Ways to Manage the Costs of Your Classic Car Hobby
If your love of classic cars has manifested itself into owning one, or more, yourself, then you are likely already familiar with the costs associated with owning a piece of automotive history. Classic cars have unique requirements for maintenance that you might not be accustomed to if you have only ever owned and taken care of modern vehicles. Even a seasoned collector knows though, that knowing where you can, and cannot afford to trim down some costs is a valuable trade secret.
Rev up your DIY
Nobody is suggesting you become a certified mechanic once you purchase a classic car but teaching yourself how to handle a few routine maintenance items can have a huge impact on your wallet. Caring for the exterior is a safe place to start, since the risk for permanent damage is low and the time you will need to dedicate to learning the skill is minimal. Researching how to wash and wax your by reviewing a guide to breakdown washing, sealant, and waxing routine is a good place to start. Depending on the specifics of your vehicle, you will want to dedicate some extra researching the best products to use, because that will also make a difference. Keeping costs in mind, even just washing your car yourself each time it needs it can add up to a significant savings overall.
Once you find your comfort level with entry level DIY projects like washing and waxing, you can try your hand at some more advanced projects like fluid checks and even oil changes. Learning about your specific car, and its needs is good knowledge to have because simply put, older cars have older parts. And just like anything else, as it ages, there is an increased need for maintenance which means an increased cost as well. Getting familiar with the quirks of your specific car coupled with this knowledge can save you money and time by potentially avoiding trips to the shop that might be fruitless.
Invest in Protection
Where and how you store your car is just as important as actually maintaining it. Classic cars require more protection from the elements than modern ones do, and since they are likely driven less as well, the location in which they are stored will impact the overall quality. Investing in coverings, and garage space can be costly up front, but the savings you will experience because of being able to prevent element related issues can be significant. Rust alone can be a virtual death sentence to an older vehicle, and especially once it begins to spread you might find yourself facing huge repair bills for expensive body work.
If the geographic location yours resides in does not dictate a need for a full garage, a cover might be all that you need. Covers are one-time costs that provide serious protection from sun, wind, rain, snow, almost anything that can contribute to vehicle damage and the costs you will incur to reverse that damage. It is a good money management technique to prevent as much as possible especially since regarding older vehicles there will be things that you cannot avoid, preventing what you can makes good financial sense.