The sub $10,000. classic. What's available?

In reply to ddavidv:

Sometimes... I'll admit I bought mine for just under $10K and it's a rev-happy 997 Cooper from AU (was already in CA). But I've been watching ads and while asking prices can be over $10K, actual sale prices are often a bit less. And if you are willing to deal with shipping across the Atlantic, you can get a 1275 car for substantially less than $10K (shipping included). I see cars for around $3K posted on FB all the time. Fortunately, every year a larger percentage of cars become eligible for import under the 25 year rule.

Self-import of a Mini is a risky business. Those cars can be so horrible yet look good in photos. I bought mine through a trusted importer/dealer and was pleased. Others have sometimes gotten lucky but then many have gone through 'that guy from NC' and gotten royally screwed. Buying any vintage car without laying hands on it is a real Buyer Beware situation.

In reply to ddavidv:

True, but some of the prices I've seen make the risk a little less dangerous. I'd pretty much restrict myself to cars with a current MOT.

In reply to TR8owner:

I get it, you love the TR7/8. As they say, there is someone for everyone. The market would suggest that you are in the minority.

The TR7 was a crappy car when new. Built by disgruntled British union workers who succeeded in killing off BLC. (Not an anti union rant, Mgmt was just as complicit). Age has not made the TR7 better...

I agree that the TR8 was a better car, but it was built by the same guys. Off the showroom floor it was still pretty crappy. Don't blather about the race prepped cars. By that standard, any production car looks better, see: NASCAR. The question is where are those TR7/8 race cars today. How many are running on tracks around the country. I've never seen one. I've seen plenty of Datsun, Camaro, Mustang, Corvette, BMW, and Porsche classics on track. Again, I think the market says you are in the minority. Buying one today and hoping the market will improve for these cars is wishful thinking.

In reply to maj75:

The TR8 wasn't built by the same guys at all. The TR7's were mostly built in Speke which was a disaster. The TR8's were built either at Canley or Solihull as were the later and much improved TR7's.

I'm only aware of five or six TR8's currently being raced but I haven't looked that hard. They're very fast if done right. We're hoping our TR8 racer will also be once we eventually get it on the track. Considering that zillions of the cars you mention were produced compared to a handful of TR8's, its little wonder there are few of them on the track. There is quite a few of them being raced in the U.K. however, but most are converted TR7/V8's since the TR8 was never sold in the home market.

Rupert, I have driven Miatas both on the street and on the track. I've built roll cages in them, and put them back together after on track incidents. I don't like them. I'd rather drive a Mazda 6 than a Miata. Every time I get in one, I compare it to a TR8. I will concede that a bone stock TR8 isn't much to write home about, but even a slightly modified one is a completely different animal. Thats why there are 6 of them in my garage right now, along with a couple of MGBs and a BMW 2002.

$10k buys you a pretty nice Opel.

In reply to TR8owner:

I would agree. I had never been in a TR7/8 until I did the US British Reliability Run in 2013 (with my GT6). Going to dinner one night, I car-pooled in a later TR7. It's such a totally different car than any other LBC. It's really a shame the initial production problems tarnished the car as it really is a nice car once sorted - and by now, the "good ones" have been sorted. Definitely a classic that could be used every day without issues. I don't mind the styling at all, but I'm a child of the 70's & 80's. I really wish I had the room/budget for a TR8 spider.

Lots of different kinds of Asian cars. Nissan Zs, 70s Celicas, Datsun 510....

80s cars are pretty much classics now. Celica Supra, Starion, Alfa GTV6 come to mind as the ones that are appreciated...

You could import a foreign car like a Scimitar GTE or Capri, Skyline, Lancia Delta, etc.

I know of a Lancia Delta that you can buy.

The early Mavericks with the small bumpers look good to me. Even with a V8, a good driver car is usually under $10k. I'd look for a sixer and swap in a Zetec or Duratec... Maybe turboed. The Zetec with BDA cover would look classic.

Other ones not mentioned:

Mopar A-bodies (Dart, early Barracuda, Valiant, Duster, and kin)

Fiat 850

AE86 Corolla (might be a "better buy it now" classic the way things are going!)

BMW 2002

Come on Folks! Someone has got to show some love for the K Cars! We've pretty much listed everything else anyone remembers.

Rupert wrote: Come on Folks! Someone has got to show some love for the K Cars! We've pretty much listed everything else anyone remembers.

I wouldn't mind having another LeBaron Turbo coupe if I could find one in MUCH better shape than the last one. Or an L-body Charger. But those seem to be more suited for this thread.

Come to think of it, the Rampages are enough of an oddball they may belong in this thread. And apparently, $12,900 would buy you the cleanest example known to exist.

In reply to MadScientistMatt: Wow, that's pretty! Don't recall ever seeing one like that.