Novice Mistakes to Avoid When Purchasing A Classic Car

Articles about Richard Hovan
3 min readApr 26, 2023

Purchasing a classic car is like fulfilling a lifelong dream for many people. Owning your classic car in your early 30s is about enjoyment and relaxation. However, the craze with which some individuals enter into the buying can sometimes blind them to making a good choice. If you are a first-time classic vehicle purchaser, continue to read the common beginner buying mistakes that can cost you a considerable amount. In this blog, Richard Hovan has put together a simple classic car purchasing mistake to help you make the right decision. Let’s take a deep dive.

Not doing homework:

Unfortunately, many novice buyers purchase the vehicle without doing proper research about the make and model. It is crucial to do some independent research about the model and its performance before going to an agency or taking the classic car on a test drive. Start your search by looking for online reviews from the people of the make and model you are interested in. Also, it is advisable to ask any classic vehicle collectors or mechanics in your network, whether this specific car has any common problems that might come back to visit you later.

Not chasing your passion:

As a first-time purchaser, you should purchase a car that you care about, and not only go for the one just because you think it will appreciate. Indeed, purchasing a classic vehicle entails a good amount of time, energy, effort, and money. You have to invest extra time and money after your first classic car purchase. If you are not interested in the particular make and model you buy, you might end up resenting it. To evade that, purchase a vehicle you will enjoy.

Not study maintenance costs:

Most classic vehicles comprise a lot of rework to keep them roadworthy and insured. You have heard about a classic car purchaser who bought one for $10,000 many years ago and ended up selling it for $30,000. What these people often do not share is that they have to expend tens of thousands of dollars on maintenance costs, mechanical upkeep, and drive replacements. It is good to research local classic car clubs in your locality to know about the costs to maintain a classic car emphasis, Richard Hovan.

Not getting a professional inspection:

The least followed classic car purchasing secret is that you should get a pre-buying road-ready inspection before purchasing a used car. Even if you are a mechanic or expert, it is a great notion to get a second opinion from a professional. Vehicle inspection is crucial to check it for any structural damages and signs of wear and tear. There are numerous pre-purchase inspection industries such as classic car networks, fossil cars, etc.

Not connecting with a mechanic before purchase:

Not every vehicle mechanic has the expertise to work on different classic car models. Before you make a buying decision, contact garages in your locality and ask them whether they have worked on that specific car earlier. If they do not know your specific model, then you should look elsewhere to find a mechanic. However, these mechanics may charge more than the local garage mechanics.

Not having the right insurance coverage:

Last but not least mistake you should avoid is the right insurance. A classic car purchaser’s guide cannot be complete without mentioning insurance. Before you buy a classic car, search for collector vehicle insurance rates for the make and model you are passionate about. The different factors such as car type, year, and the agreed value policy limit you choose influence what a collector reimburses for insurance premiums.

These are a few mistakes shared by Richard Hovan that you should avoid as a novice classic car purchaser. Richard has driven a bunch of classic cars and has enough knowledge about the makes and models of different vehicles.

Originally Posted: https://vocal.media/journal/novice-mistakes-to-avoid-when-purchasing-a-classic-car

Sign up to discover human stories that deepen your understanding of the world.

Free

Distraction-free reading. No ads.

Organize your knowledge with lists and highlights.

Tell your story. Find your audience.

Membership

Read member-only stories

Support writers you read most

Earn money for your writing

Listen to audio narrations

Read offline with the Medium app

Articles about Richard Hovan
Articles about Richard Hovan

Written by Articles about Richard Hovan

0 Followers

Richard Hovan is a prep school teacher and 41 years old who lives in Round Rock, Texas. He was educated at St. Andrew's in Delaware.

No responses yet

Write a response