HFS's car thread | Nearly-5000-miles update
- Thread starter homeforsummer
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Zs are a long way out of budget. Like, four times my budget for a decent one and six times my budget for one I'd not have to do any work on.
A 240Z is in my future though. It's just beyond me for the time being.
It's not a serious consideration, but I might try out a Smart Roadster over the next week or so. I've always liked them but never been able to sample one, and searching for a new car is the perfect opportunity to have a go. Was considering one around the time I bought my Fiat, but opted for that instead for the extra practicality. The Roadster would certainly fit in the garage!
A 240Z is in my future though. It's just beyond me for the time being.
It's not a serious consideration, but I might try out a Smart Roadster over the next week or so. I've always liked them but never been able to sample one, and searching for a new car is the perfect opportunity to have a go. Was considering one around the time I bought my Fiat, but opted for that instead for the extra practicality. The Roadster would certainly fit in the garage!
- 5,303
- Riverside, Ca
- GTP_Leonidae_MFT
Suzuki Capuccino? Suzuki X90?
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Looked at them, for a while.
Bluebirds (510s) as good as don't exist in the UK, as they were never officially imported. The ones that do exist are expensive.
Various 100s are not uncommon, but those in decent condition are much rarer. I did actually look at a 100a before buying the Beetle, but it was several hundred miles away and the seller, in his honesty, admitted that it probably wouldn't have made a journey that far without something major going wrong.
Other Datsuns, 240Z aside? Eh, not really a fan.
Never really tickled my fancy. Considered a Beat, but my budget would only cover one that needed a reasonable bit of work, whereas it'd get a jolly nice MX-5.
No, since
a) I've not been sectioned under any mental health acts, and
b) I'm not Barbie
I did, at one point, consider another Beetle. But realistically I'd need to spend double my budget to get one that isn't a fixer-upper.
Incidentally, this was it this morning:
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Yeah, it's a shame, but I'm glad the buyer is going to fix it up rather than someone who'll part it out. 19 year old lad who's been riding motorcycles up till now. Has a friend who's into beach buggies going to help him make it roadworthy, and it's going to be his first car. I'll keep in touch so I can see its progress.
Meanwhile, updated the first post with my car history.
Meanwhile, updated the first post with my car history.
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Unfortunately despite the legality of kei-cars here, there aren't many about. The occasional Beat and Cappuccino, and obviously Copens which were sold brand-new here, but not a lot else. And importing one is pretty expensive these days.
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So, I'm not saying I'll get another Beetle here, but I spotted this one on eBay yesterday right at the top-end of my budget and it seriously made me think for a minute...
It's a 1972 car for a race series that ran in the early 90s. Not completely race-spec sadly, the engine was replaced with a regular 1300 a while back and someone has fit a narrowed and lowered beam which I'm not really wild about (I mean c'mon, it's a race car...). Also, wouldn't be great for winter drives as the heat exchangers have been removed.
On the plus side, road legal, pretty much unique and the year makes it car tax-free here.
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So, I'm not saying I'll get another Beetle here, but I spotted this one on eBay yesterday right at the top-end of my budget and it seriously made me think for a minute...
It's a 1972 car for a race series that ran in the early 90s. Not completely race-spec sadly, the engine was replaced with a regular 1300 a while back and someone has fit a narrowed and lowered beam which I'm not really wild about (I mean c'mon, it's a race car...). Also, wouldn't be great for winter drives as the heat exchangers have been removed.
On the plus side, road legal, pretty much unique and the year makes it car tax-free here.
- 3,202
- Murcie LP710
......do it.
- 12,389
- Betelgeuse
- Beeblebrox_237
Road legal race car... Yes.
- 5,303
- Riverside, Ca
- GTP_Leonidae_MFT
No. In the end it's still old Beetle, and you need something less thirsty, and as a former rallycar it has received the worst kind of abuse car can experience. Keep looking.. Perhaps Mk1 GTi or 205 1.9 GTi?
- 2,235
- Norway
For once I agree with you. Sort of, but you still come off as a d*ck. He doesn't need anything less thirsty and it's not a former rally car.
HFS, I have some advice and experience with.. It'll be a possible b*tch to daily. Although I have no idea how much you actually need a car on a daily basis (I understand you haven't had a working car for quite a while?). Also, parts availability is good, there are few things that can break compared to a newer car and they are easy to work on. Keep in mind though, things will most probably break. If you have a place to work on it and you're prepared to not necessarily having a working car every day, you should be fine that way. Also, keep in mind something simple as oil change intervals - 10k miles to 3k miles is a world of difference.
I have driven modified cars all the years I've been driving. I have dailied pan-scraping, windowless, carb'd cars with less restrictive exhausts and high-maintenance headaches. Stripped interiors with no carpets, bucket seats and four-point harnesses. Just changing oil every month gets old (although you may or may not drive 3k miles a month like I've done). Four-speed box gets old at highway speeds and longer drives. There's a possibility of accelerated tire wear with lowered cars, I don't mind myself but just keep it in mind. The knowledge that road salt will eat up the car when winter driven prevents me from driving my fun cars during winter. The fact that it's a noisy car originally, the fact that your possible future car possibly has no sound deadening below the carpets and maybe no headliner, a lot of exposed metal inside, will make yer head go crazy after a while..
Enjoyable at the right time, though.At the end of the day it comes down to what you want and what you need. If you aren't dependent on it on a day-to-day basis and you're prepared for it, I don't see why not this couldn't be an awesome daily. However, I have to be honest with you, I've always had a back-up daily driver (mostly because I depended on a car daily) and that has been one of the reasons why I can do what I do. Fun cars are good fun - but not always
Also, I have driven a car with no heater. The lack of comfort itself didn't bother me, but I prefer a heater for at least getting the windshield dew free. Some creature comforts are actually very good to have, and the weight saving for removing interior parts and heater do not outweigh the frustration - but that's just my anecdotal evidence I do love the car though..
I'm sure it provides a real connected drive and has loads of character. You just gotta know what you're up against here so you don't end up hating it. If you make an appointment, look for rust behind sills where they connect to the frame, the floor boards, underneath the battery (it should be below where the rear seat once lived), inside fenders, inside boot and around fuel tank, around the door frame (looks a little brown), oil leaks from engine and gearbox (esp. where they meet is a known leak point for aircooleds). Good luck PS: Ebay also has a Mira making 110 bhp if this goes to hell
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Thanks for the advice @eiriksmil - there's some pretty good info here.
To clarify, it wouldn't be a daily. While I'm a bit rubbish and fail to organize cars for every day of the year, I'm still in the fortunate position where I usually have something brand new sitting outside to do proper journeys in, which is particularly useful if I ever have a long trip. As such, whatever I get will be used mainly as a toy, something to blow away the cobwebs as it were. I might occasionally do a longer trip in something if I'm feeling sadistic, but mainly it'd just be something to thrash around the local roads in.
As a result, fuel isn't really a concern. If it was capable of 30-ish to the gallon that'd be enough, as I'm not going to deliberately spend more if I can help it, but we're talking something that'll only do a few thousand miles a year.
I wasn't that serious about the ex-race Beetle. I just thought it was pretty cool and was surprised to see it in my price range. Despite not driving it much the Beetle got under my skin a bit so I'm keeping a beady eye on ones within my budget. If something half-decent comes up, I'd consider it.
@Leonidae@MFT - GTIs are off the list because my brother has one, and neither of us really wants the same car as the other. And my interest in other hot hatches is fairly low.
MX-5s still top the list. I kinda have unfinished business with those. But I'm keeping my mind open for other interesting stuff.
To clarify, it wouldn't be a daily. While I'm a bit rubbish and fail to organize cars for every day of the year, I'm still in the fortunate position where I usually have something brand new sitting outside to do proper journeys in, which is particularly useful if I ever have a long trip. As such, whatever I get will be used mainly as a toy, something to blow away the cobwebs as it were. I might occasionally do a longer trip in something if I'm feeling sadistic, but mainly it'd just be something to thrash around the local roads in.
As a result, fuel isn't really a concern. If it was capable of 30-ish to the gallon that'd be enough, as I'm not going to deliberately spend more if I can help it, but we're talking something that'll only do a few thousand miles a year.
I wasn't that serious about the ex-race Beetle. I just thought it was pretty cool and was surprised to see it in my price range. Despite not driving it much the Beetle got under my skin a bit so I'm keeping a beady eye on ones within my budget. If something half-decent comes up, I'd consider it.
@Leonidae@MFT - GTIs are off the list because my brother has one, and neither of us really wants the same car as the other. And my interest in other hot hatches is fairly low.
MX-5s still top the list. I kinda have unfinished business with those. But I'm keeping my mind open for other interesting stuff.
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So, I've made an appointment to go view this tomorrow:
For those of you familiar with my car history you'll be aware just how similar it looks to my old one. Same colour, same year, still a UK car rather than an import. Actually slightly fewer miles, but also, supposedly, a clearer history too. And has standard wheels on it so might end up being more original. No photos of the interior in the ad so I'll have to see if it's all standard in there too, but it having standard alloys is a good sign since aftermarket ones tend to go hand-in-hand with nasty steering wheels and gearknobs.
Incidentally, race Beetle above has disappeared off my ebay list, so that reduces any possibility of being seduced into buying it...
For those of you familiar with my car history you'll be aware just how similar it looks to my old one. Same colour, same year, still a UK car rather than an import. Actually slightly fewer miles, but also, supposedly, a clearer history too. And has standard wheels on it so might end up being more original. No photos of the interior in the ad so I'll have to see if it's all standard in there too, but it having standard alloys is a good sign since aftermarket ones tend to go hand-in-hand with nasty steering wheels and gearknobs.
Incidentally, race Beetle above has disappeared off my ebay list, so that reduces any possibility of being seduced into buying it...
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Unfortunately, don't think I'll be going for that particular MX-5.
Went and had a look today, but literally only had a few minutes as traffic had made me late and I've a launch this evening which I had to make for a certain time.
Anyway, five minutes was enough for me to note that someone had covered the interior in nasty fake wood (easy to sort, but WHY?), that the rear arches were bubbling, and that the sills could potentially be pretty nasty and require a full job to re-do. The latter is the deal-breaker - it would add a good £700 or more to have them professionally done from the inside out, and that would tip me over budget even if I managed to get money off it.
I have two plans of action now. Or maybe three.
1) Bide my time and wait for another nice, early, white Mk1 to appear and get the best I can find.
2) Give up on the hunt for a white one and buy the nice V-Spec the garage who helped with the book has in.
3) Buy the relatively cheap blue one they also have in and spend a little extra money getting them to change all the nasty aftermarket bits back to standard.
I could add a fourth option of "get something else in the meantime" but I might just be sensible and not spend any money until I'm sure I can get something I want.
Though if anywhere knows where I can find a nice fresh Alfasud for not too much money, shoot. Having a bit of an obsession with those recently...
Went and had a look today, but literally only had a few minutes as traffic had made me late and I've a launch this evening which I had to make for a certain time.
Anyway, five minutes was enough for me to note that someone had covered the interior in nasty fake wood (easy to sort, but WHY?), that the rear arches were bubbling, and that the sills could potentially be pretty nasty and require a full job to re-do. The latter is the deal-breaker - it would add a good £700 or more to have them professionally done from the inside out, and that would tip me over budget even if I managed to get money off it.
I have two plans of action now. Or maybe three.
1) Bide my time and wait for another nice, early, white Mk1 to appear and get the best I can find.
2) Give up on the hunt for a white one and buy the nice V-Spec the garage who helped with the book has in.
3) Buy the relatively cheap blue one they also have in and spend a little extra money getting them to change all the nasty aftermarket bits back to standard.
I could add a fourth option of "get something else in the meantime" but I might just be sensible and not spend any money until I'm sure I can get something I want.
Though if anywhere knows where I can find a nice fresh Alfasud for not too much money, shoot. Having a bit of an obsession with those recently...
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Still thinking about cars. Still undecided. Vocalizing for no other reason than it spills some thoughts onto a more permanent format than my memory!
Appetite for MX-5s is waxing and waning, mainly because it's so hard to find what I want. Which is as original and rust-free a Mk1 MX-5 as I can get my hands on for less than £2,500. You think that'd be easy enough but even the good ones for good money have been dicked about with somewhat, so I'd immediately be spending even more money to put it right again. I don't think I've missed the boat with affordable ones, but it's definitely harder to find a good'un than it was when I last owned one
Other thoughts are still knocking around in my head. Saab 96 is still there, but other ideas have taken over.
I've really got into Alfas again recently and I've realised that the older ones are steadily creeping up in price. Soon they'll be beyond me. 1980s Suds and Sprints are just about in-budget at the moment. Couple of nice ones floating about near the top-end of my budget - and by nice I mean ones where most of the old Russian steel panels have been replaced with decent ones, rustproofed and properly painted by now. The cars that are left are generally in pretty decent shape.
Having watched the value of 70s stuff and old 105 GTs double in the last five years, I suspect the rarer 80s stuff (i.e. not 33s and 75s just yet) could be next to go. Keeping my eye on a black Sprint at the mo - if it's still on sale in a week's time when I can get down to London to view it, it's a possibility.
Early (1970s) Porsche 924s are getting appealing now and again, going up in value. I like their simplicity and they have a slightly cooler vibe than 80s stuff. But then 80s stuff is easier to find and you really can get a good one in-budget. Ditto 944s if I want extra performance.
On the plus side, I've not rushed into anything yet. Which is most unlike the last couple of cars I've bought...
Appetite for MX-5s is waxing and waning, mainly because it's so hard to find what I want. Which is as original and rust-free a Mk1 MX-5 as I can get my hands on for less than £2,500. You think that'd be easy enough but even the good ones for good money have been dicked about with somewhat, so I'd immediately be spending even more money to put it right again. I don't think I've missed the boat with affordable ones, but it's definitely harder to find a good'un than it was when I last owned one
Other thoughts are still knocking around in my head. Saab 96 is still there, but other ideas have taken over.
I've really got into Alfas again recently and I've realised that the older ones are steadily creeping up in price. Soon they'll be beyond me. 1980s Suds and Sprints are just about in-budget at the moment. Couple of nice ones floating about near the top-end of my budget - and by nice I mean ones where most of the old Russian steel panels have been replaced with decent ones, rustproofed and properly painted by now. The cars that are left are generally in pretty decent shape.
Having watched the value of 70s stuff and old 105 GTs double in the last five years, I suspect the rarer 80s stuff (i.e. not 33s and 75s just yet) could be next to go. Keeping my eye on a black Sprint at the mo - if it's still on sale in a week's time when I can get down to London to view it, it's a possibility.
Early (1970s) Porsche 924s are getting appealing now and again, going up in value. I like their simplicity and they have a slightly cooler vibe than 80s stuff. But then 80s stuff is easier to find and you really can get a good one in-budget. Ditto 944s if I want extra performance.
On the plus side, I've not rushed into anything yet. Which is most unlike the last couple of cars I've bought...
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They aren't really. Both cars were entirely developed by Porsche. And only the 924 was ever to be badged VW. Their conception is a bit of an old wives' tale by now.
That said, I've no real problem with the humble mechanicals anyway. They look great, they're well-built, relatively inexpensive to service and handle well. If I found a good one for a good price they'd be high up the list - either a nice early 924, preferably with no rear spoiler and the chrome window trim (it's just a really good 70s shape):
...or an early 944, again as original as possible. Good ones are right in budget at the moment but ultimately they're Porsches and they won't stay this low for many more years.
That said, I've no real problem with the humble mechanicals anyway. They look great, they're well-built, relatively inexpensive to service and handle well. If I found a good one for a good price they'd be high up the list - either a nice early 924, preferably with no rear spoiler and the chrome window trim (it's just a really good 70s shape):
...or an early 944, again as original as possible. Good ones are right in budget at the moment but ultimately they're Porsches and they won't stay this low for many more years.
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That's part of my thinking. Currently have this one in my watch list, though it's pretty strong money (upper end of my budget) and an auto too. But the colour and interior are perfect:
It's a '78 and appears to have been garaged all its life. Just the sort of car that'll go up in value, I suspect.
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- 4,213
- Puerto Rico
- motortrend
Wow that porsche looks mint, shame about the auto.
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It certainly looks like a nice car in the pics but it's one I'll definitely have to think about, as it's about 50% more than I wanted to spend.
This just slipped through the net though, unfortunately:
'89 Alfa Sprint Cloverleaf. Like hens' teeth here now. Been on sale for a while and I'd arranged to view on Monday, but the seller contacted me today to tell me it had sold. Pity - looked like a pretty good one. Only shame with the car itself is that it's a later model, which don't look quite as good since they swapped a lot of chrome bits for plastic.
Keeping a beady eye on old Alfas coming up, but in the meantime I'm still hovering around MX-5s and 924s.
This just slipped through the net though, unfortunately:
'89 Alfa Sprint Cloverleaf. Like hens' teeth here now. Been on sale for a while and I'd arranged to view on Monday, but the seller contacted me today to tell me it had sold. Pity - looked like a pretty good one. Only shame with the car itself is that it's a later model, which don't look quite as good since they swapped a lot of chrome bits for plastic.
Keeping a beady eye on old Alfas coming up, but in the meantime I'm still hovering around MX-5s and 924s.
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Yeah, the Alfa was nice and a good price too. Still keeping my eyes peeled.
I really need to get off my butt and go see cars quicker though. Ironically, I need a car in order to do so, but this is the latest one to slip through the net. '82 Celica, recently restored, very low price indeed for its type and LOOK AT THE COLOR OF THAT INTERIOR:
Unfortunate to miss it. Must be one of only a handful for sale in the UK, and I can't believe there are many in the world with a plum interior.
Still on the hunt for MX-5s, but trying to exhaust the possibilities with regards to older and more interesting stuff first. I'd forgotten quite how many cars I'm interested in, but the internal struggle is wondering whether I should get something properly impractical and sporty (or a little older and less suitable for everyday use) or find a balance somewhere. That Celica would have been the ideal balance I reckon - rare, interesting, but simple and reliable.
Saab 96 V4s and 924s are still on the list; but also considering Austin/Morris/MG 1100/1300 models at the mo (ADO16 cars, basically a Mini with a more conventional body and a bit more space) and in the more practical vein a couple of really nice Citroen BXs have recently appeared nearby. Still have the French car itch - I've owned British (Rover 75), Japanese (MX-5), pan-European (Fiesta), German (Beetle) and Italian (Panda) in the past, but never anything French...
I really need to get off my butt and go see cars quicker though. Ironically, I need a car in order to do so, but this is the latest one to slip through the net. '82 Celica, recently restored, very low price indeed for its type and LOOK AT THE COLOR OF THAT INTERIOR:
Unfortunate to miss it. Must be one of only a handful for sale in the UK, and I can't believe there are many in the world with a plum interior.
Still on the hunt for MX-5s, but trying to exhaust the possibilities with regards to older and more interesting stuff first. I'd forgotten quite how many cars I'm interested in, but the internal struggle is wondering whether I should get something properly impractical and sporty (or a little older and less suitable for everyday use) or find a balance somewhere. That Celica would have been the ideal balance I reckon - rare, interesting, but simple and reliable.
Saab 96 V4s and 924s are still on the list; but also considering Austin/Morris/MG 1100/1300 models at the mo (ADO16 cars, basically a Mini with a more conventional body and a bit more space) and in the more practical vein a couple of really nice Citroen BXs have recently appeared nearby. Still have the French car itch - I've owned British (Rover 75), Japanese (MX-5), pan-European (Fiesta), German (Beetle) and Italian (Panda) in the past, but never anything French...
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