Thread: Newbie buying a classic RR

they great thing about buying a RRC for a weekender is that if you need parts, and you are in no great hurry, eg a weekender. You can get almost any part second hand for less than $100. From a gear box to a diff. The notable exception I believe is the ABS pump.


If you need them fast from the dealer or local parts, new or even recon can cost you a fortune.


Classics even the newest are 20 years old now, the reliability is directly related to the previous or current owner, (Bad luck aside).


I have had a couple of classics and given my time over again I would go for a v8 3.9 or bigger on carbs. but like everything people have their own opinions.


GL though.

Will hopefully get some time this weekend to drive them, that's if superquag doesn't beat me too it

Point taken re cv joints, I'm not up on what's junk and what's good yet so if I take the plunge and get the blue one, will have to consult the friendly brains trust here to point me in the right direction. Btw, what is the forum record for a elcheapo cv joint change? Just for reference you understand

Your advice is spot on chivalry, I'm in IT and tend to be too analytical I guess. I'm now thinking as long as it doesn't have any major issues and I like the way it drives, then I'll go for it. It's a pita being a car lover and being logical sometimes

One more thing if I may ask, I haven't been in one for about 15 years so don't know how they should drive therefore, have nothing to compare against. Should they really drive ' beautifully' ?

Ps, just thought back to the fifteen or so cars I've owned and not one have been Japanese, they were either English, American or Aussie. A logical IT type should buy a Toyota and be happy driving a white good

You are so lucky... not having owned a jap car. - Will make it easy to buy another (illogically designed poorly assembled with doubtful components...) Pommy car

Nope, I'm - realistically - not in the market at the moment, so take your time. - No stress!

Buy with your heart, not head. - You're half-way there anyway... First impressions are generally correct.

All Classics drive differently, as they've usually been modified - air to springs, suspension or body lifted, worn out bushes replaced with poly or rubber, different dampers, or bent & twisted. Tyres make a big difference too... For instance, my '95 Vogue SE is very different from a Vogue LSE that I had the pleasure of playing in recently. (Mine has lighter steering, but pitches more and is 'sportier' feeling. - Less luxurious)

Confused yet?

Yes?


- My job is done....

James in Gosnells. The Lady Sarah, '95 Vogue SE with working air suspension and cruise control...

Kizz302,
When you drive it, just keep an ear out for strange noises. Drive around with the Window up, then again with it down.
Any hot smells while driving should be sussed out too.
But the rest is as Superquag said.
As long as there are no major thumps or clunks as you gracefully navigate a speed hump or gutter, it should be sweet.
Don't forget to turn everything on to check what works and what doesn't.
Just don't be (as you say) Analytical about it.

Anything you get will be an OLD CAR. Regardless of the make, even, at that age it will be an OLD CAR. And OLD CARS all have problems, no matter what.

So just realise that it's old, it will need work, that's that. If you really want one, then get one, because they're just not going to be as easily available as they are now in a few years to come.

I'm just running-in my '83 after a massive drivetrain rebuild . . . and I've had it for four years now!

And IF you're thinking of spending lots and lots of $$s... then pay an expert to go over it Before you buy it, not afterwards....

A few hundred $pent and I would have saved thousands...

If not....then nurture & fertilize your sense of humour. You'll need it.

So do we have another RRC tragic.. er... I mean RRC owner on the forum now?

Dunno, he's gone quiet of late... p'raps he bought the wrong one and is too embarrassed to tell us. Naturally, we'll rub it in with all good humour, - and not tell him what sort of silly decisions we made....