For some people, buying classic cars is a hobby. For others, it's a waste of money. In other words, this is one of those pastimes that really splits people and while some can appreciate the sheer beauty of these retro vehicles, others see them as something that leak money. In truth, the above argument is for another day. Today's article is instead about some of the misinformation that is published about these vehicles. Suffice to say, there is plenty of inaccuracy around, and the rest of this piece will now debunk some of the most common myths around.
Myth #1 - Classic cars don't rust
Particularly with all of the modern technologies that are used to manufacture cars nowadays, a common misconception is that these very same methods were adopted years ago for classic cars.
Unfortunately, this is seldom the case. In relation to rusting, some classic cars will rust, and this has to be taken into account. At the same time, if the previous owner has taken good care of the vehicle, there's no reason why rust should have developed.
Even if it has, you can sometimes obtain a very good price on a classic car by opting for this route. You can then turn to a Porsche repair service to touch up the vehicle, and ultimately make it into the dream that it once was.
Myth #2 - Cars have to be "ancient" to be a true collectible
Next on the list is the age of the classic you are purchasing. This is really about definitions and some classic car enthusiasts won't turn to anything that's less than thirty years old.
Your definition of classic should depend on a number of issues, though. Firstly, are you looking to make a profit? If you are, a car can be relatively new - and one only has to see the Porsche Carrera GT from 2004-2006 to see this in its full glory. It might be less than twenty years old, but you would still be paying over $400,000 for it. In other words, its value has barely changed.
Of course, if you want to buy truly old cars and are not thinking about the potential resale value, then your definition goal posts might shift somewhat. It's here where you will probably opt for something decades old; which is typically what a lot of people view as a classic car.
Myth #3 - Classic cars are only for the summer months
This again relates to the rust-factor that we touched upon previously. It means that in some ways, you have got to be a little more careful in the winter months when water and salt can combine and ultimately make your classic car something of a rust bucket.
Fortunately, it doesn't have to be like this. Like with most things classic car related, it's all about making sure that you take appropriate care of your vehicle. In winter, this means regularly washing (and drying it) as well as potentially undersealing it, which will protect your vehicle from falling foul of rust.