[Q] Newbie help on classic cars

[pabs]

Hi, ^_^

I'm new to this forum and recently, I decided to plunge into the world of cars. I'm not that good of a driver yet but I'm planning to buy my first car. My choice would be to buy el cheapo 2-door classics (around 30-50k php price range) and then just restore it gradually. Can car masters here *Tsikot please help me on what would be the best car for a newbie like me? I'm aiming for cheap, but reliable car model/year. I will be driving around 20-30KM on weekdays to work and will need to go to the province (around 120 KM) on weekends and I need a car that can be driven that long. Also, can you please tell me what are the pointers on buying classic cars (70s - 80s)? Can they still be that reliable on long drives?

BTW, my other choice would be a mini cooper but I think it's a bit too much for my wallet.

TIA
Pabs

[renzo_d10]

For a car that's more than 3 decades already, do not expect to have a unit that's in its perfect shape when you purchase one. There will be tons of repairs awaiting ... & these can range from minor things such as misalignment of doors to a major suspension & engine problem.

Allot about 70k max for the repairs.

Regarding your query, I'd suggest the Mitsubishi Lancer Boxtype



& the Toyota Corolla DX ( KE70 )





Personally, I'd like to have the KE70 as these cars are a bit " rare " on our roads nowadays compared to the Mitsubishi Lancer boxtype which comes by very often than not.

[ghosthunter]

Although a bit more expensive to buy, I would suggest a lesser vintage car like the 1990 Toyota Corolla GL 1.6L as the car to choose.



Engine produces 90hp when new. Carburated. Parts for it is everywhere and cheap too.

70s & 80s cars can still reliable for long drives but they are still machines so it can fail at the worst place you can be. With a slightly newer car, parts would be easier to source to fix whatever might be the source of the problem.

[digitalron]

Hi, ^_^

I'm new to this forum and recently, I decided to plunge into the world of cars. I'm not that good of a driver yet but I'm planning to buy my first car. My choice would be to buy el cheapo 2-door classics (around 30-50k php price range) and then just restore it gradually. Can car masters here *Tsikot please help me on what would be the best car for a newbie like me? I'm aiming for cheap, but reliable car model/year. I will be driving around 20-30KM on weekdays to work and will need to go to the province (around 120 KM) on weekends and I need a car that can be driven that long. Also, can you please tell me what are the pointers on buying classic cars (70s - 80s)? Can they still be that reliable on long drives?

BTW, my other choice would be a mini cooper but I think it's a bit too much for my wallet.

TIA
Pabs

Hi Pabs, for your price range, I can think of the following options (I included links to get you ideas on market prices and pictures, but I don't endorse any of those)

Toyota SR - Toyota sr 1978 Philippines - 3290350
Mitsubishi Lancer L-Type coupe - 1976 mitsubishi lancer L TYPE 2 door Philippines - 3595502
Mitsubishi Celeste - Mitsubishi Celeste Philippines - 3435957

My family used to have the SR and it was really very reliable. There shouldn't be a problem looking for old school mechanics whp could handle this car.

I had experienced riding my friend's Celeste in the early 1990s as it was handed off to him by his dad when we were in college. I find it roomier than the SR, though I always sit in the front of the Celeste, whereas I usually sit in the back of the SR with my brother and yaya.

As for the Lancer L-type, I remember riding on our neighbor's car, but it was the four door version... not sure if it was also called L Type or if that was the Lambda. I'd say it was roughly the same dimensions as the SR. I also think there are more L-types than the Celeste. I loved that car as our neighbor had a very good driver who took care of that car very well... you'd be amazed how clean the engine bay was any time you open it. Our neighbors had that car from 1978 until we moved out in 1992, and it was a nice looking as ever.

Other cars I could think of that will satisfy your requirements on two doors and price range are:

Mitsubishi Colt Mirage Hatch - quite small but because cars of this era are generally smaller than today, I'd describe it as the Jazz of its day
Ford Laser - bigger than the Colt, but is a better drive (again, during its time)
Ford Cortina - a big car and a bit of a gas guzzler; we owned the 2.0L version. Solid body. A poor man's muscle car as my dad used to say, hehe
Volkswagen Beetle - need I say more?

of the four above, I'd say only the Beetle should have a lot of parts to be found easily, along with mechanics who could tend to repair needs. These would also be generally above 50k unless you get a nice deal.

[digitalron]

double post

[pabs]

Hi,

Thanks a lot for your suggestions, as for 4-door boxtypes, I feel like it's not appropriate for my age as I'm still very young. The Celeste looks nice, I admired that car ever since I was in elementary (my uncle had one). The VW Beetle was on top of my list before but I don't know if it can endure long, 100+km drives, even when fully repaired and restored.

Can it?

Around how much should I allot for parts and repairs if ever I were to restore a Beetle?

Thanks,
Pabs

[digitalron]

Hi,

Thanks a lot for your suggestions, as for 4-door boxtypes, I feel like it's not appropriate for my age as I'm still very young. The Celeste looks nice, I admired that car ever since I was in elementary (my uncle had one). The VW Beetle was on top of my list before but I don't know if it can endure long, 100+km drives, even when fully repaired and restored.

Can it?

Around how much should I allot for parts and repairs if ever I were to restore a Beetle?

Thanks,
Pabs

My friend bought a 1500 cc Beetle for 40k and he was lucky because the body was relatively in good condition, and the paint, though faded, was still quite intact with no peels or deep scratches. He spent around 40k more for tune up, brake replacement, and some engine works. But the amount you would need to set aside would really depend on the car's condition.

As for the Beetle capable of traveling 100+ km, I occasionally see Beetles traversing NLEX and SLEX and I assume these are on Provincial sojourns from Manila. On another occasion, I met a Beetle owner who drove his car from Bulacan to Calaruega and back to attend a wedding.

[donbuggy]

I used to drive my dad's VW Beetle. Even though it had a 1200 cc engine, it can run at 120 kph on the highway during long trips to the province. It can do this because the 4th gear of a Beetle is overdrive.

I once had a VW based dune buggy. Drove it regularly from Quezon City to Batangas and back. Rain or shine (even though the buggy was essentially a fiberglass tub with the engine exposed).