Making a major purchase these days can be very confusing and more than a little frustrating, if you haven’t taken the time to do some research and make some advance decisions about what you want. Investing in classic cars is no exception to the rule.
Before you actually begin to browse dealerships looking at vintage cars, first ask yourself some of the following questions:

• What is my total budget for this purchase? Have I factored in the cost of car restoration, classic car accessories and necessities such as classic car spares?

• Is the dealership interested in just buying classic cars and selling classic cars or do they provide maintenance service? Is hiring classic cars part of the package if my vintage vehicle winds up in the shop for repairs? Is classic car rental a “deal breaker” as to whether or not I do business with a particular dealership?

• Does the dealer specialize in particular types of antique cars? Are you more interested in a vintage Jaguar or Rolls Royce, instead of a Mustang or Model T?
The Internet can be a valuable tool to locating a classic car dealer, since many such businesses maintain web sites these days. By contacting dealers on-line, you can gather preliminary information about the types of vintage cars they sell and decide whether the Rover of Porsche is right for you. Once you’ve learned enough to make a trip to the dealership, allow enough time to test drive the car, which will help you decide if it’s a comfortable “fit.” Other research tools include publications such as “Consumer Reports” and automobile magazines, which can often be found at the local library.
Once you’ve weighed all the options, then it’s time to make the big decision as to whether that sleek little Alfa Romeo will grace your driveway in a few days.