golf GTi mk1 harch/cabriolet
Rover Mini Cooper (although I'm not sure if I want to own one rather than just try one. Although thet were made up to 2000, it doesn't really seem like a modern car rather than a 1960s car with old car problems. A Mini-owning friend has claimed to have spent £40k in engine and suspension rebuilds on his over the last 10 years (this is a tuned Mini though)).
I would also consider some of the more popular sports cars such as a Z3 (not a 1.9), SLK or MGF VVC. The Z3 and SLK are very pretty cars and I just have an irrational fondness for the MGF (maybe it's the badge). There are quite a few examples of these in my budget but they are a bit common (relatively).
I think that a Golf GTi Cabriolet is a really cool retro car and may be quite a good compromise between what I and my dad would want but are they any good? Have I overlooked anything in my budget? I really can't justify going over £5k.
Really nice BMW M535i? Can probably get a decent 635 CSi for that too...
The 944 S2 is a good call if you're not planning to transport any adults in the back. Relatively economical, surprisingly practical (decent boot with a hatch...) and good fun to drive.
Leftfield idea: Triumph Dolomite Sprint?
Capri 2.8?
Alfa Romeo 75? (Might even find a decent GTV6 for that?)
Dunno how much Triumph Stags go for? One of the many examples now fitted with a Rover V8 should solve engine reliability concerns compared to the original Triumph unit.
The 944 S2 is a good call if you're not planning to transport any adults in the back. Relatively economical, surprisingly practical (decent boot with a hatch...) and good fun to drive.
Leftfield idea: Triumph Dolomite Sprint?
Capri 2.8?
Alfa Romeo 75? (Might even find a decent GTV6 for that?)
Dunno how much Triumph Stags go for? One of the many examples now fitted with a Rover V8 should solve engine reliability concerns compared to the original Triumph unit.
Major Fallout said:
Good shout. I thought that nice MGBs were out of budget but that one looks quite good despite being a rubber-bumpered car. I do quite fancy one of these with a V8 but I think they only made them as a coupe and they're way over budget. I've never driven one of these. What are they like to drive and can they be reliable to use everyday My only concern is that I don't have a garage and I wouldn't want it to start rotting in my tenure (my dad would probably keep it in his garage).Thanks for the other suggestions. No 4 doors though please (I should have stated that in the OP). When I said practical, I meant in terms of day-to-day use and a reasonable boot rather than a necessity for 4 seats.
I'm probably looking at a smallish coupe/convertible, otherwise it would not fit in my dad's garage. A 635CSi would be right up my street but too big for the garage and not really my dad's cup of tea! The only hatch I would consider would be the Golf as I know me and my dad both quite like these. Other classic hatches like Fords, I know my dad would hate and although I would love a tidy 205 1.9 GTi, I used to have a 1.6 which my parents both hated!
Please keep the suggestions coming in plus any views on cars that I have shortlisted.
Get the Alfa Spider - your budget should just get you a S4 (last of the classic RWD models). By this stage all the rust problems had been sorted. The S3 model (with the black rubber spoiler and a different front bumper) is usually a bit cheaper, but I don't find them as good-looking.
The older models (if in good condition) would be higher in price, and a cheap one could end up costing you a lot, depending how good you are at working on them yourself.
Some spare parts are very hard to come by. I was lucky enough to get my hands on a write-off via my usual garage, which I've kept for spare parts.
The older models (if in good condition) would be higher in price, and a cheap one could end up costing you a lot, depending how good you are at working on them yourself.
Some spare parts are very hard to come by. I was lucky enough to get my hands on a write-off via my usual garage, which I've kept for spare parts.
PaulFontaine said:
It's hard to use practical and classic in the same senteance sometimes.
You'd be surprised, some people have even made a decent living talking about ithttp://www.practicalclassics.co.uk/
OzzyR1 said:
You'd be surprised, some people have even made a decent living talking about it
http://www.practicalclassics.co.uk/
It's a good magazine but why a picture of a MG ZS on the front page of the website... It may be practical(ish) but it's not what I'd call a classic!http://www.practicalclassics.co.uk/
All sound like great cars, I can completely vouch for the 944 (my dad has a S2 cabriolet), Its very comfortable, fast, and very reliable. Dont be put off by the 'high' mileage ones, they will perform just as well as a lower mile car. The Cabriolet is a bit rarer, and definiatley worth the money in my opinion (Iam being biased though 
My dad is selling his 944 S2 Cab on the PH classifieds (standard ad) at the moment if you're interested, he has it upfor £5200, but he'll take £5000 ono for it. Good luck with your search!
My dad is selling his 944 S2 Cab on the PH classifieds (standard ad) at the moment if you're interested, he has it upfor £5200, but he'll take £5000 ono for it. Good luck with your search!
sday12 said:
That is a huge amount of car for the money if there's not a lot wrong with it. I know they can potentially cost a lot in repairs, but they are an excellent drivers car.P.S. I've only been in one twice, but I have spent a reasonable amount of time trying to keep up with one, mostly without success.
(hangs head in shame).
The Golf GTI Cab is a great call - solidly built, fun and reliable. Look for something pre silly bumpers in 1990. I always think the minerva blue with grey hood and leather ones look great. Another one would be a W124 Mercedes CE. You won't get a cab for the money but you'll get a lovely coupe.
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