Are Classic Cars a Good Investment? A Buyer's Guide

For many, owning a classic or vintage car is simply a dream come true. For others, however, it can represent a financial investment – if you play your cards right, that is. So are classic cars a good investment? In this post, we’ll discuss how owning a classic car is often more than just a labor of love for auto enthusiasts. Read on to learn more!

Why Invest in a Classic Car?

Investing in a classic car can be a fun and rewarding experience. Unlike new cars that lose value, many classics actually go up in price over time, making them a smart investment. Plus, there's something special about owning a piece of automotive history—you get to enjoy the nostalgia and the thrill of driving something unique. Whether you’re into restoring or just showing it off, a classic car is a great way to own a piece of the past that could keep gaining value.

One of the biggest factors associated with maximizing your return on investment in a classic car is understanding that you’re likely going to be in it for the long term.

The thought of buying a classic car and flipping it for lots of cash is more of a pipe dream than it is a reality. But if you’re willing to put in the work and hang onto the car for many years, you’re looking at a better chance of making money off of it. This is largely because classic cars often increase in value as they age (so long as they’re being properly maintained and cared for).

Additionally, classic car value fluctuates based on market trends and the economy. In fact, many experts project growth in investment activity in the classic vehicle market within the next few years. Sometimes, timing is everything.

Any time you’re making a significant investment, you certainly want to do your homework to make sure you don’t eventually have buyer’s regret. But doing your homework is perhaps even more important when it comes to purchasing a classic vehicle. There are various factors you should check into before making any type of purchase, such as:

Know the Risk You are Taking

There are certain risks associated with purchasing a classic vehicle. For instance, perhaps the biggest risk is that you don’t make any money off the vehicle in the end, which is why there’s somewhat of a labor of love involved with any classic car purchase. We always suggest that only auto enthusiasts who love cars and love working on cars invest in a classic automobile if there’s the intention of making money off of it.

Restoring a classic car can consist of hundreds of hours of manual labor. Throw in the fact that many of the parts you’ll have to source are rare and costly and specialized mechanics may be necessary to perform some restoration tasks, and you could be looking at a total price tag anywhere from $70,000 to $250,000 to properly restore a classic vehicle.

Again, it’s another reason why anyone who plans to restore a classic car should absolutely love cars. Sometimes the upfront cost that must be put forward for restoration can be difficult to stomach without knowing what it’s eventually going to be valued for.

For more information on whether or not classic cars are a good investment, contact Wrecktify today.