I bought a vintage Jag - how can that cost me money???
In September 2007 I won some money on an Australian tv gameshow, Temptation - think trivial pursuit for money. I had also done a shitload of annoying freelance work in the months prior, and my bank balance was sitting pretty. Feeling like a smug git, I bought a 1968 Jaguar Mark 2 sedan. I'd always wanted one, and it was beautiful.

Fast forward to 2010, and I'm desperate to sell the classic. Every month it breaks down and leaves me stranded (the highlight was new years eve 2009 when it broke down halfway up Melbourne's largest bridge on a 40 degrees Celsuis day...). It cost me $60 a week in petrol. Even with regular and horrendously expensive maintenance, a whole bunch of stuff is about to fail and cost me a bomb to repair.

After 6 months on the market, I managed to sell to a guy from Sydney for about 40% of what I paid for it. Including money spent at the Jaguar specialist garage over the time I owned it, I lost $29,000 on that car in two-and-a-half years. Perversely, I considered myself lucky as I walked away - the poor fucker who bought it was going to drive it from Melbourne to Sydney (1000km) that afternoon. I never heard from him again... I assume he made it.

P.S. The day I sold it I wrote myself a "don't buy any more classic cars" manifesto. And yet 2 months later I'm sorely tempted to purchase an MGA coupe. Glutton for punishment or what?
(Bungo wombling free in Melbourne, Australia, Sat 2 Oct 2010, 9:17, 10 replies)

I don't know what you're doing wrong...
If it breaks down every month, you're doing *something* wrong though. Nothing should get to the point where it's "about to fail" if it's being maintained properly. Maybe you should find a better garage, or learn how to do it yourself - there's nothing complicated about them.
(gordonjcp, Sat 2 Oct 2010, 9:36, closed)

Have you ever owned a classic?
They were as reliable as the rhythm method when they were new, let alone 40 years on using NOS (New Old Stock) parts because they don't make 'em any more, or duplicate parts that aren't quite as good, or or or...there comes a time when the only way out is to take the car back to the bare shell and reassemble it piece by piece. Takes ages, costs a mint.

I bought a 15 year old Jag a few years back for £3K...and it cost me twice that in repairs in the first year. OP, you have my utmost sympathy. Even now, I share your pain *looks at Hillman Imp in garage*
( Fathter Puddytat Kill Kill dat widdle boid is mine on, Sat 2 Oct 2010, 14:19, closed)

Yes, several classic cars
My daily driver is a 1988 Citroën CX, which is rapidly approaching classic age. In the six years I've owned it, the only "real work" I've had to do is a spot of welding on the driver's side sill just below the B pillar, and I put new rear arm bearings on and new front suspension balljoints. The rest of it has all been boring old service parts, like filters, oil and spark plugs. I put new suspension spheres on it when I got it, and they're still perfectly okay.
(gordonjcp, Sat 2 Oct 2010, 18:21, closed)

If you were using it regularly
It really shouldn't have been breaking down that often. Sounds like the "Jag Specialists" were rooting you. I drive a selection of "Old" and classic vehicles including a Series III Landrover. The only time that has given me serious problems (Apart from Standard Fit Solihull Rust) is Lucas Bloody Electrics. The Brummie Cunts decided to outsource distributor arms out to China. Bad Move. A large quantity were moulded out of double Fried smeg which went conductive after a couple of months. Really funny when you're on the motorway and the engine goes dead. I kept a handful of spares. Last time it happened, pop the hood, 2 clips take off the dizzy cap, pull off the rotor (Which fell apart) replace with new, start up and drive off.
Don't ask about fuel consumption mind you.

If you want a replacement classic, I'd strongly recommend something local. Nice Holden or similar. At least local mechanics will know what they are looking at (Or they can phone thier dad to explain it to them)
(Sir Tainley Barking Ezekiel 23:20, Sat 2 Oct 2010, 20:43, closed)

It's true. Friend mechanic reckons Jags last ages. Says it's because unlike most cars they spend most of their time on a hoist so the wheels never wear out.

OTOH, he loves EA Falcons as they are a regular gravy train with head gaskets. Reasonably costly to replace, but not so expensive as to convince the bogan owner to junk it.
(xixax, Mon 4 Oct 2010, 0:11, closed)

I know someone with an MGA
Classic. Shares parts with the original mini.

The trick is to have it for occasional weekend use and have a modern car for normal everyday use. It pads out the breakdowns and expense.
( drunkenoaf, Sat 2 Oct 2010, 10:19, closed)

Or
Use it regularly, and just keep paying the bills. Eventually it'll be like new, and you'll get years of trouble-free motoring :D It really does help if you can do as much as possible yourself.
( Greenbat, Sat 2 Oct 2010, 12:04, closed)

MGA
The mini is totally different to the MGA and doesn't share any parts. The Austin Cambridge / Morris Oxford on the other hand shared a lot of mechanical bits.
(whynot, Sat 2 Oct 2010, 20:29, closed)

Was that the bridge...
... the World Champs cycling went over yesterday? Bugger of a place to brake down if so...
(Capo, Sun 3 Oct 2010, 22:39, closed)

Don't buy the A!
They're stunning, no doubt, but I get the feeling you actually want to drive it a fair bit. You won't be able to, they're far too delicate nowadays. Buy a B and get a large poster of the A to put up in the garage, because all you'd ever be doing with a real one is looking at it anyway.

You might also look at a TVR V8S - Ford Granada running gear, Rover V8 engine and a plastic body. Goes like a reality TV contestant in a home video and every mechanical part is repairable with common components. Cheap, reliable, fast, fun, good looking.
( Scrumper, Mon 4 Oct 2010, 12:58, closed)