Ready to drive the car you dreamed of when you were a teenager? These are some of the best classic cars!
Do you remember your first love? We are talking about cars! For many of us, the 1980 Fiesta or the 1967 Corvette were real legends, and we all wished to be behind their wheel.
Yeah, you probably haven’t forgotten your first crush, and right now, what used to be the car of your dreams is considered one of the classic cars, and guess what? You might even be able to afford to finally buy it!
To be honest, some of the price tags might be a little too much for some, but if you decide to go for a reliable model, prices tend to be lower. So, if the beauty of your dreams is one of the reliable classic cars, why not make it yours?
What is a classic car?
Let’s start with the basics. What makes a car a classic? This is an important question, especially if you plan to explore the world of classic cars and are willing to buy one.
Right now, the general consensus between insurers and car clubs is that every vehicle older than 25 years is a classic. You might say, but wait, this is not old at all. You are right, but this definition also includes more vintage models, such as Ford Model Ts from 1908 or the ’55 Chevys.
Considering that this definition is so broad, you should also understand that the price range is even broader. You can buy a $15,000 Chevrolet Vega or a $115,000 1980 Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole. All of it depends on the power of your wallet.
But no matter the price, one thing about classic cars is that it’s all about what you appreciate and what suits you. Maybe you believe that the car of your dreams is the most beautiful car ever, but your friends and strangers consider it horrendous. You know this: beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Now we are about to list five classic cars that are considered to be some of the most reliable ones: Mazda MX-5 Miata, Plymouth Valiant, Saab 900, Volkswagen Beetle, and Porsche 911.
Most of these cars have huge fan bases, making it easy to understand why people love them. Things are simpler with classic cars. Technology is not that present, and it is usually pretty cheap to take care of them. Some say that you just put some gas in and you are good to go.
Still, there is one thing to always remember: Never buy an old car that is rusting. No matter what you do, that car will rust away, and the investment is simply not worth it.
Ok, but what classic car should I choose?
Classic cars can be quite tricky, and it’s better to know what skills you have and what you are looking for in a car before making a purchase. There is no need to spend a fortune and then end up with a car that sits only in your driveway.
According to experts, there are three types of people who buy classic cars: those who know someone who can repair and restore their car; those who can do all of that by themselves; and those who don’t know any of this but try anyway. Which one of them is you?
You should be careful when buying an old car because many people buy them, start the restoration process, and shortly give up. Or they try to restore the care years in a row and spend more than they ever thought they would ever spend.
So, be sure that you know what to do or have a mechanic who knows how this works. It’s not the best deal to buy a car you are not going to use, so think twice before purchasing any of the classic cars.
Also, try to buy newer models, as it’s easier to work with them. Cars from the 1960s and 1970s are amazing options. If you want to buy older cars, you can think of the investment as a hobby rather than a reliable car you are going to use daily.
Popular models = more reliable models
This is a rule you should always remember when you are hunting for an old-school, rare beauty. There is a reason some models are more popular than others, and most of the time, this reason is reliability.
People want reliable cars, and because of this, they’re going to buy them. The more popular the service, the easier it will be for you to find parts and people who know how to repair these cars. More popularity means a larger market.
All this might sound great for now, but there is also one problem that comes with this popularity. Since more people are willing to buy the care, the price will increase. So, if you want to drive a 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback, be prepared to pay around $100,000.
Be aware of the limitations
Maybe you have some nostalgic memories regarding an old vehicle, and you see it as the perfect car. But since then, things have changed, and what you remember might no longer be a reality.
For example, let’s look at the 12-cylinder Jaguar E-Type from the 1960s. This is a beautiful car that will surely turn heads, and after all, you can find it in New York’s Museum of Modern Art collection. But the same car has a reputation for being terrible to drive.
It depends on what you are looking for. Do you want an eye-candy car or a performance and reliability car? If you are only into beauty, then the E-Type might be for you; otherwise, you should start looking for another car.
Another thing would be that the most reliable classic cars are the ones you know how to fix yourself. Read that again.
Join a fan club
You can have the most reliable model of all classic cars, but at some point, you will need new parts and some maintenance. One solution for this would be to join a local or national club. Almost any vehicle has such a club, and you can start by going to local chapter meets.
Being part of a community can help you in the long run, and most people are more than happy to share with you the best services and also to give you various recommendations and warnings.
If you are not able to find a club for your model of car, don’t hesitate to join any club that specializes in ’70s cars from Japan or Italian sports cars. Most of the time, these people are incredibly passionate about cars, and they know what they are doing.
Always remember that classic cars are just like pets. You need to take care of them if you want to have them for a longer period of time. Keep them in the right environment, always take them to the service for maintenance, and try to keep them in top condition.
We love the world of cars, and we are sure you do the same! Because of this, maybe you want to learn more about the most influential cars in history that changed everything. Here’s an amazing book that can be a good start: 100 Cars That Changed the World: The Designs, Engines, and Technologies That Drive Our Imaginations
You should also read: 6 Cars That Will Last You a Lifetime
