Buying my first classic, 1954 Plymouth Belvedere. Advice?

[Don Coatney]

I just have a few questions. You said you are 24 years old and have owned over 20 cars to date. Stay with me here for a bit as my math is not the best. If I assume you were 16 when you first bought a car that means that on average every 5 months to date you bought/traded for a different car. Did you use each of those 20 cars as a daily driver? Did your girlfriend approve of any or all of these 20 cars?

 

So I must question where are these 20 cars now? Of those 20 cars what did you learn about what makes a quality daily driver? Of those 20 cars did you ever have to work on them? If you have owned 20 cars I would think you have learned a good bit and perhaps collected a few tools. So I ask why would you be asking on old car forums if this car is the best thing for you to buy? Seems with all that experience you should be giving the advice not asking for it.

 

What do you want to do? Buy it or pass on it?

 

[Spy]

I just have a few questions. You said you are 24 years old and have owned over 20 cars to date. Stay with me here for a bit as my math is not the best. If I assume you were 16 when you first bought a car that means that on average every 5 months to date you bought/traded for a different car. Did you use each of those 20 cars as a daily driver? Did your girlfriend approve of any or all of these 20 cars?

 

So I must question where are these 20 cars now? Of those 20 cars what did you learn about what makes a quality daily driver? Of those 20 cars did you ever have to work on them? If you have owned 20 cars I would think you have learned a good bit and perhaps collected a few tools. So I ask why would you be asking on old car forums if this car is the best thing for you to buy? Seems with all that experience you should be giving the advice not asking for it.

 

What do you want to do? Buy it or pass on it?

 

I started driving my first car at 13 years old, illegally on country roads. I got my drivers permit at 15 and had my first true legal car. So just a bit of recalculation would be in order. I used all but the very first as a daily driver. My girlfriend has only been in my life for the past 4 or 5 cars, and only riding in the past 2 of them. She would not have approved of any, save for my current 2012 Sonata.

 

The 20 cars have all been sold in turn, and the only cars in my portfolio that I'd say were quality daily drivers would be Volvo's when they were built in Sweden. 3 of my cars were Swedish built Volvo's, and those were the only cars I took time to learn about and work on beyond oil changes. Apart from that, the amount of cars I've owned (in my case) can represent a lack of experience, I've never kept anything other than Volvo's long enough to learn much. If something breaks, I sell the car and get another one. 15 out of those 20 cars costed $2,000 or less.

 

The advice I was looking for weighs more heavily on my living situation. I do know from experience that just because you get a "reliable" make/model of 90's car, that doesn't mean it won't be a money pit. I'm sure this goes for something from the 50's just as well. So I wanted to know how reliable and easy to maintain a 54 Plymouth would be. I would have a passion for the Plymouth as I had for old Volvo's, and would love working on it. However, I don't have much time or money to work on it right now.

 

This thread has helped put everything in perspective. If I can get some money to work on the Plymouth by buying it for $2500, and time to work on it by keeping my Sonata for a few months too, then I'll buy it. Otherwise, all the helpful members of this forum have helped me realize that it's best to wait for a while, saving up money, and look for another classic when I'm better prepared.

[Ulu]

When I bought my P-15 I was a struggling young guy with a wife & 2 kids to feed. I actually borrowed the money ($3500) from some chattel mortgage broker at 21% interest & made payments for 18 mos.

 

If you buy the car for cash. you might be able to borrow against it to make repairs.

 

I just did some side jobs and made the extra cash to cover my purchase.

 

Don't just accept what you have as all there can be. Extra work = extra money.

 

One other bit of wisdom (and please ladies be gentle if you're offended...I know I'm an old chauvinist.)

 

Your girlfriend will let you "get away with things" (like spending all your money on cars) if she wants you enough.

 

The car won't do that.

 

BUT, If it wants new points it ain't taking you to work until it gets them. You can't sweet talk a car. It won't wait until payday. 

 

Owning an old car as your daily driver/commute-to-work vehicle often requires more commitment than having a girlfriend.

 

They (the girlfriends) almost never take it well when they finally realize that fact.

Edited May 13, 2014 by Ulu