#SDAUTOSHOW: Is Owning A Used CLASSIC Car Overrated?

As an automotive enthusiast, there are SO many automobiles I'd love to own, take care of and experience. Hell, I like just about anything with four wheels and a "go" pedal. There's SO much variety in each vehicle produced that it's hard to not sample the lot.

This especially applies to classic cars. These vehicles were created when automakers made sure that its product portfolios were truly differentiated. These days it's hard to make out the differences between the likes of an Audi A4, BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

2015 San Diego Auto Show #SDAutoShow

The styling is closely related, the engines are similar and, frankly, their rides aren't THAT much different.

For many gearheads, there's nothing quite like owning a classic. You can wrench on them, they have a certain quality to them and there's that thing every one likes to talk about, "soul." But, for the average guy and girl that don't want to be spending their time on the shoulder or worrying about whether or not the car will turn over after sitting in the garage, are these vehicles OVERRATED?

At the 2015 San Diego Auto Show there was a slew of classic cars that, frankly, you don't see at most auto shows. This got us thinking: Is owning a used CLASSIC car overrated?

You know what they say: "they just don't build 'em like they used to."


2015 San Diego Auto Show #SDAutoShow

mre30 - 1/1/2015 5:43:07 PM

+1 Boost

I wouldn't say that it is overrated. Instead, like buying any type of art (which is really what any classic car is - in one form or another), you should only buy it if you are buying it to enjoy.

There are real negatives to owning a classic car - (1) they are very unsafe compared to current cars (I sold classic Ferraris because I got worried about driving my then 5 yr old son around in it - I now drive a 2014 DB9); (2) they are costly to maintain and insure; (3) they are unreliable (likely to suffer breakdowns on long trips); (4) they may or may not hold their value (classic car market is very volatile - currently in "high" period but historically swings up and down; and (5) a classic car is generally not liquid - i.e. nobody "needs" one, so you will have a hard time selling it fast at a strong price if for some reason you need to.

Like anything, I'd say it depends on your age and station in life.

Agent00R - 1/1/2015 6:25:49 PM

-1 Boost

I think your way of thinking — owning a classic car is like buying a piece of art — is accurate.

My dear friend has an early 1970s Alfa Romeo GTV. It's been a project that starts and runs OK when it wants to. But, Boy. Those days she's doing good it's a hoot.

Vette71 - 1/1/2015 5:50:11 PM

+1 Boost

For the average person without a lot of time (or money!!) it probably is overrated. But if you are a real car guy it can be enjoyable, despite the bruised knuckles, getting and keeping it in shape. The reward is a cruise to the tune of that throaty V8 on those gorgeous days, for me in an old Vette like mine. If I want to travel my daily rides are better choices and safer.

MDarringer - 1/1/2015 7:57:08 PM

-1 Boost

As a seller of classic cars, it is a very lucrative business and was so even in the economic downturn. The real classic car owner has to be dedicated.

We sold a refurbished 60s Thunderbird to a guy who thought he wanted a classic car, but then when it was not as reliable as his Lexus ES, he wanted to sell it back for what he paid for it. We bought it at a 30% loss to him and turned around and put it back out at the original price and sold it above that to a Tbird collector.

skytop - 1/1/2015 10:26:42 PM

+1 Boost

If it is reliving performance of the muscle cars, you will be sorely disappointed each time, every time. They don't go, don't steer, don't stop and don't handle. A modern Hyundai will run them off the road. Really.

But if it is pure nostalgia and owning the car you cannot have back then, then spend big dollars, big insurance, and start getting familiar worry about driving it, parking it, storage headaches and with watching your car degenerate as it ages. Yup, it all about that.

MDarringer - 1/1/2015 11:56:35 PM

0 Boost

Yeah I totally see how a 2015 Accent is 1000% better than a 68 Shelby Mustang GT500KR for road manners. You nailed it, buddy!