UndeadGhost
Part of things
There is no try, only do or do not. ~ Yoda
Posts: 113
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So I'm only 15 but I'm looking at the things you guys have been doing and its inspired me into thinking about buying a retro and restoring it for use when I pass the all important driving test then ill be able to come to gatherings So I was wondering what would be a cheap starter? Fairly easy to work on, fairly cheap to buy? Also where would you guys start looking? At the moment Ive got my mind set on a VW Breadvan which is why my 'shops are pretty much focused on them at the moment. Would this be a good choice to start off with or not? My dad is also an engineer so most jobs can be accomplished by me and him. Thanks
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1988 VW Polo C - Saloon
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Good choice. I learnt in one 8 years ago, and still drive one now! In the process of restoring a 1983 saloon at the moment. I have worked on 3 myself and they are very easy to work with. Parts are fairly common as well. Also cheap to run.
Try joining clubpolo.co.uk if you want more advice and help. But i highly recomend getting one. And with 2 years to restore it, you could make quite a car. Although they were only fitted with a 1.3 as the biggest engine, you can put anything up to a 1.6 in a relatively unmodified car. Again, check that website out for ideas and advice. Enjoy
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yeah cant knock the polos, they are fairly easy to work on, and plenty of spares either new or second hand are easy to work on. I've got a 1L mk2 squareback that Ive had for nearly 12 years and a mk3 GT that Ive had for nearly 7 years.
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UndeadGhost
Part of things
There is no try, only do or do not. ~ Yoda
Posts: 113
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Thanks guys, i found a 1.3 on Auto Trader for £600. Serviced not too long ago and MOTd in January. Its a 1989 Polo Ranger. Or Mk2 Breadvan as we know it hehe. So would that be a common price for a fully working one? My basic plans would be to lower it, stick some nice alloys on it that look retro and suit it unlike those chavy types. Maybe stick a few decals on it and definatly a couple of Retro Rides stickers If need be ill do some repairing as from my view(The 'Bay) the parts are relativly cheap. I don't think ill be shoving a bigger engine in it, ill probably just use it for a daily runner then build up some cash for a side project.. Good plan?
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1988 VW Polo C - Saloon
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Be warned that you may find that even *Thinking* about putting alloys on or lowering will dramatically raise your insurance.
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Also, with regards to alloys, you have to be careful with those square arches. With the standard offset of -38, you wont get much more than 6" in those arches. and thats with rolling the arches too. Modifying it will increase insurance. But i havent told my company about my mods (except the engine).
I'd want to see that ranger before i bought it. 600 seems a little steep tbh. but if its totally solid, with no rust i guess its not a bad price. I picked up my saloon (with square lights, very rare) for 350. But the engine was seized :-? Still, a steal really.
As regards spares, there are plenty in scrappys, so you can find plenty there. However, i'm currently struggling to find several common parts for my engine atm. And thats from a 95. But the more common things are still easy to get, since the car ran right up to the mid 90's as the MK2f (or mark 3 as its more commonly known). Most of the mechanical parts are the same you see, except most of the body panels, and the fuel injection system. But the ranger is a good start. I put the 1.3 in my car and although its not much faster than the 1.3, it does pull better up hills and with a load.
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UndeadGhost
Part of things
There is no try, only do or do not. ~ Yoda
Posts: 113
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Yeah the auto trader ad says its rust free and mint condition if you have a look its on there as the only one listed, As for insurance increases, I'm aware of the Lowering and Alloys view on increase although i wasnt too aware of the gap available without the arches being modified. Thanks for the info on that prank.
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1988 VW Polo C - Saloon
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good little cars them breadvans...weve had ours 6 yrs now
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91 golf g60, 89 golf 16v , 88 polo breadvan
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UndeadGhost
Part of things
There is no try, only do or do not. ~ Yoda
Posts: 113
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Thats nice slacker, given me some inspiration! Been looking around the 'Bay and theres a couple of 89's for around £200-300 which is a good price and pretty easily achievable.
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1988 VW Polo C - Saloon
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they go for alsorts of prices ...anyone on a forum will add scene tax to it
best hold out for a old grannys car , wait for a rust free one if you can
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91 golf g60, 89 golf 16v , 88 polo breadvan
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as stevo says hold out for local ones too you that people are selling i picked my first one up (A reg mk2 breadvan) for 150 quid,needed a bit of welding for MOT which we sorted out no probs my old one ;D
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UndeadGhost
Part of things
There is no try, only do or do not. ~ Yoda
Posts: 113
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Oo thats a nice one ill have a look around, I need to get my bank acc open and get myself down to morrisons see if they will pay me for collecting trolleys hahaha, every little helps...
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1988 VW Polo C - Saloon
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VWPowered
Europe
No-Rice - Est 2002
Posts: 1,450
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be rude no to add mine to the selection too €400 with full 2 years ticket
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81 Bedford CF 2.3D Cavalier Coachman Stratus 86 Volkswagen Polo Mk2 1.6 8v 87 Austin Montego 1.6HL 'Daily' 91 Rover Montego 2.0TD Countryman Estate 93 Rover Montego 2.0LXi Estate
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zeus
Part of things
Penguins steal your sanity
Posts: 603
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Mk3(2f) are my thing, Ive owned 3, 2 GT's. Prefer them to the Mk2 as they have servo brakes. Either way still piece of pie to work on my last one was on 193,000 & still going strong.
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beany
Part of things
Hmmmmm
Posts: 675
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i loved my old mk2 breadvan, was only a 1ltr 4 speed but cruised quite happily at 80/90mph and was alot quicker than you expect them to be so might be worth looking into the smaller engine ones to keep insurance down i ran mine on 6.5x16's most of the time on standard steels or 14" polished P slots
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hi mate, yeah Fox's are great, my girlfriend has had 2 and they are very good, cheap, reliable, very good fuel, she uses it daily and uses about a tank a month, and you can get spares for em cheap.
only lil prob i do have is that they have odd front struts just in-case you were planning on slamming it, otherwise I SAY YES!
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UndeadGhost
Part of things
There is no try, only do or do not. ~ Yoda
Posts: 113
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VWP That is one hell of a car! The amount of inspiration you guys have given me so far has lead to the final decision that I'm gonna get one! Not sure which year yet but most likely a 1.0
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1988 VW Polo C - Saloon
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brawr
Part of things
Posts: 650
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Ones I've had: mk3 bready mk2 bready pickup (build thread in my sig) Good to see you getting so enthusiastic
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