A Cars forum. AutoBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » AutoBanter forum » Auto newsgroups » Antique cars
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Opinions wanted! Best first car for beginner



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #11  
Old October 10th 03, 03:16 PM
G.R. Patterson III
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default



Eric Martin wrote:
>
> I thought I'd see Falcons, Corvairs, Novas, maybe even
> Mercurys or Oldsmobiles...


The early 60s Falcons typically had small sixes. The 144 and 170 CID engines
were obsolete and couldn't be bought by 1973. In my experience, you can only
rebuild them twice, if that. The automatic trannies tended to go at about
90,000 miles. After that, plan on rebuilding the trans every 20,000 miles or
so. Manual transmissions were pretty good, though. If you find one with the
large six (something like 200 CID), it might be a good choice.

On another note. Check used book web sites for a copy of Glenn's Auto Manual
for that period. It's much better than Chiltons.

George Patterson
Really, I'm not out to destroy Microsoft. That will just be a completely
unintentional side effect. - Linus Torvalds, speaking about Linux.
Ads
  #12  
Old October 10th 03, 03:21 PM
Andreas Tovornik
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"G.R. Patterson III" ) writes:
> Eric Martin wrote:
>>
>> I thought I'd see Falcons, Corvairs, Novas, maybe even
>> Mercurys or Oldsmobiles...

>
> The early 60s Falcons typically had small sixes. The 144 and 170 CID engines
> were obsolete and couldn't be bought by 1973. In my experience, you can only
> rebuild them twice, if that. The automatic trannies tended to go at about
> 90,000 miles. After that, plan on rebuilding the trans every 20,000 miles or
> so. Manual transmissions were pretty good, though. If you find one with the
> large six (something like 200 CID), it might be a good choice.


Old Valiants with the slant six and pushbutton Torqueflyte appear
to hold up fine against years of punishment. I wouldn't mind a
convertible. A four-speed would be really great!


--
'dreas...tbtw#5 'They say for centuries lovely Japanese girls
Victoria Taxi#15 have been trained in the art of pleasin' men.
Be lonely no more, open destiny's door. For one dollar they'll arrange
a meeting.' -Bonzo Dog Band/Lookout there's a monster coming
  #13  
Old October 10th 03, 03:29 PM
G.R. Patterson III
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default



Eric Martin wrote:
>
> I thought I'd see Falcons, Corvairs, Novas, maybe even
> Mercurys or Oldsmobiles...


If you go for the Nova, avoid the "SS". These cars were performance models and
cost a lot more these days than the basic Nova does. As a result, there are now
many more "Nova SS" cars out there than Chevrolet ever made. A novice shopping
for one is likely to get cheated.

George Patterson
Really, I'm not out to destroy Microsoft. That will just be a completely
unintentional side effect. - Linus Torvalds, speaking about Linux.
  #14  
Old October 10th 03, 04:27 PM
Steve
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Eric,
Consider an MGB or MG Midget. These are fun cars to drive, incredibly
simple to work on, and parts are easy to get and fairly cheap. Check out
www.mossmotors.com for a free catalog. Right now you can find decent
examples cheap if you are patient.

Contrary to popular belief, these cars can be very reliable, but do require
more tinkering than most American cars of the same vintage. My first car was
a '58 MGA, which was my everyday car for 8 years. Never left me stuck.
When I sold it, the buyer drove it from California to Texas. At the time it
had 256K miles on it! Wish I had kept it.

Steve

Eric Martin > wrote in message
y.com...
> Hi, I'd be interested in opinions from this newsgroup on what a good first
> collector car for a beginner with limited mechanical skills and tools

would
> be, given these parameters:
>
> 1) Price ceiling of low teens.
> 2) Desire a daily driver.
> 3) Chiefly interested in early to mid 1960s styling.
> 4) Convertible is preferable, but not essential.
>
> I'm presuming that to use the car as a daily driver, I'll need to upgrade
> the brakes and tires, so that has to figure in the price (and possible
> makes) as well. Thanks for any ideas!
>
> Eric Martin
>
>



  #15  
Old October 10th 03, 05:08 PM
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

vw bug convert


bill



  #16  
Old October 10th 03, 08:54 PM
Grumpy au Contraire
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default



Roger Blake wrote:
>




snip



>
> Actually, another 1960s vehicle I would recommend is the Studebaker Lark,
> Commander, or Cruiser, but those are even further off the beaten path
> than the Rambler. :-)
>
>



Uh, I would hardly call a Studebaker as being off the beaten path when
compared to a Rambler.

Studebakers had real frames, most were equipped with electric wipers and
the Avanti (1963-64) came with caliper disk brakes beginning in May of
1962. In fact, disk brakes were an option on all other models. And
there are aftermarket disk brake kits that are bolt on for all models,
(Including trucks), beginning with the 1952 model year for cars and even
earlier for trucks.

Just so you know...

--
JT

Just tooling through cyberspace in my ancient G4
  #17  
Old October 10th 03, 09:06 PM
Grumpy au Contraire
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default



Eric Martin wrote:
>
> Oh, I was never considering Caddies... I have to fit this thing into my
> garage. I think Impalas will be too big too. I also don't really want to
> drive an enormous car...I think small to mid-range is the plan.And pre-1968,
> because I don't want to mess with Illinois EPA requirements.
>
> --Eric




Studebaker Avanti 1963-64 - 29 world's records set at Bonniville, First
American production car with caliper disk brakes, built in roll bar,
fiberglas body. $10K and up

Studebaker c/k models 1953-64 - The famed Loewy design considered by
many to be the most beautiful cars to grace the roadways of the last
century. $5-6K and up. Certain models are sky high but there are
bargains to be had

Sedans and Larks - Reasonable and Studebakers love radial tires which is
a big plus for daily drivers. Also, Sudebakers don't care about lead
free fuels. Prices can range from as low as $2,500 for a decent driver
to well into the teens for choice hardtops or convertibles.

Studebaker Drivers Club - The largest single marque club in the world
and the best monthly publication as well.

alt.autos.studebaker - The most active of any single marque period.
Well over 200 posts a day and a ton of helpful advice.

Investigate before making your choice...




--
JT

Just tooling through cyberspace in my ancient G4
  #18  
Old October 10th 03, 09:20 PM
The Guy
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default



Steve wrote:
> Eric,
> Consider an MGB or MG Midget. These are fun cars to drive, incredibly
> simple to work on, and parts are easy to get and fairly cheap. Check out
> www.mossmotors.com for a free catalog. Right now you can find decent
> examples cheap if you are patient.
>
> Contrary to popular belief, these cars can be very reliable, but do require
> more tinkering than most American cars of the same vintage. My first car was
> a '58 MGA, which was my everyday car for 8 years. Never left me stuck.
> When I sold it, the buyer drove it from California to Texas. At the time it
> had 256K miles on it! Wish I had kept it.
>
> Steve
>
> Eric Martin > wrote in message
> y.com...
>
>>Hi, I'd be interested in opinions from this newsgroup on what a good first
>>collector car for a beginner with limited mechanical skills and tools

>
> would
>
>>be, given these parameters:
>>
>>1) Price ceiling of low teens.
>>2) Desire a daily driver.
>>3) Chiefly interested in early to mid 1960s styling.
>>4) Convertible is preferable, but not essential.
>>
>>I'm presuming that to use the car as a daily driver, I'll need to upgrade
>>the brakes and tires, so that has to figure in the price (and possible
>>makes) as well. Thanks for any ideas!
>>
>>Eric Martin
>>
>>

>
>
>


Vintage MGs are great cars. I have a 68 B-GT and a 53 TD. Parts are
not a problem. The cars are fun to work on and fun to drive.

Just watch out for rust on the Bs and Cs. If the car is from the rust
belt, you might be in for some nasty structural problems.

Tim

  #19  
Old October 11th 03, 12:04 AM
The Guy
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default



John Alt wrote:
<snip>
>
> I've got a 78 spitfire that I just went through. While easy to work on,
> there are a lot of gotcha's on these things. I think he needs something
> just a little more reliable. And if not, well, step one is to get rid of
> those damn glass fuse holders. I've got a lot of stuff from Victoria
> British. Anyone have a better supplier?


Try Moss Motors at www.mossmotors.com.

Tim

  #20  
Old October 11th 03, 07:20 PM
E Brown
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Fri, 10 Oct 2003 04:01:23 GMT, "Eric Martin" >
wrote:
>A surprising group...with the exception of the Mustang, not what I would
>have expected. I thought I'd see Falcons, Corvairs, Novas, maybe even
>Mercurys or Oldsmobiles...


I was surprised as well. I'd have thought of Ford Falcons and
Mustangs, or Chevy Camaros and Chevelles. All of these are simple to
work on and upgrade with excellent parts availability.
For something slightly quirky, maybe an old Volkswagen Beetle or
GTI. If you want to go American, an big ol' Continental like the one
used in The Matrix I - my 13-year old nephew wants one because of that
movie. :-)
Emanuel
 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Opinions of the 1988 735i ---Should I buy one?? Mark J. Amero BMW 7 November 20th 04 09:47 PM
Opinions wanted Landcruiser vs. 4runner clangq 4x4 25 July 6th 04 03:47 AM
Older Mini-SUV owners opinions wanted Peter Crowl 4x4 6 January 31st 04 06:46 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:28 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 AutoBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.