How to Buy a Classic Car
If you are a first time buyer of a classic or collector car, you need to go shopping with an arsenal of knowledge. Even the most experienced classic car trader can get fooled unless they follow a tried and true plan of attack. Here's some good ammunition to have on hand.
If you want great advice on buying and selling collector cars, your best bet is to ask the experts. And that's just what we did when we met up with Craig Jackson, CEO and Chairman of Barrett-Jackson at the 2009 Las Vegas event.
Do you love going to classic car shows and wish that you could afford to own one of these older cars? Well you can, you just need to know what to look for that won't bust your budget.
Whether you’re buying or selling a classic car, you will want to determine its fair market value. Publications such as the Old Car Buyers Guide, Hemmings or NADA's Classic, Collectible and Special Interest Car Appraisal Guide & Directory are a good place to start. Their price guides rate a car's value using
6 categories according to their conditions that range from “pristine” to “basket case”.
Buying your second classic car can be just as exciting as the first. Sometimes that excitement, as well as a savvy seller, can distract you from doing a complete inspection of the car you want to buy. I highly suggest with every potential car purchase, you complete this extensive checklist. It will keep you on track and focused, no matter how great this car looks from 5 feet away.
While sorting through the trade magazines, classified ads, and internet auctions, understanding the terminology used to rate a car's condition will help you determine the cars market value and what price you should pay. Here's a tip to understand the 100 Point and Six Category classic car condition rating system used by the most popular classic car value guides.
An in depth explanation of the term “numbers matching car”, and how to check if the car you own or intend to own can be considered part of this group of higher valued vehicles.
eBay is now considered to be the dominant force in classic car and part sales. Learning how to access this large inventory of cars and bid accordingly, at or below its market value, may get you your dream classic sooner than you thought possible.
Classic car ads use a vocabulary all their own. We've translated the most utilized abbreviations into words you can understand.
