AARP Hearing Center
Your Guide to the Best, Most Reliable Classic Cars
How to buy and care for the car you dreamed of as a teen— without creating a nightmare
Before you purchase a classic car, it’s important to identify what kind of skills and interests you have. The Porsche 911 and Saab 900 are two of the most reliable classic cars.
Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Photo by John Keeble/Getty Images; Alamy; Getty Images)
For many of us, our first love had steel curves and a throaty howl when you stepped on the accelerator. Whether it was a 1967 Corvette or a 1980 Fiesta, you’ll never forget that first teenage crush. Now, the car you fantasized about is considered a classic, and you may have the means to buy it. But the price for recapturing your youth could be higher than you expect, unless you pick a reliable model.
What makes a car a classic?
Generally, insurers and car clubs consider vehicles that are more that 25 years old as “classic,” which also covers much older vintage and antique cars (think ’55 Chevys and Ford Model Ts from 1908).
More Ways to Benefit
- Related Benefit 1
- Related Benefit 2
- Related Benefit 3
- Related Benefit 4
- Related Benefit 5
That broad definition means there is a broad price range too — encompassing cars from a $115,000 1980 Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole (like Tom Selleck drove in Magnum P.I.) to a $15,000 Chevrolet Vega. But no matter what the technical definition or price is, classic cars are like beauty: Ultimately, it’s in the eye of the beholder.
“It’s what people remember in the flower of youth when they have a great deal of imagination,” says Leslie Kendall, chief historian for the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
Here are five classics considered reliable enough to drive every day, along with tips from experts on how to choose a classic cool car that’s not a clunker.
The models that classic car fans consistently rate as reliable:
- Volkswagen Beetle, introduced in 1938
- Plymouth Valiant, introduced in 1960
- Porsche 911, introduced in 1963
- Saab 900, introduced 1978
- Mazda MX-5 Miata, introduced in 1989
Several of these models, such as the Mazda Miata, have legions of ardent fans.
“It’s the opposite of a money pit,” says Jim Motavalli, an auto enthusiast and longtime contributor to The New York Times automotive section, of his 1999 Miata. “I put gas in it, and that’s it.”
The one caveat, according to Motavalli, is to avoid models with rust because any subsequent mechanical fixes won’t be worth the cost.
Motavalli met one classic car owner, for example, who had put $4,000 into a rebuilt engine for her convertible, but the car was rusting out. “I wouldn’t give her $40 for it.”
Aside from a lack of corrosion, what should you consider to make sure your teenage dreams don’t lead you astray? Here’s what the experts advise.
Decide what kind of a classic car person you are
It’s important to know what kind of skills and interests you have before you purchase a classic car, so you avoid spending more than you need to and/or end up with a cool car that just sits in your driveway.
There are three types of classic car buyers, according to Kendall: people who can restore and fix cars themselves, people who cannot but know where to find reliable restoration mechanics and people who think they can fix the vehicle but can’t ... and try anyway.
“There are a lot of aborted restorations,” says Kendall, “because it’s a lot easier to take a car apart than it is to clean it up and put it back together.”
Randy Barone, vice president of business development at ACV Auctions, an automotive marketplace catering to dealers, concurs: “Most people that start these projects never finish them, and if they do, they have spent three to four times what they thought they were going to spend.”
Kendall believes the proper starting point for most people interested in a classic car is — unless they are buying a rare collector’s car, like a 1930 Duesenberg Model J — don’t think of it as an investment; think of it as a hobby.
The Mazda MX-5 has legions of ardent fans.
Shutterstock
Stick with popular models
There’s a reason some cars attract a faithful following: They are fun to drive and are relatively reliable. The most reliable classic cars on the market also tend to be the most popular models.
Plus, the more popular an old model is, the easier it will be to fix, explains Kendall. A larger market means that parts will be easier to obtain, and there are likely to be more mechanics available with experience working on that particular vehicle.
However, because popular cars are in high demand, that can mean they are also more expensive. So if you’re thinking that jumping into, say, a 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback like the one Steve McQueen drove in Bullitt would be cool, expect to pay for the privilege (over $100,000).
Whether the vehicle is all original, versus a highly modified or copied model, also affects what you’ll pay.
“A good example of this is a 1967 Corvette Stingray 427 Big Block with a stinger hood,” says ACV’s Barone. “A real original one of these rare vehicles with matching numbers sold at a Barrett-Jackson auction for $550,000 as a fully documented vehicle. A clone of this vehicle would be around $80,000 to $100,000.”
The Plymouth Valiant, introduced in 1960, is one of the most reliable classic cars.
Shutterstock
Know your limitations … and the car’s limitations
Your nostalgic memories of a vehicle may not necessarily match the reality of the car today. For example, the super-svelte 12-cyclinder Jaguar E-Type from the ’60s is a great looker, earning it a spot in the design collection of New York’s Museum of Modern Art. However, it is a notoriously terrible driver, says Kendall of the E-Type. So if you want beauty, the E-Type might be for you, but if you want brawn, look elsewhere.
More important, consider your own limitations when it comes to fixing your car if something goes wrong
“If you want a classic of the ’20s or ’30s, like a V12 Packard, then you’ll have to figure it out yourself,” says Kendall. In other words, the most reliable classic car is going to be the one you know how to fix yourself.
Think of it as a pet
Owning a classic car is like adopting a pet. It’s your responsibility to treat it right, otherwise the relationship will sour.
For example, when pressed about how he keeps his 25-year-old Miata in tip-top shape, Motavalli says he handles it with care. He only drives it in the summer in Connecticut — eschewing the white stuff and corrosive salt during winter. And he has kept the mileage down to a minimum, for a total of just 36,000 miles so far.
“Make sure you have the ability to keep these vehicles in the right environment to stay safe from the elements and have a mechanic that can keep them in tip-top condition,” says Barone. But he also notes that vehicles shouldn’t be left idle for long periods of time. They need to get proper exercise every once in a while.
Join a fan club
No matter how reliable the model you select turns out to be, eventually it will need maintenance and parts. So join a local or national club for whatever vehicle you’re passionate about, advises Kendall. “And start going to local chapter meets,” he says, “because people will be happy to tell you what service people they’ve had success with” and offer recommendations — and warnings.
If there aren’t any car clubs dedicated to the model you’re after in your area, Kendall recommends joining a broader club, say, one that specializes in ’70s cars from Japan or Italian sports cars. Here you’ll find like-minded enthusiasts who understand your classic car obsession, even if no one else does.
AARP Membership
Join AARP for only $15 per year with automatic renewal. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of benefits, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP The Magazine.
More From AARP
Tips to Find the Best Car for You
Considerations for people 50-plus when car shoppingAARP Smart Guide to Cleaning Your Car
48 tips to properly clean your vehicle, inside and out, like a pro