Your first classic car buyer's guide | 5 iconic options

Old cars suck. They leak, they smell funny and they’re not terribly fast by today’s yardstick. But they also turn heads, make memories and provide a simpler experience: no touch screens, no self-parking, no over-the-air updates.

More to love: They embrace more of the outside world. Thinner roof pillars provide a wider view of the road, while open windows peacefully …

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I was too poor to afford the listed cars when new, but I am fortunate enough to have driven/be driving some of tomorrow's classics today.

In reply to Coniglio Rampante :

It's kind of a fun game to play, trying to guess which of today's cars are going to be tomorrow's classics.

(I know some are more obvious than others, but still.)

I'm starting to get the itch to try and find a Fox body, older GTI, MKIII Supra, etc. But we only have the 2 car garage and I'm not parking anything outside.

I think there is room on the side between garage and fence line to build a small covered area, but I have no idea about necessary permits would be and such.

In reply to z31maniac :

I sometimes feel like not having a garage or a driveway is more of a blessing than a curse.

Far too much temptation and enablement on here. 

In reply to z31maniac :

As you know I bought a Foxbody last year. 

It is absolutely the easiest to own classic I've ever had. Literally every part on the car is available to ship today.

They are stupid fun to drive and of course you they make V8 noises.

Why yes, yes I am trying to enable you.

Tom1200 said:

In reply to z31maniac :

As you know I bought a Foxbody last year. 

It is absolutely the easiest to own classic I've ever had. Literally every part on the car is available to ship today.

They are stupid fun to drive and of course you they make V8 noises.

Why yes, yes I am trying to enable you.

And I'm here in case you need enablement backup.

I had a lot of fun driving a friend's 1980s Camaro in college while being the bad guy for a student film. They filmed me accidentally hitting a handicapped sign with the Camaro's nose. (The brakes were soft, I say.) Yeah, that's how bad I was (or the film) - parking in a handicapped spot.

The Mk1 Rabbit/GTI/Scirocco were a hoot to drive.  They were so light and although not powerful, they had a willing engine and a manual transmission.  With mild suspension upgrades and sticky tires they were like a lot cars.  Another model from that era that was quite similar was the Ford Fiesta.  The Mk1 Scirocco Champagne Edition is still one of my favorite cars that I owned.  

J.A. Ackley said:

I had a lot of fun driving a friend's 1980s Camaro in college while being the bad guy for a student film. They filmed me accidentally hitting a handicapped sign with the Camaro's nose. (The brakes were soft, I say.) Yeah, that's how bad I was (or the film) - parking in a handicapped spot.

Dang. Did you pop a kid's balloon, too?

The 91 Z28 I had will always be my favorite car I've ever owned.

2 of the 5 on this list are current residents in my garage. I really need to get a build thread out there for them.

In reply to BmoreKeith :

Yes, love to see them.

And that was a fun article to put together. Obviously the topic could have become a book, so I set up some guidelines to keep it focused. 

In reply to David S. Wallens :

Honestly I've tried but don't have the post count to start a new thread...which is weird because I've posted sporadically for ohhh....decades. But it had been years so the post count was wiped. (I've been a subscriber since you guys hosted the $1500 Challenge.)

In reply to BmoreKeith :

You should be able to now. Please give it a whirl. We'd love to see that build thread.

GTI_2032 said:

Ford Fiesta

Almost thought you said festiva, those are some hidden gold nuggets.

Mk1 Fiesta parts are hard to come by now. I'd really love to have another, but it won't be a project. 

Meanwhile, how did I not know XJ Cherokee parts grew on trees? This may be the easiest vehicle to get stuff for next to a first gen Mustang.