There are reasons why a person may wish to own a classic car. Go onto any antique dealer web page and you’re sure to find offers for the most rarest of cars. Names like the Lincoln Continental and the Buick Riviera have become staple of pop culture and for reasons like durability, sturdiness and great engine power.
Furthermore you get a vintage vehicle that doesn’t have any complicated electronics like most modern cars do. However, there are certain factors that may need some attention: a few drawbacks of classic car ownership are worth understanding before taking the plunge.
Not all expenses are thought for
There are expenses incurred about owning a classic car that may not seem apparent on onset, lack of convenience being one of them. A classic car may have a roaring monster of an engine but it can be lacking in certain modern features. The air conditioning of a car more than thirty years old can have reliability issues. Many classic car owners have complained of poor radio reception as the network allocation system simply does not exist in most old cars. CDs, Ipods and smartphones simply cannot be used which can be a big deal for many people.
Furthermore old cars requires a lot of care, much more than new ones which are easily dependent on modern technology. Although the engine still packs a punch, reliability will always be an issue. Rusting is an expensive issue that many potential buyers never take into consideration. Unexpected repair and restoration has to be looked into as soon as possible, otherwise the car will simply gather dust in a corner. It can become very difficult to replace the car parts of classic cars.
Attention and care required
One reason why some buyers have turned off classic cars like Lincolns for example is because classic cars require constant care. Another factor is insurance. Most classic cars have annual mileage limits(some are not even allowed to run legally on roads) which can be pretty heavy on the wallet.
Spare a thought for Spare parts
Another area of concern is the availability of parts for classic cars. The availability of parts is one of the biggest challenges owners face, and it can be a tough one to overcome. Most fitting parts for classics are not available anywhere. One can increase their chances of getting the parts by seeking out modern-day equivalent parts but its all down to luck. For the most part these are simply expenses incurred about owning a classic car. This should be considered before making the purchase as depending on the car and its part in question, only certain garages would be able to assist the customer if something goes wrong
Safety aspects
One aspect to consider is safety. Older cars may be big and imposing, but many antique and classic cars were built before seat belts and driver restraint systems were mandatory – and none of them have airbags.  To fit new ones would not only be expensive but would also take away much of the aesthetic sheen.
Acquainted with an antique
One final area of concern is finding a good mechanic who understands the car. Modern mechanics rely on a host of computerized readings to determine what is wrong with an engine, and that equipment does not work with antique and classic cars. One way to work around this is to seek out fellow owners of the car and get help but it is a long shot. The only other alternative is to study the car and its components and work on them and try to figure things out.
