Buying advice please

[RobMoore]

I am not a member of the MMOC yet, I thought should wait till I at least had one.

I am looking for what will be my first "classic" car and the moggies bring back some fond memories of when I was a little boy.
Ebay has so much to choose from and on some of the other websites the prices are quite steep.
What I am after is something cheap, I think the term is a rolling restoration. Main focus is that the car is structurely sound without rot with decent panels and that the mechanics are in good order, the car will need to be on the road as my intention is to get rid of my current car and use a morris as my daily driver, it will need to be able to keep up with modern traffic as I also intend to go to shows and visit family up and down the country. I expect my tiny garage to be cleared of the junk currently stored in a week or so then should be in a position to be able to actually make offers then since I dont want to leave anything out in the elements

I guess my question would be what should I expect to pay for a solid car in order of my preferred model (1098 engine)
Traveller
4 door
2 door

I have looked at a few, what appear to be fairly solid examples but without MOT in the 500-900 mark but then I would have the problem of getting it home and then could face large bills to recommision. Not good on a low income lol

[aupickup]

i would say at present £1500.00 to £2000.00 for a good solid 2 4 door
at leat another £1000.00 for a traveller

or you could buy mine

[Dean]

My advice would be... generally the more you spend the better the condition the car. Go and physically look at some cars to see first hand what condition you get for your money. Join the MMOC and meet your local branch members, they may even come with you to view the odd car to give some peace of mind.

[charlie_morris_minor]

Main focus is that the car is structurely sound without rot with decent panels and that the mechanics are in good order

if you get a car with all that.. there will be nothing left to work on..

but on a serious note..

4 door saloons tend to be cheaper than 2 doors which are cheaper in turn than travellers.

The wood on travellers is structural and on a limited budget I would suprised if you can get one with good wood.. but you never know.

The most important thing is the structural condition of the car, the mechanicals of the moggy are relatively cheap and straight forward to replace, so concentrate on structure.

[ASL642]

We have a North East Branch. Why not go along and meet them - you don't have to be a member of the MMOC Ask questions - they may know of a car for sale. http://www.northeastmorrisminors.com. They meet the 1st Thursday of the month at Bummooor Cricket Club, nr Chester le Street. 01three25 four685zero5

[RobMoore]

ty for the responses.
I am going to have a look at this one tomorrow. http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C95070/

@ aupickup your moggy is very nice so no doubt its out of my league lol
@ regalia ty for the link found that last night love the mp3 lol, I rather not approach people direct untill im also an owner

[kittyfell]

Welllll just remember, RUST is the enemy, mechanical condition hardly matters at all. Lift all the carpets and squeeze the inner sills hard, and inspect inside the boot floor very carefully, and insist on seeing under the car on a ramp, and a new MOT certificate, with any 'advisories' properly attended to.

[billlobban]

I would not advise buying a car without an MOT unless you really know what your looking at and its really cheap. But if you do decide to buy a Motless treasure then if I'm not mistaken you are allowed to drive it to an MOT station with a prebooked test appointment and if you just happen to pass your home on the way then
A new Mot is no guarantee of a great car but it is a start in the right direction. Even if you buy one without an MOT make sure you have a very recent failure sheet then you can negotiate the price based on the cost of repairing the failure. What you really dont want to end up with is a pile of bits sitting on your drive that you've only driven twice and one of those was back from the testing station.

[bmcecosse]

If the car is 'dangerous' you won't even be allowed to drive it home from the MOT .........

£100 'projects' are fine with no MOT, but with any 'runner' you should insist on a new MOT. Even offer to pay for it - ONLY IF it passes!!

[MarkyB]

That one looks like an ex police panda car.
"Awaiting Workshop" sounds ominous, and the complete lack of detail and other pictures doesn't help.
If it is close enough go and have a look, but ignore the paintwork and concentrate on the underneath.

[RobMoore]

Its about 1 hours drive away and being sold by http://www.mathewsons.co.uk/ does anyone know of this dealer?

I'm going to see their car museum also and a visit to Heartbeat village on the way home to make a full day of it.

[RobMoore]

How will I be able to tell if this is an ex police car?
Should police cars be avoided?

[MarkyB]

Look for a zip in the headlining to identify an ex-police car.
I believe there is a register for them.

Just judge the car on its condition, what it was 30 years ago doesn't have much relevance now, apart from adding some interest.
A friend of mine uses hers every day.