MRFVG* Opinions on Used Auto 1996 or older

[MrNoBody]

*MacResourceForum Vehicle Gurus input requested.
There appears to be many auto knowledgeable members here, I am not one so...

I am thinking of buying a 20 year old or slightly older vehicle (car, suv, or small p/u)
for occasional 'local' driving. The 20yo mark makes it eligible for 'historic tags' and lower insurance. I have a high end corp. vehicle for everyday travel.

Any suggestions on models to look at or totally avoid? t-i-a :thumbsup:

[SteveO]

For that vintage - I'd stick to Japanese cars. Honda/Acura, Toyota/Lexus would be the top tier. Mazda, Nissan, Mitsu would be a close second tier in my book. I'd avoid most German and American of that vintage and of course Yugos. Ha.


I had really good luck with my '82 Accord, '86 Prelude, '94 Accord, '99 TL, '93 Stealth (Mitsu rebadged as Dodge).

Lower mileage on the odo is obviously better. Look for maintenance records; also be wary of flood / salvage title cars. Google for tips on that. Good luck and enjoy your search!

[Rick-o]

You might want to check your State laws on historic plates. Seems I remember here in MI that you can only use the historical plate driving to events, such as car shows, parades, etc.

I'm not 100% sure this, but it might be prudent to investigate before proceeding.

> I'd avoid most German and American of that vintage...

I wouldn't. A twenty year old vehicle is going to depend on how well its been taken care of. There are plenty of American vehicles that can match, and even surpass the Jap vehicles.

Disclosure: I spent 30+ years working for GM, so I may be a bit biased. :gears:

EDIT: Jap is a no no word here? It certainly wasn't during WWII!!

[Rick-o]

Just looked up MI's law.

Historical vehicles
A historical vehicle must be:
26 or more years old
Owned solely as a collector's item
Used only for events such as historical club activities, parades and car show
Note: A vehicle registered with a historical or authentic plate cannot be used for routine, day-to-day transportation.

YMMV

[rgG]

Rick-o wrote:
Just looked up MI's law.

Historical vehicles
A historical vehicle must be:
26 or more years old
Owned solely as a collector's item
Used only for events such as historical club activities, parades and car show
Note: A vehicle registered with a historical or authentic plate cannot be used for routine, day-to-day transportation.

YMMV

In GA, you can get an "antique" vehicle tag for any car 25 years or older, and it can be used for day to day driving. I suspect it varies from state to state.

[Filliam H. Muffman]

Where are you looking? No 20 year old car that lived in the rust belt should be considered unless you have proof it was a trailer queen.

[davester]

rgG wrote:
[quote=Rick-o]
Just looked up MI's law.

Historical vehicles
A historical vehicle must be:
26 or more years old
Owned solely as a collector's item
Used only for events such as historical club activities, parades and car show
Note: A vehicle registered with a historical or authentic plate cannot be used for routine, day-to-day transportation.

YMMV

In GA, you can get an "antique" vehicle tag for any car 25 years or older, and it can be used for day to day driving. I suspect it varies from state to state.
Even if you can get a tag, historical vehicle insurance has severe restrictions (must be stored in a locked garage, only used for parades, car shows, etc). If you use the car as a daily driver and get in an accident the insurance company will deny any claims. The buy an old car to duck the registration and insurance costs idea is not a valid strategy. That said, an older vehicle only used for minimal mileage and not requiring comprehensive and collision insurance will get you cheaper regular insurance rates, but nothing like historical vehicle insurance.

[MrNoBody]

SteveO & Rick-o, thanks for the vehicle info.

As for the historic & insurance comments; I have already researched
this and gotten the necessary info re the insurance. Vehicle will be garaged
& tagged in MD (have an office there), which only requires a 20 'calendar year' age (vs 25 in Delaware). btw, MI's "historic" regs are really repressive.

Really would have liked more suggestions regarding vehicles, but thanks anyway.
:thumbsup: