Cheap "classic" - opinions, please!

[mickt]

A real classic this one Renault R4

http://cgi.ebay.ie/SUPERB-VINTAGE-1967- ... 0623605286

mickt

[germ]

Not driven a 1500, but heard only bad things about it... second one though

its the same with spitefires 1500 bad 1300 good

[jtbo]

its the same with spitefires 1500 bad 1300 good

They should not have that much even in difference, odd

Here is one behind a bush, VW Caddy, I don't know about tax, but it is ideal for electric conversion, put batteries on bed, add electric motor to front, or add two so no need for a box, then little bit of logic for throttle control and it should be really cheap to run, slap few solar panels on top and sides and if driven only seldom it charges itself too, also there is enough space and load carrying capacity to fit decent amount of cheap batteries so that it would have at least some operating range.

Oh and good bed cover would make flat surface from cockpit to tailgate, in great angle for low aerodynamic drag too. It should be really nice and those are still classics.

Sure it is bit of work, but thing would save a lot of money.

If I would just have that extra 1000, I would get one and start to find bits and parts, it would make a great shopping cart which would then allow me to pay heavy alternate fuel taxes which would consume most of savings.

[trabitom99]

Talbot Samba convertible


Tom

[jtbo]

Trabant, but then I did look and those cost a lot more than any 300, there was one 1985 model with 30 000km on clock with asking price of 8 000 euros in germany, did you know Tom that they are soon more valuable than their weight in gold?

[volvosneverdie]

Trabant, but then I did look and those cost a lot more than any 300,

Trabant quality controlers love hammers.

Trabi plant

[Nimminz]

isn't there a 340 on LPG on here for sale, that might fit the bill

[jtbo]

Trabant, but then I did look and those cost a lot more than any 300,

Trabant quality controlers love hammers.

Trabi plant

Yes, as you can see, Trabi is easily adjustable to meet changing environmental conditions, where other vehicles will have issues, you just need a hammer and some basic knowledge of hammer usage to adjust Trabi for new conditions.

Now supplied with a FREE hammer

[volvosneverdie]

Now supplied with a FREE hammer

the only tool youll ever need. Anything alse, you just need to kick.

[foggyjames]

While I know where you guys are coming from, and I'm loving the suggestions...I'm looking for something a lot more boring The 205 was a good one, but I am concerned about crash protection. I don't get obsessive about such things, but 205s are flat-out scary.

The tax thing isn't set in stone, but every £100 saved helps. If the car isn't used much (and the classic insurance is as cheap as I think it might be), the £100 starts to become noticeable. Budget is very much an issue for my friend...and the only reason I'm looking at something old is that I have a hunch classic insurance will save a lot of money...otherwise it'd be some sort of Chris_C_wagen...

cheers

James

[trabitom99]

Trabant, but then I did look and those cost a lot more than any 300, there was one 1985 model with 30 000km on clock with asking price of 8 000 euros in germany, did you know Tom that they are soon more valuable than their weight in gold?

The last time I checked, Trabi values are still very low, compared with say Beetle / 2CV / Mini / R4. Asking price is one thing, getting it is another

Trabi 1.1's are very rare and could go for 5-6000 Euros in collectable condition, convertibles also, but a standard 1985 model? 30.000 km is already "middle age" for a 600cc two stroke engine.

If safety is even moderately important for Foggy's friend, or motorway capabilities, then a Trabi doesn't fit the bill. They're great in town though, nippy, big boot for shopping, small for parking spaces. And the smoke out of the exhaust on a cold morning is a laugh every time

Tom

[jtbo]

While I know where you guys are coming from, and I'm loving the suggestions...I'm looking for something a lot more boring The 205 was a good one, but I am concerned about crash protection. I don't get obsessive about such things, but 205s are flat-out scary.

The tax thing isn't set in stone, but every £100 saved helps. If the car isn't used much (and the classic insurance is as cheap as I think it might be), the £100 starts to become noticeable. Budget is very much an issue for my friend...and the only reason I'm looking at something old is that I have a hunch classic insurance will save a lot of money...otherwise it'd be some sort of Chris_C_wagen...

cheers

James

Renault is cheap, they really were first of french manufacturer that started improving safety really quick and as it is french it is dirt cheap, parts are everywhere and costs nothing. Clio is also very economical in fuel economy wise, but what year your classic insurance begins with?

If it is pre 90's, then there are not much of crash safe vehicles, even 300 is quite ok compared to same age cars it is still very dangerous to crash with it.

I don't think that you will be enough crazy to get any MG Metro or similar either as an option, cheap to insure, good mileage, bit unsafe and reliability might be a problem with a rust?

If driven a little, then mileage is not a big issue?

Golf GTi, MkII should fit to classic, be bit of fun, is not horribly dangerous, you can fix anything in it very quickly, servicing is easy, parts plenty and cheap, lower spec models do have even 1.3l motors for cheaper insurance. There is also a Polo if really small car is needed. It is of course a bit spartan and very much german as those 80's german cars were, not most comfortable but quite effective.

BX might be nice, but it has no crash safety.

[Chris_C]

MG Maestro.. either EFi or Turbo.

I know where there is a sexy as anything EFi too, but the owner won't let it go without knowing it'll be loved.

[SteveP]

Since when was an MG Maestro under 1.5 litres?

Can't go wrong with the Felicia idea... we've had one for 3 years now (it cost £200) and has done about 25k (now about 90k miles) under our ownership with little more than routine maintenance/wear and tear replacements and always either passes its MOT or passes with less than £30 being spent. You wouldn't have to budget for cambelt change either, as they're a good old timing chain. Personally I would go for a 340, but it just makes no sense if your friend is not particularly interested in cars since (I hate to say it) the Felicia is better car But for a car person the 340 is more 'interesting'/a pain in the arse.

They are very cheap though, get one with under 50k miles quite easily for around £500 - rear arches can rust but generally nothing significant and certainly nothing at all structural. Also watch the front struts - they rot the cups out like 300's if the drain holes are blocked. Good thing is full replacement struts are £29 a side brand new. If you did go down this route definitely get an Mpi model, they're more economical and marginally more powerful (a relative term!). Forget the 1.6, it produces 5bhp more, uses more fuel, in the higher tax band, doesn't handle as well although it is a fair bit more refined. The vw sourced N/A diesels are also pretty rough and ready as far as I know, very slow and I've heard of a few eat their gearboxes. Also avoid the 1.3 'L' model as it weirdly has different pistons and 10bhp less power to get into a cheeper insurance band i think.

Other than that I can't think of much else, there's the K11 Micra which is pretty good for a runaround but again crash safety... there's also Nissan Almera 1.5's but I'm not sure whether the pre 2001 models get in the cheaper tax band. I'd usually recommend VW Polo/VW Golf but in the cheap tax band the only one is the 1.4 60bhp - makes no sense against a Felicia as it'll be older and in worse condition for the same price.

To spice things up a little

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdkAI3WOUd8

[jtbo]

1.3 CL is probably most common Golf Mk II here