Art & Inspiration At what point does it stay in the garage

I tend to spend too much time overthinking things. I was wondering if anyone else had an opinion on the line between "drivers" vs "weekend cars". At what point would you keep a car safe in the garage and drive it during low traffic conditions, vs park it out in the street and take it to the grocery store during rush hour? Would it depend on rarity of the car, paint condition, monetary value, originality? I have a couple cars that get me in between "it was built to drive, so drive it while you can afford the gas and the world hasn't completely collapsed yet" and "it's a nice original car so make sure it stays safe in a corner somewhere". I don't want to regret not enjoying a car while I'm able to, but I also don't want the thing getting used up when you can't just go to a dealer and get another one. What are your thoughts?

 

Drive it, otherwise whats the point in owning it, unless you just want a museum piece.

 

I just like to drive my cars no matter the rarity or value anymore. I am careful in how I park at the grocery store, etc. but also am not afraid to drive anything I own. I figure they can all be fixed if needed and that is what insurance is for. I get no enjoyment out of cars parked in the shop.

 

The weather and destination play a big part on my decision.
If there’s bad weather forecasted, thunderstorms and a high rain percentages keep it tucked away.
Also, If my destination entails the car setting alone unsupervised for long periods or driving though bumper to bumper traffic I won’t drive it.
I’ll drive them for long distances as long as I can take the secondary roads and in no hurry.

 

The first 6 months after a 'pro' paint job.
Wether it is my labor or paid labor

 

After reading your signature, I can see why you're conflicted. As for me, I'm with @'29 Gizmo and @guthriesmith. If I can't use it for the purpose it was intended and enjoy it, why have it at all?

 

Since its all I own, I have to drive it.. no matter the conditions.

 

Hot rods are built to be pounded. You need to put them back in the garage with smoke coming off them or get another hobby.

 

I don’t think I want a paint job so nice I would be afraid to drive it. And nobody will ever accuse me of keeping my cars showroom clean. Especially underneath.

 

When it’s broken and I gotta fix it.

 

Kinda like trailering. I tell everyone "if it's on a trailer, it's broken".

 

I have/want/like cars and bikes I can drive and have fun with and not worry about some kid's fingerprints smudging the paint. I could never enjoy a car that I have to stand guard over or trailer to events. The only thing that keeps me from driving my roadster is the weather, as much because of the slicks as because I don't like sitting in a wet seat.

 

I drive mine. At 8 mpg and slicks on the rear it's not daily.

 

I look at it like it is--they're all man made which means they are totally imperfect. Rubber, glass, steel, plastic, etc., that won't stand the test of time. We won't either. Use the thing.

 

I’m not worried about driving my car as far as damage is concerned. My problem is I’m more of an introvert, have a hard time with attention and casual conversation. When even going to the gas station requires 20 minutes spent talking to folks my anxiety level goes up. If you don’t converse, well people think you’re just an asshole , especially driving a Corvette (my son kids me saying it's ok dad I know you’re an asshole in-spite of the Corvette not because of it). Sometimes The anxiety level goes up for me when I’m ready to go and just end up leaving it parked. I guess I’m weird. When I overcome it, top down it’s a great sense of freedom and I feel my father riding next to me as it was his pride and joy.

 

some insurance companies put restrictions on type of uses for insured ride.

 

Thats why I took the antique tags off and bought regular insurance, I don't need to be restricted.

 

Mine stays parked a lot now.... I was lucky last year that it wasn't totaled on the Interstate....I built this car for me so if I enjoy it setting in the garage so be it.... When there totaled you can't bring them back and good body parts for my 34 Ford are getting very hard to find an expensive now... So you enjoy yours and I will do the same with mine....

 

X2. Snowman ⛄️

 

I don’t understand the question

but I drive junk

 

They stay in the garage if they wont run or stop properly, other than that hot rods are built to be driven and enjoyed, If I can't drive the cars to a distant show, to the bank or to the corner market I can't justify owning it, I hope I'm not involved in a accident but that's why I have insurance. HRP

 

If car show guys treated their women like their rides.

 

I built my '27 T roadster with the idea that it was to be a sunny day ride only. I found that I enjoyed driving a hot rod much more than driving my OT POS as my daily. It pissed me off when I had to put it up that first winter. So, I found a '26 T coupe to build to extend my hotrod driving months. It was built purposely to be my daily driver. Fenders, a roof, windshield wipers, heat, shiny paint. I certainly extended my hot rod driving months from about 5 months to all 12 months. I drive it. Anywhere. Anytime. I built it. I can fix anything on it. I keep it clean, and it will last until I'm on the wrong side of the grass. Not too worried about the next guy to own it or preserving another Model T.

 

Seems to me that it's just a matter of the desire to drive the old cars, vs get in something newer that is more comfy, etc.

In other words, it's motivation, not "caring", that determines what I drive. The old cars will survive just fine. I just get too lazy to drive them as much as I used to.

 

If there is hail in the forecast, I’m not going. Other than that, they’re no fun parked in the garage and being worried about.

 

In WV you have to get a car inspected yearly if you run regular plates. Without a bumper and no wipers, etc, no way its passing so collector plates it is.

 

Why not just collect die-cast cars if you're afraid to drive them, it's a much cheaper alternative and you'd have the same pleasure out of it.
The accompanying photo is just one of the times I got caught in a downpour with sheets of sideways rain in the bucket, made it home and none the worst for wear except wet underwear.
My attitude looking back at that one is that it still makes me smile and that's what these old cars are about, life is short, sometimes shorter than you may think, get out and enjoy it !

 

A traffic accident totaled a '57 T-Bird I restored. Insurance money and a little additional cash,
and I was driving a better "57 T-Bird. It is driven as a daily driver. Don't get much
satisfaction sitting in a lawn chair and looking at it.

 

There is a giant chasm between "afraid to drive them" and not "driving them daily".

 

Anymore, I am lucky to wash them. My nephew asked me if I ever wash the produce truck. It has about a years worth of bug guts on the windshield.