searching for a suitable classic!

[Clougher95]

If you're never in a hurry to get anywhere, then Dolomite 1300 OHVs are slightly stronger than the 1500s and pretty much as economical as the 1850s, how about the Toledo? 1300cc, RWD, cheap enough to buy and the same as a Dolomite apart from their short boot.

If FWD is more your thing, then Dolomite-shaped 1500s were FWD, changing to RWD for the 1500TC or, prettiest car of the range IMHO, the 1300 (FWD, pictured).
I've covered a total of more than 250,000 miles between my two Dolomite automatics, 191,000 miles in the old Ice blue, 1972 example, more than 40,000 (in less than three years) in my Sienna (also 1972) example. Neither ever failed to get me anywhere, though the brown one did need a head gasket at around 48k and had to be driven around on my spare engine as the original needed to come out and be put under a pillar drill to get the head studs out. Saab specialists have a special tool that usually gets reluctant heads off though, so my method was probably a little radical.

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Hmm, can't believe i had never considered a Toledo! 1300cc, RWD, sounds like a bit of fun, great looking cars and not too mad on insurance! Thanks for your help, i think the Toledo may be the way to go
and wow, that's a lot of miles to be done in classics, i take it you know a thing or two when it comes to these cars then?! aha

[JPB]

You just happened to mention one of the cars that I know well (Dolomite) and someone else mentioned the other (kitten).
Saying that, even though I've only held a full driving licence since 1981, I've had more than 80 cars registered in my name during that time. Most of those have been old.

Yes, a Toledo would probably be a good first car, many of the younger members of the Triumph Dolomite Club started out on Toledos and many still prefer their shorter, arguably better proportioned shape now.
I had one in my custodianship for a couple of months in the early '90s. It cost a whopping £20 to buy and came with a month of MOT. Needless to say at that price, it wasn't nice and it smelt awful, but it worked. Sort of.

[jpsh120]

Insurance will be the sticking point whether you settle for modern or classic - I genuinely feel sorry for you young'uns paying the price for the few idiots on the road!

Anyway back to the question, I don't think you would go far wrong with either of these;





Golf is a bit over budget at £2295 but maybe negotiable. Only a 1.3 so not too bad for insurance.

BM looks good value at £1500 but the 1.6 engine may be a problem?

Both would be reliable and offer good build quality, also easy to work on if you fancy getting your hands dirty and doing some home servicing etc.

[Clougher95]

I did think of a classic golf, but insurance comapnies, when considering young drivers, actually charge more for owning cars such as golfs, old clio's etc...just because of the stereotypical owners :/ as for the BMW, i did look at the older model, E21 i think, and the insurance would be to high a 1.6 would be roughly 2.5-3k a year, and that's more than the value of the car!! thanks for the suggestions though

& JPB, if i could get a working toledo for £20 then i think i'd forgive any nasty smells!

[JPB]

That BMW is actually a 1.8 , same concern about insurance applies but 1) E30s are cheaper when comparing examples in similar condition than MK1 Golfs and 2) they're lovely things to drive so an E30 is a "must have" car at some stage, maybe once you've built some NCB on a shagged out '70s BL product?

[Clougher95]

If i was to ever have a classic BMW, it'd have to be a sprint/hillclimb 2002, that sounds pretty must have to me!

[jpsh120]

Slightly off topic, my dads next-door neighbour had an e30 323i, garaged it in 1987. I nagged him weekly to let me have it until he sent it for scrap last year.
It was still in good condition and only done 54k miles. To say I was disappointed is an understatement!

[Aar0sc]

Yes, but avoid the Dolomite=shaped 1500 if this is to be a daily car, their engines can fail spectacularly at low mileages

I think you'll find my Spitfire 1500's engine lasted a solid 100K + with minimum epic oil usage, no compression whatsoever and a complete lack of power...

Also; I came rather close to buying a nice blue Toledo; lovely cars and I still rather want one

[Willy Eckerslyke]

Slightly off topic, my dads next-door neighbour had an e30 323i, garaged it in 1987. I nagged him weekly to let me have it until he sent it for scrap last year.
It was still in good condition and only done 54k miles. To say I was disappointed is an understatement!

He probably did you a favour. For the last year I've been resurrecting an E28 520i that had been standing for the best part of ten years. It's been a nightmare as these cars really don't like standing idle. You can spend over £200 just getting the instrument panel working as the circuit board will have corroded due to leaks from the rechargeable batteries soldered to it. And that's just one minor item. Add in all the rest and you'll spend far more than it'll be worth.

[Maaarrghk]

I've let this thread go on for a while before jumping in.

Basically, the problem for young drivers is insurance. Just don't get me started........

Might I therefore suggest the following tack.

Phone round the specialist classic insurers, tell them you are a new driver and just ask the question: "What car over 15 years old will be the cheapest car for me to insure?"

I guess that will answer the original question in the most pratical and realistic way. Sadly.

Oh, and if you choose a Land Rover, the NFU offer some good rates.