Category: Automobile

You can find some amazing things in barns, and some of the best finds ever have been automobiles. While motorcycles are obviously easier to store and, thus, easier to pick up in a barn find, there are still plenty of cars that have been left in barns for years. Of all types of automobiles, though, the muscle car tends to be the most common. 

A big reason why muscle cars are in barns so often is that a lot of them are project cars. Their owners likely picked them up in hopes of restoring them to their previous glory but ended up pushing the project aside for one reason or another. When you’re looking for your next big barn find, be on the lookout for these five muscle cars that are consistently ranked among the best ever.

5. Plymouth Road Runner

A former staple of the muscle car scene throughout the entirety of the 1970s, the Plymouth Road Runner was one of the more affordable muscle cars when it was first introduced. Discontinued in 1980, the Road Runner still holds up today if you can find one to restore. 

One of the reasons why the Road Runner is popular amongst collectors is because of how simple it can be to restore one. People have put in the work to replace the 6.2-liter engines and sell for a profit, while a new paint job can help to make it look like it just came off of the Detroit assembly line.

4. Dodge Challenger

While not quite as easy to restore as the Road Runner, old-school Dodge Challengers are projects that require a lot of passion and elbow grease if you can pick one in a barn find. The Challenger was first introduced in 1969 and originally ran for five years. The model came back in the late 1970s before being stopped again in 1983.

Of course, Dodge has been making the Challenger once again ever since 2008, with those newer models not being restoration projects just yet. If you can get your hands on a first-generation Challenger, though, you might be sitting on a gold mine before you even start to restore it.

3. Ford Mustang

One of the most identifiable muscle cars, the Ford Mustang has had a lot of generations throughout its history that has been ongoing since 1965. Unlike all of the other muscle cars on the list, the Mustang hasn’t had a break in its production. 

The Mustang was massively successful when it was first released, meaning that there are a lot of valuable first-generation models just waiting to be found in barns. That first generation went from 1965 until 1973, though the 1974-78 second generation still carries a lot of value, as well. Even the third generation, which wasn’t held in as high regard at the time, has become trendy once again.

2. Chevrolet Camaro

If it weren’t for the seven-year break during the 2000s, the Chevy Camaro would join the Mustang as the only muscle cars listed to not have a disruption in production. Still, the Camaro is an instant classic that started just one year after the Mustang, 

The first generation of the Camaro is the most valuable, with model years 1967 through 1969. Full restoration for one of these collectors’ dream cars runs anywhere from $10,000 to $60,000.

1. Pontiac GTO

One of the most frequently seen muscle cars in film and television, the Pontiac GTO is truly an American icon. The GTO was initially released in 1963, with four generations of the model spanning from 1963 to 1974. 

Production stopped after that year, though, and came back with a second brief run in the mid-2000s. Any of the first four generations are worth a lot to collectors, with some of the biggest restoration projects costing upwards of $75,000. 

Your car is an important investment. A well cared for vehicle will get you where you need to go, where ever that may be. Knowing how to take care of your vehicle can extend its service life and help you maintain its value. Whether you’ve just bought a new car, or a new pre-owned vehicle, these five tips can help keep your car in the best condition possible. 

1. Read the Owner’s Manual

Reading the owner’s manual can help you understand more about how to maintain and use your car properly. Many people never think to read the owner’s manual, and thus miss out on important information that can extend the service life of their vehicle.

You don’t have to read your owner’s manual cover to cover, but pay close attention to the portions that discuss regular maintenance and best practices. While you’re doing this, you may also learn some interesting details about your car’s features!

2. Never Miss an Oil Change

Oil keeps your car moving by lubricating moving parts and reducing friction. Without fresh oil and regular oil changes, your vehicle will wear down its parts quickly and may break down. 

There are a variety of different oils in your vehicle that need to be maintained, including engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, break fluid and more. While it’s important to ensure that your engine oil stays fresh, it’s also important to keep up with these other fluid changes as well.  

When you take your vehicle in for oil changes, get your car checked for other problems like worn brake pads, filter changes and more. Doing all of this work at the same time is efficient for you, and good for your vehicle. 

3. Replace Brake Pads When It’s Time

Brakes get worn out periodically, and need to be replaced before they get too worn. How quickly your brake pads get worn out depends on how you drive, where you drive and the quality of your brake pads.

Most cars have an indicator light that reveal when brakes need to be replaced, but usually the first sign that brakes need service is a squealing noise when the brakes are depressed. You may also hear a grinding noise, or feel a vibration when using the brakes. Replace the brake pads when it becomes important. 

4. Change Filters As Needed

Change your air filter and oil filter as needed. Your mechanic will likely check your filters on a regular basis, as you bring in your car for oil changes and other service. Avoid the temptation to put off filter replacement to save money, and avoid using cheap filters. Filters capture impurities and keep them out of your car’s fuel, oil and more.  

5. Use Your A/C Periodically

Car air conditioner systems tend to leak refrigerant, especially if they’re not used frequently. Use your A/C occasionally throughout the year, even at colder times, to keep your A/C system in good condition. 

Keep It Up for the Life of Your Vehicle

One of the things about car maintenance that you can’t forget is that your vehicle needs care throughout its service life. Maintaining a regular maintenance schedule will help you take better care of you care. Mark your calendar with days to get your vehicle’s oil changed, windshield wipers replaced and so on. 

Electric cars and trucks are becoming more common on our roads every day. This cutting-edge technology promises to dramatically reduce vehicle emissions – not to mention eliminate your gas bill. But it doesn’t come without potential downsides for some drivers. So how do you know whether an electric car is right for you? Read on as we outline four questions you’ll need to consider before heading to the dealership.

1. How Far Are Your Usual Drives?

This may be the most crucial question in determining whether a fully electric car is a good choice for your lifestyle. If you’re generally only undertaking a short to medium commute or errands around town, you’re an ideal electric car user. Electric vehicles can take care of all of these tasks with power to spare before needing a charge. However, those who regularly have long drives or spend much of their workday in their car might find the range and battery charge insufficient. These folks may be better off with a gas-electric hybrid or a traditional vehicle.

2. Where Do You Live (and Work)?

Different towns, states, and regions all have different electric vehicle infrastructure – and this can make a huge difference in figuring out whether an electric car is right for you. In some areas, parking lots or garages may include reserved spots for electric vehicles with access to chargers. Some spots even have fast chargers that allow you to juice up during a quick trip to the supermarket or big box store. With access to extensive charging stations and reserved spots, you can dramatically expand the range of your vehicle through mid-day charges.

3. What’s Your Budget?

Unfortunately, the modern technology that powers electric vehicles isn’t cheap. Those purchasing an electric vehicle may find it thousands or even tens of thousands more expensive than comparable hybrid or gas models. Quite simply, this may put electric vehicles out of reach for some more budget-conscious buyers. Even those who can afford electric models should consider whether the extra cost is truly worth it, especially considering the loss in value many cars typically see.

4. What Are Your Values?

Electric cars help eliminate, vehicle-by-vehicle, one of the world’s biggest sources of planet-warming greenhouse gases – gasoline and diesel engines for transportation. Many hear the dire warnings about climate change and feel that they can do their part to slow the warming of the climate by switching to electric. For these folks, it may not matter that they have to shift their behavior to charge their vehicles mid-trip or pay more than they might have to otherwise. An electric car may be right for you if your values of protecting the climate and reducing pollution are worth more to you than financial or logistical concerns.

Electric Cars: Perfect Choice For Some, Poor Choice For Others

Whether an electric, hybrid, or traditional vehicle is in your future, the most important thing is to find the one that makes sense for you and your driving situation. While electric vehicles offer dramatic reductions in emissions and cut your transportation costs on an ongoing basis, they may not fit your lifestyle or your budget. Consider all this information carefully and you’ll be prepared the next time you head to the dealership.

There are certain purchases that we all make that will affect us for years to come. Buying a car is one of those major expenses that we have to plan for on a monthly basis. Between the principle, interest, insurance and skyrocketing gas prices, cars are getting more expensive than ever. So before you leap into such a purchase, there are some basics that you need to know. Here are the absolute most important and practical tips to follow.

5. Improve Your Credit Beforehand

Before you even think about buying a car, do as much as you can to improve your credit. Take care of any delinquent accounts, make sure that all of your payments are on time and knock down the balances to as close as $0 as possible. Doing these things can improve your credit instantly so it’s not like you have to wait several years to improve your score. The higher your credit score, the better your interest rates will be.

4. No One Stop Shopping

One mistake that a lot of people make when buying a car is going straight to the nearest dealership and not considering a different car at any other location. The wisest thing you can do is to shop around and bring up the price that you were offered at that other dealer. Dealers will almost always try to go lower than their competition, so make them bid for your business rather than the other way around. Overall, this can save you hundreds if not thousands on the final price.

3. Shorter Terms are Better

While you’ll have to pay more per month toward the full purchase of your new car, getting a shorter term means that you’re paying much less overall. Shorter terms lead to a much lower total balance of interest. Sure, it would be nice to lower your down payments to something more affordable, but if you have the means, it makes much more sense to avoid higher interest.

2. Work on Your Down Payment

If you have cash on hand that you can spend toward your car purchase, use it. Just like it is with any loan, getting the financed amount lowered is going to help you in the long run. A lower balance, of course, means a lower amount of interest. Because used cars are more valuable now than ever, you can also use your current car as a form of down payment. Adding any extra cash you have on the down payment is a big added bonus.

1. Bide Your Time

It’s crucial that you pick the right time to buy a new or used car so that you’re getting the best deal. The best time to buy a car is toward the end of the year. It’s at that time that dealers are trying to offload the previous year’s inventory while also trying to hit their yearly quotas. Sticker prices will be much lower than they are in the beginning of the year. You should also keep an eye on interest rates. If lower rates line up with the end of the year, then that’s the time to pull the trigger.