What to Look for When Buying a Classic Car

Millions of people around the world consider themselves to be classic car lovers. For some, the attraction is in the unique styling and designs that hark back to a simpler time and allows them to reminisce on their childhoods. For others, the history behind the car is fascinating, and owning a rare example of a favourite marque is something that brings history alive with every drive. Most people tend to buy a classic car to keep it in showroom condition and occasionally take it out for a country drive on weekends. Perhaps even entering it into a regional classic car show if they are restoration experts or plan to have it in utterly pristine condition. Whatever your reason for purchasing a classic car, it is important to bear certain facts in mind. The following article explains three top tips when searching for the classic car of your dreams to ensure that you make a purchase that will be right for you.

What Will You Use It For?

A prime consideration in any classic car purchase is the main use that the vehicle is bought for. For example, if you intend to buy a car to restore to its former glory and have sound mechanical knowledge and access to spare parts, the overall condition and driveability of the car will be less important. You may even be in the market for a non-running vehicle that will be worked on for hundreds of hours and its initial condition will make the purchase price significantly less. Conversely, if you do not intend to restore the car and plan to use it for occasional or even regular use, then its mechanical condition becomes far more important. You will want an example that is known to be trouble-free and dependable. You can assure yourself of this by having the vehicle independently inspected before purchase.

Consider Insurance Costs

One potential pitfall in purchasing a classic car is not being aware of the insurance costs for it. The nature of classic cars is such that replacement parts may be hard to source and, as a result, any repair bills as the result of an accident or damage to the vehicle can be extremely expensive. Naturally, this in turn will push car insurance costs up when compared to normal modern production cars. It makes sense when looking for the best auto insurance to give an accurate description of the classic car you intend to buy. Do this before purchase and you will be better placed to work out the total budget for your vehicle.

Where to Buy It

When you are sure of the make and model of the classic car you want and have investigated insurance costs, the next step is to decide where to purchase it from. There are three main options at this stage. The first option is to buy from a classic car auction. This is a good choice in terms of being able to source the classic car of your dreams, but the nature of auctions is such that you will only be able to give the car a visual inspection and perhaps hear the engine turning over. You will not be able to thoroughly inspect it mechanically, so the risk of buying a car with such issues increases. Another option is to visit a dedicated car dealer who specializes in classic cars. Such dealerships may involve a long journey, but you are more likely to be able to thoroughly inspect the vehicle. Finally, it can be worthwhile to search for private sellers of classic cars. One key benefit is that you may be able to haggle more effectively with a private seller and should be able to get a thorough history of the car.