Tuesday, July 27, 2010

The Value of a Classic Car

When a classic car drives by on the road, you cannot help but to stop and admire it. They are breathtaking, unique, and coveted by many. For some people, a classic can bring back memories from their youth and for others it inspires a dream to own one of these fine cars. Classics do not come cheap and you will pay a pretty penny to own one, especially if it has been restored. So what makes a car a classic and why are they so valuable?

A classic can be defined as a car that is twenty five years or older, but this is a very vague classification for a classic. There is more to it than simply the age of the car. Older cars that were really popular during the time they were manufactured can now be classified as a classic. Old cars that are hard to find because they are rare or were limited editions are often called a classic. A lot of muscle cars, rare, and limited edition models are often classics.

The value of a classic increases as the desire to have one goes up. There is an inverse relationship between desirability and rareness and the amount of value they are worth. Limited editions are often the most valuable classic because a lot of people want them but there are few available. Some common classics that are widely available because they used to be in mass production are less valuable.

Askmen.com came up with a list of the ten most expensive classic cars. To make the list, the cars had to be at least twenty years old and had to be on the market for a “quantifiable amount.” Here is the list of expensive classics and the value that was compiled by askmen.com starting with number ten.

10. 1956 Ferrari 860 Monza – Valued at $2.5 million
9. 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza Spider Corsa - $2.53 million
8. 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster - $3.63 million
7. 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 - $4.07 million
6. 1964 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe - $4.4 million
5. 1932 Alfa Romeo Tipo B - $5.6 million
4. 1962 Ferrari 330 TRI/LM - $6.5 million
3. 1931 Type 41 Bugatti Royale - $8.7 million
2. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO - $16.6 million
1. 1954 Mercedes W 196 – Valued at $24 million

As you can see, these classics are worth millions of dollars. If you have a rare or limited edition car in your garage, it could be worth millions twenty years from now.

About the Author: Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgeable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUV’s. Since 1959, Chapman motors has supplied reliable Austin used cars and is known as one of the best used cars austin dealers. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmotors.com.


,

Labels: , , , ,

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

SUTs versus Full Sized Trucks

If you spend a lot of time on the road, you may have noticed that there are a lot of trucks in Austin, TX and surrounding areas. Having a large vehicle can be necessary if you live in a rural area such as the surrounding hill country of Austin. A new style of trucks that a lot of people are driving is called a sport utility truck or SUT. An SUT has the luxury of an SUV, but some of the functionality of a full sized truck. Depending on what your needs are for a large vehicle or a truck will determine which one will offer more benefits and advantages for your driving needs.

There are different sport utility trucks that you can choose from. A lot of car makers ranging from Hummer, Chevrolet, and Cadillac make an SUT model. If you prefer luxury over functionality then an SUT may be exactly what you are looking for. A sport utility truck has the look and feel of a full sized truck but offers the comfort and luxury of an SUV or large car. In summary, it is an SUV with an open cargo container. An SUT is still capable of off roading and hauling, but does not have the same large pickup bed size as a truck. A great off road vehicle that can withstand any terrain is the model made by Hummer.

If you need or require the day to day functionality for a working truck then a full sized truck may be more appropriate. A full sized truck is still very comfortable but is not as glamorous or luxurious as an SUT. The pickup bed is larger and better for hauling and heavy duty work. For example, if you work in construction this would be a better choice because you would require the functionality and practicality over luxury. Full sized trucks have great towing capabilities too. In some cases, there is more cab room inside of a large truck than there is in a sport utility truck.

Both types of trucks have a lot of functions and capabilities. They are great for on road and off road driving. If you do not need the space of a full sized truck, then you may appreciate the glamour, comfort, and luxury of an SUT. Other drivers may prefer the original make and functionality of a truck. You can always contact an Austin used cars dealer to test drive their selection of trucks. It is better to make a choice based on your needs or wants for a vehicle. Texas does have a lot of trucks on the road but there is always room for a sport utility truck too.

About the Author: Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgeable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUV’s. Since 1959, Chapman motors has supplied reliable Austin used cars and is known as one of the best used cars austin dealers. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmotors.com.

Labels: , , , ,

Friday, April 30, 2010

Does Car Color Matter?

What kind of car you drive can say a lot about the person driving it and their personality. Does the color of the car also affect how people or police officers may or may not perceive you? There are myths that red colored cars tend to get pulled over more often for speeding. Is this myth actually a reality? Does the color of your car really matter? Are certain colors better for warm or cold climates? Here are some examples of car color and what people say about it.

According to some studies, the red car myth is false. A lot of people believe that red colored cars are usually pulled over for speeding because the bright color attracts the notice of police officers and is an attention grabber. Studies have shown that speeding red cars get pulled over just as often as other colored speeding cars or trucks. However, most sports cars have a higher chance of being caught for speeding than a truck or SUV.

A study published in the *British Medical Journal from December of 2003 reports that car color can matter when it comes to car accidents. Certain color cars are more prone to being in accidents. Brown, green, and black cars have higher chances of being involved in an automobile accident. If you want to be safe and not sorry you should drive either silver or a white car. Silver cars were reported as the safest color. They believe this to be true because colors that are lighter in color are more visible on the road.

If you live in an area that is hot with high temperatures, it is better to drive a lighter color car or truck. Darker colors heat up faster than lighter colors. This is also true with the interior of the car. The sun can also fade the color of your vehicle. You may notice that people who live where it is hot most of the time drive white cars with a light interior. This is not true for all people though. Even if you drive a blue car in a hot climate it will still heat up.

The color of your vehicle can also say something about your personality. This is not true in all cases however. Some people choose a certain color for practical reasons or maybe they will choose blue if it is their favorite color. Here are some rare colors for cars and what it could mean about your personality. If you drive an orange vehicle it can mean that you like to be the center of attention and that you seek attention. Pink is also not common and could mean that you like to comfort people and also need comfort in your life.

*Original Article http://bit.ly/buRA9l

About the Author: Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgeable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUV’s. Since 1959, Chapman motors has supplied reliable Austin used cars and is known as one of the best used cars austin dealers. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmotors.com.

Labels: , , , ,