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?

[JeffBowlsby]

We are in a paradigm shift. Broadly speaking,

Boomers live in a world of relatively simple cars, with a presumed right-to-repair for maintenance and customization, varying from small to large degree. Customization flows from the need to replace NLA parts, or to improve or build the car of ones dreams. Cars not seen as disposable, they can be repaired, restored, improved and customized. Its car culture, and its in the Boomer DNA.

Later generations tend not to share those perspecitives. They see cars as A to B transportation devices. Leave maintenance to the dealers or an indy shop. Not interested in hot rodding. Not into car culture. Right to repair is not on their radar.

Manufacturers recognize and accommodate this shift in generational priorities. Right to repair is becoming obsolete as cars become so complicated that only specialists have the skills and equipment needed. For some newer vehicles only the dealer can provide the needed service, or the owners manual states that simple procedures (such as transmission and transfer case fluid changes) can only be performed by the dealer. Cars are seen as disposable appliances. Foam bumpers, plastic grilles, plastic oil pans and drain plugs, digital dashes that are unrepairable, black box computers that control everything from transmissions to headlights. Non-modular audio.

As even more complicated drivetrains, safety and emissions systems, and tech develop - will these foster a market share grab by manufacturers? Will the day come when cars can only be serviced at dealerships with proprietary equipment they control? Independent mechanics become non-existent; they work at the dealership now. Maybe the reality is coming sooner than we thought, when we don't buy/own cars, we can only rent them as a taxi service.

[bkrantz]

We are in a paradigm shift. Broadly speaking,

Boomers live in a world of relatively simple cars, with a presumed right-to-repair for maintenance and customization, varying from small to large degree. Customization flows from the need to replace NLA parts, or to improve or build the car of ones dreams. Cars not seen as disposable, they can be repaired, restored, improved and customized. Its car culture, and its in the Boomer DNA.

Later generations tend not to share those perspecitives. They see cars as A to B transportation devices. Leave maintenance to the dealers or an indy shop. Not interested in hot rodding. Not into car culture. Right to repair is not on their radar.

Manufacturers recognize and accommodate this shift in generational priorities. Right to repair is becoming obsolete as cars become so complicated that only specialists have the skills and equipment needed. For some newer vehicles only the dealer can provide the needed service, or the owners manual states that simple procedures (such as transmission and transfer case fluid changes) can only be performed by the dealer. Cars are seen as disposable appliances. Foam bumpers, plastic grilles, plastic oil pans and drain plugs, digital dashes that are unrepairable, black box computers that control everything from transmissions to headlights. Non-modular audio.

As even more complicated drivetrains, safety and emissions systems, and tech develop - will these foster a market share grab by manufacturers? Will the day come when cars can only be serviced at dealerships with proprietary equipment they control? Independent mechanics become non-existent; they work at the dealership now. Maybe the reality is coming sooner than we thought, when we don't buy/own cars, we can only rent them as a taxi service.

You might be too harsh on younger people. Yes, young gear heads are a minority. But it was the same for us 50 years ago.

But don't get me started on the continent who look at cars as just another internet device, with wheels attached.