Wanting an old car for my daily driver

Im getting ready to sell my Truck because im sick of the payments. I want to get me a cool old car as a daily driver but im paranoid that if i get one that it will get stolen. So I feel like I need to find something that is considered less desirable, maybe even considered "ugly" so it wont stick out in a parking lot so bad. Just seems like I see more and more where someone is getting their pride and joy stolen. I dont really know what I'm expecting yall to say to this, I guess I just felt like venting.

 

just keep your late model then report back !!!!!

 

ok your old car is cool sorry
greazy john

 

being paranoid is no way to go about living. i wouldnt worry about someone stealing it Vs. someone smashing into it.

 

There is probably a better chance your late model will get stolen.

 

After I finish my rpu in the next few months I'm building a '38 Chevy "bobber" truck and using a s10 or ranger 4 cylinder (running a hood), trans, and rear axle to drive back and forth to work. Giving the late model to my son when he turns 16.

 

as likely know, there are kill switches and more to make it near impossible to steal a ride.
a big question to think about is what type of older car would you buy that you can use daily-reasonable mileage with gas prices climbing, good charging/electrical system, good brakes, heater, wipers, maybe A/C, etc. something that someone has updated/replaced a lot of stuff, but paint/interior not perfect. I have driven hot rods as daily drivers to go to work. Left them parked when shopping, going to movies, etc and never had any problems with anybody even trying to steal anything off of them.

 

Every older car I've ever owned was quirky enough to even start that nobody in their right mind would even try to steal it. That's why I run two-fours on my current car, as an anti-theft device. It's kinda tricky to start when warm so even if they tried, they'd never succeed...

 

just like the guys are saying, if you get something that is solid and road worthy why not invest a little into an alarm system and/or hidden battery cutoff switch for your car... i had a nova with a battery cutoff behind the passenger seat on the floor and just switched it off when i parked it...

 

I have a battery cutoff switch up under the dash on the inside of the
firewall.

The only problem with any system like that is if the bad guys come
with a rollback truck or wrecker......then nothing helps.

If you have to drive in much fast traffic, you might want to find something
on the "newer" side with a V8.

 

Don't be stupid about things and you'll be better off. Lock your doors, don't leave valuables in plain sight, and run a cut off switch for your ignition. That will deter most thieves. The others? If they want it, they're going to take it regardless. That's what insurance is for.

I've been daily driving my 63 Fairlane 4 door lately. Great beater car, a little ugly, clearly needs work, but has a great running 289/C4 combo that fires right up and gets me where I need to go. And it was inexpensive to boot. This summer I'm looking to put a T5 behind that SBF for some more highway legs and better mpg. It's a great daily for sure.

 

Any four door. Cheaper, less desirable, but just the same car at heart. 4 door wagons too. 1954 - 1957 are good years for GM. Ford '54-'58, Chrysler products (Plymouth, Dodge) '54-'56. Most with a V8 but still small enough to be practical and sporty to drive. Later models are a bit BIG. You're spoilt for choice right now. I'd be more worried about safety than theft though. Also 60s Pickups make great cars, smaller than current ones, cheaper to run and better built.
Ed

 

Id agree with everything thats been said. Battery cut out and 4 door with an inline 6 should fit the bill. Inexpensive, most likely stock, fuel effecient, undesirable.. but still WAY cooler than any modern car...ANY modern car. I have owned several 4 doors and loved them for those reasons. Ive got a 53 bel air 4 dr right now that I hope to have reliable and ready for daily use in the spring. Its got a few dents, not the greatest paint, but its solid as hell and runs strong. No emissions testing every two years either!
Dont count out 60-64 cars and trucks either! There are some really cool ones!

 

But you aint worried about your new rig getting stolen? If you are talking about a beater 50's car, then you'd be out less coin

 

No im not worried about the new truck getting stolen It looks like every other truck in the parking lot and if stolen can be replaced by a million others just like it.

 

I was thinking about something maybe from like the 60s that might have factory AC. There is a 64 Galaxie 4 door hardtop with like 40,000 original miles and a 390 in it for sale in town. The guy wants $8,000 for it, nice car but thats really more than im wanting to spend.

 

I've heard that 3 speed on the column discourages a lot of crooks.

 

This is why I like my 63 Rambler wagon. Factory V8 and air. Cool wagon body style. And being an AMC, nobody wants it!

 

Stay home...............

 

Remember just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they are not out to get ya.

Just get what you want ugly or not and drive it like you stole it. We live in desparate times friend it doesn't matter what you own someone is liable to steal it.

 

Use the common sense stuff already suggested and you should be fine. A thread was on here about putting a cell phone with charger under the dash as a tracking device. Lets say you score a cool ride like The Monster posted, that great looking 53 Chevy, if taken it sticks out like a sore thumb, much easier to stand out in a crowd. Get over the fear and start enjoying a new found cruzer. I have been looking for a week and have found a 53 Pontiac 2-dr post sedan., a one owner 66 Buick, and a 57 International pickup, all in the 3,500.00 range. Get on Craigs list, our the H.A.M.B. classifieds frst and get er done. Good Luck. ~sololobo~

 

All good points here. X2

 

Just make sure you wire it on the battery side of the shutoff switch.

 

just like everyone else mentioned if somebody wants it, they'll take it...

I had an "old" daily... o/t but old for me, '80 Cutlass... beautiful car.. got stolen, got damn near destroyed, and now I'm bringing it back to life.. but I still have a feeling no matter what I do for theft prevention it will still get stolen... even though I have a high dollar alarm, with a pager, gps tracking, multiple sirens in the cabin and outside, hidden batteries, hidden cut out switches/kill switches/fuel shut off, a removable steering wheel, column lock, shaved handles, shaved trunk lock (had my stereo stolen 1 to many times), hidden trunk and hood releases, ignition delay, and a second ignition switch etc..

it's sad that a person has to go to extreme measures to protect their vehicle... some people say don't worry about it, just keep it insured... but that's not enough for me...

anyways as for your old driver.. my choice would be an early falcon or a nova... probably a Falcon Ranchero with a hopped up six or 2.3L, or a little nova wagon with a hopped up 250, or maybe an iron duke and a 5spd.

 

Just went this route myself. I didn't have any car payments, but I wanted something old enough I could work on it, and haul my gasser in style, plus be my daily driver. Found a nice old '69 Suburban locally and picked it up for about the same price I'll likely get out of the Toyota 4x4 it's replacing.
It's so nice to be back into a nice solid American truck with a V8!

 

Sold my 1995 chevy short bed and bought a 1972 GMC long bed. the GMC will hold it's value or be worth more, got it for under $3000 and it runs, drives, stops and I'm the second owner! Yeah the gas mileage sucks but it's still old enough, has disc brakes, 350/350, can fix it myself and can get any part to fix it pretty quick like. I love it. On the other hand I have a 1962 Cadillac sedan for sale! ;-)

 

That is funny, but probably true!

They wouldn't get very far in my truck, with no power steering or brakes, they'd probably crash before leaving the parking lot.

 

I did the same. Sold my new truck and now no more payments!

I drive my 57 Ford Ranch Wagon every day. It is primer black with dog dishes and that probably scares away any potential thieves. haha

 

well you better not go outside either, theres a potential you could get hit by lighting.

 

Ever try to talk someone through a manual choke start up, that will stop em.