Old cars and old things
Discussion
Why do people still buy these? Genuine question not trying to start a war or anything.
I can sort of see the appeal of a old muscle car because of the sound or a old Ferrari because it's a classic but some people talk about Series 1 RS Turbos, camper vans and MG's?
I am not sure what the attraction is, for the same money in alot of cases a much newer and mechanically better in everyway car can be had for the same price?
I also understand the people who want to buy back a car they had years ago or a similar one as they have some kind of connection. My question arises as I know a guy who must be about 35 who is looking to buy a MGB, I don't understand why anyone would go out of their way to buy one?
Being made in the 60's it seems to old to have a connection. I asked him and his reply was "it's a classic"
Could anyone who has a similar story maybe elaborate why they purchased this sort of car?
I can sort of see the appeal of a old muscle car because of the sound or a old Ferrari because it's a classic but some people talk about Series 1 RS Turbos, camper vans and MG's?
I am not sure what the attraction is, for the same money in alot of cases a much newer and mechanically better in everyway car can be had for the same price?
I also understand the people who want to buy back a car they had years ago or a similar one as they have some kind of connection. My question arises as I know a guy who must be about 35 who is looking to buy a MGB, I don't understand why anyone would go out of their way to buy one?
Being made in the 60's it seems to old to have a connection. I asked him and his reply was "it's a classic"
Could anyone who has a similar story maybe elaborate why they purchased this sort of car?
I think if you 'don't get it' you will never understand.
Old cars are just one of those things, I like driving old cars. They are different, interesting and it's amazing how many people come up to you at petrol stations or in the supermarket to tell you that 'I had one of those' or 'that is in lovely condition'.
Plus I like doing my own spannering and not having to take my car to an expensive dealer and the fact I can usually fix any problem with simple tools.
Old cars are just one of those things, I like driving old cars. They are different, interesting and it's amazing how many people come up to you at petrol stations or in the supermarket to tell you that 'I had one of those' or 'that is in lovely condition'.
Plus I like doing my own spannering and not having to take my car to an expensive dealer and the fact I can usually fix any problem with simple tools.
Bought an MGB GT as a first car when I was 18 (1985), it was 12 years old then, a few months later bought a modern MG Metro that fell to bits after two years, bought another 1973 MG.
They both had a quality and feel that was so much better than the later car.
I can see your point though, but I equally enjoy driving my 40 year old TVR within the speed limit to flying around at stupidk revs in the Type R.
They both had a quality and feel that was so much better than the later car.
I can see your point though, but I equally enjoy driving my 40 year old TVR within the speed limit to flying around at stupidk revs in the Type R.
OP I totally get you. I ended up stuck behind some absolute piece of old junk Peugeot 403 the other day. This thing was sky blue in colour (vile), the paint was in good condition and it was obviously well looked after, but it was being towed by some Citroen Xsara because it had just broken down.
Now, I can definitely understand the attraction of a Ferrari of the same era or something of similar heritage, kept in its dehumidified garage at the perfect temperature, but a PEUGEOT 403? Seriously? Strictly nothing about that car appealed to me as an idea.
Some people love it though.
Now, I can definitely understand the attraction of a Ferrari of the same era or something of similar heritage, kept in its dehumidified garage at the perfect temperature, but a PEUGEOT 403? Seriously? Strictly nothing about that car appealed to me as an idea.
Some people love it though.
Here's a little list to help the young OP on his way towards understanding why lots of people like old cars:
1. they don't depreciate much, if at all
2. they're relatively easy to work on and aren't plagued by modern computer / electrical / etc gubbins. Great for the home DIY-er.
3. they're often more enjoyable to drive - more mechanical, more supple, more comfortable (i.e. less crashy over bumps, higher tyre profiles etc), and so on.
4. they often look better
5. insurance and tax is (or can be) very much cheaper than modern stuff
6. nostalgia
7. they have character
8. because different people like different things.
I'm sure others can add.
1. they don't depreciate much, if at all
2. they're relatively easy to work on and aren't plagued by modern computer / electrical / etc gubbins. Great for the home DIY-er.
3. they're often more enjoyable to drive - more mechanical, more supple, more comfortable (i.e. less crashy over bumps, higher tyre profiles etc), and so on.
4. they often look better
5. insurance and tax is (or can be) very much cheaper than modern stuff
6. nostalgia
7. they have character
8. because different people like different things.
I'm sure others can add.
alfa pint said:
Each to their own. I choose to spend my money on old things with character and only buy new clothes and electronics new. I like old houses, old cars, old furniture. My choice. My taste. If you care to spend £15k on a new french s
te hatch, your choice. I'd rather have an old 911.
Fair point on the furniture and stuff. Why buy a new Ikea bookshelf which is worthless the moment you set foot out of the store, when for a bit more you can get an antique that will never lose money? Even a 1960s MGB is more interesting than an annual ISA statement.te hatch, your choice. I'd rather have an old 911. I have a similar conversation with work colleagues. One mocks me for looking at old cars in classifieds.
He would rather have a new Vauxhall Astra with as many gadgets as he can afford. That is his choice.
I on the other hand get misty eyed about pedigree and character. I am also a fan of mechanical feel not just in steering, but in all controls, which is rather lost in many cars now. I also think that style has been sacrificed in favour of bling in many things now. For example, my grandfather bequeathed me a classic Omega (not worth much by all accounts) but it, to me, has a timeless elegance. I find new ones flash and chinzy. Same goes for cars.
This is my choice.
Let me put it this way. I understand and accept how under the skin, the modern equivalent is objectively better by every measurable way. But going back to my style point.
I appreciate that this is basically impossible - if you could get modern insides, modern life would be just a little more interesting if this:
looked more like this:
or if this
a bit more like this
Yes I know it is not possible, and in many ways silly and backwards - but I think it illustrates the point I am trying to make!
He would rather have a new Vauxhall Astra with as many gadgets as he can afford. That is his choice.
I on the other hand get misty eyed about pedigree and character. I am also a fan of mechanical feel not just in steering, but in all controls, which is rather lost in many cars now. I also think that style has been sacrificed in favour of bling in many things now. For example, my grandfather bequeathed me a classic Omega (not worth much by all accounts) but it, to me, has a timeless elegance. I find new ones flash and chinzy. Same goes for cars.
This is my choice.
Let me put it this way. I understand and accept how under the skin, the modern equivalent is objectively better by every measurable way. But going back to my style point.
I appreciate that this is basically impossible - if you could get modern insides, modern life would be just a little more interesting if this:
looked more like this:
or if this
a bit more like this
Yes I know it is not possible, and in many ways silly and backwards - but I think it illustrates the point I am trying to make!
Edited by Vocal Minority on Wednesday 12th September 14:45
OllieC said:
new cars are boring as fk
This, they mostly look the same and are constantly moving away from what a car is supposed to look like. All the fun has been taken out of driving them. kI like old Fords, not remotely exotic or even interesting to most people but given the choice between a Series 1 RS Turbo or a brand new Focus, the Escort would win hands down, even though it has the same power as a poverty spec Focus but only half the weight.
A point perfectly made though and life would be so much better for it. vixen1700 said:
I'm not the biggest fan of MGBs, find them really underpowered and slow, but you must see the appeal of jumping in one on a nice Summer's day and going for a spin with that distinctive exhaust note.
For 10k you could easily have a decent S2000 which I would gladly drive on a summers day or a E46 M3 which would be alot more fun I would imagine. Yes they are more common but the brilliance is proven.
The "people like different things" seems very confrontational, I am merely asking why people like these things?
I am all for not having driving aids for a drivers car, that I "get" but hmmm, maybe the poster who said I won't ever get it is correct.
It's odd though as something like a TVR I understand because of the V8 sound. Certain cars, mainly MG's and certainly the above Peugeot I just think "why bother?"
Shinobi said:
It's odd though as something like a TVR I understand because of the V8 sound.
My TVR has an engine smaller in cubic capacity than an MGB with only 106 bhp and a basic Focus is faster, but that's really not the point of it at all. The sound, the looks, the handling, the rarity in fact everything does it for me.
You may never get it if you're comparing an S2000 price wise to an MGB.
I don't understand it either. But I'm very much susceptible to it.
A while back I drove a friend's late-1970s Beetle. Even by the standards of its day it was a pretty uninspiring driving machine, but I really enjoyed puttering around in it.
Actually, I suspect that last comment has rather a lot to do with it. Old cars tend to be a far more visceral experience. In the same way that you'd no doubt feel the piston engines' vibrations shimmying down the fuselage of that DH 89 pictured above, you tend to get a greater sense of connection with old cars than you do with their modern counterparts.
It doesn't always make them better. Usually in makes them worse in quantifiable terms, but there's something endearing about it. I'd quite happily spend an hour or two driving around in a 1930s Austin Seven saloon for the fun of it, but I'm in no great hurry to jump into a modern-day repmobile.
A while back I drove a friend's late-1970s Beetle. Even by the standards of its day it was a pretty uninspiring driving machine, but I really enjoyed puttering around in it.
Actually, I suspect that last comment has rather a lot to do with it. Old cars tend to be a far more visceral experience. In the same way that you'd no doubt feel the piston engines' vibrations shimmying down the fuselage of that DH 89 pictured above, you tend to get a greater sense of connection with old cars than you do with their modern counterparts.
It doesn't always make them better. Usually in makes them worse in quantifiable terms, but there's something endearing about it. I'd quite happily spend an hour or two driving around in a 1930s Austin Seven saloon for the fun of it, but I'm in no great hurry to jump into a modern-day repmobile.
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