Which type of vintage cars to buy?

[behyx]

Ok vintage as in not 'antique collectors' cars (because I'm a poor photographer hehehe)

I do like vintage cars like those 1973/1975 mini (Mr Bean's mini), and Austin Mini Moke, saw somebody selling the latter at S$12,000 locally. Fell in love with this car the first time I saw it in AYE, with LV leather seats! Total awesome!!

But please teach a car-noob like me, whether is it worthwhile to drive such a car in Singapore, in terms of fuel efficiency and it's resale/scrap value? Will the price actually appreciate? I've seen people buy vintage cars for like S$20k and it's price can appreciate in few months time..

 

[jdredd]

well, my own view is that 2nd hand cars, if you buy at a good price, can hold their prices reasonably well.

but you have to choose carefully. some can be pretty reliable daily runners, but some will be maintenance nightmares.

its important that you make friends, or know a reliable garage that can repair, and source parts for you.

but to be honest, with the current prices of cars, they dont make financial sense to buy as their depreciation can be as much as a very cheap korean import.

 

[behyx]

Thanks for the advices, jdredd

 

[Denosha]

Be warned that the road tax will be killer:
(Source: www.onemotoring.com.sg)

Road Tax Surcharge (for vehicle over 10 years)
Age of Vehicle | Annual Road Tax Surcharge
More than 10 years | 10%
More than 11 years | 20%
More than 12 years | 30%
More than 13 years | 40%
More than 14 years | 50%

 

[behyx]

Be warned that the road tax will be killer:
(Source: www.onemotoring.com.sg)

Road Tax Surcharge (for vehicle over 10 years)
Age of Vehicle | Annual Road Tax Surcharge
More than 10 years | 10%
More than 11 years | 20%
More than 12 years | 30%
More than 13 years | 40%
More than 14 years | 50%

Oh yah! Didn't think of that..

 

[cerebrus]

The minis are not vintage cars, they are classic cars. Vintage cars are cars built from 1919 to the end of 1930. Some people consider Cars built right up to the start of WW II to be vintage cars. If I am not mistaken, cars built up to 1970 are considered classic.

Mr Beans mini is called a Short Front. My dad has a 1977 Mini Clubman, first owner. Not an easy car to drive, takes a while getting used to. The Mini Moke is really fun! Try going at 90 on the expressway next to a truck. No doors and you are just sitting above the road.

The value of these cars are more intrinsic then the actual worth of the materials. Then again, it is quite nice to drive around in a car which makes peoples heads turn. If you want, I can pass you the contact of my dads mechanic, he does vintage & classic cars. If you do not want to drive it on the road all the time, you can apply for a classic number plate. You get to take the car out for a limited number of days every year and pay much less road tax.

Like jdredd said, some of the cars can be expensive in the long run. For my dads car, we just changed the floor boards & gear box. Not bad, lasted us 29 years before giving problems. Most of the car is still made up of original parts. Getting parts is not that big a headache if you go to a mechanic that specialises in these type of cars. The minis that were built by Rover have the same specs as the old minis, so you can use 'modern' parts.

Vroom Vroom!! :bsmilie:

 

[sandyforever]

Ok vintage as in not 'antique collectors' cars (because I'm a poor photographer hehehe)

I do like vintage cars like those 1973/1975 mini (Mr Bean's mini), and Austin Mini Moke, saw somebody selling the latter at S$12,000 locally. Fell in love with this car the first time I saw it in AYE, with LV leather seats! Total awesome!!

But please teach a car-noob like me, whether is it worthwhile to drive such a car in Singapore, in terms of fuel efficiency and it's resale/scrap value? Will the price actually appreciate? I've seen people buy vintage cars for like S$20k and it's price can appreciate in few months time..

you already stated all the reasons why you shouldn't buy a classic car :
1) car noob
2) poor photographer
3) fuel efficiency
4) appreciation

unless you have a lot of spare cash, a garage, have mechanic skills or a mechanic friend, classic cars are a no-no. They are definitely not fuel efficient because of old technology and most of them have no power steering, no a/c, no door locks or windows. People who own classic cars enjoy them as weekend play toys, not as daily driver, and certainly not as an investment. But they are definitely cool to drive around and get as much attention as Ferrari.

 

[jbma]

Beware of high maintenance cost. Spare parts is another issue. And I don't think there is any scrap value to old cars.

 

[cerebrus]

Beware of high maintenance cost. Spare parts is another issue. And I don't think there is any scrap value to old cars.

Go to Malaysia & sell them. People pay alot of money there for these cars.

 

[dEthANGeL]

:bsmilie: ... think i know who the mechanic is ...

For me, i would love to own a MG-B hard top...

Minis are fun to drive seriously. But do not get into floods. They're using drum brakes and once water gets in ...

But sandyforever has stated the main pros n cons...

 

[catchlights]

Best transport for a photographer is a van.
as long can load a few rolls of 9 ft background papers is a good vehicle.

 

[cerebrus]

:bsmilie: ... think i know who the mechanic is ...

For me, i would love to own a MG-B hard top...

Minis are fun to drive seriously. But do not get into floods. They're using drum brakes and once water gets in ...

But sandyforever has stated the main pros n cons...

mmmmmm...... MG-B.......

Our front brakes are now disk brakes. Also have solved the problem of the distributor getting wet, so car no longer stalls in heavy rain. Have had my wiper fly off once though, during a bad storm.

 

[L.Lee]

I am attracted to a classic car. Especially the S280SL like this one : http://www.classiccar.cz/images/classic-car/obrazek-rubriky-mercedes-280-SL.gif

I made some research and discovered that to own and run one can cost a lot of MONEY and TIME. Sandyforever pointed out most of them.

- the road tax is high - OPC may be cheaper (not sure if it is applicable)
- Maintenance - you need to know some mechanic frendz with work shop to 'babysit' your classic.
- do not expect this classic car to drive like today's modern car.
- it can break down any time, unlikely can be used for daily use. But some are really robust, I seen some Volvos and Peugeot in Malaysia that are easily 25 yrs old.
- spare parts can be an issue.
- not all mechanics are well verse with your classic, you do not want them to 'experiment' on your 'loved one' right?

I already own 2 other modern cars, but I am still eyeing on a classic like the 280SL. I guess the main 'killer' is maintenance. I spoke with a few workshops who expressed no interest or no confident in maintaining such car...may be I got the wrong source..

 

[Tetrode]

The Ultimate Classic car to own would have to be the cigar shaped E-Type Jag (Shaguar) Mk I ragtop in Red or BRG. Yeah Baby!

An Aston Martin DB6 would be nice too or any of the Austin Healeys from the 50s.

 

[dEthANGeL]

The Ultimate Classic car to own would have to be the cigar shaped E-Type Jag (Shaguar) Mk I ragtop in Red or BRG. Yeah Baby!

An Aston Martin DB6 would be nice too or any of the Austin Healeys from the 50s.

AHHHH don't tempt me... i'm a big fan of Aston Martin ... turning back the time, i wish i could be in the era where my uncle was racing with them.

At the recent sentosa event, someone drove in a DB9 convertible ... believe me, the purr of the engine really sends a person to cloud 9 ...

cerebrus:

:bsmilie: ...it happens ... happened to my mom's car when she was driving it in the past too ... kind of embarassing when you have to step out to pick up your wiper

 

[cerebrus]

cerebrus:

:bsmilie: ...it happens ... happened to my mom's car when she was driving it in the past too ... kind of embarassing when you have to step out to pick up your wiper

Wiper sometimes jams, so I have to pull over, jump out in the rain, move it a few times then jump back in.

 

[cerebrus]

I have always liked Austin Healy Sprites! :lovegrin:

 

[dEthANGeL]

I have always liked Austin Healy Sprites! :lovegrin:

Eh ... my uncle's son is driving 1 ...

 

[Tetrode]

I have always liked Austin Healy Sprites! :lovegrin:

Yes, the Bug Eye Sprite is the one to get and are rarer than the later ones. There are still a couple of them in Sg. Zero performance but it makes heads turn esp the chicks.

I've even seen a DB6 sitting on blocks outside someone's house before.

 

[behyx]

Oh man!!

You guys really make me drool when I googled the cars! I simply love Austin Healy Sprites!

I really want to thank sandyforever for that advice... Guess I shouldn't get a classic (at least in Singapore) unless I can easily command a 5-digit figure in every assignment I undertake.

It's going to be a dream for me; however I guess it's more economical for me to get a Kangoo instead :cry: :cry: :cry: