In the market for a classic

[Ian]

Morning boys and girls, I have just sold my brand new Suzuki Swift Sport so am in the market for a really nice classic. Cannot narrow down what I'm after but are there any good classic dealers in the UK which you would recommend? Interested in anything from an Austin A30 to a Chevrolet Camaro, when I see the right car, I will know it's for me

[jpsh120]

My personal view is that you would be better to find a car being sold privately with good history etc. Dealers often add huge premiums and overprice cars particularly if you look at anything where there are limited numbers (like mine)!

[SEE YA]

Why not make a top five? Things to consider is it a weekend car? Do you need four/two door?

Sports type, saloon, softop, plus how much to spend. Running cost are you good with a set of spanners?

Find the car that will put the biggest smile on your face.

[Fatbloke]

Go to a multi marque classic car show and chat to the owners and sit in a few cars. (with the owners permission!)
When you decide on a shortlist, research thoroughly and search the usual listings in magazines and online.
Dealers and private vendors a plenty. If you can, take someone who knows old cars and preferably hates the type of car you've chosen. That way he wont be wearing the rose coloured specs that you will be.

Easy to say all that, quite another to follow that advice when caught in the passion of the moment!

Good luck and let us know what you get.

Herald convertibles are great by the way!!

[SEE YA]

Go to a multi marque classic car show and chat to the owners and sit in a few cars. (with the owners permission!)
When you decide on a shortlist, research thoroughly and search the usual listings in magazines and online.
Dealers and private vendors a plenty. If you can, take someone who knows old cars and preferably hates the type of car you've chosen. That way he wont be wearing the rose coloured specs that you will be.

Easy to say all that, quite another to follow that advice when caught in the passion of the moment!

Good luck and let us know what you get.

Herald convertibles are great by the way!!

Just saw a Herald estate on the road about an hour ago today.

[Fatbloke]

[kstrutt1]

It's all down to personnal choice and how much you want to spend, also don't forget the running costs especially if you intend to use it on a regular basis, the best car I have ever had was a v12 xjs I absolutely loved it but it drank so much fuel I hardly every used it!

As said above it is also easy to look through rose tinted specticles, those few bubbles of rust are easy to dismiss but could lead to major restoration, as a first time classic I would recommend something which has good parts availability and is easy to maintain but above all buy on condition particulalrly for the body, unless you are able to weld and paint yourself these will swallow up vast amounts of cash and enthusiasm.

My fleet has evolved to our needs -

TR7 V8 - originally bought as my wifes every day car 22 years ago (it was fairly modern then!)
Lotus elan Plus 2 - Bought as a hobby car for me 21 years ago.

Then we had kids

Landrover series 2 - bought 5 years ago, as the kids were growing up my wife said we need something more practical, I am not sure this was quite what she had in mind...
Mazda eunos mk1 (MX5) - bought last year, no1 daughter is now 17 and driving the company car, my wife wants a sports car of her own but after years of moderns the TR is to old fasioned so we get this with power steering A/C etc.
Morris minor bought 2 years ago for son to drive when 17 (in 3 years time).

We are lucky we have not had to sell them and managed to find space to keep them all, they all have their good and bad points but I gess the fact we have 5 says we have not managed to find the perfect classic yet so be preparred to compromise! (or find more parking spaces!)

Kevin.