Is it mad to buy an old cheap car for fun?
Discussion
I think you can do better in general and then to flip it quick it imo is definitely not the right one. If you were ok with driving it til it (or you via suicide!) died then I'd say go for it, but a short term flip, I think you could struggle for a buyer?
Edited by Scootersp on Saturday 13th March 17:45
Go for it. We aren’t talking fortunes here.
I ran a sheds alongside my ‘good’ cars for quite a while.
Stress free parking and leaving. And if it all goes wrong you just scrap it or flog it.
Edited to add: must read posts better. No a 25 year old Vauxhall is not a sensible shed.
I ran a sheds alongside my ‘good’ cars for quite a while.
Stress free parking and leaving. And if it all goes wrong you just scrap it or flog it.
Edited to add: must read posts better. No a 25 year old Vauxhall is not a sensible shed.
Edited by swisstoni on Saturday 13th March 17:46
I’ve found the best thing to do is ignore the opinion of forum experts and buy what you want.
That said I’ll offer my opinion that it’s a low mileage car that being British will always have a following of enthusiastic buyers looking for it if you run it for a few years and keep it tidy.
That said I’ll offer my opinion that it’s a low mileage car that being British will always have a following of enthusiastic buyers looking for it if you run it for a few years and keep it tidy.
I’ve recently done it, but got a car that is actually fun - the PH favourite Mk1 MX5 - a Rover 200 could never be described as a fun car. Shed yes, fun no.
Be prepared to get your hands dirty. I’ve had to do a list of little jobs to keep it on the road, but driving it, especially roof down, is great fun.
Just failed it’s mot on some rust which I’m getting done myself.
I’d say go for it! There’s not a lot of money to lose
Be prepared to get your hands dirty. I’ve had to do a list of little jobs to keep it on the road, but driving it, especially roof down, is great fun.
Just failed it’s mot on some rust which I’m getting done myself.
I’d say go for it! There’s not a lot of money to lose
In general I think it's a good idea, plenty of good sheds out there.
I'm not sure I'd be rushing for that Rover with a view to keeping through winter though, a 25 year old sunroof in a car that's barely been used could lead to a few interior showers you could do without. Could be fine, of course, but I'd not bother with the risk personally.
That said, I like the upholstery.
I'm not sure I'd be rushing for that Rover with a view to keeping through winter though, a 25 year old sunroof in a car that's barely been used could lead to a few interior showers you could do without. Could be fine, of course, but I'd not bother with the risk personally.
That said, I like the upholstery.
Looks tidy. And with that ‘box & engine combo I can’t imagine it’ll have been on many bruising track days...
Why do I like this? Dunno. I suppose there’s something inherently appealing in finding a very tidy old car... the ‘one owner from new and garaged’ example. Nostalgia and getting something relatively unused for under £1000 would be my bit of fun, not the drive.
Go for it if you have access to a whitewashed industrial unit. Then I reckon you could get over 2k for it when it comes to sell it. Winner.
Why do I like this? Dunno. I suppose there’s something inherently appealing in finding a very tidy old car... the ‘one owner from new and garaged’ example. Nostalgia and getting something relatively unused for under £1000 would be my bit of fun, not the drive.
Go for it if you have access to a whitewashed industrial unit. Then I reckon you could get over 2k for it when it comes to sell it. Winner.
I've just bought a new shed - a £1500 Citroen C4 2.0 that sits alongside my RS4, GRY and Elise.
I love shedding. My previous sheds were a K11 Micra (£250) and MK1 Ka (£350). Very liberating being able to abandon them anywhere and lend them out if someone has a car problem. Eldest now at the learning to drive age and youngest about 12 months away.
XJ8 is currently a non-runner and I still haven't actually seen the Reliant Robin I own.
Definitely need a shed or three in your life.
I love shedding. My previous sheds were a K11 Micra (£250) and MK1 Ka (£350). Very liberating being able to abandon them anywhere and lend them out if someone has a car problem. Eldest now at the learning to drive age and youngest about 12 months away.
XJ8 is currently a non-runner and I still haven't actually seen the Reliant Robin I own.
Definitely need a shed or three in your life.
I’d been driving 5 figure cars for a while but due to circumstances replaced with a £1.5k R53 Mini. I enjoy the “don’t care” value to the point I’m already eyeing up my next sub £3k for if it dies.
I keep mentioning it’s impeding death whilst I’m driving, I think it hears me and keeps going.
I keep mentioning it’s impeding death whilst I’m driving, I think it hears me and keeps going.
braddo said:
I think it’s a fantastic choice - nice and light with a revvy k-series and not remotely sheddy
Do it.
It's an automatic...Do it.
Low mileage in this case could mean every rubber bush an belt needs doing or after its first long drive giving components a real chance to warm up all kinds of gremlins will appear.
Give it a good once over , including letting it sit at idle for a good ten min or more watching the temperature gauge like a hawk ans listening for a working fan.
A friend bought a 2002 TT 225 with 190k miles for £700 a few weeks back....has needed a tyre, brake caliper & engine mount to pass an MOT but drives well other than that & has 2 service books of history so clearly been looked after.
Lots of rubbish out there for >£1k but also some which should soldier on for a few more years yet.
Cheers.
Lots of rubbish out there for >£1k but also some which should soldier on for a few more years yet.
Cheers.
Summit_Detailing said:
A friend bought a 2002 TT 225 with 190k miles for £700 a few weeks back....has needed a tyre, brake caliper & engine mount to pass an MOT but drives well other than that & has 2 service books of history so clearly been looked after.
Lots of rubbish out there for >£1k but also some which should soldier on for a few more years yet.
Cheers.
These are my next ‘shed’. Thanks for confirming it’s a good decision!Lots of rubbish out there for >£1k but also some which should soldier on for a few more years yet.
Cheers.
Mr Tidy said:
Then watch it rust away!
If I was in the market for a cheapy to tide me over I'd consider a Rover 200/25, but would rather have a manual one and a 1.4 litre because the road tax is so much cheaper.
I've had mine for 5 years and it's not rusted away.If I was in the market for a cheapy to tide me over I'd consider a Rover 200/25, but would rather have a manual one and a 1.4 litre because the road tax is so much cheaper.
£500 great fun on b roads, tight tracks , good on fuel , tyres and brakes are cheap and it's reliable.
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