There are people who buy a new car or motorcycle every three years to always drive safely 'under warranty'. There are people who spend a lot of money - because € 340.000 for a Porsche 356, I think a lot of money - because… Well, probably because they had at least € 440.000 in their back pocket and that was so uncomfortable.
It just depends on what you do
In the circle of acquaintances are genetic 'new drivers' and people who are not afraid to spend a euro on a nice toy. And that can just be an impulse purchase. For example, someone said that he had stopped en route, had turned around to buy a sailboat that he liked very much. He could not even sail, but is known for his sense of beauty. And that ship only cost € 42.000. After he realized he could not sail, he sold the sailing yacht again. For € 45.000. Because it is Corona time. And everyone now wants a dog and a boat.
But back to the essence of the story: A car or motorcycle can of course also become classic if you simply keep it driving. And then in my circle of acquaintances you come close to men and a single woman who just use their now classic for what they were made for. And you are talking about a Volvo with 480D km on the clock, a Lexus with 800.000+ km on the clock. A BX that received two other, two new spring balls and two fresh Michelins this week. And then you get to the point why so many 'old' cars go into the shredder.
It is a strange way of calculating. The strange leap of thought between the cost of a repair and the concept of 'commercial or economic value'.
"That will be expensive!"
Because many people give up when the worried-looking garage owner tells them that a six or eight-year-old car needs 'major' repairs. Especially when there is some welding to be done. The suggestive approach is: "Is the car still worth that investment to you?" In addition, there is the heavy psychological component that irrelevant owners also bite on the comment: "And it has already driven 100.000 or almost 200.000 kilometers." Then people often say goodbye and buy another car (or motorcycle). And in one way or another a repair of 900 euros is too much, while adding 6 (or 12) grand for a more recent copy is experienced as clear and meaningful.
1.000 euros is fine
Within the practically thinking circle of acquaintances, the maxim is that for driving a car you should simply charge € 1.000 annually for garage costs. If you drive a car for that amount, you drive 'cheaply'. And you usually do that in a car that has very little economic value, but where you no longer have to depreciate. And you go along with it slowly until suddenly people start to admire your classic. Smart right? And very sustainable!
Too bad, but repairable
The good book and the good stuff
Keep driving is the cheap, sustainable way to get a classic
Just repair and keep
Indeed, my daily car is from 1988, so I have to pay the full price for another 8 years. It is just 6 months too young to suspend in the winter months.
As the first owner, I have been paying full road tax on it for 32 years. The 25-year scheme was also abolished when it was 24 years old.
It would be a bonus, but certainly no reason for me to part with this vehicle.
Dear Jan, such a Galant seems like a wonderful possession, especially considering its origins. As far as I know, cars from after 1987 will only become tax-free after 40 years. The three-month housing requirement for an advantageous rate of maximum 120 Euro per year only applies to petrol cars with the latest registration date 31 December 1987.
Of course, nothing lasts forever. Certainly not rules.
Even though I don't drive a classic car, I still drive classic. And motorcycle.
It was never a plan to drive a classic but it just happened.
I bought my 82er BMW R45 (better known as blue) in 1995. It became my faithful workhorse and after carefully planned muscle-generating actions and good care I still ride it today. He just got older with me. The fact that it is now a classic, well… .the poor devil can't help that. But secretly he likes it very much 😉
Exactly, that's what I've been doing for years. I bought my car (from 2003) in 2009 with something like 40.000 (official) kilometers on the counter, so it has been running for more than 11 years now, the counter is now at 180.000 and in that time I have quite a bit of money on it issued, but I do drive a car that I would never be able to afford new, and I am happy to pay for the costs of maintenance.
Sustainability is a very flexible concept in the country of the Greens.
An old motorcycle, car or moped is quickly perceived as “dirty”, despite the fact that they have been around for years and no new raw materials have to be found and used.
But cutting down forests and burning them is really green?
Idd we live in a strange world.
Recently acquired the 2.0 Mitsubishi Galant 1989 GLSi from father. At 93 years old, the best man could no longer keep up with today's traffic. It will never be a classic, but this car is absolutely fine. No rust and technically and optically 100%. Interior is like new. With 150.000 km, this rock-solid Japanese has just been run in. Not a cheap car at the time, purchase price 45.000 guilders. In 2029 I will drive in it nicely tax-free. The emotional value remains higher than the actual value
Have been driving a 2001 car since 1989. Bought from the first owner. This one also did maintenance _forward_ just to have a bit of certainty. I'm just doing maintenance and troubleshooting. Just because it gives me pleasure. People once called out, what a good oldie, now hey, that's a nice oldie ...
And idd spread over the total, the maintenance costs are not too bad.
I have been trying for years to drive cars of little cost and indeed 1000 euros.
As a rule, that works.
And when 99,99% has gone through the shredder, the remaining 0,01% will again become a dream object for many, because rare and exclusive and hip.
But it may not be much older than our own year of birth, because then somehow it doesn't interest anymore, like almost all pre-war models, almost nothing is written about it anymore in oldtimer land.
We live in a very strange world.
Possibly that world is also populated by people who do not lose sight of the feasibility of a classic or antique. So it fits the budget and certainly also useful in the sense that each ride does not require 2 days of preparation. It is not uncommon for these factors to be compromised as a vehicle's age has advanced. And because sentiment plays such a big role, there is also the factor connected with the object, which is simply greater when a car or motorcycle has clearly figured in someone's (early) childhood.