Tips for Buying a Classic Car

King Volkswagen knows you love our wide selection of new and certified pre-owned vehicles, but with Volkswagen’s rich history, it’s possible you may be considering purchasing a classic car. In fact, you might want to. Since 2005, classic car collecting has beat real estate and stock market in valuation, making it one of the best ways to invest your money. Bodie Stroud, star of American Restoration and classic car designer for celebrities like Johnny Depp, gives us his best ten tips for buying a classic car.

• Be Patient:  “That’s why I always say to just try and be patient, really look for everything and don’t be afraid to pass on a car. Don’t feel like you have to buy the first one you see. Because that’s what I used to do: ‘Oh my god, I want that car!’ You can’t believe the price. But then, after you see what you get, you can believe the price.”

• Find Out What’s Hot: “Buying classic cars is kind of like real estate. You’ve got a certain range of car years that will go up in value, and the next [model] year they’re completely down. So if you have the money, you want to buy them when they’re down. Find the best deal— the best model you can find in the best shape you can find, whether it’s a matching numbers car or not.”

• American or European: Stroud says that the basic rule is that European cars are generally worth more, but they also cost more and are harder to replace parts. American cars are still worth investing in, however their valuation may take longer.

• Is Matching Important?: “People aren’t caring as much about matching numbers [where the stamped serial numbers of the engine, frame and gearbox all match the last six digits of the car’s VIN]. It’s still going to be important in some cases, but it’s more important to get a car that’s in good shape than a car with matching numbers that’s rotted out.”

• Be Thorough: It’s important to take the time to ask questions and be thorough in the car buying process. Don’t rely on pictures. Make sure to ask lots of questions such as how many owners the car has had, what happened to the original motors, how many miles it has on it, etc.

• Pictures are Important: Always try to see the car in person before you buy it, but if you absolutely can’t, make sure you get plenty of visual proof and high quality pictures.

• Pay Attention to the Gaps: Good gaps are representative of a good car, and will cost you less money in the end. Watch out for even panel gaps through the entire car including interior, hood, and trunk lines.

• Drive It: This one is obvious. Pay attention to how the car sounds.

• Look Out for Body Rot: Choose a car with the least amount of body rot, especially under the bottom of the car, where rust is most prevalent.

• Where Should You Buy?: “Arizona, Bakersfield, California, Las Vegas: Any desert car is what I look for. If it’s a native car from one of those areas, you’re much less likely to have excessive body rot.”

“All The Classic Car Buying Tips You Need To Make Your Investment Count.” AskMen. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2016. <http://www.askmen.com/cars/car_tips/rules-for-buying-a-classic-car/>.

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