Should I get a classic car as my first car?
Posted by BornAdvertising8697@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 37 comments
I’m 21 and considering getting a classic car like 1950s cadillac as my first car. I want to use it everyday which I’m not sure if that’s realistic. I also live in a desert where it gets extremely hot, especially in summer, and although I’ve seen a lot of classic cars in my city, I’m not sure how well older cars can handle that kind of climate.
I’ve always loved classic cars and the look of it, and I don’t really like modern cars. However, I have zero knowledge about cars; I don’t know about maintenance, engines, or anything technical but I’m willing to learn. I have so much doubts about this, but a part of me is still drawn to the idea of it. Should I go for it and is this something I can manage as a beginner?
Great-Internal-380@reddit
Counterpoint.... I think you should. At a young age you will learn patience (waiting for hard to find parts to arrive), community (learning how to fix your car/where to find parts), problem solving (as in how to get home when the car won't start), fitness (walking or biking while you car is waiting for parts/won't start) and financial discipline. Clearly you have an easy life and this challenge will build character. You will have many good stories when you are older. Just don't crash, brakes are usually crappy and there are no airbags, crumple zones or safety features of any kind
series-hybrid@reddit
Pre-2000 vehicles are simpler and easier to diagnose and repair.
Somewhere between the mid-1970's when smog equipment was piled onto carburetors, and the 1990's when the bugs had been worked out of EFI systems...its a mess.
Mid 70's and earlier are good to learn on, but in a hot climate, you will have to learn about vaporlock in the summers (which can be fixed).
jrileyy229@reddit
No
JohnnyPegorino@reddit
Oh hell nah they are nice objects to look at in 2026. not daily drivers
WolfThick@reddit
Check out Maple motors first it's on YouTube.
Etex1984@reddit
50s caddy parts. Lol.
Jack_JohnnyW@reddit
You want something with airbags for sure. There will be tons of YouTube videos to refer to if needed to help with maintenance. Newer vehicles are much safer.
Get your classic later.
salvage814@reddit
No there aren't many bad ideas but this is terrible. Find a modern car first and then have a classic to have fun with.
picnic-boy@reddit
Absolutely not. Get yourself a nice Toyota or Honda instead.
gushi1-@reddit
There quality has gone down hill in this recent decade.
Much-Resolution-5476@reddit
Absolutely horrible idea.
Aberration1111@reddit
No
Sam90Sam90@reddit
First buy a cheap old car from that era, and learn maintenance and repairs. When you have learned a lot, then buy your dream car.
imachiknsamich@reddit
No, statistically, you're more likely to wreck your first car.
Now if you wanna get one and restore it while you drive an old toyota or something that would be good.
Lopsided-Public8205@reddit
It's not practical, but would be epic if you can keep it running. If it ends up a dead turd in your driveway and you have to bum rides from your friends, they are just going to laugh at you.
When you get old, you won't remeber the practical choices in life. You'll have fond memories of the impractical ones.
bobqzzi@reddit
No, they are objectively terrible vehicles
Fuddamatic@reddit
Even new, “classic cars” needed more maintenance compared to modern ones. Source. I’m old.
Parking_Abalone_1232@reddit
Have you seen how expensive gas is? That car is what's known as a gas guzzler. Figure about 12 MPG, 18 tops.
How far is your daily commute?
I have a friend with a 2020ish F150 and a 30 mile commute. He was spending a new car payment in just gas. He bought a new Prius and is STILL saving money over driving his truck as a DD.
That's going to be you in a 50's Caddy.
Loveschocolate1978@reddit
I would suggest it, but if you do decide to do it, one thing I've always been curious about is adding an electronic fuel injection kit, like the Holley Sniper 2 or something by MSD Ignition. Those cost roughly $2,000 the last time I checked. This would help make the car engine start and run more like a modern car, which could greatly increase its reliability and usability which is key if you plan to use it as a daily driver. These kits are extreme controversial among car enthusiasts, especially due purists who believe carburetors are the solution to all life's problems. It is possible to retrofit and upgrade older cars with A/C, however, it's probably good to keep in mind that, as far as I know, A/C was not offered as a feature on most car in the 1950's and back. In the 1960's it at least became a factory option on some cars. Upgrading a car that already has or was built for A/C is achievable for most. Installing an A/C system in a car that was never built for it will take some higher level of mechanical knowledge that you might not have yet. It can be done, but it would be challenging and most likely expensive. If you have a car that can be driven during the hotter months and then drive the classic during the months A/C isn't needed, that might be a cheaper option.
EuroCanadian2@reddit
If you are can afford a well sorted "restomod" without getting a traditional car loan, then maybe this is possible.
It won't be as easy as owning a regular production car. Restomod means "restored and modified" - its a general term for an old classic car that has been remade 'under the skin' with modern mechanical parts, with the aim of providing something close to modern relaibility, functionalities like AC, decent heat, cruise control, power steering and brakes, sometimes modern suspension, often an automatic transmission, and so on. Each restomod car is different, and you will need a mechanic willing to figure out how to work on something that is not listed in their diagnostic systems.
Another route is to choose a modern car that doesn't look modern. There are a few options. PT Cruiser, for example. Objectively, the PT Cruisier is not a good or reliable car, but they are cheap and they look different. Or a Chevy HHR, which is a bit better cer than a PT Cruiser.
If you can get away with a 2 seater, a Chevy SST?
landrover97centre@reddit
Unless you are knowledgeable with working on cars a classic daily is not ideal, even fully restored cars still require a ton of upkeep in comparison to anything built in the 80s-today. It’s not just the 3k mile oil changes either, it’s keeping the carbs adjusted properly, it’s constantly adjusting the valves, even the old V-drive belt style is subpar, you’d constantly be cleaning plugs and adjusting the distributor, and you’d struggle driving in major elevation changes. Not to mention, if this is your only mode of transportation, you’d be wrong as you’d want atleast one reliable car to get you from A-B before you should even look at an old Cadillac. a 50’s Cadillac would be 70 something odd years old, you would never know who dug in that thing before you, especially if it’s someone else’s project.
Alarming-Mix3809@reddit
No.
Scarlett-the-01-TJ@reddit
No. Unless you have unlimited funds and a reliable backup vehicle.
PMMEYOURHELPLESSNESS@reddit
I agree
OTPguy@reddit
As already mentioned get yourself a nice Toyota or Honda, and not a classic car. You want a reliable car that sips fuel, not something that guzzles gas and requires a lot more maintenance. Later in life if you have made the big bucks then you can buy a nice classic car and by then you will have refined your preferences.
Vegetable-Giraffe-79@reddit
No, my first car was a classic car, It can make a good second or weekend car but not a first and only car.
Bulocoo@reddit
Join a classic car club for a year or so.
Learn what's easy and what's hard. Some cars have a large aftermarket of repro parts.
The good news is 50s and 60's cars are relatively easy to work on.
I knew a guy who had a 60's 6 cyl mustang. He wasn't brilliant but he kept it running well. He did have a garage to work on it and educated himself on maintenance.
But if somethimg big happens like engine or trans then you likely will need to involve a classic car shop at a really high price.
Brilliant-Onion2129@reddit
Nooooo!!!!!
eldredo_M@reddit
You admit to not being very mechanically inclined.
You want this as a daily driver.
I think you’ve answered your own question, don’t you agree?
One_Evil_Monkey@reddit
In the mid/late '90s my two daily drivers were a 1980 Chevy LUV and a 1967 Mustang. Drove one one or two days, then would drive the other for a day or two, just swapping back and forth.
Personally, I had no problems doing this.
HOWEVER I had plenty of experience with vehicles. I personally rebuilt the engine in my LUV and I personally has restored the Mustang from a bare shell with boxes and boxes of NOS FoMoCo parts. I was a civilian mechanic 30hrs a week while still a senior in HS and an Army Reserve mechanic after graduating HS at the time.
For someone who doesn't have any practical experience or mechanical skill/knowledge, I wouldn't recommend a classic as your first vehicle/daily driver. I'd say get your '50s Caddy to work and learn on but have something a little newer that's more reliable. Something like a mid/late '00s Civic would be fine for this.
lunchbox651@reddit
No.
I had one in my early 20s (Holden HG Kingswood, was 40 years old when I got it).
There were constant aging issues, rubbers on windows, rust, welsh plugs rusting, radiator hoses collapsing because the spring in the hose rusted to dust, dash cracking, plastics inside becoming brittle, seat padding collapsing, etc etc.
None of these things are a killer if it isn't your daily and you have the money to keep on top of it.
Priapismkills@reddit
Has to be trolling...
not-a-toad@reddit
It seems cool and many fall into the trap of “people dailyd these in the 50s/60s/70s so why cant i?” As much as i want it to be true, you need a more modern car. You can only be dailying a classic if you have a lot of experience, $$, and time.
If you have the space, id recommend getting a cheap newer car to putt around in a cheap classic to work on and have fun with. Thats what i’m doing. Ive got a dirt cheap 4 speed 65 mustang.
Ok_Narwhal6356@reddit
Unusually I tell people yes to this question but your situation is going to be a no this time. Get a project and have a reliable daily with AC.
Rough_Cancel7265@reddit
Big nope
Sea_Surround471@reddit
Daily driving a '50s Cadillac in the desert as a beginner is essentially a full-time job that pays in sweat and repair bills. Between the lack of modern A/C and the constant threat of overheating, you would likely spend more time under the hood than behind the wheel. It is a beautiful dream, but without mechanical experience or a backup vehicle, it will likely turn into an expensive nightmare very quickly.
yodas_sidekick@reddit
You do not want a classic car as your first car as a daily driver.