Classic Car - conundrum

zagatoes30 · Nov 15, 2022

Due to the accident I haven't been using the classics much which got me thinking and a trip to the NEC further added to the turmoil.

I have 5 classic cars, 3 in use and 2 in the process of restoration and even in normal times I can only drive one at a time. They all have their qualities which suit different things but that means any driving gets split across them and no one takes favourite position. I have listed out the best moments in classics and all the top ones are the same, classic tours with the wife or a friend. It doesn't matter if they're just day trips to some location, meal, event or if there proper tours with other classics, Le Mans, NC500, trips across Europe etc and its not about the speed its about enjoying the drive, the scenery the company.

So this is the conundrum, do I sell all the current cars and buy one single grand tourer that ticks all the boxes? By selling the 5 it puts me in a different price point and opens up a lot of options but after the NEC 2 keep drawing me in and surprisingly both are early 70s and both German.

Wattie · Nov 15, 2022

Go for the Germans if that’s what rocks yer boat…..or the one GT.
5ves too many.

Tallman · Nov 15, 2022

Go for an Alfa Spider for old times sake and a (German?) GT. Italians have that something special that the Germans just don’t give you - passion

mjheathcote · Nov 15, 2022

Do tell which Germans!

Scaf · Nov 15, 2022

I had a similar debate myself recently regarding classics, and in the end decided to invest more and bought the Sunbeam Tiger, a car I have always wanted.

It ticks the boxes that allow me to enjoy, it with my wife, convertible, pretty , comfortable and civilised.

For me I get all of the above plus…. it ticks my boxes of :

American V8
Manual
An absolute beast when I want it to be
Quite a rare sight on the road

So if I were you, I would own the nearest thing to my dream classic that ticks as many boxes as you can….. if that already in the garage then job done, if not sell what you have to buy it.

And of course, a half decent classic nearly always holds its value, so in a year or two, you can change again and not be out of pocket.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do………….. after all life is short is short………

safrane · Nov 15, 2022

Are they keeping pace with or exceeding inflation?

If so, why sell any of them - what every you buy it will not cover all the bases as 70s cars are not the best to drive regardless of budget.

Keep the fleet and see it as an investment pot that is more fun than just counting gold.

MAF260 · Nov 15, 2022

Please tell me one of the Germans is this...

GTVGEOFF · Nov 15, 2022

Sorry to hear about the accident, hope you are soon fully recovered.
I went to the NEC too with a friend who has about five classics, I have four. We had the same discussion, but looking at the asking prices of some of the cars worries me, many way over price I thought. Not sure how this will hold up inthe next couple of years.
Trouble is, we are petrol heads, and no matter what we drive we will always covet something different.
I have to say I keep thinking I will change the Gransport, then I go for a drive in it and get out asking myself why would I ever want to sell it.

GeoffCapes · Nov 15, 2022

Keep the classics and buy the German.

You know the rules. The one who dies with the most toys, wins!

Also applies with tools.

zagatoes30 · Nov 15, 2022

MAF260 said:
Please tell me one of the Germans is this...

View attachment 108244

One certainly is an E9 BMW

Ewan · Nov 15, 2022

I’ve tried to cut back and earlier this year sold the Strad and the Merc SL.
But it’s proven not to be a foolproof plan, as have since purchased the QP IV and a 911

Ewan · Nov 15, 2022

My only recommendation would be to sell before you buy. Otherwise the slope is very slippery!

allandwf · Nov 15, 2022

I'm in the process of rationalising my lot. Keep the 3200, the 348, then sell the Brera, Range Rover and Subaru XV and replace with one. 155k mile Brera anyone!!!? Might keep it as it's worth more to me than a few £s.

Gazcw · Nov 15, 2022

MAF260 said:
Please tell me one of the Germans is this...

View attachment 108244

Ooo. That's pure filth.. more more.

zagatoes30 · Nov 15, 2022

The cars being considered are

BMW E9 3.0CSi, or with a push a CSL

or alternatively a Pagoda SL, not overly worried about which engine

rockits · Nov 15, 2022

zagatoes30 said:
Due to the accident I haven't been using the classics much which got me thinking and a trip to the NEC further added to the turmoil.

I have 5 classic cars, 3 in use and 2 in the process of restoration and even in normal times I can only drive one at a time. They all have their qualities which suit different things but that means any driving gets split across them and no one takes favourite position. I have listed out the best moments in classics and all the top ones are the same, classic tours with the wife or a friend. It doesn't matter if they're just day trips to some location, meal, event or if there proper tours with other classics, Le Mans, NC500, trips across Europe etc and its not about the speed its about enjoying the drive, the scenery the company.

So this is the conundrum, do I sell all the current cars and buy one single grand tourer that ticks all the boxes? By selling the 5 it puts me in a different price point and opens up a lot of options but after the NEC 2 keep drawing me in and surprisingly both are early 70s and both German.

Sorry to hear of your accident Andy. When/what was this? You OK? Took a break from here and lots of other places/things for a while to work through some issues so may have missed it.

Makes a lot of sense to me. I've reduced quite a bit and just selling the XJL and then Cayenne soon as bought an E43 AMG Estate to roll two into one. Sold the TVR and the 4200 too this year and going to get the Alfa GT and the two Peugeot GTi's MOT'd to use for a bit before I think about buying anything else. A process to reduce, simplify and also pay down the mortgage a bit after a couple of investments haven't worked out so well.

Do you need to sell all 5? Not worth keeping your favourite sportier one to run with the grand tourer?

Doctor Houx · Nov 15, 2022

I completely empathise with the OP’s dilemma

What made me decide to reduce my collection wasn’t necessarily the future vs current values, just the lack of use of them and the hassle of keeping them in good order, insured, MOT’d etc. Always seem to be doing something for cars I never drive.

Took a deposit for the Cayenne Turbo 2 days after I put it on A/T and got inundated with enquiries as it’s got low miles and a faultless documented history. It gets collected this Friday after using it once in 2022.

Working on the GT40 to get it competitive for the 2023 season after my first 2 seasons of DNF’s and poor results is so time consuming im looking at what else I can bring myself to let go to free up time and space.

zagatoes30 · Nov 15, 2022

rockits said:
Sorry to hear of your accident Andy. When/what was this? You OK? Took a break from here and lots of other places/things for a while to work through some issues so may have missed it.

Got hit by a Land Rover Discovery whilst out walking which broke both my arms back in July, it has taken sometime to get mobility back and still don't have enough strength in right arm to use a LHD gearbox or in either to steer a car without power steering.

zagatoes30 · Nov 15, 2022

Doctor Houx said:
I completely empathise with the OP’s dilemma

What made me decide to reduce my collection wasn’t necessarily the future vs current values, just the lack of use of them and the hassle of keeping them in good order, insured, MOT’d etc. Always seem to be doing something for cars I never drive.

My reason to change is nothing to do with values, its as you say having fewer to maintain and use. The amount of money invested is likely to be the same, maybe a bit more but then only have one classic it will get used more frequently.