In a couple of years we intend to retire, we will keep our Roomster but we want to buy a tax exempt car for pleasure.
What we do not want is one of the grey porridge saloons that have all the charisma of a brick but neither are we trying to buy something super sporty.
Instead we are looking for a 'practical classic' that we can enjoy. Our first thoughts were aimed at VW beetle or Healey 3000 (practicality or beauty) but we are open to suggestion.
We know that buying the best example that is in our price range can help to mitigate against future financial ruin and I do not want to restore another car.
Any advice for a pair of old codgers?
Thank you
Tim
Tax exempt future purchase - advice, please.
Re: Tax exempt future purchase - advice, please.
May I perhaps suggest something from the Triumph range? Choice of 2 seaters or 4, from sporty saloons to convertibles.
Vitesse 2 litre, great access and accompanied by a wonderful 6 cylinder soundtrack
Dolomite Sprint, the bmw beater
Or, what about some opulent luxury?
Rover P5B coupe
Vitesse 2 litre, great access and accompanied by a wonderful 6 cylinder soundtrack
Dolomite Sprint, the bmw beater
Or, what about some opulent luxury?
Rover P5B coupe
Re: Tax exempt future purchase - advice, please.
I would second the P5B, or if you have sufficient budget a Mk2 jag / Daimler equivalent. They all look superb and sound even better than they look.
Understeer: when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
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SirTainleyBarking
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Re: Tax exempt future purchase - advice, please.
Or a P6
Both loverly products of Lode lane, the P5B having the more old school regal gravitas, and the P6, being a bit more sharp suited
A lot about with slush boxes if you want to "Future proof"
Landrovers and Welding go together like Bread and Butter. And in the wet they are about as structurally sound
Biting. It's like kissing except there's a winner
Biting. It's like kissing except there's a winner
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Martin Evans
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Re: Tax exempt future purchase - advice, please.
You won't find an easier car to own, than an MGB or MGB GT. The 1.8 is not madly quick but competent and flexible in the extreme, with good road manners. Overdrive is optional on all tax exempt examples (So far anyway - standard on later models) and well worth it. The GT is quite practical for two people.
As to the VW Beetle, yes but you might also consider a Morris Minor, which is very easy to own (And upgrade - five speed box, disc brakes, 1275 engine etc etc etc). Perhaps not as well made as a Beetle but after forty years, I doubt that many are in original condition and build quality will often be down to who rebuilt it. The Minor is the easier car to work on and will have more predictable and nicer handling, though in standard form, the Beetle makes the better motorway car. The Morris Traveller is extremely practical but good ones are getting pricey.
As to the VW Beetle, yes but you might also consider a Morris Minor, which is very easy to own (And upgrade - five speed box, disc brakes, 1275 engine etc etc etc). Perhaps not as well made as a Beetle but after forty years, I doubt that many are in original condition and build quality will often be down to who rebuilt it. The Minor is the easier car to work on and will have more predictable and nicer handling, though in standard form, the Beetle makes the better motorway car. The Morris Traveller is extremely practical but good ones are getting pricey.
Rules exist for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men.
MG Midget 1500, MGB GT V8, Morris Minor Traveller 1275, MG Midget 1275 & too many bicycles.
MG Midget 1500, MGB GT V8, Morris Minor Traveller 1275, MG Midget 1275 & too many bicycles.
Re: Tax exempt future purchase - advice, please.
Could you perhaps give us an example please? It's easier to recommend something if we know the limits of the enquirer's taste.Tim Hale wrote:..//..one of the grey porridge saloons that have all the charisma of a brick....//.....
J
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true..
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true..
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SirTainleyBarking
- Posts: 413
- Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 12:41 am
- Location: Solihull, where Landrovers come from
Re: Tax exempt future purchase - advice, please.
Aircooled dubs are nice, and popular, but the only downside is the "Scene Tax".
For all of the popular classics, that have a lot of backup and popularity, my only caution would be to look hard at anything you see, as the more popular the vehicle, and higher the prices, the more risk of finding out that it is perfectly possible to polish a turd.
For all of the popular classics, that have a lot of backup and popularity, my only caution would be to look hard at anything you see, as the more popular the vehicle, and higher the prices, the more risk of finding out that it is perfectly possible to polish a turd.
Landrovers and Welding go together like Bread and Butter. And in the wet they are about as structurally sound
Biting. It's like kissing except there's a winner
Biting. It's like kissing except there's a winner
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tractorman
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- Location: Wigton, Cumbria
Re: Tax exempt future purchase - advice, please.
Dare I suggest that, as you aren't retired yet, you are baby boomers and, as such, have fond memories of sixties cars?! Mind you, my memories of such vehicles are a bit less "rose tinted" - rusty Moggys, non-starting Heralds (with self opening doors) and seized Victors come to mind!
While I bought a Land Rover as a "zero tax" machine, it was to haul stuff that the Golf can't handle rather than being a fun machine, I would have avoided the Minor/Herald/Mini and especially the Beetle: they are often over-priced and, for my money, take too much maintenance for the casual (and less subtle) owner! The real disadvantage of a Herald (especially a red convertible) is that others will remember Thora Hird when they see you go by! The Minor will remind them of Gladys Emmanuel and everyone remembers Herby and "The Italian Job"!!
I'd consider a P5 or P6 Rover a good buy if you can find a good one - lovely cars to waft along while enjoying the real leather experience - without the cost of the Mk2 Jag! Perhaps a Sunbeam Rapier - or Alpine if you fancy a sports car - would be a good semi-sporty alternative. A Sceptre would give you the sporty feeling with a more opulent interior. Again, the trick is to find a good one!
Coming into the 70s lets you look at Stags, XJ6s and BMWs to name a few - all interesting and not too expensive compared to a big Healey or half decent Beetle. An Allegro may seem like a daft idea - but an "unusal" and interesting car.
While I bought a Land Rover as a "zero tax" machine, it was to haul stuff that the Golf can't handle rather than being a fun machine, I would have avoided the Minor/Herald/Mini and especially the Beetle: they are often over-priced and, for my money, take too much maintenance for the casual (and less subtle) owner! The real disadvantage of a Herald (especially a red convertible) is that others will remember Thora Hird when they see you go by! The Minor will remind them of Gladys Emmanuel and everyone remembers Herby and "The Italian Job"!!
I'd consider a P5 or P6 Rover a good buy if you can find a good one - lovely cars to waft along while enjoying the real leather experience - without the cost of the Mk2 Jag! Perhaps a Sunbeam Rapier - or Alpine if you fancy a sports car - would be a good semi-sporty alternative. A Sceptre would give you the sporty feeling with a more opulent interior. Again, the trick is to find a good one!
Coming into the 70s lets you look at Stags, XJ6s and BMWs to name a few - all interesting and not too expensive compared to a big Healey or half decent Beetle. An Allegro may seem like a daft idea - but an "unusal" and interesting car.
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suffolkpete
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Re: Tax exempt future purchase - advice, please.
I seem to recall that Thora Hird drove a Reliant three-wheeler in at least one series.tractorman wrote:The real disadvantage of a Herald (especially a red convertible) is that others will remember Thora Hird when they see you go by!
It would help if we knew what you intended to use the car for. Whether fuel consumption is an issue and the sort of journeys you would undertake in it. Of course when you ask this kind of question on a forum, everyone pitches in with a case for their own cars. The Rover P6 has come up in other posts and as an owner I'd endorse this. Comfortable, stylish low purchase price and good support available. You have a choice of economy (4-cylinder) or performance (V8). Best plan is to look at a few of the suggested vehicle and try them.
1974 Rover 2200 SC
1982 Matra Murena 1.6
1982 Matra Murena 1.6