Cheap "classic" - opinions, please!

[foggyjames]

Ok gang. Question time!

I would like to source a cheap to buy, cheap to tax (i.e. 1.5 or under) cheap to fuel car which can genuinely be insured as a classic for a friend. I want something reasonably hassle-free...so excessive rust is not required. 300-series levels of rot are ok.

The obvious choice in my knowledge-range is a 340 1.4, but I'm wondering if there's something with reduced carb and added fuel injection that I'm missing. Coolness is an added bonus, but far from essential. Something which blends in would be nice (it won't live in the nicest of areas)...so a mk3 is a better idea than a mk1, but my best idea so far (before hitting on the idea of classic insurance to save monies) was a Skoda Felicia.

Any ideas...? I really am leaning towards a 1.4...

cheers

James

[volvosneverdie]

105 with a felicia lump?

Just add moar powaz

[Speedy88]

Vauxhall nova on banded steels? I'd go for a mk3 personally though

[Chris_C]

205 XS.

As much as admitting that Ben's got something right pains me ( ) they are a lovely bit of kit to play with and own a 1.4 300 in every way.

[volvosneverdie]

205 XS.
As much as admitting that Ben's got something right pains me ( ).

I was gonna say a Rallye, but theyre big money now, and not sure if non gtis are considered a "true" classic yet?

Expensive!

Ive seen decent XS's go for 3-400 dollar recently. With Tea and Tee. Which is peanuts. Cant seem to get any insurance companies interested in letting me on a "classic" policy though.

Anyway, I highly recomend them.

[foggyjames]

Thanks folks. Interesting...certainly not against a 205. Curious how few of them are small engined ones, though...about 50% seem to be GTIs! Will have a chat with the insurance company. I know a 340 can be got on a classic policy, and you can get 205s nearly as old, so hopefully...!

cheers

James

[magnumpi]

Small engined 5dr

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-moto ... t/79092506

[germ]

Renault 5!
triumph spitfire- you would be surprised the mpg these can get over 50!
bmw 1502

[Chris_C]

Any small engined 205 with out the good ratio box is dog slow, I think it's just XS's that have it but I have no idea about them really.

Why the cheap tax? An extra £100 a year is nothing in the grand scheme of running a car (as much as it pains me to say that) and opens up a lot more options, possibly even saving that 100 in insurance for something more certainly classic.

[volvosneverdie]

Any small engined 205 with out the good ratio box is dog slow, I think it's just XS's that have it but I have no idea about them really.

As I understand it*, all 205 1.4s have the same lump. XS has a better twin choke carb and gearbox of win.
Also its the same block as the 1.1, so without removing the head, only the devil knows the detail.

6 month Tax on a 1.1 is £70
Mine "over my whole ownership" currently has an average of 38.52 Mpgs.

Best tank was 47.78 - Motorway and B roads to Driffield and back.
Worst tank was 34.34 - with no mixture screw (at all) and the carb all over the place.

0-60 is between 8 and 9 I think. (on mine)
As I understand it* the early ones rust, later ones dont (galvanised?). Mines got no rust.

Hope some of that helps Foggy.
Welcome to a blast in mine next time youre North.

* - as we all know, I am wrong more than right. So take these fact with several pinches of salt. Or google up truths faw shaw.

[jtbo]

Herald? I know there is no injection, but it is a proper classic and cheap to run, also should be cheap to insure and get in UK

Convertible models are also nice for that 2 days of sun that usually is at summer.

When we are there, what about Austin Healey? 3000 would have nice looks too if you are up to those.

MG Midget or Alfa Spyder would fit in too.

Yeah, we are having our two days of sun now, +24C no clouds

Oh yeah, blending in, that is bit harder, some french fwd, like ZX would blend in perfectly, or maybe even Ka if parking space is an issue. Ka is not a classic, but I think it will be?

[V6 Man]

Citroen AX? A GT would be nice, or failing that a Renault 5 Monaco (although they're 1.7). Might as well have some luxury in this cheapo classic if you can't get speed.

[Chris_C]

MG Midget

One of the mostest fun driving cars I've driven, a well looked after one on a 1275 is a peach.

[jtbo]

MG Midget

One of the mostest fun driving cars I've driven, a well looked after one on a 1275 is a peach.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1977-MG-MIDGET-15 ... 500wt_1060

edit: Oh, there would be one cheap that would require only minor work:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MG-MIDGET-BLUE-/1 ... 860wt_1043

[Chris_C]

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