Recommend me a 2+2
Discussion
I'm sure it's a common enough story... Two kids, and now that they're past the stage where the car needs to swallow the entire contents of the house any time we go anywhere, I'm after something which will be fun to own and something they can think of as a bit special as they're growing up.
Thoughts so far:
- Budget: up to around the £25k mark, a bit more depending on future resale value
- Needs to be pretty and have some character (not in the market for a future-classic hot-hatch etc.)
- Age: so long as an example can be certified structurally sound I'm not put off by age or the prospect of having to take some steps to keep it in good health
- Ideas:
. This all started off thinking about a 60s / 70s Alfa Junior, but prices have sky-rocketed over the last few years. Still an option potentially.
. TVR Cerbera?
. Maserati 4200 / GS - had one before the kids came along and regret selling it. Expensive to maintain though and been there already now.
. No Porsches. Can't really tell you why, just not for me.
So, any additional thoughts greatly appreciated...
Thoughts so far:
- Budget: up to around the £25k mark, a bit more depending on future resale value
- Needs to be pretty and have some character (not in the market for a future-classic hot-hatch etc.)
- Age: so long as an example can be certified structurally sound I'm not put off by age or the prospect of having to take some steps to keep it in good health
- Ideas:
. This all started off thinking about a 60s / 70s Alfa Junior, but prices have sky-rocketed over the last few years. Still an option potentially.
. TVR Cerbera?
. Maserati 4200 / GS - had one before the kids came along and regret selling it. Expensive to maintain though and been there already now.
. No Porsches. Can't really tell you why, just not for me.
So, any additional thoughts greatly appreciated...
As you will be transporting the minors presumably out and out performance is secondary to fun. The Alfa is a good call, but how about:
Citroen SM
Fiat 130 Coupé or maybe a Dino?
XJ Coupé
E-Type (budget push I know)
All these are quite big, all I can think of on the real 2+2 front beyond an Alfa would be an Elan +2 but the view out from the back seats isn't great.
Maybe a Mondial?
Citroen SM
Fiat 130 Coupé or maybe a Dino?
XJ Coupé
E-Type (budget push I know)
All these are quite big, all I can think of on the real 2+2 front beyond an Alfa would be an Elan +2 but the view out from the back seats isn't great.
Maybe a Mondial?
Sensible answer
Or....this one's actually in budget if you fancy a project....
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C608033
Or....this one's actually in budget if you fancy a project....
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C608033
Lotus Elan Plus Two S/130 - big valve engine and five speed box. NB, quite small in the back. A fabulous drive. 25K should get you the very best one, with change for upkeep.
Late Lotus Excel SE? Best one in the World will cost only about 10K, if that.
25K will just about get you a decent Jensen Interceptor, though not the best ones.
Late Lotus Excel SE? Best one in the World will cost only about 10K, if that.
25K will just about get you a decent Jensen Interceptor, though not the best ones.
How about an 80's Mercedes Benz SLC, £15K will get you pretty near mint low miler leaving £10K for future maintanace. They finally seem to be creeping up in value. The SL Shop actually have a 450SLC for £15 or £30K for a mint 24K miles example http://www.theslshop.com/car-showroom/slshop.html?...
In terms of fun rather than out-and-out performance - definitely. However fun = at least the illusion of performance, so some of the more sensible suggestions don't really push any emotional buttons for me I'm afraid.
308 GT4 or Merak would be perfect, but sadly the market realises that now too. I'm not sure the budget would stretch, and I need to think about maintenance which, with my limited knowledge of 70s Italian exotics, is always surprising and never for the reason you'd hope.
Lotus Elan+2... tempting, but I'm not sure. I'd need to have a close encounter with one to be won over.
The little Alfa's leading the running so far I think, which frankly surprises me a bit.
308 GT4 or Merak would be perfect, but sadly the market realises that now too. I'm not sure the budget would stretch, and I need to think about maintenance which, with my limited knowledge of 70s Italian exotics, is always surprising and never for the reason you'd hope.
Lotus Elan+2... tempting, but I'm not sure. I'd need to have a close encounter with one to be won over.
The little Alfa's leading the running so far I think, which frankly surprises me a bit.
thegreenhell said:
Ferrari Mondial
Renault Alpine GTA
Jaguar XJS
Aston Martin DB7
Maserati Ghibli (1990's)
BMW M635
Liking this list ... think I’d drop the 90s Ghibli because I’m a scaredy cat and not sure what size kids you can really squeeze into the back of a Mondial.Renault Alpine GTA
Jaguar XJS
Aston Martin DB7
Maserati Ghibli (1990's)
BMW M635
I had a 628i and an XJ-S when my kids were early school age and they were both lovely ways of doing family trips - decent boots as well.
Having done those two I’d be tempted to go DB7 if I was the OP.
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