Classic car for my first car?

[TheCarFather]

I haven't actually passed my test yet, but I passed my theory earlier and it has got me in the mood for looking for cars, my parents said they will put £2,000 towards a car, which is obviously enough for a decent hatchback (Corsa,Clio)etc, but I want something different and I have started saving my own money to add to the 2k, I was thinking a MG Midget, this way I could put my parents on the insurance and they could also use it on summer days etc. I do not know much at all when it comes to tinkering with cars but I am willing to learn, and since when I get a car it will not be essential that it starts every time I think a classic is a good starter.

I am a 17 year old male by the way, any suggestions/ ideas, something that would keep insurance relatively low?

thanks guys

[jimbob82]

MG midget is a very good "learners" car, alongside a moggy minor. They can teach you so much about counter steering when the back end comes out @ 20mph in the rain. for this reason alone they are fun enough

stick to a car that has an engine size lower than 1275/1300 so you get a good insurance price.

[Pothole]

Midget and Minor are both great first cars. Bear in mind you won't get much of either for your budget unless you're very lucky.

[james280779]

what about something like a Hillman Avenger, 80's Escort/ orion, Triumph Herald. Surely the insurance will be pretty good on something like that.

Maybe even an older Alfa (if you want to learn mechanics) or Porsche 924

[JREwing]

I don't know what to advise. I'm sure you'd love a Midget or a Minor, but they will infuriate you at times.

On the positive side, if you get a Minor convertible you could move to Norfolk to sell antiques of dodgy provenance, although I doubt you'd have been around when Lovejoy was on TV.

[TheCarFather]

Thanks, yeah I hear from a lot of people about the midget, I think I would learn a lot from owning one as well, I think it's between the Midget and a Austin Mini at the moment.

[jimbob82]

don't buy a mini, not because they're crap, I love them. but you'll learn more from an old RWD minor or midget than you'll ever learn from a mini.

[Fantuzzi]

Fiat X1/9 or a MR2 MK1 are the ones Id go with, both meant to be awsome little cars. Look great, athough no idea about insurence, best bet is to gocompare, play with it a bit, (weirdly the fullcomps aan be cheaper than third party so change some things and see whats best).

For 4k you could buy a nice MR2 MK3...

[TheCarFather]

james280779 said:

what about something like a Hillman Avenger, 80's Escort/ orion, Triumph Herald. Surely the insurance will be pretty good on something like that.

Maybe even an older Alfa (if you want to learn mechanics) or Porsche 924

I was looking at mk2 escort's and love the look of those too, maybe the porsche in a couple of years, insurance for one of those at my age is 10k+ its a complete joke.

[Fantuzzi]

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/cat/3/99/mr2+mk1/

Didnt know mk1s were so cheap, most seem good condition/mileage.

Plus look great.

Good luck with test!

[TheCarFather]

Fantuzzi said:

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/cat/3/99/mr2+mk1/

Didnt know mk1s were so cheap, most seem good condition/mileage.

Plus look great.

Good luck with test!

I do really like them but it is 3.9k a year and that is with my mum as the main driver

[jules_s]

Pothole said:

Midget and Minor are both great first cars. Bear in mind you won't get much of either for your budget unless you're very lucky.

And what's worse (with the midget) they aren't cheap to run IME

I had one in '97 ish paid circa £1800 for it iirc. It must have cost me £2k to keep it on the road for two years before it rusted away

Great cars, but a £2k one will give you a major pain in the bank balance

[Fantuzzi]

TheCarFather said:

Fantuzzi said:

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/cat/3/99/mr2+mk1/

Didnt know mk1s were so cheap, most seem good condition/mileage.

Plus look great.

Good luck with test!

I do really like them but it is 3.9k a year and that is with my mum as the main driver

Youve got to spend ages chaning things like milage, cost of car, put price of a car a while ago as 1k, got qoutes for 3.5k, vhanged to 1250, got 1800 qoutes!

Good luck

[slevin911]

james280779 said:

what about something like a Hillman Avenger, 80's Escort/ orion, Triumph Herald. Surely the insurance will be pretty good on something like that.

Maybe even an older Alfa (if you want to learn mechanics) or Porsche 924

Agree on the 924.Very simple cars and loads of fun.

[AceOfHearts]

My girlfriend had a Morris Minor as her first car, and still has it 3 years on. It does take work to keep them going, but I have learnt a lot from working on it for her and its a great fun little car. It has also saved her a fortune in insurance / tax. She is now 20 years old and only paying £300 tpft.

Beware though, if you start buying classics they will get under your skin :lol:



ETA you can easily get a nice useable Morris for £2000 (hers was £1300 with 12 months MOT, but did have a few hidden horrors)

[james280779]

nice Chimaera too

[james280779]

TheCarFather said:

I was looking at mk2 escort's and love the look of those too, maybe the porsche in a couple of years, insurance for one of those at my age is 10k+ its a complete joke.

mine was 35 quid a year to insure fully comp with Hagerty (best Classic car insurers ever- not like the cowboys promoted by PH) When I last insured it I was about 26 (still sitting in my garage 7 years later), I insured my brother in law when he passed his test as second driver (he was 18), I think it ended up about 140 a year and he used it when he wanted. Maybe thats an option

[rambo19]

Seris land rover.

[Ozzie Osmond]

Take a look at some clips on Youtube of crash tests involving old cars - then go and buy something more modern.

Here's a starter,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBDyeWofcLY

[GreatGranny]

I love Mini and have owned 4 but you will be forever battling against rust and electrical gremlins. It will teach you alot so if thats not a problem go for it.
Alternatively what about a MK1 Golf?

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C357033

Less liable to rust but check carefully before buying.