Looking for suggestions on classic car models in the UK
Discussion
Morning all!
First post here, thought it'd be the best place to pick brains. Don't think I'm breaking the rules after looking at them, but please give us a shout if I am!
I've been curious as to what I'm going to do with myself in the next few years after-work-hours, ya'know? Games won't always fill the void, and I love getting my hands dirty... hmmm, cars! I'll be completely honest with you, I know nothing bar the most basic. They've always interested me, but I've never done much with that interest as that costs money and still being quite young, I don't have too much of it. Nevertheless, my interest continues to beat me so here I am.
Ignoring all the above, here's the real question - What classic/slightly older cars fit the category of fast, beefy engine and very stylish without costing a kidney? The answer is likely "not much", but among the hundreds and thousands of makes and models there must be more than a few. I'm loving the looks of the Jaguar XJS (The 'newer' models obviously, for reliability's sake), especially the 6.0 variants due to the increase in HP. I mean come on, it's a damn V12 - I'd own it just to say I've got a V12. There were a lot made, so there's a fair amount for sale (Not so much the 6.0), and many in relatively good nick and for not too much either. But I'm curious as to what else there is on the market? I've seen Corvette's and the likes, the Jensen Interceptor looks pretty cool (Bar the curvy rear 'dome'...) but it's pretty pricey.
So go on, give us a hand. I can gaurantee you all know much more than I do! Any suggestion is welcome really, all I'm doing is oogling at pictures and going "Ooo, I like that" and no more really, but if I can get a make/model in mind I can do my research. I'm just finding all of this stuff interesting really! Thanks all in advance
EDIT: Just clarification on "classic" and "affordable" - Anything before the 2000s and under £15k, however I am still open to all suggestions, even above or below both
First post here, thought it'd be the best place to pick brains. Don't think I'm breaking the rules after looking at them, but please give us a shout if I am!
I've been curious as to what I'm going to do with myself in the next few years after-work-hours, ya'know? Games won't always fill the void, and I love getting my hands dirty... hmmm, cars! I'll be completely honest with you, I know nothing bar the most basic. They've always interested me, but I've never done much with that interest as that costs money and still being quite young, I don't have too much of it. Nevertheless, my interest continues to beat me so here I am.
Ignoring all the above, here's the real question - What classic/slightly older cars fit the category of fast, beefy engine and very stylish without costing a kidney? The answer is likely "not much", but among the hundreds and thousands of makes and models there must be more than a few. I'm loving the looks of the Jaguar XJS (The 'newer' models obviously, for reliability's sake), especially the 6.0 variants due to the increase in HP. I mean come on, it's a damn V12 - I'd own it just to say I've got a V12. There were a lot made, so there's a fair amount for sale (Not so much the 6.0), and many in relatively good nick and for not too much either. But I'm curious as to what else there is on the market? I've seen Corvette's and the likes, the Jensen Interceptor looks pretty cool (Bar the curvy rear 'dome'...) but it's pretty pricey.
So go on, give us a hand. I can gaurantee you all know much more than I do! Any suggestion is welcome really, all I'm doing is oogling at pictures and going "Ooo, I like that" and no more really, but if I can get a make/model in mind I can do my research. I'm just finding all of this stuff interesting really! Thanks all in advance
EDIT: Just clarification on "classic" and "affordable" - Anything before the 2000s and under £15k, however I am still open to all suggestions, even above or below both
Edited by Lightly_Salted on Thursday 8th August 13:01
t 4 cylinder engine or whatever, and then LS swap it. Then you have something fast. cib24 said:
I would say buy a classic with a **** 4 cylinder engine or whatever, and then LS swap it. Then you have something fast.
And LS swap in the UK? The engines go for like £5000+ over here! that would also require extensive work to make it fit and the OP states he doesn't have much mechanical experience.RazerSauber said:
cib24 said:
I would say buy a classic with a **** 4 cylinder engine or whatever, and then LS swap it. Then you have something fast.
And LS swap in the UK? The engines go for like £5000+ over here! that would also require extensive work to make it fit and the OP states he doesn't have much mechanical experience.A search of the PH classifieds might be a worthwhile start. Something like:
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Category=u...
You'll get a few false hits from cars which have been mislisted (like the 16 litre MX5) but most should be relevant.
The BMW 8-series look quite appealing to me, as do the 90s Mercedes SLs. Or there's always the option of a TVR.
Or if you want to end up completely broke, you could get yourself an old Rolls Royce.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Category=u...
You'll get a few false hits from cars which have been mislisted (like the 16 litre MX5) but most should be relevant.
The BMW 8-series look quite appealing to me, as do the 90s Mercedes SLs. Or there's always the option of a TVR.
Or if you want to end up completely broke, you could get yourself an old Rolls Royce.
Edited by kambites on Thursday 8th August 13:39
kambites said:
A search of the PH classifieds might be a worthwhile start. Something like:
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Category=u...
You'll get a few false hits from cars which have been mislisted (like the 16 litre MX5) but most should be relevant.
The BMW 8-series look quite appealing to me, as do the 90s Mercedes SLs. Or there's always the option of a TVR.
Or if you want to end up completely broke, you could get yourself an old Rolls Royce.
Huh, I shall take a look! The BMW 8-Series is quite nice, but they just can't beat the look of an XJS... But that's just me lolhttps://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Category=u...
You'll get a few false hits from cars which have been mislisted (like the 16 litre MX5) but most should be relevant.
The BMW 8-series look quite appealing to me, as do the 90s Mercedes SLs. Or there's always the option of a TVR.
Or if you want to end up completely broke, you could get yourself an old Rolls Royce.
Edited by kambites on Thursday 8th August 13:39
TVRs aren't bad either tbf, bit curvy but I think some nice wheels and good paint could definitely make them a good looking car.
A Rolls Royce? I'd feel wrong for driving the thing!
Lightly_Salted said:
kambites said:
A search of the PH classifieds might be a worthwhile start. Something like:
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Category=u...
You'll get a few false hits from cars which have been mislisted (like the 16 litre MX5) but most should be relevant.
The BMW 8-series look quite appealing to me, as do the 90s Mercedes SLs. Or there's always the option of a TVR.
Or if you want to end up completely broke, you could get yourself an old Rolls Royce.
Huh, I shall take a look! The BMW 8-Series is quite nice, but they just can't beat the look of an XJS... But that's just me lolhttps://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Category=u...
You'll get a few false hits from cars which have been mislisted (like the 16 litre MX5) but most should be relevant.
The BMW 8-series look quite appealing to me, as do the 90s Mercedes SLs. Or there's always the option of a TVR.
Or if you want to end up completely broke, you could get yourself an old Rolls Royce.
Edited by kambites on Thursday 8th August 13:39
TVRs aren't bad either tbf, bit curvy but I think some nice wheels and good paint could definitely make them a good looking car.
A Rolls Royce? I'd feel wrong for driving the thing!
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
...or this bad boy (a personal favourite the W124 pillarless coupe)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Porsche 944 and (perhaps, I haven't checked recent values) 968 or even a ragged 928 or a 911(996)?
Rumblestripe said:
Common "wisdom" is to avoid Mercedes manufactured during the 90s it being the triumph of the bean counters. Look at 80s Mercs like this fella
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
...or this bad boy (a personal favourite the W124 pillarless coupe)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Porsche 944 and (perhaps, I haven't checked recent values) 968 or even a ragged 928 or a 911(996)?
Yeah, I think that's pretty good 'wisdom' actually... wouldn't call them the best looking cars!https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
...or this bad boy (a personal favourite the W124 pillarless coupe)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Porsche 944 and (perhaps, I haven't checked recent values) 968 or even a ragged 928 or a 911(996)?
The Porsches do look pretty good, and I like the look of the 944, though me being me would stick some bigger wheels on it and give it some fancy colours.
The reason to avoid 90s Mercs is nothing to do with the looks (although obviously if you don't like the looks, that a good reason for you to avoid them personally), it's that they tend to dissolve before your eyes. In that regard, I think the cars released in the early 90s are OK; it was the late 90s and early 2000s that things really went to pot.
RazerSauber said:
cib24 said:
I would say buy a classic with a **** 4 cylinder engine or whatever, and then LS swap it. Then you have something fast.
And LS swap in the UK? The engines go for like £5000+ over here! that would also require extensive work to make it fit and the OP states he doesn't have much mechanical experience.kambites said:
The reason to avoid 90s Mercs is nothing to do with the looks (although obviously if you don't like the looks, that a good reason for you to avoid them personally), it's that they tend to dissolve before your eyes. In that regard, I think the cars released in the early 90s are OK; it was the late 90s and early 2000s that things really went to pot.
Spot on - I love old Opels but they can dissolve in front of your eyes but late 90’s to early naughties Mercs mean I regard them as fully galvanised in comparisonI do like the little SLK I have but keeping on top of the tin worm is a mission
XJS is a great option and you could get an XJR-S for that kind of budget. Its also possible to find manual converted XJS and thats even more fun 
If they've been looked after and used regularly then they're usually pretty good reliability wise. The manual straight six cars are also fast, and less worrisome for people who are unused to the Jag V12
If they've been looked after and used regularly then they're usually pretty good reliability wise. The manual straight six cars are also fast, and less worrisome for people who are unused to the Jag V12
lukeharding said:
XJS is a great option and you could get an XJR-S for that kind of budget. Its also possible to find manual converted XJS and thats even more fun
If they've been looked after and used regularly then they're usually pretty good reliability wise. The manual straight six cars are also fast, and less worrisome for people who are unused to the Jag V12
Not gonna lie, the XJR-S just seems like a straight up upgrade.... nice. Yeah, if I ever do get one I do plan to look after it, and learn as I go while not killing the car or myself ideally. We shall have to see what the future holds!If they've been looked after and used regularly then they're usually pretty good reliability wise. The manual straight six cars are also fast, and less worrisome for people who are unused to the Jag V12
Tell you what though, I do love the look of some of the old Corvette Stingrays... but they're LHD and that does put me off.
How much of a slush fund do you have if you spent all that £15k? I presume you have a few grand back to deal with any nasty surprises OP?
It's not unheard of for older cars engines to go bang, or big suspension bills to sneak up on you, or gearboxes to give way. Thats the danger of stuff that is as described, old!
What sort of car are you after? Would something Japanese be off your radar? Plenty of stuff like R33s, S15s, 350z's in budget and engines tend to be pretty solid. Have you considered looking at the import market, you can import some very cool stuff from Japan and could be fun bidding on something!
It's not unheard of for older cars engines to go bang, or big suspension bills to sneak up on you, or gearboxes to give way. Thats the danger of stuff that is as described, old!
What sort of car are you after? Would something Japanese be off your radar? Plenty of stuff like R33s, S15s, 350z's in budget and engines tend to be pretty solid. Have you considered looking at the import market, you can import some very cool stuff from Japan and could be fun bidding on something!
coldel said:
How much of a slush fund do you have if you spent all that £15k? I presume you have a few grand back to deal with any nasty surprises OP?
It's not unheard of for older cars engines to go bang, or big suspension bills to sneak up on you, or gearboxes to give way. Thats the danger of stuff that is as described, old!
What sort of car are you after? Would something Japanese be off your radar? Plenty of stuff like R33s, S15s, 350z's in budget and engines tend to be pretty solid. Have you considered looking at the import market, you can import some very cool stuff from Japan and could be fun bidding on something!
Sorry, I probably worded it horribly! This is all for future reference, but unless I win the lottery I don't expect to be making purchases over that amount really, but of course there will be a backbone in terms of money for the sake of improvements and repairs! It's not unheard of for older cars engines to go bang, or big suspension bills to sneak up on you, or gearboxes to give way. Thats the danger of stuff that is as described, old!
What sort of car are you after? Would something Japanese be off your radar? Plenty of stuff like R33s, S15s, 350z's in budget and engines tend to be pretty solid. Have you considered looking at the import market, you can import some very cool stuff from Japan and could be fun bidding on something!
Unfortunately I'm looking for older more classic style cars, almost like a statement car (Which is why the Stingrays look so damn good...), so Japanese imports aren't really my style, tho I'm sure they would probably be the better option money wise :P Thank you tho!
I have an XJS convertible and it has proved to be quite reliable, main problems are from lack of use like brake callipers sticking and boiling the fluid, steering rack drying out, electrics taking a while to all work again after a break.
Still a very stylish car and lovely to drive, the V12 gives about 20mpg unless you use the load pedal hard!
Still a very stylish car and lovely to drive, the V12 gives about 20mpg unless you use the load pedal hard!
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