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Classic Car survey
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Hoffers



Joined: 16 Jan 2011
Posts: 5

PostPosted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 10:43 pm    Post subject: Classic Car survey Reply with quote

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum and thought I'd try for some feedback on which cars to buy.
As a keen observer of classic cars I'm considering starting a small classic car self-drive hire company in York and the budget is tight (ish) - no E Type for me yet - so was considering two of the following cars for starters and would appreciate people's opinions please.

The four are:

Triumph Stag
MGB GT
Porsche 944
Triumph Spitfire

I like all of the above so can't decide.
If you had the choice to hire any of the above cars, which two would you choose and why?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Regards
Tony Hoffman (Hoffers)
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FrazzleTC



Joined: 28 Dec 2010
Posts: 146
Location: Dumfries and Galloway

PostPosted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 11:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think my choices would be the Stag and the MGB, cliched as they may be, they're cars that people want to drive. The Stag is a fantastic cruiser, and with the hardtop, you can hire it summer and winter, and they can carry children in the rear too, which may appeal to many customers. There's also the car's looks and sound to consider. Other than that, power steering might appeal to a lot of people who are perhaps not used to driving classics.

My justification for the MGB is that they're a classic which an awful lot of people like, and although there are plenty about, I'm sure plenty of people would like to drive one without owning one. They're not too big, drive well enough, and can sound rather nice too. I'd try to find one with a webasto so that on sunny days, people can some fresh air and sunshine. I'd definitely recommend a chrome bumper car, as that's what most people want, wires will appeal to a lot of people, and try to keep it relatively standard if you can.

Very best of luck with your venture.
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Minty



Joined: 04 Feb 2010
Posts: 32

PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 11:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Tony,

Given the list of cars mentioned, I have to agree with FrazzleTC above, and for exactly the same reasons mate - however, I personally feel that they are all a little less than stimulating to someone who probably doesn't own a classic, and is either looking back in time with rose tinted glasses, or is thinking of buying a classic and wishes to 'try before they buy'...

Most people own a classic because it brings back good memories of some sort - trips to the seaside after polishing the chrome on dads car as a kid, their own first car etc...and most of these memories were in more 'ordinary' cars - generally saloons, such as Rover 100's, Austin Cambridges, Mk3 Cortina's - indeed, one of mine is as a little boy, sitting on the rear armrest of my grandads '62 Vauxhall Cresta 'driving' to Brighton in the early 70's...

I would consider thinking about those types of car too, for in business, its not so much what you like, as what your customers like, that counts! Wink

Good Luck with it all mate - Regards, Guy.
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Hoffers



Joined: 16 Jan 2011
Posts: 5

PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 4:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks fellas, all comments taken on board.

Keep those replies coming.

cheers
Tony
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Riley Blue



Joined: 18 Jun 2008
Posts: 1751
Location: Derbyshire

PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 5:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Triumph Stag ..... 7/10 - cool image, great sound, looks good.
MGB GT ..... 8/10 - one of great classics of its day but has to be chrome bumper model.
Porsche 944 ..... 8/10 - it's a Porsche, 'nuff said.
Triumph Spitfire ..... 5/10 - not special enough.
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Richard H



Joined: 03 Apr 2009
Posts: 2150
Location: Lincolnshire, UK

PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 5:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Can't say any of them appeal to me particularly, but I suppose if you're trying to appeal to the general public an E Type might be a good idea.
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Hoffers



Joined: 16 Jan 2011
Posts: 5

PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 7:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi,

As stated in my original thread, I haven't got E Type money to hand so those four are my preferred options.

Thanks for all the input thus far, very helpful indeed.

Tony
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Richard H



Joined: 03 Apr 2009
Posts: 2150
Location: Lincolnshire, UK

PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 7:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Morris Minor convertible?
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Minxy



Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Posts: 273
Location: West Northants

PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 7:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If I only had the choice of them four then it would be the Stag and the MG
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P3steve



Joined: 24 Nov 2007
Posts: 542
Location: Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 7:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Richard H wrote:
Can't say any of them appeal to me particularly, but I suppose if you're trying to appeal to the general public an E Type might be a good idea.


I note that Tony said that funds were short and he couldnt afford an E type so not much point in telling him to go for a car he's already said is out side his budget, So working with the funds he has I think the Stag is the best one to go for, 2+2 seating, open top but still easy to live with (if you hired it for the day you wouldnt be afraid to park it on the street while you stopped for lunch) and its got a great sounding engine as well, so on balance this would be the best package to go for. If I may suggest you might want to also think about an S type jag (the 1960s one) or the Daimler V8 250 for the second car both still to be had at MG prices even the good ones are 1/4 the price of a good E type and you then have the choice of an open top sports tourer or a classic "sporting" saloon to offer your customers.
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Onlyrwd



Joined: 04 Oct 2010
Posts: 185
Location: Market Rasen

PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 8:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mk1 Cavalier 4 door saloon, 2 litre Good nick Full MOT and UL engine.... Just so happens Im selling one Laughing
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78 Cavalier GL
78 Manta Berlinetta

67/68 Thomson Glenelg WANTED
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Richard H



Joined: 03 Apr 2009
Posts: 2150
Location: Lincolnshire, UK

PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 8:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

standardsteve wrote:


I note that Tony said that funds were short and he couldnt afford an E type so not much point in telling him to go for a car he's already said is out side his budget


Yeah, I missed that bit Rolling Eyes

If it was me I'd just buy a Talbot Alpine and be done with it, but then I'm not the general public. I reckon a nice Moggy convertible would be quite popular.
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Hoffers



Joined: 16 Jan 2011
Posts: 5

PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 9:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks again.

Sorry but not interested in a Cavalier and although I see the attraction of a Moggy Minor I hate the look of them.

Liked the Jaguar Mark II (if that's correct) idea, though.
I have a Xj6 from 1995 and that is smooth and nice to drive.

Now that Stags are pretty much sorted with the overheating issues, they are a popular classic and prices are steadily increasing.

The survey was sent to various contacts and friends of mine and including the kind people on this forum, out of 50 replies asking for two choices these are the results so far:

MGB GT - 34
Triumph Stag - 28
Porsche 944 - 20
Triumph Spitfire - 14

keep 'em coming

Cheers
Tony
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BigJohn



Joined: 01 Jan 2011
Posts: 954
Location: Wem, Shropshire

PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 9:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

As I find the MGB, Spitfire and Porsche awkward to get in and out of, I'm 6'5", and they are not head turningly "special enough" for a hire/daytrip treat, and I like the sound of a V8, I would have a Stag.
On a commercial, easy to service and cheap cute per £ factor a Morris Minor 1000 convertible.
Again for the previous reasons, an Austin Ruby
For a stately drive/wedding car a Rover P4 or a P5, the average punter cannot distinguish between a P5 and a P5B but they are cheaper to buy.
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Geoffp



Joined: 27 Nov 2007
Posts: 336
Location: South Staffordshire

PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 10:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

For a hire car you want something that is fairly robust and easy spares availability. On that basis MGB, Morris Minor and Mark 2 Jaguar (probably no dearer than a decent Stag) would fit the bill.

Geoff
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