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?

[Root_Werks]

Don't use Collector car insurance or Collector plates on any of our vehicles. All vehicles can be driven at any time as much as we want. Three of our cars have stated values.

I think my wife and I reached the limit of model years when it comes to cars. I'll say it's likely the mid to late 90's. ODBII is nice, but get too new and one module can control too much or need special software to diagnose.

We have specific models we like, but all that is just personal preference.

It's hard to think a 2025 mainstream vehicle will be on the road 30 years from now. Most newer models seem so....fragile if that makes sense?

[Superhawk996]

It's hard to think a 2025 mainstream vehicle will be on the road 30 years from now. Most newer models seem so....fragile if that makes sense?

Makes perfect sense. The industry is headed in a very bad direction.

Proprietary diagnostic and coding software. ECUs coded to specific VINs. CAN bus gateways that are being locked down and encrypted.

Engineers now have jump through crazy hoops to update an ECU. Engine ECU are the worst because of emissions implications. Now need to have Bosch send a VIN specific software flash and the security key to unlock the module to do the update. What used to take 15 minutes is now a multi-day fiasco to have the software made, sent to you, and then to get it into the vehicle. And this is with OEM proprietary engineering tools that have way more functionality than what the dealer will ever get.

I have a 2012 BMW x5 that was exceedingly difficult to get the proper diagnostic software for. BMW is actively suppressing right to repair.

I worked at various OEMs for 27 years. I fundamentally don’t like where it was headed and decided to leave rather than participate in what’s coming.

The general public hasn’t really woken up to what’s going to happen.

Jeff (and all you other guys) are wise to be considering what you can easily keep running for the next couple decades.