Question:
We need to get a new car asap.My OH wanted a VW camper van until we started looking and realised that the seats in the back are not suitable as we have a 1 half year old who still needs us to pass her things etc.
He then had the idea that we should look at things like a Reliant Scimitar.We then realised that they have lap belts so we would have to find someone to fit a diagonal belt,so a car seat will fit in the back.
Basically he wants and older car that looks good, is good value for money suitable for a family but with a sporty sort of look.
We have only got until mid jan to get one as we want to sell ours before it needs servicing.
ANY IDEAS WELCOME .PLEASE!
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This company have various oldies for sale....
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I suppose it depends what your budget is - seeing that he was thinking Scimitar, what about a 3.0 or 2.8i capri?
The later ones would have the rear seat belts.
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Hi Silver Lilly,
You should get more help with this on the Motoring board, so I'll move your thread over there.
Pink
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I would do a great deal of research before making a decision.Many older vehicles need more maintenance than modern ones and spare parts can be a problem.They wont have many of the latest safety features either,which is very important as you have kids.Often rust is a problem,though not on the reliant!!
I have owned many older cars,some of them when they were new cars!! if that makes sense.They have a charm many modern cars dont have,i would love an old TR6 but not as my only vehicle ,for every day use.
If you or your oh are handy with the spanners it would make it much easier to run an older vehicle.If you decide to do so check out the owners club websites for info and prices.GOOD LUCK.
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I'm not biassed or anything (lol) but you should look at E30 BMW 3 series.
£1500 will get you a clean car and they are cheap to run. Rust is not an issue except for the very early models.
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Thanks guys. i think we are off tomorrow to look at one that was on ebay.I haven't had any dealing with them myself.i am very intrestesd in your opinions though,as i think ythis one going one ebbay for £500 must have some thing wrong.
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We've had a harness and a 3point seatbelt fitted into a couple of cars before rear seat belts were the norm. So if you see a car you really like, don't let the lack of seat belt put you off.
Btw, it's not easy to fit a baby into a carseat in the back of a Capri!
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Hi jackieb i don't know how to PM you so : can i ask which cars did you have ?we are in our early 30's and with a little luck will have above £3000 maximum to spend. you sound like you are in the know so can you give us any advice before we drive from bristol to neath?
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One was a 1982 Escort. The other was a 1981 reg Capri. I think we were about £50 each time, including belts, to get them fitted. But that was almost 20 years ago. The seatbelt was a proper one with a tensioner. They bolt it to the chassis of your car.
I used to have both feet in the back of the Capri to strap my son in. I would be bent double. One day I started to come back out and didn't notice the drivers seatbelt. Fell onto my knees onto the pavement with my feet still in the car. Caught the door with my armpit on my way down, and had to have new pins put into the door as it had dropped and wouldn't close.
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what about a mk3 Cortina? you can go 4 door, plenty of room but has a unique style. Very popular after the Life on Mars series on BBC1.
A lot have also had later engines added to them such as the Scorpio 2.9 24V but std the engines go from 1300cc to 2000cc
Have a look on http:
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i have an Opel Manta (my third) its very sporty loads of room in the back and as i have the hatchback version room for a pram - parts are relatively cheap and they are fairly easy to maintain the problem is finding one that is in good condition as the last ones were made in 1988.
My advice would be whatever car you decide on look to see if there is an enthusiasts club as this proves invaluable when you need advice you can find a list of car clubs on the net just have a browse and see what takes your fancy - good luck
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I got an M reg golf TDI. Solid economical and fast. You should be able to pick one up for under £1000. Also some skodas with the 1.9TDI engine in them look great buys, if you dont mind the badge.
Apart from that avoid french cars (I might be unlucky but they never last long).
Olly
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I got an M reg golf TDI. Solid economical and fast. You should be able to pick one up for under £1000. Also some skodas with the 1.9TDI engine in them look great buys, if you dont mind the badge.
Apart from that avoid french cars (I might be unlucky but they never last long).
Olly
I have a Skoda (Fabia) 1.9 TDI. Goes well and love it to bits, but diesels depend on your mileage as to whether it is worthwhile. Anything with the VAG engines in are pretty solid cars (Seat, Skoda, VW, Audi).
An Octavia is blooming reliable, lots of room, just not very sporty. Audi A4 maybe, such as the 2.8 Quattro?
I would have thought a 5 door car would be far more practical for fitting car/booster seats and the like.
And french cars suck.
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Good fun choices:
Opel Manta yes
Capri
Sierra
BMW 3 or 5 series
Datsun 200Z or 300Z or something like that
Original MR2
MX5
All cheap to buy, parts still available, enthusiast clubs on the net.
All rear wheel drive.
Incorrect wheel drive, but still look good IMO:
MK1 or MK2 Golf
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Good fun choices:
Opel Manta yes
Capri
Sierra
BMW 3 or 5 series
Datsun 200Z or 300Z or something like that
Original MR2
MX5
All cheap to buy, parts still available, enthusiast clubs on the net.
All rear wheel drive.
Incorrect wheel drive, but still look good IMO:
MK1 or MK2 Golf
Several of those you'll struggle to get a child seat to fit ( lap belts or 'sculpted' seats, cerrtainly in the Nissan/Datsuns) and/or get in or out. I'm currently selling a VW Scirocco because it's not practical to get my daughter in and out of.
An old BMW might be good (I love the E28 'sharknose' M5).
If it's going to be a 'fun' car, a lot of it is down to personal choice. Might be worth trying to narrow down models you both like.
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I would go for an old Jag, mine is a 1990 XJ40, 4 litre, used as an everyday car, really easy to work on, engines are bullet proof. Very cheap to buy and run, thousands of cheap parts on Ebay. Does 26MPG on a run, every extra you could want, big, safe, very fast and unbelievably reliable. And no, you dont have to be an old codger or a gangster to drive one
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I have lap belts in the back of my 1990 Celica, a car seat fits in securely with a lap belt and its actually quite easy to get the belt tensioned. I'm halfway through converting them to 3 points (got the belts but need the interior panels) as he has moved onto booster seats.
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Take a look at a Mazda mx-3 sports coupe. with back seats.......
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are you looking for a tax exempt one - think you might after you mentioned VW Camper, or Scimitar?
My car is a 1969 Cortina Mk2 - 3 litre engine - no Tax to pay & £150 insurance unlimited milage & fully comp including roadside recovery too.