What do you look for when buying an antique car?

What Do You Want From Your Classic Car? What you plan to do with your antique car will have a huge influence over the kind of vehicle you buy. If you want to drive it on a regular basis, for example, choose a vehicle that will be affordable to repair and maintain. If you only plan to use it for the occasional afternoon drive or car show, however, you may want to choose a highly collectible make and model. The vehicle's limitations may also come into play. Some older vehicles are unable to reach speeds suitable for the motorway, which means many roads and locations would be off limits. Other vehicles may require larger parking spaces or only have enough room in them for one or two people. This can make them inconvenient and difficult to enjoy. You need to consider the amount of time and money you have available, too. A lack of time and funds has forced even the most passionate car lovers to abandon their projects, so you need to plan ahead. Rare, luxury vehicles often cost more to rebuild and repair than common ones. But if you have your heart set on an expensive car and are willing to wait, you can take steps to save money on parts or wait until you can afford to buy them. The cost of buying a classic car can easily use your entire budget if you're not careful. Travel, shipping and transportation costs can add up to thousands of pounds when you buy outside of your local area. Interest and other fees associated with borrowing money can make this endeavour even more expensive. Rebuilding, Repairs and Parts Even if you buy a restored antique car, it will eventually need replacement parts. And while some avid collectors will wait decades to find original parts in good condition, it isn't always an option. Therefore, if you don't want to wait or spend a lot of money, you may need to make modifications or buy modern reproductions. Your automotive knowledge also plays a role in choosing the right classic car. If you have minimal automotive experience, for example, look for vehicles that have simple construction, lots of space around the motor and plenty of information available. Experienced mechanics, however, might enjoy a more challenging vehicle. Keeping Your Classic Car on the Road Once you've purchased and rebuilt your classic car, you have to be able to keep it on the road. Like any other vehicle, it will need oil changes and other regular maintenance. However, some makes and models may require additional care or specialty items such as custom tyres. There are other ongoing expenses to consider as well. To keep your antique car safe and secure, you need to find suitable storage and parking. You might even consider paying additional charges for security and heating. And if it does become damaged, you need to make sure you have adequate classic car insurance. The cost of classic car insurance depends on many different variables including the year, make and model of the vehicle as well as its current condition and the amount of original parts. Your driving history and how you'll use the car will also influence the price. However, you can use tools such as a comparison website to find the best classic car insurance rates and compare services. A classic car can give you decades of enjoyment and excitement, but you do need to choose carefully. If you fail to consider the time, money and resources these vehicles require, you could find yourself stuck in the garage. And it would be a shame to spend years rebuilding an antique car only to discover you can't afford to keep it.