Classic Cars

April 16th, 2010

You love the look of a classic MG and found one for sale in a neighboring town, but the guy down the street has an equally hot 1965 Mustang up for grabs. You’re torn and just not sure what car to pursue buying and restoring.

While both cars are likely to provide an equal amount of ownership and driving pleasure down the road, there are some pros and cons worth considering when it comes to buying a foreign classic.

The Pros

The British MG will certainly offer quite a few pros if you choose to purchase it over the Mustang. Some of the advantages of going this route include:

• The distinction –While the number of American classics on the road is dwindling, they are not out of the ordinary to see. That MG, or another foreign classic, however, won’t be quite as common.
• The challenge – Finding parts for any classic presents a challenge. For a foreign classic, the challenge level can be even higher. If you enjoy the hunt as half the fun of restoration, a foreign would likely work well for you.

The Cons

Going with a foreign car can present a few disadvantages, depending on your perspective. They include:

• Restoration costs – The actual cost for parts and even the related search can prove to be more expensive if you go with a foreign model car.
• The time involved – While that challenge might be fun, it can take up a lot of time. If you want a car that you can get on the road fast, a more common American classic might be the better option.

Picking a foreign classic car to restore does have some serious distinction attached to it. The reality is there is no bad choice here. It all depends on your willingness to put in the time and money to restore a car.