New car vs. Restored classic?, What are the possibilities? Options

[JeffBowlsby]

In another post it was said. ‘Wife bought a new Bronco in 2022. We sold it a few months ago and bought a 1972 Bronco to replace it.’

Been pondering the same dilemma. Not talking about sports cars in this thread.

New cars are expensive to buy, maintain, repair and insure. Loaded with tech, and numerous features they can be very complicated. Even lower cost new cars can fit this description. A recent article says new cars average $50K now, even an F150 pickup is reportedly $65K. The new cars we really want can be over six figures. New cars depreciate like rocks whereas vintage car values are much more stable. I’m thinking fully restored cars that would pass a thorough PPI. No project cars. No complicated cars. No “they only made X of these” with an inflated cost. No 40 Ford restorods or Model As. Nothing particularly ostentatious.

I think the possibilities, risks, rewards of a good quality vintage car instead of new could be advantageous. We need to consider at least reliability, availability of shops that can provide service, parts availability. Certainly reasonable safety is important which most older cars are not well equipped. Collector insurance may help reduce costs if that fits the situation.

Which specific vehicles would you consider as good candidates for a family car be it a sedan, SUV or minivan? Both domestic and imports, low mileage, well cared for. Condition is more important than collectibility. Probably A/C is a must but could be retrofitted. Want to focus on vehicles that would be reliable as daily drivers.

I am thinking of 60s-70s Chevys, Fords, 2000s Hondas and Toyotas. 1975 and earlier would be beneficial to those of us in CA. Valued at something less than $50K. What are your ideas?

[Jack Standz]

I also have a 1992 968. This is more of a modern car and represents an era where having a classic becomes rational. Still capable of being worked on and still fun to drive but stronger, safer, better equipment. It feels modern and is engaging.

Greg, we also have a 968 Cabriolet.

Sorry my friend, but wouldn't call owing one as "rational" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (especially as a daily driver). Aggregating all years of production, Porsche imported only something like 2,008 to North America and about the same number of coupes. So many parts are NLA, new or used. If available, some parts are quite expensive. It's also uses an interference motor, so if you're late on timing belt maintenance or unlucky, and the belt breaks, you're looking at a very expensive fix and probably one that few could handle with tools in their garage.

For those reasons and others, don't think this meets the OP's criteria.

Don't get it wrong, we believe the 968 is an amazing "luxury sportscar" and really fun to drive (especially with the 6 speed manual transmission). Dead sexy too (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)


Edit: 968s also have a strange 19 pin round OBD connector and use Porsche Durametric software that is hard to find and expensive and most comfortable using older operating systems (Windows XP, Vista 7, etc.) software.