Adding to my fleet ???

[Suffolk944]

Currently contemplating throwing caution to the wind and getting myself another "classic" to add to the Suffolk fleet. No, not planning to sell the 944 (unless I get a very enticing offer of course []) rather am planning to get something to run along side it. It would have to offer something different as a driving experience from the 944 and currently my thoughts on budget are running in the £5K to £7K range. Have got a fair few options running through my head and just to muddy the waters I thought I would put them down here in case anyone had had any experiences (good or bad) with any of them and maybe even may come up with some alternatives.

First batch "GT"/fast saloons;

Porsche 928 (always wanted one of these but maybe the potential for financial ruin may rule it out). Old style BMW 635, again always loved these though I know rust can be a killer. Jag XJS (especially a late 6.0 litre example). Jag XJR - a real favourite especially the V8 and looking a ridiculous bargain right now. Maybe an old BMW M5. Series 3 Jag XJ12 saloon, again an old fave of mine.

Second batch Convertibles;

944 S2 cab (always fancied these but not different enough ? ) Jag XJS convertible - love the idea of whafting around the leafy Suffolk countryside in one of these. TVR wedge also appeals.

Third batch 4wd performance;

Integrale and nothing else

Fourth batch - Old timers;

Something from way back when, with chrome and old style dials - Maybe a Series 1 or 2 XJ saloon, Triumph Stag, Rover P5B coupe all that sort of thing.

Anyone got any more ideas ? Or experiences of any of the above motors ?

 

[pauljmcnulty]

I know where you're coming from, every time I see a Caterham I spend the next week trying to justify it to myself, and then working out how to convince the boss. [&o]

I've just been through the same thing after deciding to move on from the Lux. Sure, an XK8 is a lot of car for the money, 635M or an old M5 are dream cars, and one of my all-time favourites is an XJS, but the cost of running them if you're not a mechanic ruled them out.

Convertibles, I thought about an MX5 quite seriously but the fact that the boss doesn't even like the air vents open led me to feel she wasn't the "topless" kind of girl. [&:]

I love shooting brakes so the Scimitar or the Lynx Eventer would be perfect. But we've got an estate car that's a hoot to drive already.

So, back to reality and I ended up with the S2. I just feel that the 944 is such a rounded package that it's only going to make anything less good to drive seem inadequate, and anything expensive to run seem a waste of money. So, no need to get another car then. Except....

Strangely, I do seem to get the feeling sometimes that I would fancy taking the Lux instead. A good reason to get it sold quickly! [8|]

 

[Suffolk944]

Ah I had forgot about Scimitars - had a couple of Lancia HPEs in the past do like that shooting brake style. Happily (?) SWMBO has stated that she prefers me to get another car rather than plough money into further mods to the 944, which surprised me somewhat but am determined to take advantage of such a statement if at all possible !

 

[DavidL]

I had a ride in a 5.0 Griff on Monday and it was quite quick! Now you won't get one of those but a 4 litre Chimaera would be a possibility. They are great touring cars and would be a real difference to the 944T.
My Caterham is a very different drive - much more nippy but it lacks composure over 70 or so - lots of noise but no turbo go. It needs a bigger engine which I may do or or I may change it for a Griff/Chim or maybe an Alpina Roadster.
I also have a hankering for either a C2 Alpina touring or a B10 V8 touring and oddly a Volvo Amazon!

 

[sawood12]

Well if I were you it would depend upon what use the car would see. If it was as a semi-daily runner or family bus where you needed the interior space, then i'd go for a big old luxury saloon. However if it were purely a plaything then a nice little convertible. I love TR6's and early Boxsters are sub-£10k now. Strangely i've been hankering for a second convertible toy recently to sit alongside my 944, though my imminently to expand family will put those plans on the back burners for a while. The only car i'll be buying in the next 12 monts will be a family bus, and was considering going down the route of old luxury saloon/estate, like a Jag or old Merc, but unfortunately the mileage it'll be covering will make a large thirsty engine too costly to run. Here I come Mondeo estate [].

The problem with the Lancia options are that you cannot get alot of the parts now.

A guy at work has just got a mint C reg Audi Quattro. Great piece of kit.

 

[Suffolk944]

I have my company car for the day to day stuff ,another car would simply be an indulgent toy though much like the '44 am sure would use it for commutes and general driving from time to time too.

Had a few Lancias in my time and love them but if parts are becoming scarce that may put the mockers on that.

 

[SteveSJS]

just emailed you



SteveS

 

[dodgydal]

about 9 years ago i bought a very nice mark 1 golf gti from a performance car garage in guildford , at the time he had a warehouse full of all the top sports cars that you could name at the time and i asked him which car did he like the most and would keep for himself . He said without doubt it would be the integrale . I nearly bought one myself about 18 months ago but ended up buying an S2 after talking to various petrol heads and reading everything ever written about them i still think i made the right decision and drive it every day with a smile on my face . But i would still like an integrale .

 

[A.Wang]

One that hasn't been mentioned yet...an early MGB GT?

I've always wanted one as a kid, even contemplated getting one when I was shopping for my current daily drive...only to chicken out and opted for bullet-proof reliability of a brand new VAG car

 

[EddySpaghetti]

I'm not really qualifie to make this recommendation, but what the hey:

Alfa Romeo Montreal

I think its part of the human condition to always want more than you have, or can currently afford. If I oculd have stretched to one of these, purely as a fun car, I would have got one over the 944.

Its a totally different kind of car, but what a thing to behold, and to listen to. In a few years time I intend to sell on my 944T and get one of these as a purely fun car. I also hope, by then, to have a company car so that I can sacrifice all practicality in the name of a cracking sounding engine and fantastic sportscar looks.

You sound like you are where I plan to be at in a few years time, so try this optin out for me, and let me know how it goes???

Cheers,

Eddy

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Alfa Romeo Montreal

Might cost a little more to run than the 944, and could be a bit more, shall we say, unreliable.....[8|]

That's why I crossed the Lancia HPE off my shopping list. Although my Dad's old Thema with the half-a-Ferrari-running backwards engine was fun, I would hate to be asking for parts now. The Alfa GTV6 was also a car I considered but ruled out on overall cost versus enjoyment consideration.

 

[Suffolk944]

I had two HPE's - an 2000ie which was my first ever car and dissolved bit by bit everyday and a supercharged Volumex which was a lovely car in great condition which I still regret getting rid of. Also had a Delta HF Turbo. Fancied a Thema turbo too and notice there are a couple of the Ferrari engined 8.32 s for sale including one near me for just £3.5k ....

Alfas never had one but a GTV6, Spider and 164 V6 have been on my radar from time to time. Those Montreals are gorgeous things !

 

[Alpine]

classic car wise, I would love another Citroen 2cv. I had one about 8 years ago and am still a member of the 2cvGB club. Great fun to drive.

I'd also love a Rover P6, a 3500S (3.5 V8 manual) - that would make a great sound !

 

[Fat Albert]

Love V8s?

Jensen Interceptor!

 

[mik_ok]

One of the guys on the evo magazine forum recently picked up a lovely XJR for approx £6k.

How about a C43 AMG? Easily within your budget and sufficiently "special" IMHO.

E39 M5 as you've stated. Or an Alpina E39?

 

[appletonn]

ORIGINAL: Fat Albert

Love V8s?

Jensen Interceptor!

Now you're talking, with an LPG conversion of course...[]

Triumph Stag is a lovely old woofly V8 cruiser, or an Alfa boattail Spider?

H&H classic car auctions have a sale in July...[]

Might see you there?!

 

[appletonn]

How about an early Lotus Elise - fantastic to drive, so pure and light.

Just buy a good one though, now where have we heard that before?![8|][]

 

[u63af]

Before my 944 t I had a 5.0 tvr chimaera. Amazing car (hate to say it but I preffered it to the 944). I still get to drive it as I sold it to my old man who also has a stag with a rover v8 in it. Stag is a nice car but drives like you would expect a 1970 car to (like driving a barge).
TVR is probably the best car for the money, you get a v8 which is fast, handles well, looks good and is relatively cheap to run (My one did 12,000 miles without any problems). Would get a good chim within your budget

 

[James_G]

ORIGINAL: u63af

Before my 944 t I had a 5.0 tvr chimaera. Amazing car (hate to say it but I preffered it to the 944). I still get to drive it as I sold it to my old man who also has a stag with a rover v8 in it. Stag is a nice car but drives like you would expect a 1970 car to (like driving a barge).
TVR is probably the best car for the money, you get a v8 which is fast, handles well, looks good and is relatively cheap to run (My one did 12,000 miles without any problems). Would get a good chim within your budget

I was once asked to move the bosses Chimaera when I was on a student placement. I was very surprised that the ignition key was identical to that of my mk3 Cavalier that I had at the time, as were the stalks. Even so, the 50m I moved it was enough to make me want one. Lovely.

 

[si30boxsters]

635 gets my vote and will be my next purchase.