Classic Marques

You've probably dreamed of for years. You've probably noticed this model of the car when you drive yourself and your passenger said puzzled. For some time now, it's probably been at the back of your mind every sunny day. And now, for one reason or another you feel close to finally make the decision. You are probably very happy ... and perhaps a little scared ...

The following is a joint council to help ensure that the love story you are about to undertake is as pleasant as possible and help you avoid some of the stories of disasters related to classic car ownership performance.

When buy

Most people agree the fall or winter is the wisest time to shop for a classic car or performance. Many people will hold onto their cars during the summer for the last season of enjoyment out of it before releasing. In addition, a large number of so-called owners do not think about their dream until the sun begins to shine again. So at this time of year, it is generally a buyer's market, offering the best deals.

Choose the right car for you

Before plunging into purchasing a dream car, it's worth stepping back a giving close attention to what you want from your car.

Do you:

- A restoration project? Often, people find this approach much more expensive than simply buying a car in good condition to begin. It may also take much longer than expected, but if you are an experienced mechanic with a lot of time on your hands, you may want to just take it.

- A good runner that you can tinker in your spare time and gradually improve? Make sure you have a good set of tools and lots of free time - you can craft more than you expected.

- A car daily? There are lots of classic and performance cars that are suitable for everyday use, but you may want to carefully consider fuel consumption, safety and all weather use before you commit.

- A Sunday driver / summer? Reliability and ease of maintenance are probably the main concerns. More factor pose of course!

- An investment opportunity? Personally, I would not bet on it. However a large number of classic cars and performance will not depreciate significantly, so you're still better.

- A winning performance? Glory could be yours! Or not.

You probably have a make and model in mind, but if you can find inspiration by attending car shows, reading car magazines, or simply surf the web. Popular cars tend to be a good choice for the first time and, in general, they are numerous and it is easy to find information, parts and assistance. Coltman also offers a wealth of information on a wide range of classical and popular performance cars, including buying guides to high quality - why not choose to see a few yourself.

Where to look

There are many many places to find a classic car. This includes physical and online auctions, dealers, ads in magazines, club owners and of course a plethora of websites. My recommendation: start with Google!

What to look for

Once you've chosen the make and model of your dream car - make sure you do your research. Why not get hold of home Coltman guide, covering everything potential owners need to know, including: history, model details, specifications and statistics, buying advice and a detailed price guide.

It is obvious that a large account is the cost - but how much work you must pay can be difficult. Publications such as Parker can not provide clear guidelines for modern cars, but for the classics, you'll have to research a little more. The following are good sources of information on prices:

- Sections ads in magazines for the price usually charged
.