This is part of an ongoing debate between me and my older brother over the viability of dumping my current daily driver and making a classic Mustang my sole vehicle for good. I’m a single 35 year old software engineer and have done plenty of wrenching in the past but live alone in a city apartment now and would plan on doing little to no work myself.
First let me present my theories and rationale:
-VALUE-
A car is one of the worst investments you can make. Whether it’s a Saturn or a Lexus, the value of your new car is guaranteed to nose dive from day one and will continue to decrease until the latest set of tires you put on it are worth more than the car. A classic Mustang will not only maintain value, but will increase over time, even if you don’t keep it original. And you always have the option of one day restoring it to original form and selling it for more than what you paid years or decades ago.
-IMAGE-
Any honest assessment of car ownership must accept that image is a huge factor. Your 1995 BMW/Acura/Corvette/MUSTANG was super cool the day you bought it. By 2000 it may have still been running ok but was looking a bit dated, (so 90’s). By 2005 your car was an embarrassment and you sold it and bought a new car. All the money you spent on repairs and upkeep was lost. And you will repeat this cycle over and over again for the rest of your life. The complete opposite is true for a classic Mustang which will be cool forever, and only get cooler as time goes by.
-SAFETY-
HERE’S THE OBVIOUS HITCH!!!
But, let’s say I either happen to find a completed 64-66 Mustang or build my own that has…
Four main arguments with counter-arguments:
Any and all input from the folks who know would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
First let me present my theories and rationale:
-VALUE-
A car is one of the worst investments you can make. Whether it’s a Saturn or a Lexus, the value of your new car is guaranteed to nose dive from day one and will continue to decrease until the latest set of tires you put on it are worth more than the car. A classic Mustang will not only maintain value, but will increase over time, even if you don’t keep it original. And you always have the option of one day restoring it to original form and selling it for more than what you paid years or decades ago.
-IMAGE-
Any honest assessment of car ownership must accept that image is a huge factor. Your 1995 BMW/Acura/Corvette/MUSTANG was super cool the day you bought it. By 2000 it may have still been running ok but was looking a bit dated, (so 90’s). By 2005 your car was an embarrassment and you sold it and bought a new car. All the money you spent on repairs and upkeep was lost. And you will repeat this cycle over and over again for the rest of your life. The complete opposite is true for a classic Mustang which will be cool forever, and only get cooler as time goes by.
-SAFETY-
HERE’S THE OBVIOUS HITCH!!!
But, let’s say I either happen to find a completed 64-66 Mustang or build my own that has…
- A rebuilt 1992 Mustang GT 5.0 EFI engine
- A rebuilt 1992 Mustang GT AOD 4-speed transmission
- Power steering with a rack & pinion conversion kit
- Power brakes with a dual bowl and discs all around
- A complete suspension upgrade with shocks and springs
- 2002 Mustang GT reclining seats with proper headrests
- Retracting shoulder strap seat belts and lap belts in back
- A functional third brake light and working reverse lights
- Weight ratio: Battery relocated? fiberglass hood? aluminum engine parts? Sandbags?
Four main arguments with counter-arguments:
1. Him: It will never have anti-lock brakes like safer modern cars
Me: My current car doesn’t have anti-locks and has rear drums and stops just fine.
Him: It’s still less safe than the cheapest of new cars. If you had kids you’d understand.
2. Him: It will never have airbags like safer modern cars
Me: Belts protect the most and airbags are overrated and you could probably install them someday.
Him: They’re not overrated, conversion would be too expensive, and someday could be too late.
3. Him: It will never have “Crumple Zones” like safer modern cars
Me: Crumple Zones are overrated and the Mustang is surely safer than a new Miata or Mini Cooper.
Him: Whiplash is not overrated. Miatas, Minis, and Motorcycles are all less safe. So what?
4. Him: It will never have IRS like safer modern non-fishtail-happy cars
Me: They do make IRS kits for the car and there's other workarounds like pan hard rods and multi-link systems.
Him: Buying a fishtail-mobile and planning a $10k IRS upgrade “someday” is bad planning.
Any and all input from the folks who know would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!