Advice on car purchase

I'm looking for advice on getting a classic car for everyday use. The factors are these: I only drive about 3-4000 miles a year I don't work so running costs (ie Tax and Insurance are important) I can do all my own servicing and reasonable major repairs (having had an MG Midget) Must be able to carry dogs.

Based on these parameters I am looking at spending up to £6k on a GOOD semi/fully restored Morris Traveller. My question is, given good care and attention, (ie waxoiling chassis every year and patching up the underseal etc etc) is it reasonable to expect a semi/fully restored Traveller to last another 20 years?

Reply to
Gordon
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I don't see why not, if it's been done right in the first place. At that budget you should be able to afford something from the specialist dealers like Charles Ware. Parts availability is excellent. Any car which is well-looked after should last 20 years. The timber on the Traveller will need plenty of attention to keep it in top condition, as it's the most expensive bit to replace. And to be quite honest, I can't think of another car which fits your requirements better than that!

Reply to
Chris Bolus

Thanks for that - it's funny isn't it, that for that price I could get a 3 or 4 year-old small hatchback, but would it last more than about ten years? Probably not! And, wouldn't have the "charisma" of the moggie......

Reply to
Gordon

Only if you get a mint one now.

Reply to
Conor

I'm looking at getting one as near mint as I can......

Reply to
Gordon

Gordon ( snipped-for-privacy@gbpcomputing.co.uk.invalid) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

It's lasted this long, with less careful protection...

Reply to
Adrian

No sense of adventure.

You could get something quite silly, but still practical for that kind of cash.....

How about a CX Turbo Familiale (spelling?)

Reply to
SteveH

Needs to be. My old mans has had all the underside panels replaced in the last few years and they're not looking too great again.

On the upside, at least you're not one of these dreamers who'll think they'll get a decent one for £1k.

Reply to
Conor

Certainly. There is no reason why a MM can't be kept on the road indefinitly. AFAIA there is nothing on a MM that can't be replaced or repaired, and it's likely to continue that way. Have a look at Charlie Ware's site.

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got a few Travellers for sale. Not the cheapest Co to deal with, but a browse of his site will give you a good idea of just how practical a MM for everyday motoring. Mike.

Reply to
Mike G

SteveH ( snipped-for-privacy@italiancar.co.uk) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

They only put the petrol turbo into the saloon, not the Safari (5-seat) or Familiale (7-seat).

Unfortunately.

Mind you, there's a few been built - I've driven one, built from new by a dealer, for the then Keeper of the Queen's Pictures...

Reply to
Adrian

Conor ( snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Perhaps if they'd been replaced properly...?

Reply to
Adrian

Ahhh, didn't know that, 'cos I've seen a couple around.

Heh.

I'd love something really stupid like that.

Reply to
SteveH

SteveH ( snipped-for-privacy@italiancar.co.uk) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

They DID put the Turbo Diseasel into the Saf/Fam, though...

Reply to
Adrian

Not too sure about that - he hasn't said anything about upgrading the brakes... ;-)

Ron Robinson

Reply to
R.N. Robinson

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold. I remember Adrian saying something like:

Not Blunt, was it?

Reply to
Grimly Curmudgeon

Grimly Curmudgeon ( snipped-for-privacy@REMOVEgmail.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Bit more recent...

Reply to
Adrian

Theoretically, you can keep a Traveller going indefinitely. Most parts bolt together, rather than being welded like more modern cars, so replacements are usually within the scope of an owner with a modest tool kit. All parts are available from Charlie Ware. He has a factory in Sri Lanka which can provide spares sufficient to assemble a complete car from scratch, though at about six times the cost of a mint restored model.

But as well as looking after the underneath, you really have to look after the timber. It is structural on the Traveller, so any rot is an MOT failure, and replacing it is expensive. So put waterproofing and varnish monitoring to your list of must dos.

If you are prepared to reduce the 20 year life expectancy, there are other models you might think about, and on your budget you could buy two or three and restore the spares while the current one is on the road... The Mini Countryman, the A40 and the Herald Estate can all carry dogs and won't frighten the insurers.

Jim

Reply to
Jim Warren

Unfortunately that's not an option due to lack of space and garage......

Reply to
Gordon

Consider it essential that you have it looked at by someone who knows the cars inside out. There are plenty of botched Minors about and for the money you're talking about, you could lose a lot if you get one that hasn't been restored properly. I'd suggest joining the owners club before buying one.

Reply to
Willy Eckerslyke

Thanks - yes I've put joining the owners club in the diary - I did run an MG Midget as my everyday transport a few years ago so I'm not entirely new.......:-)

Reply to
Gordon

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