Practical Retro or Classic Car?

**keith1983** · 12th February 2013, 12:40

I've been thinking. I would like an older car! I know this sounds daft but I would like a car that I think is a bit special and a bit different. At the minute top of my list is a Cavalier GSi 2000. It's a bit different, I love the way they look, it's a Vauxhall and I see no reason why I couldn't live with it every day. So has anyone got any other suggestions the criteria is below:

Must be:
4 door
Suitable for a 15 mile each way commute to work and back most days.
Be a little bit different (i.e. a sporty model not a Cavalier LS!).
Not be too crazy to buy or insure (up to £5k ish to buy).
Not be ridiculous to run or repair.
It doesn't have to be a Vauxhall.
Must be no smaller than an Astra/Focus

**chewy71** · 12th February 2013, 12:55

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C364442

**frasedeb** · 12th February 2013, 13:18

A good choice cav gsi if you can find a nice one at a reasonable price, very rare. Cav turbo even better if there are any left out there. Also some nice vec b gsi out there at good prices.
I owned a white cav sri 16v L reg which i ran as a taxi, it was a sad day when i traded it for a cav 1.7tdi(stupid).
I too would like to do the same as you suggest, my vec is a daily taxi and is very hard keeping it mint, if i could afford it i would do it. Go for it.

**Rebellion** · 12th February 2013, 16:22

A Cavalier is not so practical, because the rust underneath a lot. Consider something like an early 1990's Mercedes W124 (e.g. E220 or 320), especially in coupe form. They're quite cheap, often looked after by previous owners, and genuinely are modern classics, whereas something like a Cavalier is only considered classic to Vauxhall fans.

**keith1983** · 12th February 2013, 17:00

Originally Posted by chewy71

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C364442

Not enough doors unfortunately!

**keith1983** · 12th February 2013, 17:04

Originally Posted by Rebellion

A Cavalier is not so practical, because the rust underneath a lot. Consider something like an early 1990's Mercedes W124 (e.g. E220 or 320), especially in coupe form. They're quite cheap, often looked after by previous owners, and genuinely are modern classics, whereas something like a Cavalier is only considered classic to Vauxhall fans.

I hear what you're saying about rust but the arches are probably a bigger problem, but if treated well they can be maintained. I would be looking for a good one and hopefully keeping it that way wouldn't be too difficult. I'm not familiar with Merc's at all but I'll have a look at what you suggest. Are there any Alfa's or anything like that out there worth considering?

**Angel1368** · 12th February 2013, 17:09

sapphire cosworth?

**keith1983** · 12th February 2013, 17:12

Originally Posted by Angel1368

sapphire cosworth?

Nice idea but probably a bit steep on insurance, runing costs etc. Here's a cavalier with 2000 in the name but not quite what I was after! http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...1500?logcode=p

Were the Renault 19 16V Chamade's 4 door?

**Angel1368** · 12th February 2013, 17:15

yes they were i had one, god awful mate steer clesr, wrote mine off when i was being towed and forgot to put keys in ignition and when we came to a corner i went straight on into a wall

**keith1983** · 12th February 2013, 17:18

Originally Posted by Angel1368

yes they were i had one, god awful mate steer clesr, wrote mine off when i was being towed and forgot to put keys in ignition and when we came to a corner i went straight on into a wall

You can't blame that on the car!

I've come up with another couple of ideas, any feedback would be greatly apreciated:

Vauxhall Carlton GSi 3000 - anyone know what running costs are like on these?
Peugeot 309 GTi - What are these like for boot space?