Which Classic Car ?

jkehoe

Hi Guys,

I am looking for some advice here please.

I am considering buying myself a classic car and am not sure if I should. What I am looking for is a roadster/convertible to use during the 3 sunny days we will get here in sunny ol Ireland, I have a budget of about €4-5k and the car would be garaged all winter.

I am thinking about an MG Midget, MGB Roadster, Triumph Spitfire(or something like those) and it looks like I would get something decent for that budget(might import from the UK - damn VRT :mad: )

My problem is as follows - I have very little mechanical experience - so I am worried about keeping it going, maintenance etc. I want to get a classic because of what they are (Classic) and the tax/insurance benefits.

My questions to you experts are:
1. Am I mad to even consider buying a classic with little/no mechanical skills?
2. Typically how much might it cost to have somebody maintain one for me annually - just roughly considering what I might get for 5k?
3. What would you recommend if I was to buy one?
4. Do you tend to get better deals buying a british classic in the UK (even including VRT)?

Thanks all

Jimmy

Alfasudcrazy

1. I bought a 1975 TR6 in 1993. Back then I was like yourself - very little mechanical experience and had the same worries as you. However I took the plunge and learned as I went along. Perhaps your budget is a bit on the low side – 5,000 euro is only about £3,200 sterling. You are far better off getting a good car to start with rather than buying a crock and thinking you will have it like new in no time – you won’t and you could spend a fortune trying.
2. The fact you have a garage is a big bonus – but make sure it is a dry, well ventilated one with no humidity. If you buy a car over 30 years old (you would be mad not to) you only pay 50 euro’s VRT and the annual tax is 42 euros.
3. I would always prefer a TR6 over a MGB any day. But which ever you choose – and these are by far the best two choices to make (easy availability of parts and specialists – in UK) make sure it is a right hand drive UK spec model. You get a lot of ex USA imports with the steering changed over – these usually look crap – steer well clear.
4. Yes – I think the UK is the only place to get good classics – they are both cheaper there and of far better quality. Anyway it’s a bit of an adventure to source and locate the classic yourself. I find these days that ebay is the best place to start looking. I have attached links for all the MGB’s and TR6’s listed on ebay at the moment – you can see the price difference straight away but for the little extra you are getting a car that will satisfy you no end.
Only thing to watch with the TR6 is the Lucas mechanical fuel injection system – that can be a bit of a dog if its not set up right and not too many in Ireland know anything about them. Mmm I better shut up now before I have all the bandwidth used up.

MGB
http://search.ebay.co.uk/MGB_MG_W0QQa38ZQ2d24QQa39ZQ2d24QQa41ZQ2d10QQa6ZQ2d24QQa85ZQ2d24QQalistZa39Q2ca41Q2ca6Q2ca85Q2ca38Q2ca3801QQcatrefZC3QQcatrefZC6QQcoactionZcompareQQcoentrypageZsearchQQcopagenumZ1QQfposZPostcodeQQfromZR2QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQftrtZ1QQftrvZ1QQga10244Z10425QQgcsZ13QQpfidZ1150QQpfmodeZ1QQreqtypeZ2QQsacatZ29757QQsadisZ200QQsargnZQ2d1QQsaslcZ3QQsbrftogZ1QQsofocusZbs

TR6
http://search.ebay.co.uk/TR6_Triumph_W0QQa38ZQ2d24QQa39ZQ2d24QQa41ZQ2d10QQa6ZQ2d24QQa85ZQ2d24QQalistZa39Q2ca41Q2ca6Q2ca85Q2ca38Q2ca3801QQcatrefZC3QQcatrefZC6QQcoactionZcompareQQcoentrypageZsearchQQcopagenumZ1QQfposZPostcodeQQfromZR2QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQftrtZ1QQftrvZ1QQga10244Z10425QQgcsZ13QQpfidZ1150QQpfmodeZ1QQreqtypeZ2QQsacatZ29760QQsadisZ200QQsargnZQ2d1QQsaslcZ3QQsbrftogZ1QQsofocusZbs

jkehoe

I had been looking on e-bay over the past few months and there some really great looking motors there. Thats great news on the vrt - so if I get something 1975 or older VRT is only €50.00 ?- deadly.

Alfasudcrazy

Just on the point of a classic being 'garaged all winter' - it may seem to be sound economics to take your classic off the road for the winter. Its not - a complete false economy.
A classic has to be driven for at least 10 miles every month (in one drive) to keep it from seizing up or deteriorating.
Ideally I try to drive them once a week. Its not always possible due to the weather (I never drive my classics on wet roads) but you would actually be surprised at how many dry days we still get here in winter.

Dades

Go for it Jimmy!

Make sure you are buying for the right reasons though. If you are only thinking in terms of the economics, that's not the best start.

If on the other hand, you love old cars and are willing to tinker and learn then you are in for years of pleasure and pain .

Have you driven an old roadster? Some people don't fancy the heavy steering at low speeds. At high revs though you can't have more fun behind the wheel. I assume you have a second car for a daily driver? I agree with Alfasud, too. Your classic would love you more if you kept her running all year.

Maybe also consider doing a course. I did an 8 week night course (2 hrs a week) in Stillorgan College and found it very useful. (There won't be another starting there till September though).

G'luck, and post here if you spot anything you might be interested in...

CHEERS

jkehoe

Thanks Atheist,

The course is a great idea. I am in Carlow - I think I have seen courses like that in the VEC's locally...will investigate.

darkbeatz

hi Jimmy. I am moving down near carlow (rathvilly) in the next couple of months and am thinking of getting myself a classic too. I am in exactly the same boat as you, Im thinking of exactly the same cars and I have little or not mechanical experience. If you do stumble across some evening classes will you let me know as I would defo be interested in doing them.

good luck

Mick

jkehoe

Hi Mick,

I havent been able to find anything locally, I did see something in one of the schools in Naas.. (about 40 mins away) .... I have no more info on it, and cannot find it again on the web..... damn...

Jimmy