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Classic Vehicles That Hold Their Value Over Long Periods Of Time

Many classic cars that retain their value for long periods of time are around still today. Once you drive an automobile off the car lot, it automatically decreases in price. However, some used cars hold there financial worth better than others. Some will even get more expensive after a period of time goes by. The vehicles which have the trendiest styles and well thought out design are the ones that hold their value the best.

The engineering is particularly good and these vehicles are mechanically sound. People like to restore and fix them up and collect them. The condition of the vehicle determines its worth along with the make, model, year, and how rare it is. Different makes and models are more rare than others. When considering a car for sale, decide on how important this is to you.

Some automobiles were only made in limited editions. This means they only made a certain amount of vehicles that year. Limited editions are harder to find because their is less of them out there. This helps them to stay valuable and keep their worth. It takes longer to find a limited edition vehicle, but when you do, you have stumbled on a great investment.

Car collecting has been a big hobby for many automobile enthusiasts. The worth of a classic automobile is decided by examining its condition and rarity. There are buyers out there who are willing to pay top dollar for the right automobile that is in excellent condition. Not all vehicles can be found in perfect condition, But with some restoring they can look like new. IF you are willing to pay for some restoration to be done, you could get it back with a gain when you decide to sell.

The classic car market also plays a role in determining the price of a vehicle. If the automobile is rare and unusual, it can be a highly sought after car. This ultimately drives up the value of the car. The market will determine which cars are more valuable than others do to popularity and rarity.

To drive up the price of an automobile, the amount of buyers must increase. When increased demand goes in hand with limited supply you can increase your profits by 100 percent on the value of your vehicle. The promise of a good return on your initial investment makes these automobiles attractive. Hobbyists and collectors love to find used cars and fix them up, drive them around some, then sell them for a profit.

Collectors join clubs to share their knowledge and love of these beautiful vehicles. The ones that have the most original parts and components still with them have the most financial worth. Many owners will restore their automobiles as a hobby or pay someone else to do so. Once restored, they often put them on display at shows and competitions.

Restoration can be challenging for collectors. Parts can be non existent or hard to find. Fortunately, there are specialists in this area that can produce certain parts by hand and are experts in restoration. Classic cars that retain their value will also have the original production manual with them. Restored used cars can be a great hobby and investment that will appreciate in financial worth over time.

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Posted on January 4, 2012 by , 2 comments

It’s Your Car – Let It Age Gracefully

Do you drive a used car?

Of course you do. Everybody drives a used car. The moment you drive it, it is used. There’s a scuff on the tire. A fingerprint on the door handle.

We all drive used cars, but… we want those cars to look as new as possible for as long as possible. Well, there are way to do just that – clever little secrets that extend the life of your car. Not just so that it keeps driving once it looks like it’s been through a WWF match with a T-Rex, but so that it stays young.

Remember that new car smell? That shiny sheen across everything (except maybe the cloth seats)? Remember how it felt to drive your brand new car?

My how those cars do age. But they don’t have to. A car might grow old, might become used, but it doesn’t have to feel old, used or abused. It doesn’t have to look old. It doesn’t have to moan and groan and make it quite clear to us that it’s seen better days.

Everything ages. Yes, I’m talking to you. You know exactly what I mean. I’m talking about gravity. I’m talking about wear and tear. I’m talking about the relentless march of the sands of time. You can’t escape it. Your children can’t escape it. Nor your pets. Nor your house. Not even your car…sooner or later a new car becomes a used car.

But you can get a make-over. You can use high-quality creams to keep your skin young. You can maintain your house.

And you can keep your car looking…fabulous!

Every woman seeks beauty secrets to keep her skin soft and supple, to stave off the effects of gravity and time. Cars deserve the same attention, so we would like to share with you a few clever little tricks to keep you in a shiny, youthful car longer. Indeed, these tips will also be quite profitable in the long run, because when you go to sell the car later on, it will sell for a higher price.

So sit back, suck up that new car smell and see which of these tips you’ll put to use today.

ALWAYS USE PROTECTION

After shampooing your fabric seats and floor mats, spray fabric protection on them and leave the car doors open or the windows down to allow proper drying. This keeps stains and dirt to a minimum, and will make it easier in the future to keep them clean. It will go a long way to preserving the interior of your vehicle.

TENNIS BALL TRAILER HITCH COVERS

Let’s start small… One of the best ways to keep rust from accumulating on your chrome trailer hitch is to take a tennis ball, cut a slit in it and slide over the ball of the trailer hitch. . We always wondered why dogs like to chase cars… now we know.

* This can also help protect you from getting sued by that angry-looking guy over there who just smashed his shin into your trailer hitch while walking past your vehicle in the parking lot

CLEAN BIRD DROPPINGS

“Don’t park under trees or places where birds hang out.” That’s great advice for the, ah, obvious reason. But also did you know that tree sap is bad for the finish of your car? Yes, yes, so are bird droppings. So get them off as soon as you can.

PREVENT CRACKED DASHBOARDS

ArmorAll the heck out of the dashboard and any other plastic type of materials in your car that will be exposed to the sun. ArmorAll is like those fancy skin creams some people use on their face to reduce cracking, wrinkles and other signs of age. It will protect it from fading and keep the plastic from cracking.

KEEP DE-ICER SPRAY HANDY

If you live in the cold white north, especially in the dead of winter, you should always carry a bottle of De-Icer spray with you. Yes, I know you know that…but do you do it? De-Icer will help you get into those frozen locks, but if you forget to close that sunroof you are going to need a little more help. De-icer is a lot easier on your locks, and occasionally other crevices, than a screwdriver. Or a blowtorch.

(Just making sure you’re still paying attention.)

This is just a short sampling of the many used car beauty tips and tactics you can employ to keep you vehicle looking, smelling and running like new. There are plenty more in this car tips book, a free download for anyone who wants it. Download a copy for yourself. Share with a friend. Blog about it. Share it on FaceBook or Twitter. Spread the word…there is hope yet for aging cars!

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Posted on July 22, 2010 by , Reply

Let’s Make A Deal: 5 Steps For Buying A Used Car

So you are in the market for a used car or truck. Can you tell a great deal from a lemon? Do you know how to get the best deal? Where do you start?

You could start at the library taking out five or six heavy volumes on the topic. Or you could simply follow these five steps to reduce the risk that inevitably comes with buying anything used.

#1 – Do your research

You have many options. The Internet makes searching for used vehicles easy, but remember to spend the time to really do your homework. If saving money is your top goal, try to remain flexible in your search. There might be a great deal on a different make or model than you were thinking of. Or you might have to search a wider location, including nearby cities or towns…or maybe even the state next door.

#2 – Speak with the seller
Once you’ve narrowed down your search to potential vehicles that you would like to purchase, your next task is to inquire about the condition of the car. Whether you are using email or speaking to the seller directly the following questions will help you get a better idea on the condition of the car:

“Tell me please why you are selling the car?”

“Has the vehicle ever been in a collision? Has it ever had major replacement parts added? What else can you tell me about its condition?”

“Do you have maintenance and repair records? May I see them when I come to see the car

“I assume you have no objections to me taking the car for an independent inspection before I commit to a price?”

4. Observe all the bodylines, do the hood, trunk, and doors line up with the rest of the car? If they don’t this could be a sign that the car was in a serious crash.

5. Look to see if the car has ever been repainted by checking for over spray in the trunk and the engine compartment. Overspraying would be a sign that the car has had bodywork done, most likely following a collision.

6.Check for rust on the undercarriage and inside the car and trunk. Rust on the inside on bolts and other metal fasteners is a possible sign of flood damage.

7. Check the tread wear pattern on the tires. Uneven wear could be a sign of a suspension problem.

8. Test all the power options, including locks, trunk, windows, lights, etc.

9. Turn on the air conditioning and the heater (not at the same time!), as well as the defroster.

10. Look for any signs of leaks in the engine compartment (Oil, coolant, etc.)

#4 – Take a test drive

Now that the vehicle has passed a simple visual and touch inspection, it’s time to find out how the moving parts all work (a car is of little use if it won’t move properly). Don’t be shy to ask the seller to come along. If there are unexpected noises that pop up while you are on your test drive, you might want to ask him about them.

In a vehicle with an automatic transmission watch for signs of slippage. When you accelerate, there should be no hesitation between the engine’s acceleration and the car’s. If there is, it is a sure sign of transmission wear (with a costly repair just around the corner).

Test the brakes, both regular and ABS. The car should stop straight and quickly, without pulling to one side and without any vibration. The one thing more important in a car than going is stopping

#5 – Negotiate the price of the car

OK. The car passes your visual inspection, it passes a road test and your independent mechanic (don’t forget him) gives you the green light. No lemon here. But how to get the best deal?

Buying a used car from a used car dealer and a private seller they are two very different experiences. This is most apparent when it comes to negotiating. Dealers are seasoned negotiators; private sellers are not.

Here are a few tips to help you with negotiating:

1. Use the knowledge you gained when researching. The price of a used car is based entirely on its condition, mileage, reliability, performance and popularity

2. Try to remain positive and confident and if you need some handholding bring along a friend for moral support.

3. If you think you will need some financial help, speak to your bank first and see what kind of rates you can get. If you don’t know what you can afford, you cannot negotiate with confidence.

4. You will most likely end up paying more than your offer Make your opening offer low, but one that is still realistic..

By following these five steps and keeping your options open you are bound to buy a used car that will not only meet your needs but also your budget.

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Posted on June 7, 2010 by , Reply