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Toy time - SLO76
I’ve just been told today that I’m not going to be returning to work until the end of May at the earliest. Boredom is starting to get to me, I wish I had wee modern retro classic to tinker with to keep me off the wine.

Assuming a budget of £10k maximum what would you buy to keep you in oil soaked nirvana and away from the wife during lockdown?

Found a few interesting things on sale but all things equal I’d love an 90’s hot hatch like a late 205 GTi 1.9, XR2i, Golf MK II GTi 8v, R19 16v or possibly a more mundane but rarer and often historically more important mainstream car that no one is preserving like a Rover R8 or a Ford Mondeo Mk I. Did see a few interesting things for sale if anyone cares to buy me one.

I just found a great car on Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20200203687...4



I just found a great car on Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20191209516...9


I just found a great car on Auto Trader:

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I just found a great car on Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20191117445...3


I just found a great car on Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20200407888...2


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www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20200119634...8


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www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20191120456...6


I just found a great car on Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20200105581...0


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www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20200416897...0



I just found a great car on Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20190717017...3


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I just found a great car on Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20200415895...6

I just found a great car on Auto Trader:

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I just found a great car on Auto Trader:

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Edited by SLO76 on 23/04/2020 at 15:59

Toy time - concrete

Interesting though SLO. Like you I am enjoying my evening beers and wine a little too much. We have video calls through WhatsApp for some of the lads from the pub a couple of evenings a week. Very funny and uplifting.

It is a tempting prospect to have a project during these trying times. Something a little easier to work on for me. A nice Triumph Spitfire circa 1968. Engine accessible and you can even sit on the wheel. SU carburettors that are easy to work on and set up. Most other parts are fairly easy to reach and replace/repair. If the bodywork is fine then it would be a nice relaxing project indeed. Food for thought.

Cheers Concrete

Toy time - SLO76
I rather hanker after what I wanted but couldn’t afford when I was a teenager.
Toy time - groaver

I'd have my little Suzuki Cappuccino back in a minute.

I must tell swmbo that my birthday is coming up soon...

Toy time - Avant

If you were to spend £10k, SLO, with your knowledge of what to look for even a hypothetical £10k would go on a good car that wouldn't need much tinkering with, unless you went for a 'classic' many years older than the ones above.

If it were me, and I had the ability to tinker (I don't), it would need to be fun to own and drive, have at least 6 cylinders, and be an open-top. A BMW Z3 (2.2 or 3.0, or the earlier 2.8) ticks all the boxes, including the potential to be a modern classic.

I loved the 2001 2.2 Z3 that I had from 2008 for 5 years, in which time it passed all its MoTs and never went wrong. But at 12 years old something was sure to happen, and I was about to retire and move house - and SWMBO by now had a convertible.

Toy time - Alby Back
If you want a toy, as opposed to "another car" then how about a Westfield?

I had one about 20 years ago and they are simple to work on and absolutely mind blowing to drive.
Toy time - elekie&a/c doctor
This should keep the neighbours awake . www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-spottedykywt/lancia-th...5
Toy time - badbusdriver
This should keep the neighbours awake . www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-spottedykywt/lancia-th...5

As flawed as it is, yes please!!

Toy time - SLO76
This should keep the neighbours awake . www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-spottedykywt/lancia-th...5

Local guy owned one but while it sounded great it wasn’t that quick. Good hot hatches of the time and a Thema Turbo would tickle its backside. I do rather like big performance luxo saloons though. A Carlton GSI or Senator 24v appeal greatly as does a Scorpio 24v
Toy time - Big John
. I do rather like big performance luxo saloons though. A Carlton GSI or Senator 24v appeal greatly as does a Scorpio 24v

Oh I remember the bigger engined Granada and Scorpio - used to get one every now and again for as a works car when working for a lease company. Good cars in their day.

I've been thinking about what I would like as a toy - for me a well preserved/restored 1970's wolf in sheep’s clothing. We all know about the Lotus Cortina , Escort Mexico etc which go for stupid money - but there are some car's of that era that didn't look sporty but actually went rather well.....

  • Vauhall VX 4/90 2300 twin carb overdrive (my dad had one - flying machine)
  • Firenza/Viva 2300 – lovely engine and the front suspension is better than you’d imagine for the time – twin wishbone and steering rack!
  • Would you believe Hillman Hunter GLS (yup Hunter) which had as standard a Holbay Tuned 1725 with two Weber DCOE carbs - effectively one carb per cylinder. The Sunbeam Rapier and Humber Sceptre were also cars that may have a breathed on version of the robust 1725
  • I actually liked my Allegro 1750 SS - 5 speed and distinctly lively (rusted in peace some time ago)
  • [EDIT] - Granada mkI 3.0 auto - lovely to drive with a hell of a kickdown
  • You've got me thinking of what elso....

The oily bits are simple and easily maintained although beware rust. All of these if prepared correctly would be up to coping with modern driving - including higher speed continental trips and would be a bit of fun. They of course would use more petrol but as a toy who cares!

Edited by Big John on 24/04/2020 at 20:35

Toy time - Manatee

Honda Prelude?

Toy time - Lrac

Build yourself a Chesil

Toy time - SLO76

Honda Prelude?

First 4 wheel steer car I ever drove and it was a strange sensation at first.
Toy time - badbusdriver

£10k?.

Hmm, well over the last few years i have been getting much more into 'properly old' cars. A look on Ebay and i found this delightful little Citroen, note the 'boat tail' body and 3 seat configuration. Imagine the joy of trundling around, top down, on a lovely summer day?

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1924-Citroen-5cv-cloverleaf-T3-...N

Sticking with a smaller car, this Fiat 500 has been uprated with a 650cc motor and syncro box from a 126,

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-500L-with-650cc-engine-syn...J

Another Italian small car, a bit younger, but an oddity. When was the last time anyone saw a Lancia Y10?

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1985-B-LANCIA-Y10-FIRE-4-SPEED-...9

As much as i do like the 205GTI, i'd prefer something a little more low key yet still fast enough, and more importantly, a joy on a twisty back road. So how about a 205XS?,

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1989-Peugeot-205-XS/32413103309...x

Another Peugeot, but a rather different type. One which i have fond memories of as a child. This 504 pickup is in Italy, and the asking price is a wee bit more than £10k, but it does look like new. I'd rather the 2.3d, but hey ho!

www.classic-trader.com/fr/voitures/annonce/peugeot...1

My Dad used to have a Daf car. This pretty little 66 coupe was made during the final year of Daf's being badged Daf's (1975). After this, they were badged Volvo 66 and lasted up to 1980 when the car was replaced by the (Volvo) 343/345.

www.marktplaats.nl/a/auto-s/oldtimers/m1541056991-...l

I love the current Morgan 3 wheeler but it is a little out of the price range. So, i know it needs a little work, but maybe this 2CV based kit car could work as a budget substitute?

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/kit-car-classic-car-BRA3CV-rare...W

Another small vehicle. Very small in this case, not very sociable being a single seater. Brilliant fun though!

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Unique-Daihatsu-Midget-II-type-...o

Toy time - SLO76
Ooh, do like that 205 XS. These were by a country mile the best mild hatch you could buy. I was always amazed by the low sales they attracted, mostly I assume because no one seemed to know about them. The Nova SR, MG Metro, Fiesta 1.4S and AX GT all outsold it hugely but the 205 was the better car by far.
Toy time - badbusdriver
Ooh, do like that 205 XS. These were by a country mile the best mild hatch you could buy. I was always amazed by the low sales they attracted, mostly I assume because no one seemed to know about them. The Nova SR, MG Metro, Fiesta 1.4S and AX GT all outsold it hugely but the 205 was the better car by far.

You also got a 5 door with the same engine, badged 205 GT. I remember going into a Peugeot dealer in Aberdeen with my Dad in the late 80's and us both being impressed by a red one in the showroom. Sadly, we were pretty poor at the time, so there was no danger of actually getting one!.

Going back to my list, there was something else i forgot to add, yet another of my oddball fancies. Not sure what it is about the Russian UAZ 452, but i just really like them!. It also amuses me greatly that you can still buy one of these new in various places, including (obviously) Russia. No idea what sort of import tarrifs you'd have to pay to get it into this country, but this is appears to be a brand new minibus version for the equivalent of just over £8.5k, which seems something of a bargain. These things are nicknamed 'Bukhanka' in Russia, which roughly translates as 'loaf of bread', because that is what it looks like!. Very simple mechanically (2.7 4 cyl petrol) so should be reliable, and the fact they are still in production means getting parts wouldn't be difficult as long as you factor in delivery times.

auto.youla.ru/advert/new/x/x/x--7e35114684938e70/

Toy time - badbusdriver

In a way the XS and GT were all the power you really needed but the GTI was of course the car everyone wanted.

Yeah, absolutely. They had 85bhp, which isn't much at all these days, but as they weighed around 820kg, this gave a pretty decent power to weight ratio. Meaning 0-60 in around 10 seconds and 110mph top whack.

Of course the Citroen AX GT had the same engine and weighed around 100kg less..........!

Toy time - SLO76

In a way the XS and GT were all the power you really needed but the GTI was of course the car everyone wanted.

Yeah, absolutely. They had 85bhp, which isn't much at all these days, but as they weighed around 820kg, this gave a pretty decent power to weight ratio. Meaning 0-60 in around 10 seconds and 110mph top whack.

Of course the Citroen AX GT had the same engine and weighed around 100kg less..........!

It was a spot on combination of just enough power, just firm enough but still quite supple suspension, great steering and lovely seats combined with good looks. An example of a manufacturer getting it just right.
Toy time - Avant

The diesel 205s weren't far behind. SWMBO had a 1988E 205 GRD and a 1994L 205 Sceptre (same 1769cc engine as the first one but turbocharged).

Both were brilliant for all types of driving - lots of torque and very relaxed at motorway speeds. The 206 which she had later was a big disappointment - the 2.0 diesel engine was excellent but the rest of the car wasn't.

Toy time - SLO76

205 diesels were very long lived things if looked after. Big lazy low revving diesel motor and lightweight body which resisted rust extremely well. The did like to eat CV joints though.

Toy time - John F

Can you get much more toy car for your money than this? Grab it while you can - they are almost as rare as hen's teeth. (Incidentally, it's not mine!!)

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20200223763...1

Toy time - badbusdriver

Can you get much more toy car for your money than this? Grab it while you can - they are almost as rare as hen's teeth. (Incidentally, it's not mine!!)

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20200223763...1

I honestly thought i'd click on the link and find an ad for a TR7!

As impressive as the A8 W12 is, i'm not sure it could be described as a toy. Yes it is fast, so (especially debadged) you could have some fun picking off boy racers in it. But it is too big and compent to enjoy by itself on UK roads at sane speeds.

Quite fancy this though,

www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1196389

Not sure how accurate the description is, surely if it was a USA spec car it would be rhd?. Could be fun all the same though!

Toy time - SLO76
One of the worst cars I’ve ever driven was a crusty TR8 (a conversion) that someone wanted to trade in against a Nissan Primera ZX. The thing just wasn’t set up well at all, bouncing down the road and the steering was way to heavy. Strong engine though. But this one was rotten and in need of thousands spending yet amazingly my gaffer was willing to give a bag of sand for it and from the look on the guys face when I told him you’d think I’d gut punched him, he genuinely thought his disaster on wheels was worth £5k. Needless to say it ended up rotting away on his driveway. He would’ve been better off keeping it standard and spending the money on the bodywork.
Toy time - John F

But it is too big and compent to enjoy by itself on UK roads at sane speeds.

The SWB doesn't feel big and is most enjoyable at insane speeds ;-)

Quite fancy this though,

www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1196389

Not sure how accurate the description is, surely if it was a USA spec car it would be rhd?. Could be fun all the same though!

A 30+ yr old steel tank-top TR8 (almost certainly not one of the rare originals) or an aluminium A8 W12 less than half its age for the same money? I think I can guess which is more likely to be a money pit in the near future.

Toy time - SLO76
Lovely big car and beautifully made but too complex, too expensive for parts and he won’t get £8k for it. It could run for another decade assuming there’s a good local specialist that understands them or it could expire tomorrow. It’s in that zone where it’s too risky but not cheap enough to write-off if it has any moderate to major failure.,
Toy time - badbusdriver

I think I can guess which is more likely to be a money pit in the near future.

Me too John, though what we think we know probably differs!.

An old car which has spent its entire life in a dry climate, which has the mechanical complexity of a knife and fork, and is sporting an engine that pretty much any mechanic in the UK will be able to deal with. Or an incredibly complex German uber wagon which is now 15 years old and requires specialist knowledge to look after properly. I shudder to think the price of a repair/replacement should anything on that A8 fail!.

Get it properly 'sealed' when it arrives in the UK, keep it in a garage, and i doubt that Triumph would cause much issues at all other than tinkering (and anything that does crop up is unlikely to require you to remortgage your house).

Toy time - John F

I think I can guess which is more likely to be a money pit in the near future.

Me too John, though what we think we know probably differs!.

an incredibly complex German uberwagon which is now 15 years old and requires specialist knowledge to look after properly. I shudder to think the price of a repair/replacement should anything on that A8 fail!.

It's not incredibly complex, just very. Audi produce lots of SSPs (self study programs) which explain everything. E.g. google SSP 267 if you want to know how the engine works. But it requires no specialist knowledge to maintain. Oil change is as simple as any other car with an undertray. I renewed the front brake pads myself on Sunday without difficulty. The biggest bill I have had in my six years of ownership and self-servicing was for new front antiroll bar drop links, £115-18 plus vat. The most likely big bill in the future is air suspension failure, but that should not be prohibitive. I can live with the odd electrical failure but so far, apart from a weak boot lid motor, everything still seems to work OK. The powertrain is robust, unstressed (no turbos), proven over many years of development and unlikely to fail at under 120,000 miles. (mine has done 70,000 and I only do about 3,000 miles a year).

Toy time - Trilogy.

205 diesels were very long lived things if looked after. Big lazy low revving diesel motor and lightweight body which resisted rust extremely well. The did like to eat CV joints though.

Had a 1992 205 1.1 Style back in 2001. Bought my favourite way, one owner from new, with just 28,000 miles and FSH, serviced and purchased from the dealer in the same town she lived in. Although I wasn't especially looking for one it was advertised in Autotrader, the days you could get a paper copy. I'd buy it the very morning it went on sale in the newsagents so was the first person to view the immaculate Peugeot. I took it to 102,000 before parting with it. A revelation compared with the 1.0 Micra it replaced, but just 4 gears, and the change wasn't as delightful as the Micra's.

The Micra wasn't what I was looking for either. I just required a cheap economical supermini. A surprise package I grew very fond of. One day I did 600 miles in it, no other car has surpassed that figure.