Your First Investment

While they conjure up images of glamorous travel, style, and cruising around the Riviera, there are plenty of people who are more than happy to share horror stories of engines going pop, things falling off, and other such maladies. This doesn’t have to be the case so long as you buy from a trusted, knowledgeable dealer who can guide you towards the right purchase, like the many dealers on Carhuna. With the right car, you’ll also be sure to have an investment on your hands that can reap huge benefits in later years. 

Before you start, you need to get a handle on the type of classic that’ll suit your needs. Are you looking for a usable car that’ll fit into your daily routine? Or perhaps something only for special occasions? If you’re looking purely for a car to store there are plenty of options out there. Most importantly, you need to find a car you’ll enjoy as well as one that’ll prove to be a sound place to put your money. 

When it comes to the car itself, there are various factors to look for. Is the model rare, or desirable, for example. The recent explosion in values for cars like the Ford Sierra Cosworth has turned heads, as people who perhaps couldn’t afford one in period can now scratch an itch that’s been burning for decades. The Peugeot 205 GTI is another prime example of that type of car - when they were new they were all the rage, and continue to be heralded as one of the best examples of the hot hatch breed to this day. Cars like these may not seem complex, but their age and comparative rarity mean that maintenance and care are becoming specialist jobs. 

A little further up the scale, cars like the Mercedes-Benz 190SL are hugely appreciating as time goes on. The 190SL is a special car, aping the looks and glamour of the race-derived 300SL, but adding an air of practicality that its bigger brother lacked. The reason for its rise is simple: its bigger, racier stablemate boomed in value, topping seven figures. Buyers then sought out the next big thing, and went after the more plentiful 190SL, resulting in rising prices. Where once it was a five figure car, now they can go for six figures. 

Investment Manager Matthew bought his 190SL using Carhuna from Cottingham Blue Chip London. It was his first investment classic, and he was understandably apprehensive before taking the plunge: “I’d never invested in, or even thought about a classic before. You hear horror stories about reliability, driveability, and how badly things can go wrong. Modern cars make all that kind of thing easy.”

With the right advice from the right people, and, thanks to Carhuna’s detailed listings, knowing as much about the car’s history as possible Matthew was able to buy worry free: “Carhuna itself was slick, and easy to use - I had no trouble using the site, and got the impression that the people on it were experts. It gave me confidence I wasn’t getting myself into trouble. The Cottingham Blue Chip London listing was clear, concise, and showed a huge amount of history. I knew where the car had been, what had been done to it, and what I was getting myself into. You don’t get that elsewhere online.”

Once you’ve bought your classic there are a number of steps to take to make sure it’s kept in the best possible condition. The first is to find a trusted specialist. That may be the place you bought it, it may be elsewhere. The important thing here is to make sure you’ve researched the places that specialise in your car, and to make sure they’re right for you. 

Secondly, make sure you’ve got storage sorted. A car like Matthew’s 190SL can’t exactly be left outside for the rain to ravage. Perhaps you’ve got plenty of dry, warm space at home, or you may want to look at storage facilities that can keep the car safe for you. Most storage spots won’t only make sure the car’s safe, but they’ll take care of things like maintenance and servicing. The final thing you need to do is sit back, relax, and think about what you’re going to do with your new car. 

Buying your first classic can seem daunting, sure, but so long as you put yourself in the best possible place with your car you’ll be absolutely fine. As for Matthew, he’s looking to enjoy his 190SL in the best possible way: “It’s something for special trips out - roadtrips to the countryside, to take to meets, and to enjoy at the end of long, demanding weeks. The perfect antidote to shake off the stresses of everyday life. I also enjoy just staring at it - how can you not?!”