I am in a retro quandary...

[Del]

This is probably going to be quite long, for which I apologise

Once I have managed to scrape together a few pennies, I am going to buy a retro. BUT I have a major obstruction in the way, in the form of my Missus
She will say 'well, you drive it, so buy what you like' but there's that subtext that is saying 'but if it breaks down and we have to wait three hours for the AA, that'll all be your fault'.
When I've mentioned getting a Cortina or an Escort, I get 'Oh, they're old cars, they'll break down and cost money. And you can't get spares.' etc, etc. All cobblers as we all know, but...

To be honest, she doesn't know much about cars but she knows names. So, my cunning plan is to think about a retro that's still being made! By that I mean, an early model of a current car, like a Golf or a Passat. As long as it's in good nick, it will (to her) just look like a car that's been well looked after.

Now, we had a Golf Mk1 in the past (when they were just old cars rather than modern classics), which she really liked, and I tried to get a Mk2 from binboy a few months ago (insurance killed that) and that idea seemed to go down OK.

So. Bearing all that in mind, what woudl you suggest I look for? I'm thinking B3 Passat, Mk2 Polo/Golf/Jetta but after that the brain cells dry up.

Any other ideas?

[MiniDan]

Not the oldest of cars ever, but what about a BMW 3 series (E30 or E36) or an MX5?

[cairyhunt]

W123 merc?? Ultra reliable, retro, affordable, good parts supply, plus it's got a desirable badge, always helps sway the argument with SWMBO.

[Del]

I'll have to discount MX-5, she has a bad back, so migh thave problems getting in and out!
And not really keen on Beemers (but that's just me).
W123 might be an idea. Or maybe a 190...

Keep 'em coming!

[surprisingskoda]

I was going to suggest a few old BLMC cars, but you mentioned reliability!

What about a Mk1/2 Cavalier?

[Del]

Early Cavs won't work, family have had them, so she knows they're old! A Mk3 might be recent enough for me to get away with it, and it does look very like the Vectra...

But having been eBay hunting while on this night shift, I'm leaning towards a Volvo 460. There's a lovely '95 460 CDi with a BIN of £450 (which I don't have just now )
Found this pic of a nice modded one:

[doninphi]

Audi 80 b2, you know it makes sense! Audi reliability, vw cheap parts!

Met a bloke outside a pub who was chewing my ear off looking at mine saying how much he liked it and wanted one but "I'm going to get a mk2 jetta instead as I can't afford and 80"

I stayed quiet as he was a bit of a 'full on' chap but I couldn't help but thinking a jetta or golf is 'scene taxed' to the max for shitters where as 80's tho harder to find the right one are relatively cheap to buy, and different to mod.

Plus a mk2 jetta looks like an 80 that's too high in the middle and has been in a front and rear ender to make it shorter! (sorry to all jetta owners for this comment!) lol

[JohnK]

I'd be going with:

* An old BMW (but you have said this is a no-go)
* Mercedes (I own a 190, so not biased in the slightest!)
* VW - Golf or Passat would be my choice...

[slackerTHEpinstriper]

B3 Passat Estate, winner.



but my missus still hates mine!! ;D

[crazymonkey]

what about japanese ;D generally reliable and easy to find cheap. but then also higher insurance usually as well

out of those the audi 80 sounds best to me. Although afer looking at that 460, Id be swayed towards that.

[popuptoaster]

In my experience 20 or 30 year old cars are no more unreliable than 10 year old ones, and they are usuallya damn site cheaper to fix, provided you keep up with the servicing and replace things like water hoses and fuel pipes BEFORE they are likely to fail then you should have no issues.

I have always run old cars as dailies, i still consider my volvo to be quite "new" in fact and its 14 years old.

[sharkattack]

my current capri is the most reliable car i've ever had. no problems whatsoever. and I know if anything goes pop i'll find a part online, nail it on and start driving again. easy.
I go to work with blokes that have modern BMW's, vauxhalls etc and while they're user friendly (safe and boring) if they decide not to start you need to ring someone to come and plug a laptop into it and start deciphering fault codes.
if you do have to wait a while for the AA and the missus starts chewing your ear off trade her in.

[Del]

Now in a slightly different quandary!
My good lady wife has been diagnosed with some problems with her spine, which to be honest are only going to get worse. She already finds it a struggle to get in and out of our '98 Fiesta sometimes, so its replacement needs to have higher seating.
If I wanted to stick with a modern, I'd look at a Scenic, Fusion, A-class etc.
But what is there if I want to go retro? Something with a small, economical engine, low insurance, good spares availability and easy to park. I can't think of anything...

[bigalan]

No pics as I'm on my phone but what about Civic Shuttle or Nissan Prairie?

[ettorebugatti]

Although personal, Volvo seats are quite good. So I wouldn't write the 460 off, yet. The 1.6 petrol is as powerful as the 1.8.

Jeep Cherokee 2.5TD and Renault Espace MK1 ring a bell with me when high seating is required.

[dungbug]

I was going to say a Delica.........But they're not overly ecomonical.

[The Transplanter]

A MK1 Golf would be a good choice, as they are reliable as old cars go, very cheap on parts and maintanance can be done by yourself

They are also going up in value but still cheap enough to own a decent one A GTI would be preffered but if insurance is an issue then a 1.3 Driver is quite quirky. Or GLS if you need more doors.

An on the plus side, if your missus like the last one your halfway there

Or if you fancy a "Coupe", Scirocco's are even cheaper and identical mechanics

[Fennec]

I'd vote for a K10 Micra.




Cheap, reliable and the 'Micra' is still made to this day.

[cairyhunt]

I'm going to say it, a lot of people are possibly going to look at me funny, but I also know people are in the same mindset as me and like em.

Not traditionally reto, but iconic?!? Defo unforgettable.

Fiat multipla.

And very sorry to hear about your wife's problems.

[PandaSelecta]

If you can find one, think about a Citroen BX. Definitely retro, fast in GTI or TD versions, and the ride is soo smooth (perfect for a bad back)