What should I go for?

[TheCarFather]

At the moment I have a 3 door punto evo after having 3 cars since I past my test 10 months ago ( the first two being under £800 and both developing issues that would cost 500+ to fix, so they had to go). And as much as I love it I can't help wanting what I always had wanted, a classic car.

I would not get the car for around 8 months but i'd like a few months to think about it.

If I sell my car i'll have around 4-7k to spend. I'd want the classic to be as sound as it can when I buy it as it'll be my only car. I don't have any experience but i'm up for learning some basic mechanics on the car.

I have narrowed it down to the following:

Classic mini ( any era)
Classic Beetle
Ford Capri mk2
Ford Zodiac mk2
Triumph GT6

One thing to bare in mind is that it will not be kept in garage and also that I am 18 so insurance is a factor. What are the pro's con's of each of these?

Thanks everyone

[Sid's Dad]

Insurance will be a deciding factor - if it's your daily driver you won't get cheap classic insurance, so all the usual problems apply. Of your list, I'd say the Mini and the Beetle would be the best options, though both will need lots of maintenance (which is expensive until you gave learnt how to do it) if you keep them outside and depend on them to get to work every morning.....

And for Gods sake don't get a modified one or your insurance company will bend you over the desk and tell you to call them Sir.

[SV8Predator]

From your list, the Ford Capri is the only choice. At this stage you (seem) to have no mechanical ability (but are willing to learn), so the Capri is the only car on the list that will give you any sort of reliability.

All the cars listed are great classic cars but I think you'll struggle to use them as daily drivers unless you've got (a) mechanical ability in spades, and (b) a nice, dry, heated garage with plenty of room to work.

[Steffan]

SV8Predator said:

From your list, the Ford Capri is the only choice. At this stage you (seem) to have no mechanical ability (but are willing to learn), so the Capri is the only car on the list that will give you any sort of reliability.

All the cars listed are great classic cars but I think you'll struggle to use them as daily drivers unless you've got (a) mechanical ability in spades, and (b) a nice, dry, heated garage with plenty of room to work.

Good advice. The Capri is probably the only distance driver the GT6 is unsuitable the Mini is too noisy/cramped. But you will need to learn mechanics ASAP as no Classic car is as reliable as the modern sheds and they all require more maintenance. Modern cars are remarkably reliable and maintenance free.

[52classic]

Have to be the Capri for me. Early as you can get. Pref 1.6 on insurance grounds.

Zodiac would be too expensive as a daily driver. Beetle is too much of a cliche these days. Mini and GT6 are too cramped as an only car.

I would add a Dolomite and maybe an early Saab something to the list.

[aeropilot]

TheCarFather said:

If I sell my car i'll have around 4-7k to spend. I'd want the classic to be as sound as it can when I buy it as it'll be my only car. I don't have any experience but i'm up for learning some basic mechanics on the car.

I have narrowed it down to the following:

Classic mini ( any era)
Classic Beetle
Ford Capri mk2
Ford Zodiac mk2
Triumph GT6

One thing to bare in mind is that it will not be kept in garage

Forget the Zody Mk2 in your situation, that's not a practical proposition at all.

I'd also sratch the Capri off the list as well tbh.

In your situation, you want a classic with as much spares/parts availability and back-up as possible, so I'd be looking at the Mini or the Beetle.
GT6 won't be too bad with spares from Heritage specialists, but insurance maybe an issue, as you need to bear in mind, you won't be eligiable for agreed value classic car insurance, given you age, and the fact it will be your only car.
For this reason, in your situation, I wouldn't recommend a classic at all tbh.

[niagra]

My advice would be a late '80s 998 Mini, loads of cool limited editions to choose from. I can't comment on the reliability of the 998s but I never had a problem with my old K reg Cooper which was used daily and parked outside (ok, it needed new wings and A panels after a few years, but no mechanical problems). I declared all my mods (exhaust, carbs, lowered etc) and the insurance was never increased.

Miles better than a Beetle!

[SV8Predator]

aeropilot said:

In your situation, you want a classic with as much spares/parts availability and back-up as possible,

Capri it is, then.

[aeropilot]

SV8Predator said:

aeropilot said:

In your situation, you want a classic with as much spares/parts availability and back-up as possible,

Capri it is, then.

Hardly.

While general service parts aren't a problem, body panels are, and other items such as trim and bodyshell bits are, and while some pattern panels are available, such as rear 1/4's etc, they aren't cheap by any means.

The other issue the OP will have is security.........'classic' Ford are still a thief target, and with keeping it un-garaged and a daily driver, I'd venture to say he wouldn't have it long.

Edited by aeropilot on Sunday 2nd February 21:47

[stang65]

TheCarFather said:

I have narrowed it down to the following:

Classic mini ( any era)
Classic Beetle
Ford Capri mk2
Ford Zodiac mk2
Triumph GT6

One thing to bare in mind is that it will not be kept in garage and also that I am 18 so insurance is a factor. What are the pro's con's of each of these?

Thanks everyone

Agree with previous posts that a Mk2 Zodiac is a non-starter as parts are pricey and being older it'll need more maintenance. Mk2 Capris aren't exactly common so if you settle on Capris, I'd widen the search to include Mk3 which are more plentiful and newer so possibly more chance of finding one that isn't completely rotten - although all have had time to be horrible by now. Insurance might be an issue on the GT6 as insurers may still see this as a sports car...

From your list I'd be tempted to say the Mini as parts are easiest and there's loads around. They more for buzzing round town/twisty roads than for motorways though so your intended use might influence here.

More general advice, whatever you buy make sure you get a good one so take someone with you who knows what they're doing, if you don't know anyone consider paying for an inspection. Bodywork is usually more important than mechanicals. You do have time to learn what to look for so read up. As you need to learn maintenance find something that has a good owners club presence in your area as then you'll more easily find someone to help. Is there a classic car club in your area (rather than specific make/model club) that you can befriend other owners at?

Although I'm not a huge fan have you considered an MG BGT? The MG Club are everywhere, parts are easier than pretty much any car, there'll be loads of decent ones in your budget, overdrive ones are still pretty reasonable on motorways etc. etc. Even if it's not your dream classic it would be a good car to learn on for a year or two....assuming you can insure an 1800cc sports coupe...

[conkerman]

How about a dolomite?

[TheCarFather]

conkerman said:

How about a dolomite?

I did look at them and although I like the look of them I don't like them enough to want to own one

[TheCarFather]

stang65 said:

Agree with previous posts that a Mk2 Zodiac is a non-starter as parts are pricey and being older it'll need more maintenance. Mk2 Capris aren't exactly common so if you settle on Capris, I'd widen the search to include Mk3 which are more plentiful and newer so possibly more chance of finding one that isn't completely rotten - although all have had time to be horrible by now. Insurance might be an issue on the GT6 as insurers may still see this as a sports car...

From your list I'd be tempted to say the Mini as parts are easiest and there's loads around. They more for buzzing round town/twisty roads than for motorways though so your intended use might influence here.

More general advice, whatever you buy make sure you get a good one so take someone with you who knows what they're doing, if you don't know anyone consider paying for an inspection. Bodywork is usually more important than mechanicals. You do have time to learn what to look for so read up. As you need to learn maintenance find something that has a good owners club presence in your area as then you'll more easily find someone to help. Is there a classic car club in your area (rather than specific make/model club) that you can befriend other owners at?

Although I'm not a huge fan have you considered an MG BGT? The MG Club are everywhere, parts are easier than pretty much any car, there'll be loads of decent ones in your budget, overdrive ones are still pretty reasonable on motorways etc. etc. Even if it's not your dream classic it would be a good car to learn on for a year or two....assuming you can insure an 1800cc sports coupe...

Thanks a lot, a lot of great advice hear, was considering an MG BGT actually I just forgot to add it to the list!, 5k seems to be able to get one in very good condition, also cheap to insure

[aeropilot]

TheCarFather said:

stang65 said:

Agree with previous posts that a Mk2 Zodiac is a non-starter as parts are pricey and being older it'll need more maintenance. Mk2 Capris aren't exactly common so if you settle on Capris, I'd widen the search to include Mk3 which are more plentiful and newer so possibly more chance of finding one that isn't completely rotten - although all have had time to be horrible by now. Insurance might be an issue on the GT6 as insurers may still see this as a sports car...

From your list I'd be tempted to say the Mini as parts are easiest and there's loads around. They more for buzzing round town/twisty roads than for motorways though so your intended use might influence here.

More general advice, whatever you buy make sure you get a good one so take someone with you who knows what they're doing, if you don't know anyone consider paying for an inspection. Bodywork is usually more important than mechanicals. You do have time to learn what to look for so read up. As you need to learn maintenance find something that has a good owners club presence in your area as then you'll more easily find someone to help. Is there a classic car club in your area (rather than specific make/model club) that you can befriend other owners at?

Although I'm not a huge fan have you considered an MG BGT? The MG Club are everywhere, parts are easier than pretty much any car, there'll be loads of decent ones in your budget, overdrive ones are still pretty reasonable on motorways etc. etc. Even if it's not your dream classic it would be a good car to learn on for a year or two....assuming you can insure an 1800cc sports coupe...

Thanks a lot, a lot of great advice hear, was considering an MG BGT actually I just forgot to add it to the list!, 5k seems to be able to get one in very good condition, also cheap to insure

If you can insure one, and you like them, IMHO a MGB is by far the best ownership prospect for you, given you can effectively build a brand new one from bare shell onwards.

[davepoth]

aeropilot said:

If you can insure one, and you like them, IMHO a MGB is by far the best ownership prospect for you, given you can effectively build a brand new one from bare shell onwards.

Yup. Get a GT as they are a bit more practical for leaving outside. Not particularly fast but there isn't really much on them that's expensive to fix (apart from rust).

[greggy50]

Personally my Mini has been bullet proof reliable

Left it for 4 months and it started first time (with a bump)

Just convert it to electronic ignition and should be fine and if you do need to work on them they really are very easy

Market is on its arse as well at the moment can get a lovely one for 2.5k - 3k

All I can say for is with the mini particularly (or any classic) is rust. They will rust if you use them in the winter you can waxoil them all you like but it will still creep in. I would say you could buy a lovely example and after 3 years of hard use it would need a full respray if it was used on salty roads etc...

With your 4 - 7k I would get a mini with a tuned engine and then a shed to use for rainy days myself

[deeen]

Zodiac or Triumph, except I want the Zodiac.

[greggy50]

Also on the beetle front they are pretty reliable from mates who have owned them

However they are really rather poor when compared to a mini when behind the wheel just no fun at all and horrible clutch/peddle box.

[roscobbc]

Why should a Zephyr (or Consul for that matter) be any more a maintenance 'issue' than any other car from the same period? - as long as you have access to routine servicing items and things like brake and steering parts and have the back-up of a good owners club it should arguably be easy to look after than many later vehicles.

[TheCarFather]

Thanks for all replies, I have done a bit more research and although I like the looks and charisma of the beetle it seems ( as a few of you has said on here) that to drive it isn't really a joy, like, say a classic mini.
I will look into the GT more, what's the 1800cc like to drive? How about an early MG midget ( early ones with chrome bumpers)

cheers,