Any - Building a Retirement Car | Motoring discussion | Back Room Forum

Fri 19 Mar 2010 13:23

Any - Building a Retirement Car - RaineMan

I recently caught up with someone I worked with back in the nineties. They are now two years off collecting the state pension. as their money purchase scheme has performed appallingly things are going to be tight. although he now has a reliable small Japanese car it does not appeal long term and having suffered numerous problems with more recent European models he has decided to go for a classic car for retirement. Part of the idea is that maintenance will be far simpler. He has now brought a Saab 96 and stripped it down so that any rusty metal can be replaced before it is painted and rust proofed. all the mechanical bits will be either replaced or refurbished resulting in virtually a new car. Has anyone else done this or have any thoughts on it?

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Fri 19 Mar 2010 14:12

any - Building a Retirement Car - Mick Snutz

I've never done it but its an interesting idea - buy the car you always wanted, even if it is 25+ yrears old and make it almost new.The only downsides could be sourcing spare parts and the fact the tax and running costs could be higher, plus fewer specialists around to keep it mobile when things do break.

In effect the Indians managed this with their Hindustan ambassador. a relic from the 50's/60/s with modernish components.

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Fri 19 Mar 2010 16:44

any - Building a Retirement Car - NARU

'Practical Classics' and other such magazines are full of people who have restored cars of the 60s, 70s and 80s in such a fashion.

Spares are easily available of the shelf for a number of cars, such as MGBs and Morris Minors.

Part of the trick seems to be to also buy a donor car, so you have a ready source of spares in the future.

Edited by Marlot on 19/03/2010 at 16:46

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Sat 20 Mar 2010 12:41

any - Building a Retirement Car - veryoldbear

It's also worth while belonging to the relevant (Saab) Owners Club which also brings benefits of spares sourcing, economic insurance etc etc, plus a supportive network. Spares for 96's may be getting a bit thin, but they are basically quite simple cars (pre-electronic) and you can get very useful things like stainless steel exhaust systems etc

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Tue 23 Mar 2010 12:55

any - building a Retirement car - RaineMan

they are basically quite simple cars (pre-electronic)

this is precisely the reason why he undertaking the project! his most recent Saab and my Vauxhall (both GM products) have suffered too many sensor problems!

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Tue 23 Mar 2010 13:06

any - building a Retirement car - mike hannon

Presumably it's a 4-stroke Saab 96 - the 2-stroke is much more interesting, and simple too, but hardly practical i guess.

i think anyone planning to own a 'classic' car long-term is going to have to expect to face continual expenditure of one sort or another, regardless of whether they do their own maintenance. 'Fast appreciating classics' are pretty much a myth, unless you are in the bentley/bugatti league, so you never really break even. ånd rust never really goes away...

i hope he enjoys his choice. being different is worth the extra hassle and expense, in my opinion.

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Wed 24 Mar 2010 09:40

any - building a Retirement car - Gregory II

or do something more crazy: build your own car from scratch! i have been following a friend whose been doing this. a forum is made to help people do this (www.locostbuilders.co.uk). it sure is a very long project, but perhaps to the same effect!!

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Wed 24 Mar 2010 15:01

Any - Building a Retirement Car - WellKnownSid

A friend of mine has just spent the best part of a small car on having his Model A Ford re-built onto a new chassis.

No more doors flying open as he goes around corners or over bumps due to chassis flex - and new brakes / steering make it possible to stop and steer (something he's not used to!).

He's even stuck a 'modern V8' in it, albeit a modern V8 from the 1930's.

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Wed 24 Mar 2010 15:21

Any - Building a Retirement Car - Hamsafar

Having just run a 16 year old basic diesel car for a month I can see the attraction of older pre-emission regulation cars, but it would have to be a simple car, not an old S class or 7 series etc...

I have found everything is simple and cheap. I have decided to keep it as a spare car and bit by bit fettle it. I can do an oil and fuel/oil/air filter service in about 5 minutes with one hand tied behind my back.

Edited by Hamsafar on 24/03/2010 at 15:23

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Wed 24 Mar 2010 15:33

Any - Building a Retirement Car - WellKnownSid

I bought a 22 year old E class in January - I can identify everything under the bonnet, and there is room to get to everything. Best of all I get 29mpg from a 22 year old 3 litre auto that doesn't burn a drop of oil.

I've got a long list of things I want to start fettling... just waiting for a dry Sunday ;)

If you've got the time then eBay seems to be an endless source of cars for breaking.

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