Is A Classic Car Right For You?

There are several things to consider when thinking about the purchase of a classic car.

 Can you afford this purchase? Then think about repairs, if you can't do them yourself it will be expensive as will the parts needed to fix the car.
 Speaking of parts, they are often hard to find so your car may be out of commission for long periods of time. Do you have the patience to deal with these delays? If you won't be doing the repairs yourself do you know of a good mechanic who is qualified to work on the classic car you want to buy?
 You should have at least $3000 put away for repairs. That sounds like a lot but is actually the minimum suggested by classic car experts.
 Are you thinking about doing restoration work? If you plan to do it yourself remember to have enough space allotted for the job. You will need room to take the classic car apart and store it during the restoration.
 Will you drive your classic car on public roads? If you are planning to remember that driving situations have changed. Brakes and steering systems were made for a different time. You will need to make adjustments when driving the classic car in today's traffic.

 You will need classic car insurance. The classic cars did not come equipped with the anti-theft devices or serial number database of today's cars. The classic cars were not made with security devices.
 If you have a "partner" are they supporting you in this endeavor? It will take time and money to make this dream a realization so make sure you have the backing you need. Some couples enjoy this hobby together.
 Take time and find the car that is right for you. You may have dreamed about a certain car but now realize that it is too expensive and prone to breakdowns. Modify your search and buy only when you have everything in order. Make certain that this is a decision you can afford.
Buying a classic car can be a great hobby and a dream-come-true but make sure you know what you're doing before you buy!


About The Author

Jeff Anderson knows his cars. He knows what to look for and what pitfalls to avoid. Let him guide you to finding out more about classic cars. Contact him at Jeff@triumphclassiccars.com or visit the blog at his site http://www.triumphclassiccars.com/.

18 Tips for Saving Money on Gasoline

Gas prices are on the rise again!  Here are some tips to help you conserve gas and save money as we approach summer gas prices.
1. Keep your car tuned up.  Cars in poor running condition use more gasoline.
2. Plan trips well to avoid unnecessary driving.
3. When you run your air conditioner you get much worse gas mileage.  Use your air conditioner sparingly.  If you have a lower setting, use it.  Turn it on until the car gets cool, then turn it off and let the fan circulate the cool air.  Never run your air conditioner with your windows open!
4. Keep your windows closed when traveling at high speeds.  Open windows cause additional drag and lower your gas mileage.  At high speeds, an open window can use more gas than many air conditioners (especially if they are on a low setting).

5. Check your tire pressure.  Over-inflated tires can actually reduce your fuel efficiency, so don't overfill.
6. If at all possible, change your work start time to avoid gridlock.  Stop and go traffic hurts your gas mileage.
7. Take unneeded items out of the car.  You don't need to carry snow chains around with you in the summertime.  Just make sure to put them back in when winter comes around.
8. Try not to idle your engine for long periods of time.  If you are stuck in traffic and you don't think you are going to go anywhere in the next five minutes, you may want to turn your car off.
9. You no longer need to warm your car up for long periods of time, especially new cars.  New cars are made to run when cold.
10. Don't travel at fast speeds in low gears unless you need the compression to slow down.
11. Try to drive the speed limit.
12. Try to accelerate slowly when leaving the stop light.  It's not a competition with the driver in the lane next to you.  The fastest person through the intersection just gets to spend more on gas.
13. No need to buy the highest priced gasoline.  Most cars are built to run on regular unleaded.  Check you owners manual or consult a mechanic.  I have had many tell me that the more expensive gas is a waste of money.
14. Revving the engine needlessly wastes gas.  There is no need to rev before you turn your vehicle off.
15. If at all possible, try to arrange car pools with co-workers to share the cost of commuting to work.
16. Walk, bike or run to your intended location whenever possible.
17. When the price is sky high, don't fill up.  Wait for the price to go down before you fill up your tank.  Filling up your tank when the price is peaking lets gas companies know that you are willing to pay ridiculous prices for gasoline.
18. And last, the biggest and most important step towards saving money on gas is always try to purchase vehicles that get good gas mileage.  The difference between 20 miles-per-gallon and 40 miles-per-gallon is huge.
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About The Author

Fisher Swanson is a regular contributer to The ThriftyFun.com News. ThriftyFun publishes information about thrifty living. Send an email to thriftyfunnews-on@thriftyfun.com to subscribe to The ThriftyFun.com News.
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