“What’s the most low-maintenance classic car I can get?” is a question I get asked quite often. Usually it’s followed by “I’d also like it to drive like a modern car and I don’t want to spend too much money on it.” If you’re asking these, you’re not ready to own a classic car. BUT there are some great questions to help you explore if owning a classic (or really, any enthusiast vehicle) is something that’s right for you. Let’s break down maintenance, drivability and cost for classic cars to arm you with decision-making you need if you’re a car enthusiast who is not yet an enthusiast car owner.

Why Expecting a Low-Maintenance Classic Car is a Bad Idea

Cars have gotten so low-maintenance and hands-off that our experience of owning a car has totally changed in the last 50 years. Heck, even in the last 10! My modern daily driver has nearly 100k miles and all I’ve done are oil changes and basic maintenance. Not a single thing has broken! In contrast, through 50k miles of driving my 1955 Studebaker I’ve re-built the engine, changed the transmission (three times), re-built the front suspension, rebuilt the fuel system, lost and re-built my brake system, broken down on the side of the road more than a few times… and that’s just the major stuff! But I’ve also learned new skills, met amazing people, empowered myself to solve my own problems, and had some seriously amazing adventures with Studie. I wouldn’t trade that for anything. My Studebaker has changed my life.

While not all vintage cars are going to have the same issues I’ve dealt with in my Studebaker, there is no way around the fact that old cars aren’t like new cars. They have smells and noises (that most of us classic car owners come to love!) Maintenance for classic cars means much more than going in for an oil change. It may mean oiling parts of a fan so it doesn’t seize, lashing valves regularly to keep the engine running smooth and chasing down leaks—it all depends on the year, make, model, engine and other running gear the car has. And it will definitely mean learning about your own cars’ unique needs and investing more time and money than modern car owners are used to.

So if you really love the idea of a classic, collectible or enthusiast car but have no idea what owning one is like—here are some helpful maintenance-related questions to ask yourself.

Don’t Ask “What’s the best low maintenance classic car?”, Ask Instead:

• Can I do my own maintenance?
• Am I interested in learning about how to work on cars?
• How many weekends am I willing to spend in the garage?
• How much do I intend on driving my enthusiast car?

Driving Classic Cars Don’t Feel Like Driving Modern Cars (and Shouldn’t)

Can a classic car have entirely new running gear, suspension, chassis… everything!? Absolutely. With enough money and time anything is possible! In my opinion though, part of the allure of driving a classic car is the way it changes one’s experience of driving. My Studebaker doesn’t have air conditioning, power windows/locks, or even a working radio. And guess what? I wouldn’t change this (though sometimes air conditioning would be nice)!

Old cars are much more than just looks, they’re about how you feel when you drive it. Grabbing hold of a big steering wheel, the way the suspension makes you lean over a little extra on a tight curve, turning the crank to lower the window. These are the types of things that create the romance of what makes a classic, a classic. Each manufacturer, era, car with it’s own unique quirks. Discovering these is part of the excitement of owning and driving an enthusiast vehicle.

Many enthusiasts modify their cars to a certain extent. An engine with more horsepower, bringing safety features in, adding a few creature comforts. If you’ve never really been around classic cars or whatever enthusiast vehicle you’re into, I’d urge you to find ways to experience them in some capacity. Is there a specific type of car you’ve always dreamed of? Go to car gatherings and make friends with owners. Do your homework. Explore that vehicle, and different types of builds (riding in and driving them if possible) as much as you can before investing in one yourself. Doing this will help you to answer some of these helpful questions more honestly.

Don’t Ask “Can a classic car drive like a modern one?”, Ask Instead:

• Is there a particular make/model of car that I’m attached to? Why?
• What are my must-have amenities?
  • Examples: Air conditioning, stereo, working gauges, modern brakes, a clean-running engine (or EV!), a low-noise cabin, electrically-controlled locks and windows, power steering, safety features, seating, phone connectivity, etc.
    
• Does the car I want work with my life?
  • This will change based on how you plan to use the car, family scenarios, location, etc.

How Much Does a Classic Car Cost?

The simple answer? Always more than you think. The honest answer? Make a realistic survey of your wants, needs, timeline, abilities and willingness to make the best choice on investment of both time and money. Read on for helpful tips according to budget and for a realistic idea of what the mister & I spent on a budget-DIY build of his ’57 Ford, check out this video from our Extra Good video series that’s over on Driving Line’s YouTube (subscribe here to follow along!)

On a Budget (Less Than $30,000)

If you’re looking to get a classic on a budget, its important to be flexible on what kind of car you want and how quickly it will be on the road. Is it a super-rare or super-collectible car you have your heart set on? That may not be feasible with your budget. Keep in mind, just as when people purchase houses, there’s “beginner” purchases and then there’s “forever” purchases. You may need to be willing to get a starter-car and over time build up to your dream project.

And if you’re gasping at me saying a budget classic car is anything under $30,000… that’s the truth. Is it possible to get a solidly-running & driving classic for less than that? Yes. For less than $10,000? Maybe, but it’ll be a needle in a haystack. I’m not trying to be a Debbie-downer here, but it’s important to be realistic. A great place to start at costing out the type of classic car you’re looking for is with Hagerty’s Car Valuation Tool. It shows year/make/models, a car’s cost trend over time and it even breaks down different qualities of build for what a car is worth.

• OPTION A, ALREADY-BUILT: It can be more economical to buy an already-built car—as project cars seldom sale for more than was invested in them via parts & labor. If you go this route make sure to have a knowledgeable person do a thorough assessment of the car before buying.
• OPTION B, DO-IT-YOURSELF: Waiting for the right deal on a car and carefully evaluating the type of work that needs to be done to it and then doing the work yourself can be a budget-friendly way to own the car you want. But know, you’ll likely have a long road in front of you. Car work takes a LOT of time, a lot of space, and if you mess things up it can take a lot of extra money. There’s a reason why its so common to find unfinished car projects for sale on Craigslist.

Who Said Budget? Sky’s the Limit

If this is the case, lucky you! Maybe you’re just a baller or, more likely, you’ve saved for this over the years. Chances are that even if you’re not “on a budget” you still “have a budget” whether that’s $50,000 or $250,000. Even with a larger budget, it’s important to be realistic.

• OPTION A, ALREADY-BUILT: If you’re buying a pre-built car have your list of “must-haves” and be willing to wait for the right one. Some helpful places to look when purchasing: auction listings, owners clubs specific to the car you want, set a notification criteria on Craigslist/Facebook Marketplace/Ebay/Bring A Trailer or other car sales sites. There are also car agents that can be hired who can be very helpful in finding what you want and insuring it is what it says it is—a good car agent is more than worth the fee they charge.
• OPTION B, BUILD WHAT YOU WANT: With a larger budget, chances are you’re not doing it all yourself. The higher the car’s value, the more is at stake. So choose wisely what you’re confident handling yourself if you want to be hands-on. Even more importantly, choose wisely who you trust to build your car. You need absolute trust in whoever you’re handing big checks to for car work. It is not cheap. The hours of labor you’ll be paying for, in addition to material/parts costs, add up very quickly. So do your homework. Find the right person for the job (maybe they specialize in the car model or the sort of car you want), talk to past customers, Google them, see their work, know what you are and aren’t getting out of working with them, have paperwork that’s detailed and also, be patient.

Regardless of whether you’re skrimping or splurging on your classic car purchase, here are some helpful questions around cost and owning the classic car of your dreams.

Don’t Ask “How expensive is a classic car?”, Ask Instead:

• Is now the right time? If not, what are active steps to get there.
• Is the time & money of building my own car (or having someone else build it) feasible OR should I consider looking for an already-built car?
• Am I willing to rearrange my budget priorities to afford this?
• What happens if I go over-budget?
• What will ongoing care and maintenance cost? Am I prepared for that?

Why Owning a Classic Car is Something You Should Consider

After all these questions and realities of getting into classic car ownership, I’m ending on this because I LOVE how owning a classic car has changed my life. It really comes down to what you’re open to & how you might see the world. For example, here are some common scenarios that could be viewed as awful or fabulous (I choose fabulous!)

Viewpoint Check Scenario #1: Car brakes down roadside

• Negative possibilities: I missed my appointment. It was hot and I got sweaty. I got dirt on my outift.
• Positive possibilities: I watched a sunset I would’ve otherwise missed. I found kindness in strangers. I was forced to figure it out for myself.

Viewpoint Check Scenario #2: Another weekend spent in the garage

• Negative possibilities: Say hello to my second job. I could be lounging poolside instead. Now I have another big mess to clean up.
• Positive possibilities: Spending quality time with ________ (my self, my significant other, my friends, my family). I’ll never be bored again & learned new skills. I put the work in and accomplished something.

I say “YAY!” to choosing a hobby that has opened me up to new possibilities and change, provides a huge sense of empowerment, has taught me more how to take risks and laugh at myself when needed—and of course provides endless smiles when I’m out enjoying my car on the road. I hope this honest insight helps all you new-to-cars ladies and gents explore whether getting a classic car of your own is right for you.

Have a question or additional tips for prospective classic car owners? Comment here or reach out to me via Instagram @greasegirl.

To All My Regular Readers: So good to “see” you again! Yes, it’s been a long while since I’ve posted. But my absence from the website doesn’t mean I’ve been absent from the garage. I’ve been working on a 1966 Ford F-100, which has offered my first true opportunity to dive head-first into a full bodywork project. I love it, but it is a ton of work! When I’m not doing that I’ve been adventuring on my first motorcycle, a Moto Guzzi V7iii, or in the hubs ’57 Ford. I’ve made the hard decision to park my Studebaker for a little bit, which I plan on writing more about later. It’s not due to lack of love, I’ve got big plans for her, but have to balance projects and its all about finishing the truck right now. I hope this to be the first article of more regular writing here on Grease Girl—but if you ever miss me, catch up with more recent adventures over on my Instagram @greasegirl.