Another new member here . . .

[GravyGraham]

Greetings from Kent, England. I'm probably a familiar story . . a fifty something geyser now in a position to realise a boyhood dream. Anyway, long story short, I've spent the last few years burning my surplus cash on boats but a recent sale has left me thinking it might be a better idea to buy something I can use and love but which doesn't cost ?5k+ a year to own and run, and which doesn't depreciate faster than, well, you get the picture.

I've got a great barn here at home where I can keep my prospective pride and joy in, and I have the funds to keep her professionally maintained. I know a bit about dwell angles, racks and pinions, and bastard files, but spanner wielding doesn't really feature in my dreams so I'm hoping to buy what many might call a half-tidy runner. Preferably pretty original, but no concours winner, but also, something which isn't going to have me staggering from one workshop to the next. Something I can put a thousand or so miles on each year without feeling like I'm plundering the family silver.

So, here's the rub, I've got this figure of ?30k - ?40k in mind. Reasonable? I'm not really fussed if she's a series I, II , or III, or whether she's a soft or hard top. My only pre-requisite is that she's right hand drive, preferably an original UK car, with a bit of history.

Thanks in advance for any comments.

Regards,

Graham

[mgcjag]

Hi Graham.......welcome to the forum.......had much more fun and less expense with my cars than I ever did with the boat........Take your time and go and look at as many Es, as you can....preferably with someone local that knows them. A good start would E Type UK which is in Hadlow Kent so in your area........Prices vary drastically depending on model and condition......in my opinion a S2 2+2 offers great value for money and in your price range you will get a top spec car.......however will it increase in value as much as other models have already....if only we knew......good luck and enjoy looking....Steve

[spanish 2+2]

Hi Graham, as Steve say's, for your budget you should be able to purchase a nicely sorted S2 2+2, side view almost identical to S2 coupe. I love mine and to what I paid for it 13 year's ago, I would say it's almost tripled in value. Good luck with your search. Graham.

[GravyGraham]

Thanks for your comments folks. Just waiting to get this Christmas lark out of the way then Mrs Graham and I will begin shopping . . .

[David Oslo]

Totally reasonable budget. Will get you an excellent 'drivers' cars.

Good thing to wish for Xmas is all the proper books, buyers guides, and so on. My particular favourite in terms of readability and excellent pictures and outstanding value for money is the book by Chris Rooke. Another good Xmas activity is to go through all the restoration stories on the forum, lot's of 'lessons learned' and 'buyers beware' information to be gleaned there. So you are better armed when you go tyre kicking and car shopping.