Buying a Mk1 for under £500

SwissHeavy · Post by **SwissHeavy** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 7:37 pm

What's ur thoughts on this guys.... Thinking of getting one as a project car, for track use, probably not for the road.

Josh

crazylegs · Post by **crazylegs** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 7:55 pm

you can get them for this price but dont expect a lot. if its only for a track car the i would try and find a damaged good one rather than buy a cheap rusty one. there are a few about with minor front or rear damage. if its not going on the road then what about an insurance write off? they condemn them for a dented bonnet. is this allowed lauren?

stevenb · Post by **stevenb** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 10:15 pm

You can pick up some tasty ones with a blown head gasket for that price....fix it up for £300-400 and then you've got a belter again.....for less than a grand...

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 10:25 pm

I may be able to help you out here. I have a red mk1a sunroof model for sale at £500. The interior is perfect, and the engine is very strong. No tax but 2 months MOT left. Bodywork needs help in all the usual places. Every MOT and lots of bills.

I bought it to use a track car myself, but haven't got the time or funds for it sadly as i have just bought a GTS.

Someone just needs to repair the arches and the front splitter to make it a beautiful car again.

Post by **Lauren** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 11:03 pm

crazylegs wrote:you can get them for this price but dont expect a lot. if its only for a track car the i would try and find a damaged good one rather than buy a cheap rusty one. there are a few about with minor front or rear damage. if its not going on the road then what about an insurance write off? they condemn them for a dented bonnet. is this allowed lauren?

Well as long as the car looks roadworthy it would be fine to go on track with it. If it leaves a gallon of oil at the first corner then you won't be popular with the other punters.

Basically on track you will be going at far higher speeds than you do on the road so its kind of up to you whether or not you'd want to risk life and limb in an accident damaged car. If its just got a whopping great dent in the bonnet no problem, but if its missing the front end then its not on really.

I have seen a fair number of rusty MK1s on track and thats fine. Its important to realise that some work may be required on a cheap one to ensure the brakes are working properly etc.

System-G · Post by **System-G** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 6:59 am

I picked mine up for less than £300. Initially I thought it was only going to need new front wings and rear arches. Unfortunately the previous owner wasn't entirely honest when I asked him about engine problems... So my restoration budget pretty much doubled overnight.

TBH, next time I'd rather save up a bit more and buy something in better condition.

MegatronUK · Post by **MegatronUK** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 10:41 am

350 for mine... but it has needed an awful lot of bodywork and general mechanical work doing (new radiator, new suspension, sills, rear arches etc..).

Probably safer paying 500-1000 if you want something that is reasonably solid and mechanically sound.

Scooter · Post by **Scooter** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 12:22 pm

The one i got off ebay for £250, would have been fine for a track car...

.....it had failed its MOT on rust.....drivers floor pan and anti roll bar mount area......a bit of an awkard shape plate would have been needed but not too bad and no need to be that tidy a repair......

Suspension needed sorting for MOT as well, no idea what this would cost.....

......TBH for a track car it was viable, but to get it roadworthy and looking like my other £1500 MK1 it almost certainly wasn't worth doing.....

stevenb · Post by **stevenb** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:45 pm

Joshua

Have a browse on here if you haven't already.

http://www.mr2mk1club.com/forsale.html

There are always many mk1's for sale all different prices, some sold as spares/repair, right up to concours.
The site is updated every month IIRC.

Good luck mate.

Post by **Lauren** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:53 pm

Well thinking about it i bought mine for £350,

but i then immediately spent a grand on it to bring it up to scratch. It is possible, but i would buy the best you can afford unless your bearding skills are up to scratch.

SwissHeavy · Post by **SwissHeavy** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:57 pm

Yeah think I may sit back and get my Mk2 minted up first! Cheers for the advice guys, certainly valid info!!! Love old skool mk1's! =D>

Post by **Lauren** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 9:59 pm

SwissHeavy wrote:Yeah think I may sit back and get my Mk2 minted up first! Cheers for the advice guys, certainly valid info!!! Love old skool mk1's! =D>

Your best bet if you have the time would be to go and have a look at what you can pick up for £500. There are bargains to be had. As long as you don't mind rusty arches and no mot then i'd say its entirely possible to pick up a good runner.

vader · Post by **vader** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 11:27 pm

By the bets you can afford mate, but i am always tempted by soemthing cheap

www.imoc.co.uk

Buying a Mk1 for under £500

Buying a Mk1 for under £500

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