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I've been following a thread on another forum against one lad who wants to get a classic car for his first car. It's evident that moderns don't interest him in the slightest but he has no mechanical knowledge and no licence yet. He's had a few options so far: an early Landrover that has turned out to be a bit unsuitable and a 60's Mini that is a bit too much to take on for a first car. Next on his list is a Spitfire and the plan is to go for a running complete car that he can spanner as he goes along. The members on the other forum are dead against the idea so I thought we'd have a debate for and against the idea  Personally I can only see a few issues: Insurance - cheaper than a modern Running costs - equal to or cheaper than a modern in my experience Maintenance - all classics need some spanner time First car issues - ie he's going to almost certainly have a knock at some point so an old car is going to get damaged. Over to you RR, pros, cons and your stories, I'll get typing my story... |
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I don't think lack of mechanical knoiwldge is too much of asn issue,if he gets a nice simple car,he can learn as he goes along.Best way to learn!
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Let me guess - overclockers?  How about a Morris Minor? Parts availability is excellent, great fun to drive and although needing regular maintenance, it's all pretty easy to do. A very good vehicle to learn on  Yes, they can rust but they're made of decent thick metal to weld to, and virtually every panel is available. |
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Last Edit: Feb 6, 2009 17:21:53 GMT by Paul H
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Lack of mechanical knowledge could be a plus point when buying a retro/classic car as they're so much easier to work on. You need eleventy cajillion quid's worth of tools and a degree in engineering to get to the spark plugs on most modern cars.
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Corsa Apology Champion 2014.
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I don't think lack of mechanical knoiwldge is too much of asn issue,if he gets a nice simple car,he can learn as he goes along.Best way to learn! I would totally agree with this. At 17 I had no mechanical knowledge at all but a year later I knew my car inside out and how everythign worked. Like you say, it's not difficult to learn to turn a spanner. |
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Go for it, no mech knowledge shouldn't be a prob, no-one's born with it. He might have to use a garages help now & then but he can learn as he goes along.
If he wants a useable and reliable retro, can't beat an Amazon imho. Parts not a prob and generally easy to work on, plus ace heater for winter, and so reliable. Perfectly good as a daily.
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'66 Amazon <-> '94 LS400 <-> '86 Suzuki 1135 EFE
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The problem with Amazons as a first car is that due to the engine size, they can be expensive to insure for young drivers, especially for everyday use  |
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I'd recommend a young driver to consider a Lada Riva. Simple, and I mean Patrick from Spongebob Squarepants simple, and RWD and loads of scope for slammage!
Thats pretty much how I got into modding cars, even though I'd owned about 30 cars previously!
Also a mk2 Polo has to be a good place to start. I wouldn't advise going for too old a car as the lack of parts and huge amounts of rust will put anyone off if its their first car!
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Greg
Part of things
Posts: 192
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My brothers first car was a Morris Minor 1000 in 1996 and its still going strong now! A friend of mine had a Mk1 Escort for his first car and a Nissan Micra to go to college in, but it got stolen about a year ago. If I was him I would go for a spitfire, I looked into one when I was 18 and the insurance was only £200 at least in the summer he can drop the roof!
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Good point Paul. I was ancient when I started (35, with a Trans Am), so I forget what being young is like! Does that still apply with classic policies? Although I guess those have a min age often. |
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'66 Amazon <-> '94 LS400 <-> '86 Suzuki 1135 EFE
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Yeah some of them ask for over 25's only. There are plenty that don't ask for that though. CIC, Adrian Flux and Sureterm to name 3 off the top of my head |
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stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,855
Club RR Member Number: 174
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If he's willing to learn the mechanics side then a retro car will be ideal. If not he'd be better with something new and with warranty.
Matt
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Debate? On this site? Can't see that happening! Classic/retro is the way to go. Eighties J-Tin is bland (therefore cheap) and usually stupidly simple to work on. In fact, on some, there's room to stand in the engine bay with the motor!
Eighties stuff tends to be pretty reliable too - no grease points for instance.
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1986 Citroen 2CV Dolly Other things. Check out my Blog for the latest! www.hubnut.org |
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I also say go for it...
but insurance is a big issue. as i got quotes for the pop from just about every insurer that existed..
tried every combination drivers i could.
end result...
the lowest i could get was £2500 for a stock pop (1172cc).
and that was with a professionally installed alarm system.
so i gave up and settled for the polo being my first car... my dad will be insuring the pop.. (means i can put a bigger engine in there too ;D )
-Liam
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 1955 Ford Popular 1989 VW Polo |
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if i were him, id go for something like a nova ,polo or a mk2 fiesta, all the pro,s of a classic(potential, easy to work on, easy to own) and some of the pro,s of a modern(working heater, decent turn of speed,decent brakes). also there easy to be enthusiastic about and have good back up in terms of clubs and parts. no down side really.    boring advice i know, but if he,s spurning mderns completly he probably has a bit of sense |
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"quote hairnet"
I'm not paying nine pound for a pi$$!
[/quote]
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Although at the time (2001) not as retro, I had a 1988 mk2 fessy as my first car, Cheap insurance, Cheap to fix, Mechano level of easy to fix! Every one else had KA's. I learnt a lot on that Fiesta (and still do)! Love it to bits!
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Haha, had wondered if this'd migrate over here in some shape or form. It's just like shouting in a storm though (on the original thread). The OP doesn't help much either |
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I wouldnt reccomend anything mega old as a first car for someone with little or no mechanical knowledge. Drum brakes, no servo, heavy steering, cack heater, RUST, 8678 grease nipples e.t.c. Compared to a modern car classic stuff can be a nightmare. Best reserved for seasoned motorists who know their way around a car and fancy something different, IMHO.....
As mentioned, middle aged cars, such as mk2 polos and novas e.t.c have most of the plus points of a modern without many of the drawbacks of a real classic. Ideal as a first car.
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1987 Maestro 1.6 HL perkins diesel conversion 1986 Audi 100 Avant 1800cc on LPG 1979 Allegro Series 2 special 4 door 1500cc with vynil roof. IN BITS. HERITAGE ISSUES.  |
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Haha, had wondered if this'd migrate over here in some shape or form. It's just like shouting in a storm though (on the original thread). The OP doesn't help much either He's just a kid and doesn't know what he wants yet other than he wants a classic car not a modern. We were all one of them once |
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my first was a 1965 sries V minx (last fo the round ones b4 the hunter shape) that woulda been about 1992.. all me mates had escorts and boxy stuff
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