Impulse Buys and Classics Do Not Go Together
August 22nd, 2009
You have searched high and low for the antique car of your dreams. Now, it is sitting in front of you with a price tag you can actually afford. Your heart tells you to put the money down and drive away today. Hopefully, your head is telling you to take a step back and breathe.
Purchasing a classic on an impulse is never a good idea. Even if the ride in front of your eyes is exactly the one you have been looking for, it is best to put on the brakes and do a few things before truly making up your mind. To better ensure the buy is a good one, take the time to:
Double-check the pricing – If you researched prices a few years in the past, go back to the books and see what a fair deal on the car is. Remember, classics are collectors’ items. This means they can go up and down in value based on popularity and demand.
Have the car inspected – While it is certainly acceptable to have to face some restoration work, getting a classic inspected before a purchase is still a good idea. A trained inspector who knows classics will be able to clue you in on what to expect.
Find out about the vehicle history – Question the owner as much as possible about how the car was used, how it was taken care of and so on.
Purchasing a classic on an impulse can bite you back down the road. When you do come across the car you have been searching for, take a breath and make sure you are really getting a good deal. You will thank yourself later.
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