It seems like a dream – motoring around in your classic every day, clearly the best-looking car on the road and turning heads everywhere you go. But how practical is it really to drive your classic car every day? Here at JD’s Auto Repair, we’re going to give you an idea of what to expect if you want to have a classic car as your daily cruiser, and what to look out for when buying one that may make your life a little easier.

Classics are called “classics” for a reason

You need to remember that classics are old. No matter what you do to it, it’s never going to drive like a brand-new car that’s just rolled off the assembly line – but that doesn’t need to be a bad thing! It does, however, mean that you need to treat it with care – don’t push it too hard when it’s unnecessary, and ensure you keep the engine in good condition by checking the oil, topping up the radiator fluid, and regularly checking the brake fluid. Keeping on top of these things will reduce your chance of breaking down in the middle of a busy freeway during rush hour!

It’s going to cost you

Another uncomfortable reality is the costs associated with owning a classic car and driving it on a daily basis. They guzzle fuel like you wouldn’t believe, any parts that need changing (which happens quite often) are usually expensive, and it’s always a good idea to have an emergency fund for those times when you’re left out stranded and need to call roadside assistance. On top of that, you need to think about insurance, storage, and general upkeep – all much pricier than if you owned a normal, everyday, regular folk kind of car.

If you still feel like you want to go ahead, which kind is the best?

But of course, you’re not regular folk, you want to stand out and be noticed – even if you’re just on the school run! So, what should you look for? We would recommend something post-1960. Cars made before this time were built before many of the basic components in modern cars were even invented, and if you’re hoping to get around quickly, you can forget about it with a car from the 40s or 50s!

Anything from the mid-‘60s to the early ‘80s is probably your best bet. This era was known as the golden age of American cars for a reason, and manufacturers put their all into creating cars that outperformed their competitors – just think of the Camaro vs. Challenger vs. Mustang battle that still wages to this day! They were made to last, and even though they’ll still cost you in upkeep, they are manageable and can certainly be driven on a daily basis.

If you’re more into the modern classic look – anything from the mid-’80s right up until the end of the ‘90s, then you’ll probably be able to find models that don’t need too much upkeep. Of course, it’s arguable whether you would call these cars “classics” but for what you lose in classic sentimentality you make up for with reliability and (relatively) modern technology.

So, there you have it! If you’ve always dreamed of driving a classic car on your daily commute or have thought it would be cool to drop the kids off at school in a ’68 Dodge Challenger, it’s certainly doable! It is, however, a luxury that will burn a bit of a hole in your pocket, and if you’re okay with that then it may be totally worth it! If you’re looking for a car to use as your daily cruiser, then head down to JD’s Auto Repair to check out the cars we have on offer. If you already have your eye on a certain vehicle or have already purchased one, our highly qualified and experienced staff would be more than happy to give it a look over to make sure it’s safe and ready for daily driving!