classic car?

B

biffa

Well-known user
Mar 26, 2012
101
15
Castleford
Hi all,

Over the last few days ive seriously been debating wether to get another classic car and eventually... replace the cougar and rely soley upon a 70's 80's classic for everyday running for work and holiday trips etc around 12k miles a year.

I come from a family of car people and when i was growing up it was around capri's mk1 and mk2 escorts and sinilar things.
Ive always admired classic cars, the era, the music and the styling of some classics from around that time.
Ive been driving 3 years at the end of february ( this month) and when i first passed my test back in 2011 my first car when i passed my test was a triumph dolomite 1300 and despite issues that cropped up ( quite a few) i still miss it. It was replaced due to reliability issues and lack of funds, replaced with a mk2 fiesta that was very reliable but didnt have the same age charecter but was a classic none the less.

The biggest thing that is bugging me is... would any of you kind people perhaps steer me into a direction as in my mind i can't come up with an answer..

Should i get a classic over the cougar?
Im more than capable of owning and maintaining a classic
Me and my girlfriend are both serious classic car fans and loved the dolomite i had a few years back.
We love working on classic cars because they're simple and easy to work on and parts availability is pretty good ( was for the dolomite and the mk2 fiesta).
We like attending classic car shows of all kinds and both enjoy the feel of a classic car when driving one, back to how driving should be we always said.

Reasons that are making me think otherwise...
One day im sure the cougar will be a very sought after classic.. wether you guys feel the same?
Id be sad to see the cougar go
Patchy reliability..( well who wants to be replacing a part every two weeks)?
More of a theft target
Will end up walking to work if its off the road ( but would have had to when changing the matrix on the cougar so...).
Slower than modern cars so take a little longer and a more relaxed laid back approach when driving a classic..

What are your guys thoughts?
The other aspect is money... insurance and tax are way way cheaper than any other modern car, would you put the same amount of trust that you have for your cat starting and getting you there and back, into a 30-40 year old british or classic ford?

Thanks in advance

Rob
 
Given the rate at which I'm currently pouring money into my cars, even leaving alone the time I spend (because I enjoy it - it's my hobby) I don't think potential tax and insurance savings should even enter your head.

You'll be spending more overall, much, much more. The tax and classic insurance is just a little sweetener. Fuel consumption is fairly horrific despite the lack of performance too.

ETA: Most classic policies are limited milage and are on the understanding of occassional use. Specifically, you don't need any NCD for the policy and they just mirror whatever you have on your existing proper car policy - meaning you need to have a proper car insured for daily use.

ETA a second time: Having said all that, it's something I think sounds a very charming prospect and very, very cool. I'm just not sure I'd still find the upkeep a hobby in the sort of weather we're having at the moment if it was my only car. It's nice to be able to just work on them when you're in the mood.

If you can afford it, buy yourself a nice Dolly anyway and use it when you want to, and use the Cougar when you don't. Don't kid yourself that you'll save a bean though, because it will be more like folding up tenners and feeding them down the air intakes.
 
Ive been brought up round classic cars as well my dad use to have Humber Sceptres my first car was my dads old Humber Sceptre ive had Sierras Capris Cortinas I know what you mean about driving a classic they are so nice to drive that is one of the reasons I brought a Cougar in the first place because I think they will become classic car I think if you want a classic car go for it.
 
You only live once so if you can afford it and you have a garage to keep it when the weather turns nasty, go for it. You'll get more enjoyment out of driving an old classic than a modern run of the mill car (y)
 
Definitely not.

A car is many things to many people, but at the end of the day it's meant to be a reliable form of transport.

I'm looking at this in terms of my own situation so maybe you can get away with not having a car available to you for a while, but I couldn't. And for that reason I would only buy a classic if it was a second car.
 
I know insurance on classics can be an issue, but it actually got me on the road. 3 year ago when i insured the dolly a month after i passed my test at 19 it cost me just 464 quid fully comp for the year with an agreed value of 2k! Doing unlimited miles per year witt footman james on a young driver classic car policy, no longer available unless you own a moggy :/. Id insure it on a modern policy. Same rate anyhow.
I dont have a gragae, just a driveway.. having had 3 modern cars now after owning 2 classics, the moderns make me feel tired after a short period and the drive isnt what i was expecting.. the cougae im sure will be a classic in its own right as it has all the basics backing it for classic status :p
I do know what you are saying... working in the dark in minus something temps in winter isn't my idea of fun but.. if it breaks, i can just leave it a few days and walk to work.
Im also considering the likes of mk2 escorts ( 4 door- versions, mk3 escorts and mk1 fiesta's too.
Im a care assistant and come out with around 600-700 every 4 weeks and work just 2 miles from home, 15 minute or so walk away from the front door.
My dolly 1300 4 speed no o/d did on average 45mpg most of the time as did the 950 pop plus mk2 fiesta i had, although it did have a 5 speed box lol.
Having spoken to a relative with a mk1 escort, shes said the fiesta mk1 and mk3 escort might be a bit better for reliability and spares are good quality and easy to get too.

Thanks

Rob

- - - Updated - - -

Yeah this is the problem im having in my own head mako... it is still just a car at the end of it all. Im finding it a 50/50 idea at the moment too..
 
Was that £6-700/month? If so, forget it. Running anything of this vintage long term will see bills, and relative to that income those bills will be crippling. Even something as simple as buying particular tools needed for DIY work is very expensive in comparison to your income.

I'm not intending to sound like a dick, although I suspect it probably looks that way, but I could see a classic swallowing a fair whack of your money, with the ability to wipe you out with a single bigger issue - and they are prone to needing more intrusive work. Even leaving the car a few days is optimistic. Everything you need for the car will be mail order.
 
Sounds to me like you have already made up your mind mate, It will be a long while before the Cougar becomes a classic (most people don't even know what it is half the time) so I'd go for something else, I have a mate who drives a Mk1 Cortina and has just bought his son an old skool mini for his 18th, now he's even thinking of getting rid of his daily drive (he did have an X-type jag then a fiesta ST mk6) I personally drive round in a Mk4 fiesta because I had to sell my cat last year due to financial reasons, if I could have I wouldn't have but it was the sound financial thing to do at the time (miss the car loads)
I'd like a Mk3 or 4 escort or Mk2 Orion (same shape as mk4 escort) as these are the cars I was bought up in and drove first back in 1992 and there are quite a few good examples kicking about now too, just look at the pages of Fast Ford.

If your gonna stay with the blue oval then i'd checkout Classic ford Magazine.
 
everton2004 said:
You only live once so if you can afford it and you have a garage to keep it when the weather turns nasty, go for it. You'll get more enjoyment out of driving an old classic than a modern run of the mill car (y)
Click to expand...

Just to clarify, I meant as a second car not a daily driver - the may lead to financial ruin! :LOL:
 
I'll chip in some more - unless you're paying top whack for a fresh bare metal restoration, it's going to need metal work on an ongoing basis. This will be staggeringly expensive unless you have your own cutting tools and MIG welder. A MIG welder will cost you half your monthly salary.

If you decide to go for it anyway, make sure your eyes are wide open before you do. It's more than just dad's spanners you're gonna need.
 
Thanks for the replies guys

my pay is between 600-700 4 weekly, was on a fair bit more but changed care homes (better in fairness).
I do know how expensive classic cars can be to keep them on the road as I did face issue's when I was running the dolly all year round everyday. I didn't mind the work that was needed, just funds became tight occasionally. spares availability wasn't too bad either, just had to wait a couple of days or sometimes a few hours depending on what I needed.

This is the issue that has been bugging me, I like the cougar, But want to do more with it, do something.. just don't know what.
or... go down the route of classic cars again, but having owned classics I know the problems they can bring. To top it off, me and my girlfriend will be looking for our own place (better paid job by then) with a view of moving out in a couple of years to which I think running a house, and a classic car will be hard to say the least. But the whole classic car thing has been with me since being very young.

Keeping the cougar would be better for reliability and overall expenses will be better off in the long run, and in a few years will start going up in price I think (anybody have a guess?) lol

I was just torn between my youth and cars before my time and the sensibility side, what is practical really. But I think you've all helped me straighten the idea out and getting a classic probably isn't a good idea considering everything as I'd be using it everyday, all year round, no garage, sat outside on the driveway - I have all the tools i need and more besides - I do have a mig already but would need to get some practice in as I haven't welded a great deal recently.
before going into care work, I was a HGV mechanic and worked at a local indi garage. but dropped it for care as I prefer mechanical work as a hobby, not a living.

Thanks again,

rob
 
Bah, do what I did and get an early MX5.

It's damn near 25 years old, more fun factor than a British sportscar, plus it's executed properly and my example is damn near 200k on it's original engine with just oil changes, £190 per year classic car policy and parts are plentiful and cheap!

:beer:

As said, you'll only the once so if it's something you want to do, do it. You'll be waiting a long time for Cougar prices to rise significantly though.....
 
Based on the above, I'd honestly suggest you bide your time a short while and get moved first. I'm sure you're have no difficulty in physically maintaining said car, but it can be a fine line between a labour of love and a millstone around your neck.

Nobody is saying not to do it, maybe just a suggestion of "not as your only car" or in my case "not yet".

You'll forgive the car lots more if it's not ruining your life day-to-day. In your own place you can walk away and leave it half-done when you get fed up. You can use the kitchen table to strip and rebuild the carbs, or use the dishwasher to clean them first if your name is Rob. If you and your GF can get a place with a garage where you can be dry, then so much the better not only for the car all year round, but definately for you when working on it!
 
I realise prices vary across the country but my eldest(19) and his girlfriend are on the verge of moving into a modern one up - one down which is going to cost them £450/month in rent before they even start to 'live'. They both work but aren't going to have much left over from their combined wages by the time they've factored in electricity, water, poll tax etc etc etc.......................
 
If you don't mind a 'Bit' of modding, then go for it. I had an old Midget 20 years ago. I put electronic ignition on it, oil cooler, uprated needles in the carbs, Tubular mainfold and straight through exhaust. With regular servicing it never let me down. If you can do these things and weld a little, then go for it. Driving is a matter of the heart, not brain, otherwise we wouldn't drive a cougar and have something less interesting instead.
 
Amazingly even before my health scare I was getting to the stage were we had spare cash at the end of the month instead of spare month at the end of the cash ;) this is why I was well into taking on my Father-in-laws Porsche 944 which is from about 1987 IIRC but physically looks only about 10 years old :)
Now i'm not 100% sure more because of the health reasons not the money reasons, I guess mainly because I have more spare time as I'm not at work
 
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