by Duncan Blaxter

Created on: February 02, 2009

In an age where the main considerations for most car owners are fuel economy and reliability, it is strange to think of an older car being a viable purchase. They drink many times as much gasoline as a modern day car and will break down frequently. That said, there are still plenty of people driving relics of the past - whether as weekend cars or daily drivers the fact remains that there is definitely an attraction to buying a classic. Sure, what was classed as a sports car in the sixties could be outraced by a modern day hot hatch but the classic would still look good and seem fast - it's all about style.

The first advantage of classic cars is their low cost of purchase - even a basic Lamborghini will cost you near two hundred thousand dollars, whilst most classics can be had for under fifty thousand. Classics can feel as fast as much more powerful modern cars by virtue of their light weight, low seating and poor handling and road holding which will force you to be more involved in the driving experience than you would in a regular car. It's really a case of the same thrills but without the bills. Ask anyone who has seen both a muscle car and a modern supercar accelerate from a standstill which was most impressive and the answer will always be the former. The supercar will effortlessly surge forward, but infinitely more exciting will be the muscle car as it scrabbles for traction and smokes its tires, whilst the engine roars with unrefined power. With classics, it's all about perceived performance - it doesn't matter how fast you actually go so long as it feels quick and is exciting for both the driver and their audience.

A second advantage is the way they hold their value after they are bought. A new or nearly-new car will depreciate at an alarming rate but you will be able to sell a classic for the same price you bought it - or if you are lucky it may even appreciate in value. In this way, classic motoring can effectively be free of cost so long as appreciation matches parts costs and maintenance. There is no way this can happen with a new car, so classics definitely win in the running cost stakes. Even if a classic breaks down every month of the year, and does ten miles to a gallon, it will still cost less to run overall than a depreciating modern vehicle. Some people even collect classic cars as a business - if you buy and sell the right cars at the right times for the right prices you can make a tidy profit.

Finally, classic cars have an image all of their own. The rich will naturally gravitate towards high-end luxury saloons whilst at the opposite end of the spectrum the underclass will consider a Ford Focus with a spoiler, body kit, and a sub-woofer large enough to cause earthquakes their dream car. A classic is unique in that it appeals to almost every age group and walk of life - the old will remember it, the rich will respect it, the middle class will appreciate it, the young will aspire to own one... almost everyone loves a good classic car. And that 'everyone' should include the owner - when considering buying a classic, do what your heart tells you.

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