What Is the Best Starter Classic?
The best classic car for a first-time owner is a question for the ages, but don’t take my word for it: This very website wrote about this very topic all the way back in 2015. While some (many?) of those choices still hold water—especially that C4 Corvette—there’s no doubt that we needed to revisit this topic with the Hagerty Community. So for next week’s installment of According to You, please give us your thoughts on what is the best “starter classic,” in your informed opinion.
While the main image above was my first choice for a starter classic, perhaps the VW Beetle is a bit too old-hat for many readers. Bugs aren’t nearly as cheap as they once were, and maybe air-cooled performance isn’t ideal for many modern roads in North America? If so, here’s my second suggestion:
I can see the look of disgust in your faces. But the first two generations (1991–2001) of the Ford Explorer and its derivatives from Mercury and Mazda (yes, really) are disturbingly easy to acquire in the 2020s for dirt-cheap prices.
Millions were produced, and their analog designs and Detroit origins mean that parts are plentiful. They are easier to repair than most newer vehicles. And since they wear the ever-popular SUV body style, you can enjoy owning one of the first examples of the breed. I once saw a younger person attend a car show with his grandmother’s 1994 Explorer and a steady stream of gawkers walked by, peppering him with questions in the process. These things absolutely have legs.
The Explorer lets you own a starter classic with a fine mix of antique car crudeness (remember when SUVs had leaf springs?) and modern car practicality. Unlike other starter classics, its practicality makes it a great second, third, or fourth vehicle for a North American family. And now that the Firestone tire debacle is well in our rearview mirrors, an Explorer is a pretty compelling value proposition.
So I ask once more, members of the Hagerty Community, for your thoughts: What is the best starter classic?
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For the first time owner of a classic, I would recommend cars that sold well when new, so there are plenty of examples from which to choose, so you’re not forced into picking something beyond your skills. This also leads to cars that with well-supported parts networks and active owner groups in virtually every part of the country. Mustangs, Camaros, Chevelles, Volkswagens and any number of pickups from Chevy and Ford. Did I follow my own advice? No. I chose a BMW 2002, which is isn’t a BAD choice, but not the best choice.
I totally agree. If you are a “Newbie” choose something with lots of support and cheap parts. …….Jim.
BMW 2002 is a great choice IMO. Parts still readily available. Easy to work on. Got the classic look. It was my first classic as well.
Those are great cars. Plenty of them in Southern California.
I would never recommend an Explorer. There are not generally in good shape and parts are not that common. Most get scrapped.
The C4 Corvette to those not involved with Corvettes can be the car from Hell if you do not know where to get parts or can afford them. Just one failed dash could kill someone’s dreams.
The one to do is a truck. Ford or more so a Chevy. if you have a good frame you can buy about any needed part to restore one. The engines were made in the millions per year not in total.
The best part is a well restored truck can bring a good profit as they are selling well once restored.
Most Camaro, Mustangs and Chevelles are priced out of reach anymore. Rusted shells can go for $10K.
Find a basic truck on a farm and restore it. 1960-1970’s are prime right now for restoration parts. The progit made on this can be applied to a better car at the next level.
Truck is the entry-level answer all day long. So clearly I agree with hyperv6.
If you like hot rod, than 50’s and earlier truck is an option as some of the raw material is still reasonably priced. Not so for 30s coupes or roadsters.
Where I live the 60s trucks (especially GM) are now really pricey and the 70s are starting to catch up. If you can snag a good one at a decent price do it.
Hagerty likes the term Radwood for anything 90s, and this is the sweet spot of hobby entry point. While you still will see the odd GMT400 truck being used as a beater work truck they are declining fast. Prices on pristine ones in sought after specs (454 SS, shortbox 4×4, etc.) are rising but generally not yet out of reach.
90s trucks are a nice blend of modern/archaic. They made millions of them and they are hitting the bottom of depreciation curve. Modern mechanics have worked on them (unless it’s a really new mechanic at a dealership I suppose). They aren’t giant bloated things, yet they exceed most users truck needs for 99% of the things you want to do (if you need a heavy-duty towing rig –buy a 3500).
Just look at the square body prices of the GM trucks. They are getting silly crazy for the 70’s models.
We had one just like the one on Rockford Files and I loved that truck but to buy one today the prices are crazy.
So now the next gen truck post 88 were really good trucks and they are still easy to buy and find. Parts are easy to get and I expect the sport models and SS models will see major increases as will the 2 door Blazers.
Plus if you restore it you can still tow or haul with it a new project.
Fiero enthusiast and a Rockford Files fan? You, sir, have good taste!
First, yes that was a look of disgust. Second, the title said “classic”, not just old. There is nothing remotely “classic” about those Explorers. Maybe as a simple first car, but “classic”? No. Just no.
I’ll vote a C5 Corvette. They are reasonably affordable, easy to maintain, mod, and enjoy. And I believe these actually will be considered “classic” one day.
(I’m done using quotation marks now).
As a owner of a C5 I will agree. They are the performance bargain right now. as a low mile car can still be had cheap.
It has a LS1 and the 01 -04 cars have the LS2 block and intake.
You may never get Split window money for a C5 since there are so many but if in good condition they will maintain and grow some value as time goes on.
As a owner of a C5 I will agree. They are the performance bargain right now. as a low mile car can still be had cheap.
It has a LS1 and the 01 -04 cars have the LS2 block and intake.
You may never get Split window money for a C5 since there are so many but if in good condition they will maintain and grow some value as time goes on.
The C4 while cheaper is dilled with many issues that are not easy to always fix unless you are really into Corvettes and it could ruin a novice.
3 Series Beemer. You can get them at throw-away car prices, and there are plenty of parts for them. Not the easiest things to work on, but most starter collectors aren’t going to get into serious engine work anyway
I think most important to be a good starter classic is that is AVAILAVBLE. The cars I could have gotten in my youth aren’t available anymore, either already restored or such involved projects I would not consider them a “starter”. So many younger folks and kids, classic can just mean older. If my kid and his friends were old enough to drive their cars somewhere, you’d find a parking lot with lots of mid-late 70’s and 80’s vehicles like a K10, a Jeep Commanche, a Dodge Aires, a Chrysler New Yorker, and a Coronet. None of them have more than 180 hp (even the big block in the New Yorker) but those are the “cool” old cars that are available, not piles of rust, and not overpriced largely due to the desires of the previous generation.
What most of those are have in common are that the mechanicals are largely shared with other vehicles across a range of 20-30 years. Semi-modern upgrades are relatively cheaply available, like swapping an early LS in a K10, or a Magnum series small block in place of the slant six in the Aries.
In 06 I was just over 40 and my first collector was a 1980 AMC 2 door Eagle which I had as a kid. Unlimited parts due to its cousin the Jeep and and 7 main engine. Then a few years ago added a 85 Fifth Ave, reliable 318 and classy. Then 2020 C8 because it reminded me of Hemi under glass cars. And lastly 54 Corvette because Hey, Harley Earl style. Now looking for. 68 Riviera.
I think it depends on the purpose of your starter classic. If you want to start a collection, but you’re not interested in maintaining it, then buy the best example you can afford of the car that excites you the most and enjoy. If you want to learn how to restore and maintain a classic car, then I would recommend an MGB or MGB-GT. They are simple cars that are still affordable and with care can be reliable drivers, but the rules that must be adhered to are: 1. Make sure you keep oil in the carburetor dampers, and 2. Most carburetor problems are ignition, so install and electronic points replacement.
If performance is your desire, I recommend a C4 Corvette (1986 or newer). The digital dash is not the nightmare some might think. Even 20 years ago I was able to fix mine for about $50 (and this was before YouTube!).
If you want the feel of an old school vehicle, a 1970s truck is a good start. Parts are plentiful and not very expensive. I sold a 1976 GMC with the straight 6 and 3 on the tree just before the pandemic. I wish I kept that one, it was so fun to drive.
i think the 1st gen mustang are a great place to start there are plenty of units available you can get a car from with a tree growing throught the hood to a fully restored and evertyhing in between for what ever your ability is and every part is readily available no searching for obscure parts there is a repop for all mustang parts.you can basically build one from scratch
I agree. They made so many that are still out there and many places make parts. And unlike newer cars that go down in value classic cars go up in value so you get to enjoy your investment hands on
First gen Mustangs have been way under priced for years unless it was a Shleby.
I would tell them to start with a tri five chevrolet ,2 dr. , all parts are available , Find one that has the least amount of rust , they all have some rust , do not worry about the drivetrain , do all your own work .The internet is full of advise .IMO , good luck
I have one here for sale restored with 3000K miles. They want $59K. You could not restore this one for that amount. You can eat off the underside it is so clean. But then few can afford that price.
I would suggest a ’77 Malibu or earlier 70’s vintage Vega. You could go for the muscle or just a nice driver as is.
Any GM truck from 1973-87 (Square Body) or the C/K series from ’88-97. Easy to work on, and parts availability both new and used, is great. I did a mild refresh on a ’92 long bed a few years ago and was amazed at how easy it was to work on.
These and Grand Am Pontiacs were great cars but they are getting expensive anymore People are buying them up.
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Vintage Acura/ Infiniti/ Lexus could be a good choice. Vintage Japanese SUV or truck. GM wagon.
From reading some of this authors other articles if you asked him what was the best brand of toothbrush he would reply with “Mercury Sable”
Best aftershave? “Mercon IV”
Best Sunglasses “Carlite”
All in good fun….but really, an Explorer?
Definitely an Explorer. Or a Sable, since you mentioned it. 🙂 F-150s and Silverados were my first choice (parts, easy to work on, etc.) but they go for too much money these days. You can get a clean Explorer for the price of a squarebody Chevy shell with no interior. (slight exaggeration)
I was also considering 1940s vehicles, as they have very few fans and four-door examples are pretty affordable for anyone these days. But finding parts for one and getting anyone to work on it? Nah, Explorer is a better way to learn the ropes.
A 40’s car would be a handful for someone that was brought up with power assisted everything and disc brakes…..