WE HAVE been covering reviews of various delectable classics and have also shared with you some tips on the up-keep of your beloved classic.

Today, we thought we'd show you our top three picks of classic cars that are perfect for first timers.

A good half of rookie classic car owners out there inherit their cars from their fathers but quite a lot of you get hooked on this nostalgic activity after getting influenced by friends. It always make sense to venture into the scene with a classic that is easier to run and own, before getting behind the wheel of more complicated ones.

These are our top three entry-level classics which should be perfect for beginners. They are easier to acquire, quite affordable to run and good for owners who would like to tinker around with the mechanical bits, something which is very much encouraged in this scene. Lets take a look:

Mini

It should be no surprise to see the classic Mini at the top of the list. Its very hard not to fall in love with this nippy little car. It looks sweet and despite its mini size, it has maximum character.

This famous micro car, made popular by the 1969 movie Italian Job is a perfect classic to start with.

More importantly, although fully restored examples can cost as much RM60,000, you can still grab an unrestored but running example for about RM6,000 which is pretty reasonable actually.

Parts are easily accessible and restoring it doesn't require rocket science. Its a very mechanic-friendly vehicle, not that it breaks down often. Its a very simple piece of machinery but is also a fun car to drive.

It can still match the handling of more modern cars. The Mini, with a properly tuned engine can even offer very good fuel economy. If a Mini is up your alley, you should get one soon, prices are definitely soaring.

Volkswagen Beetle

It wouldn't be fair not to include a trusty Volkswagen Beetle in this list. Just like the Mini, the Beetle carries loads of character and is a very easy Classic to restore and run. Parts are still being manufactured with reasonable prices and restoring one is a breeze.

Just like the Mini, this German car that was unfortunately commissioned by Adolf Hitler also had it share of silver screen outings. Count Walt Disney's The Love Bug from the late sixties among them.

You can drive one home for about RM6,000, but for that price, it'll definitely need a lot of work. But RM6,000 for a ticket in the scene isn't bad at all. Although the Mini's handling is superior, the 'Bug' offers a more supple ride quality and fuel consumption is also at the lower end of the spectrum.

M-B W123 E-class

A Mercedes E-Class in this list? It may sound a little crazy but its a fact.

The W123 E-Class (below), especially the one featuring the older 'white engine' model is a cheap classic to buy right now and is not-too-expensive to own as well. With RM6,000, you can get one which is probably in better shape than an RM6,000 Mini or Beetle.

The W123, which was once a top-of-line executive motor, is a simple car to restore.

However parts, especially non-mechanical parts can be a little pricey, depending on where you shop.

The other down side of this E-Class is that the fuel consumption is nothing to shout about. It is a drinker but not as bad as the Mercedes W116 which is the S-Class of it's time.

Nevertheless the W123 is one comfortable car to ride in and unlike the two cars above, this German cruiser offers more than enough passenger and luggage space.

This means that compared to the top two examples, the W123, which comes standard with air conditioning and power steering, is a car that can be used as a practical everyday car.

It can cope well with modern traffic.

These three classics come highly recommended for first timers. Owning such cars can become an easier affair especially you join local classic car clubs such as the MSVCR or the Malaysia Singapore Vintage and Classic Car Register.

This club is made up by a mix of classic and vintage cars and fellow owners of the same type of vehicle can help show you the way on where to get things done such as obtaining parts and recommending a good workshop.

- The Star/Asia News Network