Classic cars are a work of beauty and timeless in every way while offering a great driving experience that enables you to grace the open road with a certain panache and style. However, there is more to buying a classic car than your everyday run-around and so, this guide is designed to help you make that dream purchase.
1 – Think it through
Purchasing a classic car is a big decision and that means that you should not dive straight in and follow your emotions. You might want that car that your father drove when you were a child or that classic car that you have always loved for no other reason than its power or looks. Whatever you decide, you need to take a logical approach because you need to follow your heart and also make sure that you can afford it as well as the running costs.
2 – Carry out your research
Looking through the adverts is not enough to back up your decision to purchase because you need to understand the upside and downsides of owning the car that you like. You could make contact with the owners club to ask them the necessary questions and you will also need to understand the availability of spares. Once you have identified these things, you will be able to make an informed decision.
3 – Consider your affordability
Classic cars can cost a lot of money and just because you love that timeless classic, it does not mean that you should purchase it regardless of the cost. You will need to think about classic car insurance, which you can compare online at Quoteradar.co.uk but you will also need to consider the costs of running it and replacing parts. The costs can quickly spiral out of control.
4 – Look at the right place
Purchasing a classic car is a different experience because they are not something that you can find at your local car dealership. Of course, there are specialist dealers out there as well as private sellers that are cheaper but more of a risk in some instances and so, you need to really look in the right place.
Dealers make it possible to look at a number of different options making it easy to compare while purchasing privately might require you to be prepared to walk away or even take someone knowledgeable with you to view the vehicle.
5 – Ask the right questions
When you begin actively searching for a classic car, you are probably going to need to make a lot of phone calls. If this is the case then you need to be sure that you ask all the right questions. This will provide you with as much information as possible, it could alert you to things you hadn’t thought about and you will prevent yourself from wasting time.
Any owner who loves the vehicle they are selling will be delighted to discuss it with you but remember, when you make the first call, the first thing to ask is “is the car still for sale?”. If they reply with “which car?” then you will know that they are a dealer.
6 – Be prepared to look deeper
When you decide to go and view a vehicle, you need to remember that you are not making a commitment to purchase it until you have handed over your cash. At this point, careful inspection will be required because corrosion and other issues can remain hidden.
So, you will more than likely need to get under the vehicle with a torch to look for rust holes and corroded parts. If you are serious about the car then you could pay an expert to look at it and if the seller is happy for you to do that then at least you know they are genuine.
7 – Make an offer
When discussing an offer with the seller, remember to be polite and respectful. After all, this is their classic car and they want it to go to a good owner but you can make a low offer because you could be lucky.
However, if you have found any faults then discuss these openly and how they affect the price and feel free to haggle but don’t push it too far. Finally, don’t show your excitement or enthusiasm for the vehicle as this will give the seller an indication that you are more than willing to pay the full amount.