Comments on: Answer the Question: New or Classic?

By: Tony G.

Tony G. — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 09:27:23 +0000

Air conditioning was available on classic cars, too.
Heated seats were an option on 1966 to 1969 or 1970 Cadillacs. Front seats for all models except the series 75 which had heated rear seats as an option.

I like ’60s and ’70s cars and, yes, I do own some (three). For 5 years, my daily driver was a ’76 Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-Five Limousine. I still own it, along with 3 other cars.

By: oldcarfun

oldcarfun — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:08:52 +0000

HA! One month? Come on. I drove an all original, matching serial numbers1971 Chevelle, 350 engine with 4 barrel carb, drum brakes, (hard to stop if you go over 40 mph), from 1988 to 2004. Over 300,000 miles. First 10 years was my only method of transportation. 300 to 500 miles per week, rain, snow, ice storms, (with studded snow tires). After that, used once or twice a week.Needed some repair about once a year or so. Cheap, because I could do many repairs myself. Tune ups twice a year. Oil and filter every 3,000 miles. Checked fluids every other day, never let oil level go below 1/2 quart low. Air conditioning broke after first 3 years, I never bothered to fix it. No modern conveniences. Filled the tank every other day. Was in showroom condition when I bought it, had to sell it when there was so much rust that the body was falling apart and it became unsafe to drive. Never broke down on the road, always managed to get it home to fix it. Engine and trans would have gone another 100,000, or more…..everything else, needed total restoration. Would have cost way more than the car was worth.

By: Kurt

Kurt — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:18:12 +0000

My take? You buy a modern car to drive, you buy a classic as an investment. Modern cars can be flogged; classics can be driven (on dry days only) to the local burger palace for a Tuesday night car show.

I never understood the buyers spending serious coin on “resto rods” or driver quality, non-numbers matching muscle cars. You have to be SERIOUSLY “in the moment” to drop $80k on a car that has no chance of increasing in value.

Of course most bidders at Barrett Jackson have enough money to wipe their ass with $20 bills, so I guess that explains a lot.

By: Terry Parkhurst

Terry Parkhurst — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 05:19:06 +0000

Those who are most nostalgic for American muscle cars of the 1960s through ’74, are those who have never driven; or even taken a ride in them. The steering was as vague as most Congressional press conferences, brakes faded after two or three times of hard use and the cars were, as Darryl Waltrip once described his stocker, “Just all ate up with engine.”

There are certain vintage cars that make decent daily drivers. The reason is that their manufacturers were ahead of the game and put on things such as four-wheel disc brakes, rack-and-pinion steering and allowed for a reasonable power-to-weight ratio. Mid-Sixties Volvo 122S sedans are amongst those. Or consider a Nash Rambler from say 1963 through its demise in ’69. Late 1960s Ford Mustangs or Mercury Cougars, especially those with front disc brakes and small displacement V8s – 289, 302 or 351 cid V8s – are fine for cruising freeways or city streets and delightful on country roads.

True enough is the fact that you won’t find heated seats. And generally, unless you buy or own a luxury make, you’re going to find out about raising and lowering windows with a handle. But living with a vintage car for daily driving can be done.

Ultimately, paraphrasing something Bette Davis once said about old age, driving a vintage car isn’t for sissies.

By: MrAngry

MrAngry — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 03:12:59 +0000

Where were you in my 6th grade English class Lee… damn…

By: Lee

Lee — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 02:01:16 +0000

“it’s a total bitch as well as being SUPER expensive. Maintenance on the classics is a bit cheaper (especially if you’re DIY’er) but will be more frequent then on a new car.’

It’s thAn.. For crying out loud.

By: Tom

Tom — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 23:50:17 +0000

Despite the impracticalities of driving a classic car everyday, I think classic cars are still way more fun to drive.

By: Guyon

Guyon — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 22:37:11 +0000

I didn’t know Mr. Angry wrote for RL. You bring up some great points, but you might also add that there are some old cars that make great daily riders. A Dodge Charger is far from that (but still an awesome car!).