Mid-life Crisis or just tired of mediocrity?

The above is a limp dick excuse for not getting an older driver .

Maybe the trouble with SOME of today's kids is that they don't experience enough discomfort . Some don't even experience riding a school bus or peddling a bicycle to school.

Most of us grew up without the luxury of A/C and super good heaters and survived quite well. I don't remember being a little pussy dick while riding in the rear seat of a '55 Chevrolet through the Mojave Desert during July of '58.

Problem with cars today is that they build'em so no fresh air vents are used to duct outside air into the car, making A/C almost manadatory.

Taxes, insurance and deflation of value is less with the older heap.

Ya' don't have to have a NASA education to repair it.

Cold weather starting?? That's funny . I guess years ago everyone stayed home when it got cold 'cause their cars wouldn't start . If I was late for work in Jan & Feb, I don't think my old bosses in New York would fall for that excuse.

Sounds like another limp dick excuse in favor of the late model deflationmobile.

Obviously, I say screw the kids comfort zone. If the old lady is worried about the little darlings, tell her to wait in line with her A/C'd Mini-Van to pick up the kids at school. Go buy what ya' want, drive it and have a blast doin' it. Tell the rest of the family to walk if they don't like it .

 

I love the classics but the newer late models are alot safer no matter what the skeptics say. They have built in crunch zones, anti-lock brakes, air bags, and are built to absorb impacts. Something to consider when hauling your kids. That said, I agree with everyone else about the classic car being more fun and cheaper.

 

I've used the following for dailies:
'38 Chevy rod
'46 Ford rod
'68, '69, and '70 Cadillacs
'66 Nova wagon
'88 Citroën CX (late model?? Sure, but think about it - where do I get parts??)
'84 and '85 Merc diesels
'81 Citroën 2CV6

The only one that ever left me stranded (towed home) was the '88 Cit; broken hydraulic line (rust).
Note that it is also the newest.
Most were driven by me across country at some point (OK, not the 2CV - yet).
Quite a few had air, some even worked .

I can highly recommend a Cadillac. Room for a large family AND a couple immigrants (your servants can come with you ). All the comforts you'd need, more if you opt for one in the Fleetwood series, less in the Calais. Yet still easy enough to service - even the early Climate Control systems are basically analog and fair easy to repair. Possibly the only drawback is the mileage, you'll never better much more than 12-13 mpg daily. T'were me, and I didn't have to drive so damn far daily, I'd grab a 60 Special from 1967, update the drivetrain to injected SBC (so kill me, I hate the 429 AND it's a daily), and drive the hell outta it. Why '67?? Last year for picnic tables in the rear. And a slightly better look to the front than '68. And no odd side markers in the rear. 60 Specials (and Broughams) were stretched 'C' bodies (4 inches) which gave unprecedented room in the rear seat for a owner-driven car. The 'D' bodies you could put a bowling alley in the rear...

My two cents.
Cosmo

 

True, but to base your automotive purchase on fear is just not something I do.

Oh, BTW, Mercedes and Citroën have had crumple zones in all cars since the 50's.

Cosmo

 

Man go for the CLASSIC I say and do just what you said you wanted to do. Find a cabover, extended it so the family can ride to. Nowadays it is easy to put the comforts of all the new crap inside your CLASSIC RIDE... Make mine old.....

 

Hey Troy,
No apology is necessary. I hope I didn't come off as harsh. It sounds to me like you should start shopping and that'll force you to think through the questions you have. If you bought an old car for a good deal, you could drive it for the summer and sell it without losing much money if it's not working out. You can't do that with a new car.

Thanks,
Kurt

 

Every few years, I get the new car bug, hit a few dealerships and ultimately bail on the idea of making that payment and all that come with it every month. Then I buy a 10 year old well cared for, low mileage car for cash. I'll probably do this for the rest of my life, as leaves some money for other things, like old cars. I have tools and can fix nearly everything that comes along...I don't know why everyone is so scared of "computer managed" cars...they still rely on the same principles. If you have half a brain and a decent manual EFI systems are not really all that difficult to diagnose and fix. I'm not a mechanic, just a regular guy without a car payment hanging over my head.

 

Ive driven classics as daily drivers for quite a few years now.
75 Jeep Wagoneer
64 Chrysler New Yorker
69 Olds Cutlass Supreme
69 Olds Cutlass S

and my current daily,a 62 Chrysler 300.

 

Ditto, except with a custom painted 9C1, the poor-man's SS.

I'd vote for the classic, on the condition that you have other means of transport. Much less stress when it breaks, and also allows time for quality repairs instead of hackery, when it's got to drive you to work tomorrow. The backup can be a classic too.

Good Luck!

 

You could keep the caravan, and buy a classic. Maybe drive the caravan in the winter and use it as a back up.. Depending on Mechanical skills and your time I wouldn't start into a major project. I'm 38 I have two kids, a loving wife, a dog and a cat. I have a daily driver 55 pontiac that I drive from May to November. I don't drive it in the rain...... not because of getting it wet and dirty but because I haven't had time to work on the wipers, I think the cable is froze up but the motor might be bad too.... I'm running it with a headliner and carpet...... I also have a few other projects....

 

No kids huh!! I hear what you are saying buy when you have a kid it is a whole different story.

 

In 1966 I bought a new SS396 Chevelle. wide ratio 4 speed , 3.36 posi rear, no power metalic brakes, bench seat (new kid and no place to put the kid carrier with a console), h.d. battery, h.d. suspension, black on black (how about a high 5 Larry).
This was the first and last new car I've bought. The only mistake I made was to sell it after 70,000 miles. If I had kept it it would have about 1,500,000 miles on it I would have gotten to try a half dozen engines (maybe a couple of small blocks.....................NAH!!!!) In it along with different drivetrains. I would have painted it a couple of times (sorry, it would have remained black..........another high 5 Larry?).
The reason I've not purchased a new car since is the payments, depreciation, and the fact I haven't found anything (save for a Z-06 Vette) I wanted to make payments on. Been driving "classics" ever since.

Frank

 

I have a 50 Dodge pickup mounted on an 80 dodge 4x4 chassis for my driver. The wiper system sucks big time, and the heater and defroster are worse then the wipers. I do not have a starting issue, when its cold, but when the temps reach 35-40 it starts bad-carb issue. I don't drive a lot, I work at home, but when I need to go, it needs to go. After 4 years of abuse and neglect I wouldn't drive it to either coast, but once the new motor goes in and things are brought back up to par, that would be different. My kids are grown and long gone so they are not an issue. We have always had a classic as a driver, but we have also had a dependable "newer" car. If something causes the wife to have even a minor problem more then once, she won't drive the vehical, weather it be old or new. Like said earlier, if mama ain't happy, nobody is happy. But I'd have to have that classic. Gene

 

If you really wanna' compare apples to apples...

You've got to start with a body that's had a real good quality paint job put over good quality prep work. And good body gaskets.

You'll need a crate motor, or a real rebuilt (not just ringed/freshened) engine, and trans.

Add completely gone thru brakes and suspension. And wiring, plumbing, etc.

But if you can write the check for it, you won't be kicking yourself because last year's $20K car is now worth $12K, and heading downhill.

And you will probably love it.

For myself, I'm rebuilding a motor (383) for my '54 Dodge, and have rebuilt the brakes and the transmission. No, the truck isn't all new all over, but I expect I'll own it quite a while.

And I'm getting sick of going thru 'disposacar' beaters. And there's NO WAY you'll see me making another car payment.

 

Get daily transportation that #1, keeps the kids safe #2 requires as little of your time and money as possible.

4dr Dart or Valiant with a slant 6/auto. A/C would be a nce bonus.

 

That is what I did--got a 93 Chevy extended cab for my daily driver---hauls all my crap and look good--been dropped front and rear. It's been pretty much trouble-free--so spend my bucks on my 3 classics. if it craps out--I'll fix it ---no payments= NO PAYMENTS!

 

I drove a 65 impala 4 door straight 6 p/g for a year, it was a parts car for my dads 65 SS, the frame was shot so we stick welded some plate on it, rebuilt the carb, got it running and tuned, changed all the fluids, added tires, threw some fiberglass in the bottom 1/4's and bottom fenders, shot it with paint that was left over from a few buddies projects, came out light blue metallic and had 3 colors of flakes in it so it really shined. took it from non running cream beater to a blue bomber getting 20+ mpg in 11 days. drove it 20 miles round trip to school every day and delivered pizza most night, never an issue in a year. sold it to some hombres who made a low rider out of it, fiberglass was still holding 5 years later.

 

Here is a nice driver for my family...wish I had the cash. For the car and a different wheel and tire combo...
17 hours left.......


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=290104695641&rd=1&rd=1

 

Why does the classic have to be well built? Whats wrong with a big rusty hunk of crap rotting away before your very eyes right in you own drive way?

 

define "classic".does an '84 escort qualify??? i say get a cheap ext cab pickup and do the 75% of the time dd classic driver.

 

I just look for something I can get for around 2k. I use it until she blows up and then go get another. I can't justify having new vehicle (even though my dad is a gm retiree) because I don't like making payments for a vehicle that depreciates faster than a leaking faucet...

my .02

Spoons

 

MD...ya took the words right outta my mouth. Kinda funny that most kids these days actually GET what they want coz their old lady caters to their every frigggin whim. Kinda like society.

Grab the set of wheels ya want....how trad is it paying some kid in a delarship top money to trash your car instead of fixin it? Or is it more trad to drive your ride and service it yourself.

Im in the process of gettin rid of my late model ride for a classic too. Had my share but the second hand car market here SUCKS.

Rat

 

My 'daily driver' is a 1978 Triumph 2500S 4 door sedan (English car) It's not just a daily driver, it's a business vehicle, and I did 14,000 klms in her last year. It has been previously 'restored' by someone else and now it's being 'modified' by me to create the sort of carI want to drive every day. It came with a 3 speed auto, it's about to get a 5 speed stick. It came without air conditioning, but they all came without that, so I tracked down a 30 year old aftermarket under-dash unit and had it restored, then plumbed into the car with all new compressor etc. It blows icicles so the missus and the customers are happy with that. I've repolished the factory mags, re-upholstered her with a complete set of trims from a one-owner wreck and fitted sports suspension and exhaust.

She starts first time,every time, and has only let me down on a couple of occasions, but nothing so bad that I couldn't simply drive to the mechanic to get fixed, or even fix myself. This is the first time in many years I've had a car where I was game to lift the bonnet and 'have a go' at fixing her!

I could drive a new car, but I choose to drive my classic, and boy does she turn some heads.

Cheers, Glen.

 

WAGON! like a '53-'54 chevy,....looks great bagged!

sorry, i love wagons!

 

Pretty easy for me.New....Kids, AC nice ride etc. I have a classic in the Garage with Man. brakes no powrer steering and a 4 speed. Lottsa fun but,all the time no...

 

I went new that kinda looks old, you can pick up a used Chevy SSR and you wont have anyone else around you with the same car. I get more complements on it than on the 77 vette.

 

I remember being young, married with 3 kids driving my p.o.s. 50 f-3 sporting a tired 350/350 and a van rearend to work every day for 7 years with no gauges or heat. The only thing that worked well were the brakes. I really miss that big red monster with no payments..

 

I Drive A 93 Caddy Fleetwood Rwd Great Car Sbc Motor Good Gas Mileage All The Comfort Of A Caddy And No Payments

 

This theory works for me as well. I've never bought a new vehicle, and doubt I ever will, but for daily transportation, I picked up a megamile '96 S-10 cheap, and after going through the brakes, exhaust, new gas tank (anyone living in road salt laden upstate NY will understand), belts/hoses, and tuneup, I've got a total investment of $980. That's doing all the labor myself and buying the parts with a garage discount. I've got a reliable, useful driver that is already about as ugly as it's going to get, and has already hit the bottom of its depreciation. Back to the road salt situation--around here, it's difficult to drive anything you actually care about through the winter and watch it rot away, despite your best efforts.

 

For the kind of money a new car costs, you could build a very dependable old one. I would put extra money into things like ball joint conversions, steering, disc brakes, new crate motor. Were not talking hot rod here although you can have plenty HP. You need a classic car that runs well and is as dependable as a new one.
If you regularly depend on your car for extended trips with the family or for your livelyhood, I would bite the bullet and buy a new car. (Or a 1 year old car as NEW cars are just a boneheaded move.)
Depends on your needs.