X19 Amateur Merseyside

I am looking at buying an X19 in the not too distant future but just wanted to ask about people's experiences finding the parts they need?

Does anyone know of any garages in the area (Merseyside) experienced with classics/ x19?

Also, I only passed my test 6 months or so ago, I have been recommended Footman James as an insurer but last I spoke to them they didn't insure new drivers. Any advice?!

Many Thanks

p.s. is this going to be a money pit and will I regret it...

Hi Jenny,
I have two youger children & they use Swift Cover, who seem pretty good for covering their age groups, but as with all insurance, shop, shop, shop, around & when you've done that shop some more
With regards to a money pit, I think it very much depends what car you buy, don't forget these cars are 25 to 30 odd years old depending, so will need 'up-keep' from time to time.
My advice is buy the best you can afford at the time & it usually saves cash in the long term.

Julian

Well, I'm a new driver, but 27, so don't know if the over 25 thing still stands, but will speak to swift thank you!

I am thinking around the 1500 or below mark, and I've seen a couple around in good nick in this price range I just don't want to run into a situation where it needs fixing up, I can't find the part, or anyone to fix it!

Thanks for the advice

Hi Jenny,

I know of a really good car for sale but need to know your budget.

There is a really good support network on the site, we should be able to find most bits from some place normally someone's garage or under the bed. I look after the regalia shop so if you need anything just post away.

Michael

Hi There!

I would be looking at around £1200 if possible, however it is likely this will have to be a couple of months down the line so I imagine anything going now will be gone by then?

Good to hear parts aren't too difficult to come by, here's hoping I could find a local mechanic who knows a bit about older cars.

FYI, Ive just had some insurance quotes on a 1987 x19 at around the £1200 mark, the lowest that came back was from Adrian Flux at £2200!

At this rate is doesn't look like I'll be driving anything!

TBH Jenny, at that sort of price you will probably only get something 'half reasonable' that will probably need some work.

How much do you think I would have to extend my budget to give myself less of a project?

hi for insurance try classic car insurance privelge im with them
and im paying under £300 worth a try. marco

Hi Jenny - welcome to the forum. Will the car be your daily driver? I ask this because X1/9s can be run on two policies. You can do it on a standard car one or on a limited mileage one under a classic policy, however this one means you can't build up your no claims. I have my modified x19 on a standard policy with Adrian flux for about £350 in order to keep my no claims (otherwise i'd lose them through having a company car). I also have a 1500 standard Gran Finale also insured with Adrian Flux under their classic scheme and that is about £100, which is good I thought for a 29 year old.
Try Heritage too, if you join the club they will give you a 15% discount.

There are loads of people that can help you with the car, the parts are ridiculously inexpensive. My word of advice would be buy the very best car you can afford as it will cost you far less in the long run. A car known in the club is always a good place to start. If you can, take someone who knows x19s to see it with you. Have work done with a garage that has experience of the car. I've seen lots of big bills in the past on cars where garages don't know what they are doing.

Hi,

It will be my first and only car, so used for short trips, to and from work etc.

Even on the limited mileage policy - which presumably is the cheapest - I still got a quote of £2200 from Adrian Flux. I just don't think I will be able to find anything significantly less but I will definitely give heritage a go. Feeling a bit disheartened by the whole thing to be honest. It's day light robbery! I still need to get an idea of standard quotes though.

Good to hear about parts and I'm sure you're right in terms of you get what you pay for, but I wouldn't have thought much above £1500, 2k at a push would be achievable for a while.

I will definitely be keeping an eye out on here for any that come up for sale! Thanks for the advice

You will get a sound car for that budget Jenny. Just keep trying with the insurance, it will be worth it. So why an X19 as a first car then? My car now was my first car, took it to college everyday for four years.

Well...I had it in my mind that I was going with a Triumph Dolomite...or maybe it's sacrilege to say such a thing in here...which lead me to the TR7 and then seeing the Fiat (which I gather gets compared to the TR7 a fair bit) and reading reviews and pros and cons, I have decided on the Fiat.

The 2 seats thing giving me second thoughts, but the oozing cool from the exhaust pipe thing gets me back on track again

So you haven't found it trying as a first car? I just figured...don't get used to power steering and I won't miss it!

The steering is light on an X1/9 as you don't have and transmission attached to it - it's rear wheel drive which helps. The x19 is the most fun you can have on four wheels for the money

I'm also relatively new to X19 ownership and was lucky in the car that I bought is virtually rust free. Having owned various classic cars over the years I would go along with the advice already offered regarding buying the best you can. I would offer one other bit of advice. Don't sweat too much about broken or missing parts (at least on main stream cars such as this) as these can be replaced with relatively little effort or cost. Do worry about rust on bits you can't easily replace such as rear wings, etc. A good case can be made for a barn find car with missing seats and in need of recomissioning, but with a very good body - against a daily driver in reasonable condition but signs of the tin worm. This assumes that you have the time and knowledge to get your hands dirty.
Buy a good one and you won't regret it, fantastic fun.

I do not have the time or the knowledge to get my hand dirty I'm afraid! I am due to finish uni soon though so this should free up some time and I guess it could be something new for me to learn about! It beats being a helpless woman who doesn't know how to change a tyre!

I guess the longer I look at whats out the there the better informed I'll be about what I can get for my money and if it's worth increasing the budget.

Thanks for the advice. What a great car! Can't wait..