Owning a brand-new car is a dream for many, but the high costs often make it an unattainable goal. As a result, pre-owned vehicles and older models become the go-to choice for budget-conscious buyers. With a vast selection of makes and models from across South Africa, Gumtree offers an extensive range of bakkies, hatchbacks, and SUVs to cater to every preference and need.
Not all old cars are kept in the same condition (mainly aesthetically), which can affect the purchase price—previous owners generally know the worth of older cars, especially if it's a special or limited edition, which will usually be well-kept. A Volkswagen Beetle is the best example of an old car and can be considered a classic.
While buying an older car is generally much cheaper, there are some factors to take into account:
Age
Although there is no precise definition, the Classic Car Club of America considers a car to be classic if aged between 30 and 49 years, and modern classics are defined as cars aged between 15 and 25 years old.
Older cars need attention, so it's best to do preventative maintenance, i.e., cambelt replacement, cooling/radiator check, or wheel bearings before it becomes an even bigger headache if it happens to fail.
Parts availability
Buying an old car is easy, but maintaining it is more challenging. Make sure that spares shops still stock the parts needed just in case something needs to be replaced.
The last thing you want is to have your car standing for weeks or months because they don't make a specific component anymore and maybe need to be imported.
Most spare shops stock most mechanical parts, though the availability of body panels can sometimes pose a problem.
What is its purpose?
Older cars are generally considered workhorses and can do the job of a daily commute. It will have racked up many kilometres over its lifespan, and specific components will likely need replacing quicker than usual.
Driving the car over long distances and standing in bumper-to-bumper traffic puts extra stress on an already old engine. The last place you want to be is standing on the side of the road with the bonnet up because something went wrong.
Now that you've got the knowledge, it's time to shop! Head to gumtree.co.za or your Gumtree app (click for Apple & Android), and remember to use your location settings to find local service information close to home.
