Comfortable 'classic' needed to waft around in - ideas?

[hardcastlephil]

Hi All,

I think the time has come to sell the BGT as i'm going to have to do the odd motorway trip and also need something the other half is happier driving. I'm hoping to replace it with something which would come under classic insurance as I've just paid this years premium and HIC are happy to transfer it across.

I'm looking for something that:

Must be comfortable
Not associated with been driven round the local estate with a big exhaust and huge alloys!
Qualify for classic car insurance (is this 20 years?)
Not too expensive - max of about £2000/£2500
Reliable
Achieve approx 30mpg

Ive been looking at:

E30 touring (poss a 318i)
Saab 900
Mercedes 200d

Does anyone have any thoughts on the above/ suggestions of other cars to look at?

Thanks in advance.

Phil

[DKL]

Retrorides for sale is your friend. Lots of classic Mercs at tempting prices with plenty of other wide field options too.
Well worth a look

[fourfoldroot]

Rover P5B? Probably only 25-28mpg on a run,but easy to drive,very light power steering,auto box. Very wafty and can pick up its heels and go if provoked. As a huge bonus you get that lovely V8 burble.

[HiHoSilverSLK]

A black Mercedes-Benz of course.

http://mercedescarfinder.co.uk/detail.html?search_...

Classic model 190e
year 1991
price £1,895
mileage 90,000 miles
body-style Saloon
location Ilminster
engine Petrol Manual 1,800 cc
colour Black
description
Mercedes 190E 1.8 FSH Manual Owned by 1 family Superb original condition MOT Apr12 TAX Dec11 Just serviced by MB Specialist Blue/Black metallic Black cloth interior ABS Elec Sunroof Rear headrests ONE OF THE BEST examples AVAILABLE
private or trade
Private
seller details
contact
andy
phone
01460 57550
car codename
MCF-1991-190e-7-Nightingale-Acre

Simples.

[forsure]

E36 325tds Touring ? Swift, comfortable, 40mpg.

Good ones getting very rare, but well within budget.

[hardcastlephil]

Thank you. Hadnt thought about the E36. My brother had a 328 back in the day, great car. I'm keen on the idea of the 190 still, just it seems finding a decent one could be hard work!

[fluffnik]

A W124 Mercedes?

[williamp]

Others to think about:

Jaguar XJ40, X300, 80s XJ6. XJR
Rover P6 or (be brave) the mid 90s Rover 800 Coupe
70s Triumph 2500/2.5PI saloons

You want something to waft in which you can sell for what you paid for it.

[peteA]

think qualification for classic insurance is 10 years? Not 20 but worth checking with your particular co.

[mrtwisty]

That list of requirements just screams "low mileage, 1 owner, fsh, XJ6" to me...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

[peteA]

how about an alfa 164 ...or maybe a 166?

Peugeot 406 Coupe ...is that deemed a classic yet? Ok its a coupe but it should still be comfortable.

Agree the jag is the obvious choice so just trying to think of a few curve balls...

[niagra]

Saab 9000 Carlsson - it'll do 28mpg at 75mph on the motorway. Fast, comfortable, reliable.

[hardcastlephil]

Yes - i think the jag is always a good option. I will check with HIC tomorrow as if i can get something a little newer on the 'classic' policy that would leave it wide open. Agreed with the chap above that its always good to buy something i'm not going to loose a lot on too. I just want something a little different, the Jags are good for that. I've been looking at 190's on the net today and there are some great examples which say "old money" but others which just say chav!
Thanks for all the help so far!

[davepoth]

Triumph Dolomite 1850 will do 80mph all day, you'll get a lovely one for £2500.

[task]

LPG'd Range Rover classic

[benjj]

1980's Audi 100
MB 300SL/SEL
Peugeot 504
Reliant Scimitar

All a bit out of the ordinary, each has its charms.

[alfa pint]

My immediate thought was a p6 rover with the 2.2 litre engine.

There must be some 3.2 Jags out there (see shed of the week recently) that'll scrape 30mpg and still be ok for classic insurance, surely? That's proper wafting that is.

[Zaphod I]

Echo most of the above, plus:
Lexus LS400 - ultimate waft, surprising fuel economy on a run.
Saab 9000 2.3 FBT - waft, performance, and economy.

[lowdrag]

My insurers treat all cars over 10 yrs old as a classic. I have a C220 diesel estate auto - I know, not stylish but solid and practical - and that is worth the square root of sweet FA, so I reckon most Mercs of that period must be about the same.

[bqf]

benjj said:

Peugeot 504

Really - within budget, for a straight example?