A
Anonymous03/12/26, 07:11No.28875116Classic vs Modern Car for Daily
Buying a car soon, but I'm trying to decide between getting a newer car (10yrs old or newer) or a Classic Car, which I will define as anything from the 1950s through the early 2000s, but really I'm thinking of something from the 50s-70s. Otherwise I'd probably get something from 2015 or newer because I would like some modern features such as adaptive cruise control.
Here's the thing though, I live a mile from work, and I barely drive. Once a week I'll drive about 25 miles round trip to my parents for dinner. Otherwise I'll drive a couple miles here and there to the grocery store or bar, that's about it. Right now I drive a panther platform car that gets barely 300 miles to a 19 gallon tank and a full tank will last me at least 3 weeks if not more, so I don't drive a whole lot.
Why am I considering a classic automobile that is 50+ years old? Well, I think a lot of older cars look great. I'd love to cruise around town in a 1970s Lincoln Continental or Mark V or something like that. But not even opposed to a "boring" 60s car like a Plymouth Valiant for example. And of course, any 50s car would be great.
But the main reason I'm thinking of a classic is because of my next car. With the way technology is advancing, I think that whatever car I get now, the next car I get, in 5 or 10+ years, will likely be an EV. As soulless as they can be, I think pretty soon the tech will be perfected enough that they will eventually be the most logical choice.
And then when that happens, gasoline prices will probably go up even more, as driving a gas vehicle becomes more and more of a niche hobbyist activity. I don't want to wait until then to have a cool classic car, let alone be able to daily drive one.
At the same time though, I recognize any classic car will likely have more maintenance issues. This decision has been wracking my brain, and I want to see what /o/ thinks. Would you daily a classic car if you only drove like 500 miles a month maximum?
48
Replies
A
Anon03/12/26, 07:19No.28875122
I guess I should've added my budget and conditions. I'm pretty much a poorfag, but the absolute most I could probably afford, with financing, would be around $15,000, maybe $20k for the absolute best deal most ideal car.So this presents another dilemma. If I get a newer car that's 10 years old or newer, it likely won't be what I truly want. Right now I drive a late model panther platform car, and it's great, but falling apart in some areas. I prefer rear wheel drive. I like having a V8 engine. I enjoy good visibility.If I want to keep rear wheel drive, with my budget, I feel like the only real options are a V6 Charger or Chrysler 300, and likely a lower tier base model without adaptive cruise or leather.So because of that, I feel like I'd probably end up with a modern fwd car or maybe all wheel drive but still a fwd based vehicle. Not the end of the world, but I'm approaching middle age, and I don't want to get a car that I don't want.Still though, the idea of getting a modern fwd car from a reliable brand is appealing. I like the idea of just having a cheap car that does what I want, when I want, that I don't have to worry about too much.Also, I live in an apartment, and my car will likely always be parked on the street. This means I don't want anything too flashy or appealing like a V8 charger, cause I don't want it stolen. I might move soon to an apartment complex with a parking garage, but that's still no real prevention against theft.I see the pros and cons of both decisions, but I really want a classic car. I just hate the idea of getting a car and then it's a constant headache of maintenance, and I worry that even the most well taken care of older car would be such a maintenance nightmare
A
Anon03/12/26, 07:31No.28875129
>Daily a 90s car
Yep fine
>Daily an 80s car
Eh maybe
>Anything older
Just asking for trouble
A
Anon03/12/26, 07:43No.28875134
>wants a classic car
>can't actually afford to restore a car from the 50's
Boy do I have a bridge to sell ya! 1-2k and the rest of the 13k to fix it (plus customize)
A
Anon03/12/26, 08:02No.28875145
If you go for a classic car, getting one that is well supported by the aftermarket is the best choice. Also, importantly you may need to travel to find a rust free car. I wouldn't be worrying about maintenance at all for any 50yr old mainstream brand. It'll be a doddle. As to Mopars, let me recommend the Plymouth Duster as an economical muscle car. Same as Dodge Dart/Valiant from 67-mid 70s the Duster has that desirable muscle car look in a smaller cheaper package.
A
Anon03/12/26, 09:59No.28875178
I'm not going to read your novel. The main reason to own a newer car is reliability. However if you can wrench and are not afraid of fixing/maintaining a classic car regularly, a classic car will last longer. A newer car of a similar displacement will for the most part get better mileage than an older car. There was a point in the 80's were economy cars were getting crazy good mileage.
From a looks perspective, older cars look better.
A
Anon03/12/26, 13:00No.28875253
A
Anon03/12/26, 15:27No.28875380
I just learned I can finance a classic car. For $900 a month, I can own a fucking C1 Corvette.Is there a reason I shouldn't daily a fucking C1 Corvette? Think about it:>Smol Block V8
>Four speed t10 manual tranny
>Solid rear axle
>Nothing else. Literally no other part of this car to go wrong.It's that simple. The complicated parts aren't complicated and can be found in a a junkyard. If I buy one that has a replacement engine and/or transmission, I basically have carte blanche to do what I want without seriously damaging the resale or collector value, and even then I don't care that much.
A
Anon03/12/26, 15:51No.28875400
>a Classic Car, which I will define as anything from the 1950s through the early 2000s
Jesus fucking christ.
Youre in so far over your head that I need sonar just to hear your ramblings.
This is like saying "I want something nimble and small so I was thinking Miata or maybe a Suburban".
What the fuck does a 1954 bel air have in common with a 2002 Mustang?
A
Anon03/12/26, 16:27No.28875439
I'm gonna level with ya, you are not realistically in a position to own a classic car, and by classic, I mean roughly anything pre 1980's-ish. I'm not saying it *can't* be done, but the caveat for owning a classic as a poor fag is that you NEED to be able to do most, if not all of the work yourself, and I doubt you're going to be doing oil changes, greasing suspension, and just generally maintaining your car on the street. You'd be lugging tools and a jack back and forth to your apartment, leaving stuff around unsupervised, yada yada yada - it's just not realistic. It's unfortunate, but sometimes you just need to accept that you're not in a position to have the things you want in life.>t. own and daily cars from 1950, 1961, 1964, and 1973.
A
Anon03/12/26, 16:38No.28875448
Have you ever been around a 'classic car' while it was running? It stinks like shit, I was driving behind one and I was getting nauseous from the smell. They don't have emissions control systems and use carbs so they're always running with the wrong fuel mixture.They're also basically shells made of cardboard on top of a frame, if you hit anything they'll crumple into a thousand knives aimed at your organs.
A
Anon03/12/26, 18:11No.28875561
>nice afternoon out driving the classic
>idling in traffic and engine starts surging and then requires constant blipping of the throttle to stay running, barely.
Quick! What do you do!If you didn't already have the answer by the time I asked, you aren't ready for a classic as a daily.
A
Anon03/12/26, 21:58No.28875732
Get a restomod. New engine and transmission in an old body.
A
Anon03/13/26, 12:47No.28876375
serious opinion coming throughI've owned 7 shitboxes and drove many more cars. Personally I prefer older cars because they are more driver oriented. I don't have large screens that distract me or constant annoying beems like modern cars (oh now, you are looking throught side mirrors while trying to cross a junction, I HAVE TO WARN YOU TO STARE AT R O A D).Older cars are easier to wrench. I think 80s cars were the best to wrench at home. Easy access to all bolts. BUT every part eventually wears out and you have to look for replacement. Todays replacement parts ARE DOGSHIT. So far I believe the most reliable are 90s cars but some luxurious ones have problems with electronics like LS400 capacitors at ECU.I would avoid 70s cars. They have advanced vacuum systems and sometimes finding one leak means disassembling half of car.50s and 60s cars are money pits thanks to boomers. They hoard each part like it's slab of gold and you have to pay milions for basic stuff because THEY DON'T MAKE EM LIKE THEY USED TO.Stick to that Panther bro
A
Anon03/14/26, 18:16No.28877747
If you have to ask, the answer is no.You might be surprised how liberating driving a reliable new(ish) compact car is over even your panther platform beater. Suddenly a road trip is not an expedition. You become invisible to cops if you drive sensibly. You don't have a medium-sized maintenance issue every year. I mean, for some people the maintenance issues are part of the fun, and that's why we're here, but you might have enough other things you want to do that you should choose wisely.
A
Anon03/15/26, 08:01No.28878413
Don't classic car insurers get ass blasted if they find out you daily your classic car?
>inb4 bro just don't crash
and besides I'm pretty sure they expect you to have a regular daily car anyways