Older Car as a First car?

HM,

I am going to assume that this will be your daily driver. If it is, do you have the mechanical skills and tools to be able to fix it on the fly? Example: It breaks down on way to work/school/job interview/doctor appointment or a date. If you purchase a car that you plan on fixing up, and at the same time, rely on it for everyday driving, you need to be prepared.

I love older, vintage cars. They have character that is lacking in modern day cars.

My suggestion is get the newest used car that you can afford. Something reliable that you can just get in and go.

Save your money, do your research on the different models that you're interested in. THEN GO GET IT!

Going this way could save you money/stress/down-time.

Hope this helps

I've worked at a hotrod shop. These so called "people" are telling the truth. Although cars back then didn't have the greatest handling or the best gas mileage, they had the power to boast. And yes, these cars can bleed you here and there (ie. carb needs fixing, water-pump busting, etc). It all depends on the condition of the car and how much you are willing to spend.

I don't object to you buying an older car, but you are probably going to have to settle for something cheap. I don't know what your budget is, but the price for an classic car restored from the ground up is going to command some high figures. like I said, just get something cheap that's decent and has a good engine. Nothing mega powerful, but enough to have some fun and get good mileage.

Hypothetically, if you were to by a mopar vehicle I'd shoot for a 318, or the 340 smallblock. Good power and good mileage.

You'll also want a winter car too, as snow and salt will wreck the underside of your car.

Don't forget about insurance. Gotta think in the long run.

If you are mechanically inclined, go for it. Older cars are WAY easier to service! If something doesn't work, you can fix it. If a newer car breaks down, you take it to a dealer to get the codes read (or you buy a code reader) then they RAPE you for the service you get done. Newer cars require more specific tools to repair, which are very costly. They also have a TON of sensors that always seem to be going out. Old cars may require more maintanance, but in most cases, you can do it yourself, and parts are a lot cheaper. I have 2 cars that are older than i am, and run incredibly well with little maintanance. My daily driver is a 92 Chevy truck with 239000 miles on. I wouldn't hesitate to drive it cross country if i had to.

Well thats what I did when I first got my license and I wouldnt recommend it unless you are prepared to either pay for it out of pocket or become a shade tree mechanic. Its constantly a headache because your always doing something to it and more then likely you are going to be repairing what other people already fixed. Your gonna walkout to your car and see a new rust bubble or your paints gonna be chipping everytime you wash and wax it. And it really gets to your soul if you really have a classic car your proud of. Because facts are facts all this aftermarket equipment that are on them are gonna cause you problems all the way to the aftermarket wheel when they start rusting and mechanical guages when they start leaking the cold mornings when you feel a draft in your car and realize your weatherstripping needs to be replaced or when your at a store and comeout to see that it wont start because your choke is stuck and have to get someone to jump start you. I hope this helps

the 55 would be hell on gas mileage and bear to find parts for, the 77 is a ford and not Worth its weight in sand. the 88 camaro had its issues. id search on.

well i would have to say a car that's a 1955 is a bad idea. and a 72? ah. i wouldn't. a 88 camaro isn't to bad. and its sporty. if you deside to get a camaro get the 88 IRoc with the 350 motor