Best Way to Buy a Classic Car?

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zzcooper123
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Best Way to Buy a Classic Car?

Post by zzcooper123 »

I am looking to buy a mid-seventies Triumph TR-6. Not much of a mechanic, but want to drive it for fun. Always wanted one. What's the best way to find one? Craigslist? I have a friend who has a dealer's license has has access to the wholesale market.
hicabob
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Re: Best Way to But a Classic Car?

Post by hicabob »

zzcooper123 wrote:I am looking to buy a mid-seventies Triumph TR-6. Not much of a mechanic, but want to drive it for fun. Always wanted one. What's the best way to find one? Craigslist? I have a friend who has a dealer's license has has access to the wholesale market.

My brother has a TR-4 for his daily driver. He is a mellow person and an excellent mechanic. He has developed the attitude that "reliability is over-rated" which Triumph owners need. He has found out how many tows AAA will give you before threatening to cancel your membership (10/yr) . A Miata has a similiar "feel" but is much better in the reliability department.
Alex Frakt
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Re: Best Way to Buy a Classic Car?

Post by Alex Frakt »

zzcooper123 wrote:I am looking to buy a mid-seventies Triumph TR-6.
Cool. There are 50 of them for sale on Hemmings Classifieds - http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/?ad ... cet=TR6&q=
zzcooper123 wrote:Not much of a mechanic...
Uh oh. Unless you have a specialist garage near you and are willing and able to shell out on a steady basis, ownership is going to be an exercise in frustration.

Edit: You can find them much cheaper than on Hemmings, but this is where the best examples are likely to show up. Since you don't want to rebuilding from day one, this might be a better strategy. Still, I'm with hicabob, a used Miata is a better car in every quantifiable way.
psteinx
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Re: Best Way to Buy a Classic Car?

Post by psteinx »

I was at an auction not more than a month or so ago where a 70s era TR-6 was sold (I think it sold). IIRC, it went for somewhere in the $4K to $6.5K range (sorry for the imprecision).

I remember the car rather well, as my son and I were walking down the queue of cars getting ready to go across the block and saw it. It looked great, but it was funny watching the guy who was supposed to drive the car over the queue fail to start it on multiple tries. Eventually, another guy, presumably more experienced and perhaps with knowledge of the ins and outs of these things got it started. I wouldn't have wanted to own it.

FWIW, it's possible that I remember wrong and it didn't sell (or perhaps didn't hit the reserve). It was at an auction by MotoExotica, in Fenton, Missouri. If you're semi-close (or willing to pay shipping), perhaps contact them to see if it is still for sale.
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cjackson0
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Re: Best Way to Buy a Classic Car?

Post by cjackson0 »

psteinx wrote:I was at an auction not more than a month or so ago where a 70s era TR-6 was sold (I think it sold). IIRC, it went for somewhere in the $4K to $6.5K range (sorry for the imprecision).

I remember the car rather well, as my son and I were walking down the queue of cars getting ready to go across the block and saw it. It looked great, but it was funny watching the guy who was supposed to drive the car over the queue fail to start it on multiple tries. Eventually, another guy, presumably more experienced and perhaps with knowledge of the ins and outs of these things got it started. I wouldn't have wanted to own it.

FWIW, it's possible that I remember wrong and it didn't sell (or perhaps didn't hit the reserve). It was at an auction by MotoExotica, in Fenton, Missouri. If you're semi-close (or willing to pay shipping), perhaps contact them to see if it is still for sale.
I've been past them a thousand times and never knew that shop was there! I wonder if they are accepting of people just browsing all the cars with no intention to buy. Cheaper than a visit to a car museum :D
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psteinx
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Re: Best Way to Buy a Classic Car?

Post by psteinx »

cjackson - They have 2 auctions a year. The next one is in September I think. You can register as a bidder and get in for free, or pay like $7 just to go watch (kids up to a certain age get in free). They're enjoyable, if a little dangerous. You might actually be tempted to buy something!
Dan999
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Re: Best Way to Buy a Classic Car?

Post by Dan999 »

Be mindful of the advice on buying an older british car.
I had a Triumph Spitfire in the 70's and if was only a few years old.
Parts, swithces etc., were constantly breaking, and every weekend was a tinkering session in the garage.
It was a converible of course and each rain resulted in getting wet even with the to up.
It was a blast and glad I owned it, but I finally got tired of the maintenance issue and sold it.
I am glad I did it when I did, because now I think getting in and out would be quite a chore.
Dan
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reggiesimpson
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Re: Best Way to Buy a Classic Car?

Post by reggiesimpson »

A buddy of mine presently owns 100 classic cars. I kid you not! He buys everything at auctions around the country.
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PaddyMac
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Re: Best Way to Buy a Classic Car?

Post by PaddyMac »

My first car was a Triumph Spitfire - always breaking down (one night the engine literally fell out on the road and the car ground to a halt in a mass of sparks...), but fortunately my boss had a good mechanic... The thing was rusty as all hell, leaked from every orifice, but I loved it.

I'm thinking of getting a Miata next year though. Would not think for a second of getting a Triumph.
c078342
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Re: Best Way to Buy a Classic Car?

Post by c078342 »

DANNY wrote: I am glad I did it when I did, because now I think getting in and out would be quite a chore.
Dan
I'm 63 with an '02 Porsche Boxster S. I liken getting in to how I've heard carrier landings described, as a controlled crash. Getting out is no problem. As to the TR6, it depends on your circumstances: what's your discretionary budget for toys and is there a nearby mechanic with the skills to work on 50 year old British sports cars. Good luck - nothing better than a drive on a curvy back road with the top down.
jwtietz
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Re: Best Way to Buy a Classic Car?

Post by jwtietz »

on a tr6 the worst problem( money wise) is the frame rusting out on the trailing hangers for the rear a-frames and the mount for the rear differential. Don't buy one unless you know what you are looking at. The salt just gets in the box frame and rusts it out bigtime. Big money to fix. If you buy one look for a frame off restored car.
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zaplunken
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Re: Best Way to Buy a Classic Car?

Post by zaplunken »

zzcooper123 wrote: Not much of a mechanic, but want to drive it for fun.
British cars are not known for their reliability and if you don't have some mechanical ability you better have a lot of money and I suggest towing on your insurance policy. They are fun to drive... when they are running.
rallycobra
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Re: Best Way to Buy a Classic Car?

Post by rallycobra »

Do you want it original or do you want it to run?

My dad is a classic car guy, 60's Fords. He has extensive mechanical experience and previously drag raced. As a hobby he fixes and builds project cars and is convinced that stocks and retirement accounts are a scam. He would rather put money into classic cars. Obviously not a boglehead!

My point is that these older cars need to be driven, and require constant maintenance. My fathers cars win car shows, but require constant maintenance and repair. It's fine, because he is capable of doing it, and basically has a machine shop at home. Engine hoist, 2 car lifts, welder, bearing pullers, valve spring compressors, I could go on and on. We are spoiled by modern cars that turn over 100k and now 200k with just tires, oil and brakes.

I'm more into driving than the fixing. If you feel the same way, you should get a Miata, or even better a Lotus or Boxter. I am a member of the BMW and Porsche clubs and do open track events in a 01 Mustang that was prepared for the Bondurant school in AZ. PM me if anyone wants more info.

Sounds like you are dead set on a Triumph. Since you don't have the ability to fix it, I would suggest finding a local Triumph repair place, or really any English car repair place and talk to them. They can probably help you examine a purchase, and will likely have connections to other collectors/fanatics and can get you into a car that doesn't have problems that you can enjoy.
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