classic car vs modern car

Classic cars, like a one-off antique or vintage outfit, have an inherent style and character that comes with their heritage. They stand out from the crowd, in a world where modern vehicles blend into each other in a spectrum of sensible silver and black. This individuality is what attracts people, and leaves classic car drivers with a trail of admirers everywhere they go. However, they do have their downsides. If you’re considering entering the world of classic cars, take a look below at a few of the pros and cons of owning a vintage vehicle.

Lets start with the pros

Financial benefits
2014 is a big year for classic car owners, due to a 40-year rolling rule being introduced. This entitles any cars built before January 1974 to be eligible for a zero-rated tax disk. This means owners of newer classic cars will start to benefit, affecting approximately 10,000 owners from 2015. Classic cars hold their value more consistently than modern vehicles, with some models even increasing in value with age. Insurance is often cheaper for older cars too, something that we at Footman James understand. Take a look at our classic car insurance pages for more information.

Environmental 
With the recent revival of upcycling, ‘swap shopping’ and the charity shop resurgence, consumers are considering environmental factors more and more when doing their shopping, including their car shopping. Investing in a classic car is another way of being kind to the environment, breathing a new lease of life into a vehicle to potentially minimise the impact new cars have on the planet. Technology also enables owners to modify classic cars to improve their fuel efficiency, allowing them to adapt to modern needs.

Driving experience
One major way in which classic cars differ from modern vehicles is the experience for the driver. Modern cars are designed with comfort in mind; carefully constructed to create a driving experience that is comfortable, safe, warm and luxurious. One thing this process neglects, however, is the driving experience itself. Classic cars are about the driver, the car and the road, with no distractions. The sounds, smells and every twist and turn are transmitted through a classic car, giving the driver an unbeatable experience and an opportunity to really enjoy their vehicle.

Now, the cons

Maintenance
Owning a classic car is a labour of love, as they need more attention than their modern day equivalent. It can also be harder to maintain classic cars due to them needing specialist parts, and dependent on the make and model you may require specialist mechanics to undertake the job. Parts can be harder to come by and can potentially cost more than their modern counterparts. Classic vehicles generally need more care and consideration when it comes to maintenance, to avoid any nasty surprises further down the line.

Reliability
As a result of their composition featuring more steel than modern cars, classic cars can often be plagued by rust, which can lead to a wider range of maintenance issues and incur further costs. Classic cars are also less likely to be reliable in the long term, due to the years of wear and tear they have already incurred. However, if you can find a car that someone has taken good care of and you continue this practice, you should be able to avoid most major issues with regards to reliability.

Lack of mod-cons
As a society that has come to rely on technology in many aspects of our lives, classic cars lack the modern day necessities that we are accustomed to. From luxury functions such as heated seats and sat nav to smartphone connectability, classic cars are a back-to-basics driving experience. Also be prepared to forgo some more basic tech functions such as electric windows and air conditioning.

There are always going to be pros and cons to buying any car, and although buying a classic car can throw up some challenges along the way we think the good definitely outweighs the bad. Whether you’re looking for style or substance, there is a classic car out there just waiting to be given a new lease of life.