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Classic Cars MY FUTURE OLDER CAR?
81 messages, Last post on Apr 03, 2009 at 12:54 PM
You are in the Classic Cars Forum. Your Host is mr_shiftright
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Replying to: merckx (Jan 15, 2009 7:42 am) How about an Alfa Berlina 4D sedan 1750/2000? Way fun to drive, don't cost too much, and you can get parts and service. Or a BMW 2002? Or an ordinary Alfa Spider, 1982-93? I'm trying to think of cars that are FUN to drive as well, so I'm limiting suggestions somewhat. MGB--GT. You can get any part you need, 2nd day UPS. Triumph Spitfire -- tinny piece, but easy EASY to work on, and really fun in summertime. Peugeot 504-- parts are hard to get but they have a certain charm and are tough as nails. Good cars. Avoid the ZF automatic---good trans but if it breaks, you junk the car. Renault LeCar -- you could buy 1/2 dozen of them for the price of one very tired BMW 2002, and then cannibalize them into one possibly good running car. Fiat 124 coupe -- hard to find but handsome and fun to drive. My bias suggests that you generally don't buy anything European that is a) big, b) heavy, and c) has 4 doors. Why? Because you end up putting money into something that isn't worth much and generally isn't fun to drive, IMO. Of course, if the deal of the century comes along, or the car is so quirky that its very weirdness compensates for all the rest, well then.... |
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My real choice for a future older car is a 1970 or so Alfa GTV. I had a chance to buy one with a mildly tuned engine and panasports back in 1977 but turned it down to buy a Spider instead. Many's the time I've regretted that I just had to have that convertible top - but I guess it was the right thing to do at the time. I enjoyed that Spider. Still - ain't they pretty? I have no idea what a decent one would cost these days. eBay didn't have any and neither did Craigslist in my city. 
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May I offer some suggestions- and here is my Swedish car bias kicking in: How about a late '60s Volvo (122) Amazon? They're reasonably priced, well-built and generally last indefinitely. Shifty will probably tell you to go for the '66-'68 models, as those will usually have the durable B18 engine. Avoid automatics, and look for camshaft wear in the engine. Maybe a mid-to-late '70s Saab 99? Nimble handler, and quite fun, if you can find one that hasn't blown its transmission or head gasket. If you can get a '78 Turbo, you'd be looking at the first mass-produced turbocharged European car.
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i'd really love an old Benz. and many here say they shouldn't cost much....But in Virginia Beach,any $5,000 or so one i've seen would have numerous issues...Cracked interior parks,a dash warning light on,small rust perforations by the wheels....I still often look,though.... A Peugeot 504 is one of my all time favorite cars.....I want to buy local,if possible,and 504s are never seen here.....Even though we were a major port of enty for them. the first Bugeye is the only roadster that has any real appeal.....i'm forgetting personal favorites like a Caravelle.....
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Replying to: jrosasmc (Jan 15, 2009 10:26 am) i had a chance to buy a 1971 BMW Bavaria,but the seller(whom i worked with)wanted $8,000....Before I could gently tell him that was about 2.5 times what it was worth,he got rear-ended in it.....But boy,it was a stunning car.....My definition of a really fun to drive car....... Until something really enticing comes along,I'm just waiting until my current hobby car,my 2001 Catera,gets old enough to be interesting..
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Replying to: merckx (Jan 15, 2009 10:40 am) Alfa GTV 1750/2000? Sorry the market has run away on them. Figure $15,000--$20,000 for something nice. |
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Replying to: merckx (Jan 15, 2009 10:30 am)
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Replying to: fintail (Jan 15, 2009 11:21 am) Ah! Bring back the old advice that it's better to own seven $100 cars than one $700 car.... |
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| Back at post 10 you mentioned a Ford Falcon Futura as a possible choice. Look at the 64' convertible item number 170292403101 on ebay. Would this be a good choice for a Sunday driver ? It looks really clean, small but would it be fun to drive? How is that 6 cyl. engine, reliable ? Without a lot of money right now I want something for the summer that is period but won't have to spend a lot of money on for repairs. This is the second go around, what should I expect to pay do you think. Is it a piece of junk ? | |
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Replying to: piCARso (Jan 15, 2009 12:54 pm) |
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