Hi everybody!

Well as you can guess from my name, I've previously imported a Wartburg from Germany into the UK. I found it to be very easy, thanks to the very efficient German paperwork DVLA-type system. That was back when the exchange rate was good. Now, cars in Germany are very expensive.

I can't seem to find a good rear engine Skoda in the UK that's under £1000, so am thinking of looking further afield. (of course if anybody has a good'un, I'd be keen to know! )

I've been on two 'autotrader' type sites-

http://www.hasznaltauto.hu

http://bazar.auto.cz/

Hungary seems to have quite a few really good cars in this price range! I was wondering if anybody has any experience on if either country is easier to buy, register, and drive the car home on 'transit' plates' or the like.

I don't think a Skoda would have a problem with the journey, as if a Wartburg can do it, a Skoda shouldn't have a problem! I've found getting insurance isn't a problem either through classic policies, which allow the VIN to be used.

If there are any dealers over there that people have had good luck with, I'd be keen to speak with them!

many thanks,

Brian

Brian...excuse me for being a touch rude but if you cant find a decent rear engined Skoda in the UK for under £1000 you must be epically crap!

There have been numerous this year and as a pointer how about this one (on Ebay - the biggest car selling site in the country that was obviously difficult to find!)

I'm a lovely Rapid and I'm cheap!

Edited 10 December, 201015 yr by hawkeracing

How many would you like? I'm pretty sure a few could be found between us! What are your plans for the Skoda?

Thanks Dave!

I think I've just been really unlucky on fleabay- I've bid on a a few in the last couple of years or so which I've been outbid on at the last moment- why do auctions always end while I'm at work??? After i lost the last one by £10, I ended up with an Allegro, which wasn't really what I wanted, but just needed to fill the extra hole on my drive. Since the Allegro's in good nick and 'sellable' after the work I've done, I'm thinking maybe I should get back into the search for what I really wanted in the first place.

Anyway, what I'm most attracted to is a 'non-modified' original saloon 105 or 120- hadn't really considered a rapid, as they're more expensive, but wouldn't say no. I'm looking for something thats MOT'd, without any 'unsolvable' head gasket issues that have been bodged around or an engine in bits- which is I guess how most seem to be advertised on fleabay as needing to be sold! I don't have a garage, so I'd like something that doesn't have any nasty rust that will get worse ie solid underneath/ a-pillars, screen surrounds and no 'get it through its last mot' bodging and newspaper/filler- but rusty or trolley dinged front wings/ bolt on panels aren't an issue as they're easy to get. I'd optimally like something with a good interior without excessive sunrot, unless upholstery can be found, in which case this isn't an issue. I've driven too many cars with rotten seats and they just make the car feel shabbier than it is.

Basically, I just want a really good 'condition 2' car that is reliable and capable of regular use and looks nice, but has scope to improve but not 'so nice' that I'd be afraid to drive it. The typical 'grandpa's car' in other words. These are the nice cars that used to sell for £300-500 a couple of years ago, but seem to have moved up in price.

I'm thinking of a purchase price of £500-700 or so, as every old car I've bought seems to need money spent straight away.

This is probably too narrow a criteria, as Skodas I've come across seem to be split between £1500 show cars and £200 projects. Would my budget/expectations get me something in this country do you think, or have prices moved on beyond me.

thanks for your help!

Brian

How many would you like? I'm pretty sure a few could be found between us! What are your plans for the Skoda?

What about the Rapid in the link........surely that is in condition 2, usable everyday and has a long MOT....its also smack bang in the middle of your price range? I couldnt have made it any easier for you! Rapids generally attract more attention than the saloons and are thought of as quite cool by a fair few people these days.

Oh no.....just realised it has sold......only in the last day or so it would seem! There will be a saloon along in a week or so though.......they are quite regular and every third or fourth one is in the condition youre after

How about this one then ? http://www.maltapark.com/item.asp?ItemID=935656 .It is here in Malta,in RHD and at 350 euros ( roughly 320 british pounds ),63,000 kms is ideal at what you're looking for.If you don't want to drive it to the UK you can catch the ferry right up to Geneve and drive only through France.I bet that within 700-800 euro in all ( cost of car,transport etc,etc ) you'll have a cracking motor.Here in Malta Estelle's sold like hot cakes and many can still be seen on daily use,mainly being condition 2-3 cars,the nice condition 1 cars are being stored in garages nowadays ... But I'd say this is a condition 1-2 car,looks genuine,has been garaged all it's life and no snow and salt here in Malta means very few corrosion on our cars.If the average life of a car in Europe is 7 to 8 years over here it's triple that ....

Edited 11 December, 201015 yr by 110ivan

Actually, that one sold a couple of weeks ago- I was going to look at it- but was told it was sold. it was the first one I saw recently- the owner just recently put sold on the ad! I hate it when ads are up after the car sells! But yes, price/ condition wise that looks like what I want!

cheers,

Brian

What about the Rapid in the link........surely that is in condition 2, usable everyday and has a long MOT....its also smack bang in the middle of your price range? I couldnt have made it any easier for you! Rapids generally attract more attention than the saloons and are thought of as quite cool by a fair few people these days.

Thanks!

I hadn't even thought about Malta- didn't even think to look there! The no salt thing definately sounds tempting!

cheers,

brian

How about this one then ? http://www.maltapark.com/item.asp?ItemID=935656 .It is here in Malta,in RHD and at 350 euros ( roughly 320 british pounds ),63,000 kms is ideal at what you're looking for.If you don't want to drive it to the UK you can catch the ferry right up to Geneve and drive only through France.I bet that within 700-800 euro in all ( cost of car,transport etc,etc ) you'll have a cracking motor.Here in Malta Estelle's sold like hot cakes and many can still be seen on daily use,mainly being condition 2-3 cars,the nice condition 1 cars are being stored in garages nowadays ... But I'd say this is a condition 1-2 car,looks genuine,has been garaged all it's life and no snow and salt here in Malta means very few corrosion on our cars.If the average life of a car in Europe is 7 to 8 years over here it's triple that ....

How about this one then ? http://www.maltapark.com/item.asp?ItemID=935656 .It is here in Malta,in RHD and at 350 euros ( roughly 320 british pounds ),63,000 kms is ideal at what you're looking for.If you don't want to drive it to the UK you can catch the ferry right up to Geneve and drive only through France.I bet that within 700-800 euro in all ( cost of car,transport etc,etc ) you'll have a cracking motor.Here in Malta Estelle's sold like hot cakes and many can still be seen on daily use,mainly being condition 2-3 cars,the nice condition 1 cars are being stored in garages nowadays ... But I'd say this is a condition 1-2 car,looks genuine,has been garaged all it's life and no snow and salt here in Malta means very few corrosion on our cars.If the average life of a car in Europe is 7 to 8 years over here it's triple that ....

oof mega want but i fear getting it home would cost me more than i can stretch to :(