Re: An everyday classic?
I think your argument has some merit but you also seem to be looking on this idea in a purely logical way, something that classic car owners will freely admit to not having any impact on their decision to drive a classic. If it did, no-one would buy them.
It's an emotive thing, driving an old car.
- Not knowing if you'll make your destination when setting off is part of the excitement nad can make a boring 100 mile trip into an adventure.
- You'll automatically drive safer than if you had a new car. If you get into a car with no crumple zones, no ABS, no airbag, no ESP, no Traction Control and just a seatbelt between you and the unknown, you are NOT going to drive like Sebastian Loeb. (Controversial point here, but modern cars have made us soft in our attitude towards accidents because we can see the remnants of cars and are amazed that someone got out of that alive.)
- If it's roasting in the summer, open a window. If freezing in the winter, warm it up before you go anywhere (that's if it starts at all
- Tedious to drive in traffic....what car isn't ???
- You will need to have a friendly mechanic and you'll get to know the car club guys and gals on a first name basis to find parts ets but doing it yourself is part of what makes owning a classic worthwhile.
Me, I want an E21 C2 2.3 Alpina. Just trying for find one for sale is depressing enough !
I think your argument has some merit but you also seem to be looking on this idea in a purely logical way, something that classic car owners will freely admit to not having any impact on their decision to drive a classic. If it did, no-one would buy them.
It's an emotive thing, driving an old car.
- Not knowing if you'll make your destination when setting off is part of the excitement nad can make a boring 100 mile trip into an adventure.
- You'll automatically drive safer than if you had a new car. If you get into a car with no crumple zones, no ABS, no airbag, no ESP, no Traction Control and just a seatbelt between you and the unknown, you are NOT going to drive like Sebastian Loeb. (Controversial point here, but modern cars have made us soft in our attitude towards accidents because we can see the remnants of cars and are amazed that someone got out of that alive.)
- If it's roasting in the summer, open a window. If freezing in the winter, warm it up before you go anywhere (that's if it starts at all
- Tedious to drive in traffic....what car isn't ???
- You will need to have a friendly mechanic and you'll get to know the car club guys and gals on a first name basis to find parts ets but doing it yourself is part of what makes owning a classic worthwhile.
Generally speaking, I suppose that an Escort will not be a 'classic' until it reaches 30 or more years old simply because of the numbers produced. However, a Corrado VR6 which was made up until 1995 could already be a classic. The BMW E30 M3 made from 1986-1990 is already definitely a classic. The thing that makes a difference here is the quality of the car obviously, but also the limited numbers of them produced.
Me, I want an E21 C2 2.3 Alpina. Just trying for find one for sale is depressing enough !