Why Classic Cars Are Better Than New Ones

Why Classic Cars Are Better Than New Ones - by John Kelly

The start of 2008 brought great hilarity for those of us who keep a keen eye on the motoring industry - and especially those among us who sneer at anything less than a supercar. First, the joy of the internet and email meant I received a picture of a garden shed on wheels (yes, an actual shed) - with a clever fake press release heralding the launch of the new Daewood car! Very funny.

Then, in India, Tata Motors launched the world's cheapest new car...the $2,500 Nano. Wizened industry-watchers heralded the apparent “breathtaking innovations in manufacturing technology in the global automobile industry based on severe cost-cutting". Others were not so open-minded, with one United States media presenter describing the car as "a golf cart crossed with a jelly bean."

But both events got me thinking - why on earth would someone buy a horrible new 'Eurobox car' when the money could be better spent on a fantastic classic car? This conundrum always baffles my colleagues at Sureterm Direct - the UK's leading specialist classic car insurance company - so with their help here are my top 7 reasons to buy a classic car instead of a faceless, cheap, under-powered, Euro-shed.

1. It makes financial sense. The moment you drive your run-of-the-mill chunk of far Eastern plastic and metal car off the forecourt you lose 30% of its value straight away in depreciation. You no longer own a new car - you own a second-hand one! But if you invested in a cracking little classic car in good condition - and kept it smart - the chances are it should at least hold its value (and in some cases it might even increase in price).

2. Better insurance deals. Take it from us, as the country's leading specialist classic car insurer, the costs of insuring a classic MGB if you opt for special features like limited mileage options can be considerably less than cover for a new hot hatch. And we're not just talking about saving a £10 or so - the difference can run to hundreds of pounds. Classic car insurance quotes can be very competitive.

3. Zero road tax. Yep, that's right. In the UK classic cars built before 1973 qualify for zero-rated road tax. You have to display a tax disk, but it doesn't actually cost anything. So there's £160 banked straight away.

4. Cheaper repair bills. Let's say you're in the middle of a country estate enjoying a picnic in your classic Morris Minor when you carelessly but gently bump into a great oak. You can find a new rear lamp for around 20 quid. However, do the same in your new Kia and the replacement rear light is likely to be at least two times that.

5. You're more environmentally-friendly. People think old cars use more petrol per mile than new ones - and in some cases they're right. But it is a well-documented fact that around a third of the energy consumed by a car in its entire life is used to make it in the first place. So buying and using a classic car is recycling par-excellence. Spare parts for older cars are readily-accessible, so keeping your classic running is again very environmentally sound - while many components used in the build of new cars are sealed in and only fit for the bin once they're no longer of use.

6. Social networking. Want to meet nice new friends in great surroundings? Then join a classic car club. For example, there are events for VW Beetle owners almost every weekend. It's fun - and it's hard to imagine the same feeling from a field full of Daihatsu Sirion owners.

7. You look good. Swing down the street in a gleaming classic MGB and you'll turn heads. And it feels great to drive around in something that is instantly-recognisable and draws knowing waves, nods and winks from other motorists. Of course, your Far Eastern tin machine might draw hand signals too - but a single finger doesn't constitute a wave I'm afraid.

Buying A Classic Car

Buying A Classic Car
By:Derek Both
One thing is for sure which is that there is no shortage of classic cars for sale. You can find adverts in local newsagents, specialist magazines, the internet and online auction sites. You should be able to find everything you need from these sources from cars and car parts to cheap classic car insurance.

Firstly, you will need to think about what storage facilities you have. An old car is not going to take kindly to being kept outside or even under a covered area. Even worse would be to have it sat on grass or with a plastic sheet on it. As damp rises it has nowhere else to go other than to settle on your corroding underside if you have something covering your car. If you have to keep your car parked outside then also consider where you can park it as your neighbours might not be too happy with extra cars clogging up the street. 

The next advisable step is to decide what condition of car you wish to buy. If you're more than capable of welding, then your options are greatly increased as you can do a lot of restoration work yourself. However, if you haven't got a clue what you are doing then it's best to go for a car that needs little or no work unless you know someone who can do it for you.
When buying an old, classic car be aware that body parts can be tricky to find.

One of the most important aspects of buying a classic car is to make sure that you trust the person you are buying from. This is especially important if you are going through a private seller as it is extremely unlikely you will ever see them again if you break down on your way home. The best time to arrange a viewing is during the day so you can see the car properly. It will be easier to spot any scratches and dents in natural light than it would be in a dark garage. If possible take someone with you who knows a lot about classic cars as they will know what to ask and what to look out for from rust to whether you will be able to find cheap classic car insurance for the vehicle.

A few quick and subtle tips you can try are walking around the car to see how it sits, is there any sagging and do the panel gaps line up nicely? Check the body all over for rot, popular places for this are the headlamps and arches. Many people make the mistake of relying on the MOT certificate which is a good indication don't rely on this alone. 

Try to see the engine start up from cold - if it is already warm the vendor may be trying to hide cold - starting problems by getting it started before your arrive. When the car is started listen for any knocks when the engine starts up or clouds of smoke from the exhaust. It sounds obvious but don't forget to take the car for a test drive to see how it runs. 
However, do take into consideration that the car you are looking at may be over 30 years old so the chances of it still being in its original state are very slim. Service items such as brake shoes, batteries, tyres and clutches are likely to have been replaced over replacement over the years. 

Finding cheap classic car insurance can be a bit tricky and will go through the roof for modified cars so try to avoid this. If your car is modified you are likely to have trouble selling it on later anyway.

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