Chances are that when you first bought your classic car you imagined it staying in your possession well into the later years of your life.  After all, there’s so much more that goes into a classic car than just the car itself. It comes with memories, hopes, dreams, and in many cases a lot of blood sweat and tears. 

That’s why you want to make sure that you sell it to the right person for the right amount. The great news is that selling your car to the perfect person doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are some of the best tips for successfully selling your classic car. 

Do Your Research

The first step is doing your research so that you know what kind of value you have on your hands. You don’t want to go too high or too low, or you could find yourself struggling to find a buyer— or worse, lose money on a lousy sale.

So, do as much research as possible so that you have a clear understanding with absolutely no doubts about the lowest price you’re wanting to go.

Get It Maintained

Just because your car is for sale doesn’t mean that you should stop taking care of it. You should make sure that your car is up to par by scheduling regular maintenance appointments to get the best possible price on your sale. If there are any mechanical issues whatsoever, this can significantly drop your car’s value, so don’t neglect inspections and regular maintenance with your mechanic.

Consider Trading In

While you may be convinced that selling your car is the best way to go, some people find that trading in may be more interesting.  When you trade-in, you may be able to find a rare car that you’ve been really wanting, from a seller that feels the same about your car. However, in many cases, trading can result in a significant drop in value than you would have made had you sold. 

Consider The Buyer

If you’re extremely passionate about your classic car, which chances are you are, then you must be extremely particular about who you’re selling your car to. Selling it to just anyone is not the goal. After all, the last thing you want is the precious vehicle that meant so much to you getting auctioned off to someone who won’t take care of it. A classic car is like artwork. You want to make sure that it’s passed down to other buyers who will continue to keep it maintained and in working order.

Keep it Clean 

It may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people neglect this seemingly simple step.  It’s important that you keep your car as clean as a whistle if you hope to appeal to the right buyer. Wash it regularly, and keep it covered— ideally inside a garage. Before anyone comes to view it, make sure that it’s in exquisite condition.

If you’re interested in classic cars, you might find yourself always on the lookout for one of your dreams cars that you can get your hands on. But when you finally get it, it’s vital that you know how to best care for it, as this can be different than when you purchase any other new car. So if you’ve just found the classic car you want or if your grandparent who’s just moved into an assisted living facility has given you responsibility for their first car, here are three tips for caring for a classic car. 

Don’t Just Let It Sit

With a classic car, you might be tempted not to drive it very often. Putting miles on the car might not be something that you want to do, and being out on the road always puts you in danger of potentially getting into a car accident. But if you just let a classic car sit, you could be doing more harm than good. 

When any car isn’t driven often, the fluids can start to settle and other parts of the car can get dry and begin to crack. This is something you definitely want to avoid with a class car. So while you don’t necessarily have to take your classic car on a road trip to keep everything running smoothly, you should plan on taking it out on the road on a regular basis.

If this doesn’t sound like something you’re up to doing for whatever reason, you should at least start the car and let it run for a bit each week. Driving the car around will be more beneficial, but turning the car on and allowing it to warm up is going to be better than just letting it sit. 

Conduct Regular Maintenance

Along with running the car and driving it on a regular basis, you should also ensure that the car is getting regular maintenance done on it as well. 

Just like with other cars, classic cars need to get regular oil changes in order to maintain the integrity of the vehicle. Along with this, you’ll also want to do things like regularly rotate the tires, replace the spark plugs, change the air filter, and other basic maintenance tasks. 

Park And Store It Correctly

As part of this maintenance, you’ll also want to take measures to protect the exterior of the car, too. This includes making sure your classic car is parked and stored correctly. 

Ideally, you shouldn’t park or store your car out in the open air. Extreme temperatures can cause issues with the mechanical systems of the car as well as damage the paint and other exterior parts. Additionally, humidity outside can also cause your classic car to start rusting. So if you have access to a dry garage, this would be the best place to keep your classic car. 

If you have a classic car you’re trying to care for, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you know just what to do.