The Pros and Cons of Owning a Classic Car

Posted 2/13/17

It seems pretty obvious to anyone with two eyes and a heart what the pros of classic car ownership are. Have you seen some of the vintage models that were made over the years? They definitely don’t make them like that anymore! The drawbacks of classic car ownership and the details of the vintage car repairs that will need to go along with it, however, are sometimes more subtle. When you are thinking about adding a vintage or classic car to your garage, it’s worth asking some questions to the type of car mechanics and car electrical specialists who handle vintage car repairs regularly. Its these types of questions the mechanics at our Cincinnati auto shop get nearly every day, and the answers are different for just about everybody. Not everyone will agree, including your wife. But for those who understand how a vintage car can be a special piece of history, as well as a chance to take an afternoon drive back through time, it’s a special appreciation.

Vintage Car Repair is a Requirement As The Cost of Fun

The blog of the National Motorists Association are just one of many who threw in their two cents on the subject. As automotive columnist Eric Peters puts it, “It’s fun to own a “classic” (read, pre-modern) car. It can also be a hassle. Before you dive in, it’s a good idea to know what you’re in for, both good — and bad.”

The good? An interesting hobby that is also an “investment” (though don’t expect to become a millionaire flipping vintage cars). The bad? Classic cars can be complicated. “Pre-modern cars are… pre-modern. If you yourself are not — and don’t have personal experience driving pre-modern cars — it may come as a shock how finicky and maintenance-intensive they can be.” The main thing to keep in mind is that vintage and modern cars are different. And that vintage car repair and modern car repair are equally different. Vintage cars have no computers to regulate things, so there won’t be a light on the dash telling you when something is wrong—you will have to keep an ear to the ground and an eye on things yourself. But since they have no computers, if you get really into it, you can likely do a great deal of the import car maintenance work yourself with some jacks and a well-equipped toolbox. But though vintage car repair is different in a lot of ways than that of modern cars, they will both definitely still need regularly scheduled maintenance. 

Knocking Sound Under the Hood? Find a Jaguar Technician Before You Blow Engine

If you hear light tapping or knocking sounds in the engine of your Jaguar, it’s time to take it in to a mechanic. You may have an engine that’s about to seize. This can be a result of overheating or a lack of oil. If it has seized, you may need to replace the engine. This can be expensive, but a lot less than outright replacing the entire Jaguar. If you happen to notice your temperature gauge in the red, pull over immediately. Don’t try to make it home or even to the next gas station. You don’t want to risk blowing the engine.

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