Category: Cars

There are many of us who want to start a classic car collection but aren’t quite sure where to start. It can be an expensive hobby, and those who get into collecting for the first time end up dropping much more money than they first expected which can deter people from continuing to add to their collection. These new collectors often get blindsided and bite off more than they can chew, but it can be avoided.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or an experienced collector that wants to add a few more great pieces to the garage, there are some rules to follow. Here are five tips on how to buy classic cars for cheap so you can spark your love for the hobby and add the cars that you’ve always wanted.

Location

When buying a classic car, you can shop online, but then there’s a good chance that you won’t even get to see the car before making the transaction. This can be a huge risk, and you might end up spending thousands more than you wanted to or even get a junker that sets you back and kills your passion for classic cars. Instead, you should shop in person, and there are certain places to look.

There are certain states where classic cars are more numerous and therefore cheaper. California is the state where you can find a classic car parked in seemingly every garage, and some of the models are so numerous that they’re extremely cheap. If you’re driving down any California road and you don’t see at least one classic car, it might be a rare rainy day. Other good states for classic cars include Florida, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

Common Models

The best way you can save money on anything is by buying something that has a large supply, it’s basic economics. There are certain classic cars that were mass-produced and have been taken care of well over the years. Obviously, the more common a car is, the cheaper it’s going to be to purchase, and the cheaper it’s going to be to get replacement parts if you’re looking for a restoration project.

The 1969 Dodge Charger is the most commonly sought-after classic car out there, especially since it was featured in major film and television productions including “The Dukes of Hazzard”. Other notable classic cars that are high in supply include the 1967 Ford Mustang, the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro, and the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air. These are perfect starter cars for a classic collection.

Parts

As we mentioned before, common cars will have common parts. That alone will save you money, but if you want to save money on a classic car that isn’t as common, then you’ll want to make sure that the one you’re buying comes with all of its parts in working order. Sure, you can buy the body of a classic car for cheap, but the restoration could end up costing more than just buying a working model.

Some of the rarer cars don’t have parts that have been in production for decades, so it can be impossible to restore them. When asking what new parts a classic car will need for a restoration, always check to see how much it would cost for parts and labor to get it to drive the way you want it to. Otherwise, you’re better off just buying a used Honda Accord.

Enthusiasts Opinions

Just like it is with collecting anything, you’ll want to speak with other people who have been dabbling in that type of collection. If you go into it completely blind, sellers will be able to spot you from a mile away. This could lead to you being taken advantage of and cost you hundreds or thousands of extra dollars.

The first time that you go out shopping for a classic car, make sure to bring someone with you that has a lot of experience. They’ll be able to identify which parts need to be replaced or not while also making sure to get you the right price. This leads us to our last point.

Haggle

Cars, whether they’re new or classic, don’t come with a price that’s set in stone. This leads us back to our first point of finding a good location rather than purchasing online. This allows you to get face-to-face with the seller and you can negotiate a price from there.

Though you might not be able to get the car for half of the asking price, you can still save yourself hundreds if the seller is willing to come down. When you know what you’re shopping for and how much replacement parts will be, you have the upper-hand in negotiations.

Those that have collected classic cars know just how expensive they can be. Even in the worst condition, the people who are selling them know that they’re still worth a lot because they can be restored to their former glory and end up worth a fortune. Then, there are some people who have kept their classic cars in pristine condition over the years and sold them decades after they were released to wealthy avid collectors.

Even the smallest towns around the world have classic cars roaming around, and some of them are worth a lot of money. Only a handful, though, have reached a certain tier where they could be considered among the world’s most expensive classic cars. Here are those five cars that sold for the most, and who ended up being the proud owner of them. Before we get to the list, the rankings have been adjusted for inflation based on the year they were sold.

5. 1956 Ferrari 290 MM

This is the first time that you’ll see a Ferrari on the list, but certainly not the last. Coming in at the fifth spot overall is the 1956 Ferrari 290 MM, which won that year’s Mille Miglia and was driven by the legendary Manuel Fangio. Only four of them were built overall, and the predecessor of the Ferrari 290 S was placed for sale in late 2015.

The Ferrari ended up fetching just over $28 million at auction, which translates into over $32 million today. The car was kept in tip-top shape since the 1950s and made the anonymous buyer of the car extremely happy. It’s unclear if the winner ended up taking it on the streets, but that’s highly doubtful.

4. 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196

Like Ferrari, there isn’t just one Mercedes-Benz on the list, and the first one is the 1954 W196, which was designed by Rudolf Uhlenhaut, a name that you’ll hear again. When it was driven during the 1954 and 1955 Formula 1 seasons, it was able to win nine out of the 12 races it started. This made the car a legend and a hot commodity for auction houses.

In July 2013, the W196 was finally put up for sale after it was verified that it was the original version of the car that was driven in Formula 1 races. The auction (which was held in the United Kingdom) ended with a winning bid that was just under $30 million, and with inflation was $34.4 million. 

3. 1957 Ferrari 335 S

Only one of the five most expensive classic cars was sold in the country of France, and it was the 1957 Ferrari 335 S. The Spider Scaglietti model was driven during the 12 Hours of Sebring by both Peter Collins and Maurice Trintignant, finishing in sixth place.

Even though it didn’t win, this car was able to fetch tens of millions when it was auctioned off on February 15, 2016. The winning bid was at $35.7 million, which is over $40.3 million today. Who ended up winning the auction? All that was revealed was that he was an “international bidder.”

2. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO (Twice)

We’ll stretch the list a little bit to include six total because the second and third-most expensive classic cars ever sold were both 1962 Ferrari 250 GTOs. The first was sold for $38.1 million in Carmel, California in August 2014, and four years later in the same state, another GTO was sold for $48.4 million. Bonhams took care of the first auction, while RM Sotheby’s auctioned off the second.

When the first GTO was sold in 2014, it was the most expensive car ever sold and was known for its 1964 Tour de France championship. The car had gone through a few owners and ended up in the hands of David MacNeil, who founded WeatherTech in Chicago during the late 1980s. The second GTO won the 1962 Italian GT Championship, and like its predecessor, became (at the time) the most expensive car sold.

1. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlehaut Coupe

After several years of no car breaking the record for being the most expensive ever sold, a 2022 auction made sure that the record was absolutely shattered. The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe sold during a May auction that year for a whopping $142 million. That’s right, this 1955 beauty was nearly triple the price of the second-most expensive car.

So what made this Mercedes-Benz so special? Well, there were only two of them made by Rudolf Uhlenhaut and Mercedes-Benz, so the rarity alone was worth the price for a collector who decided to remain anonymous. After the auction, the buyer said that the car will be on public display for certain occasions and also sit at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.

When it comes to style and luxury, nothing tops a BMW, and the people of Hollywood know that. Not only have countless celebrities owned a BMW throughout history, but they’ve also been featured in tens of thousands of movies (yes, that’s correct). A lot of the time, a BMW might not even be driven by a main character, but you will see one.

But what about the ones that have been featured front and center on the big screen? Throughout cinematic history, there have been some all-time great characters driving all-time great BMWs. Let’s take a look at the five best movie BMWs and how they made their way to the set. Spoiler alert, there’s a certain British spy that appears more than once.

2000 BMW Z8 (The World is Not Enough)

Modeled off of the BMW 507 from the late 1950s, the 2000 BMW Z8 was finally released in 1999 after being developed for several years. To showcase the new model, it was used by James Bond (played by Pierce Brosnan) in “The World is Not Enough”. During the time Bond is in Azerbaijan, the Z8 is front and center and people were instantly enthralled with the new look. Many instantly called it not only the best Bond car but the best BMW that they’d ever seen.

It was quite the exit for BMW as they signed a three-film deal with the Bond franchise, with this one being the finale. The same type of vehicle was also driven in the film “The Tuxedo” starring Jackie Chan and Jennifer Love Hewitt. The exact model, though (the 2000), sold 317 units in the United States.

1991 BMW E34 5-Series (Ronin)

Robert De Niro has had a lot of classic films, but 1998’s “Ronin” isn’t one that’s talked about all that much. Those that have seen the movie, though, know that it has one of the best car chase scenes and it involves a BMW. More specifically, it involves the 5-Series, and the 1991 model version of it despite the film being released several years later.

The 5-Series was in production from 1987 until 1996, meaning that it had already stopped by the time that “Ronin” came out. The 1991 version didn’t make too many changes from the prior year’s model, but did retouch the interior and changed the steering columns and wheels.

1996 BMW Z3 (Goldeneye)

The second entry onto the list for the James Bond series was the first BMW to be driven by the spy on the big screen. The sporty Z3 began development in 1991 and was the first to be manufactured entirely outside of Germany. This red beauty didn’t get a lot of screentime in the 1995 film “Goldeneye”, sadly. Bond is only seen driving his Z3 for a couple of minutes before ditching the ride for a plane.

While the version that shot missiles and had parachute breaks in the film didn’t hit the streets, there was a James Bond Edition of the 1996 Z3. It sold for $35,000 in the United States and ended up selling out all 100 of its units and had small reminders of 007 all throughout the vehicle including floor mats.

1995 BMW 735i (The Transporter)

BMW was already well-known as a luxury brand, but it really reached a new status of “cool” when it became synonymous with action films like “The Transporter”. The Jason Statham character Frank Martin got involved in a lot of high-speed chases during the series, and his first car was the 1995 BMW 735i.

Painted in all black, the 735i was sleek. It also featured a 3.0 L M60 V8 engine with 215 horsepower. After showing what it could do on the big screen, every youngster wanted this cool car.

1998 BMW 750iL (Tomorrow Never Dies)

The list started with James Bond, so it may as well round out the list and conclude the BMW trilogy of the James Bond films. The 1998 version of the 750iL was featured in the middle film of the three, “Tomorrow Never Dies”. The 7-series had already been introduced in the late 1970s, with the 750iL making it into production from 1993 to 2001.

The Bond version featured rockets and tear gas emitters, which would have been cool for the common person, but not street-legal. Instead, the standard person did receive an upgraded version from the previous year that was a total facelift, including a new, more powerful engine.

BMW vehicles are already among the most expensive on the market, but there are some that truly go above and beyond when it comes to the selling price. BMW has had several vehicles that are worth hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars over the years. These five, though, end up setting the standard for the most expensive BMWs ever made.

5. 1990 BMW M8 E31 Prototype

Auto manufacturers tend to keep most of their projects a secret, and BMW kept their development of the BMW M8 E31 prototype hidden for about 20 years. Featuring a maximum output of 640 horsepower and a 6.0-liter V12 engine, the E31 was meant to be able to overtake Ferraris and McLarens that were out on the road while reaching top speeds of over 186 miles per hour.

In 2010, BMW finally revealed the prototype that they had been working on, and what truly could have been for the 8 series. There was only one unit made, with an estimated value of over $1 million. Of course, if BMW were to ever sell the car, it would certainly fetch a lot more than that at auction due to its rarity. The powerful supercar would more than likely be worth tens of millions.

4. 2015 BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage Concept

The 1972 BMW 3.0 CSL is one of the auto maker’s most notorious vehicles, and BMW wanted to pay tribute with a concept vehicle that would be an upgraded and updated version. The end result was the 2015 BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage, which was dubbed “The Batmobile” by some due to its appearance. 

Featuring a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged hybrid i6 engine and 500 horsepower, the Hommage changed the exterior design quite a bit, leading to some criticism. BMW announced in 2022 that there would be a new 3.0 that made it to production lines, but the Hommage concept was incredibly rare and valued at $1.5 million.

3. 1958 BMW 507 Series II

In 2019, a 1958 BMW 507 Roadster Series II was put up for auction in Arizona, and the winning bid ended up being $2,175,000. Only 252 of these cars were made that featured a 3.2-liter V8 engine and were $11,000 upon their release. Needless to say, the value of the 507 Series II models skyrocketed over the years and had been in the hands of a few different collectors during that time.

Interestingly enough, the 507 was a major loss for BMW as the cars were expensive to make and didn’t sell as quickly as they had hoped. Even Elvis Presley owning one didn’t help the notoriety early on, but the 507 has become a thing of legend ever since, as many feel it looks like it’s taken straight from a classic James Bond film.

2. 1991 BMW Nazca M12

BMW teamed up with Italian designer Fabrizio Giugiaro to come up with a concept that would be thought of as a car that could compete in Formula 1 and featured a V-12 engine. With that, the hyper-futuristic Nazca M12 was born in 1991 and debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show. The car was tweaked slightly to create the Nazca C2, but the original is the most coveted due to its rarity.

The concept car never made it to production despite being one of the most powerful cars that BMW had ever created. The rarity then contributed to its value, and the Nazca M12 is estimated to be around $3 million. Those that have sene it wish that they could’ve gotten one of these on the streets of Italy.

1. 1957 BMW 507 Touring

The 1958 version of the 507 isn’t the only BMW to be worth millions, as the one that was made the year prior was also an expensive one that didn’t become as popular (at the time) as BMW had thought. The 1957 version of the 507 was the first, with the car selling for as high as $5 million. 

The particular 507 that earned that much at auction was the touring version that was used by John Surtees, who won the 1956 Motorcycle World Championship and took exceptional care of the car for the remainder of his life. While most surviving 507s aren’t exactly up to code, Surtees’ was in top shape.

BMW is one of the most well-known names in luxury cars, but it’s also one of the best in producing the fastest cars. Throughout the years, BMW has created several models that prove their worth on the toughest tracks and reach top speeds that some of us can only imagine driving. Which BMW models are the fastest, though? Here are the five fastest BMWs ever made.

5. BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition (F82)

At the 2016 DMSB Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters Championship, German driver Marco Wittmann took home the title by racing in the BMW M4. To commemorate the win, BMW released the DTM Champion Edition of the M4 with improvements that included a 69 horsepower increase and a rise in the maximum torque 600 Nm.

“Up to now, none of our editions has been more directly inspired by sports racing,” BMW M Ltd CEO Frank van Meel said. Getting your hands on one wasn’t easy as production was extremely limited, with the release price sitting at over $163,000. All in all, just 200 of these were made and they could reach speeds of 190 miles per hour.

4. BMW M3 GTS (E92)

The M3 series is perhaps the most well-known out of all of the BMW productions, beginning back in 1986 and continuing ever since with the exception of 2019 and 2020. In 2009, BMW announced the GTS version of the series that was made in a coupe style and had 444 horsepower.

The GTS is a lighter version of the standard M3 and can reach speeds of 190 miles per hour. Surprisingly, this car is the most expensive one on the list with a tag of $200,000 at the lowest and upward of $280,000.

3. BMW M5 CS (F90)

Though the M5 was first put into production in 1984, it wasn’t until March of 2021 that the model got a CS edition with a massive upgrade. The engine power was increased and the overall weight was reduced to make the M5 CS faster. There were some other tweaks on this version, including four bucket seats and a pair of heat extractor vents on the hood.

Onlookers were floored when the M5 CS hit the Autobahn for the first time. This model is able to reach speeds of 189 miles per hour. The asking price for the M5 CS was $142,000 when first introduced, and held the title for most powerful BMW until the number one car on the list came around.  

2. BMW M4 GTS (F82)

This is neither the first nor last M4 to make the list. The BMW M4 GTS was first revealed at the Pebble Beach Golf Links in 2015, and the following year was put into limited production with 700 units being made. The engine is the same as the standard M4, but some adjustments were made to increase the horsepower and reduce the weight to make it faster.

Overall, the GTS version beat out the standard by 24 seconds on the Nurburgring Nordschleife track and reached a top speed of 190 miles per hour. A new version of the M4 GTS was introduced at $134,000, which was around twice the cost of the standard version.

1. BMW M4 CSL (G82)

Featuring a 473-horsepower engine, the BMW M4 will leave other cars in its dust as the fastest series production in the history of BMW, reaching top speeds of 191 miles per hour. The first M4 was released in 2014, with the CSL being announced at the 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show. It wasn’t until 202 that the M4 CSL was introduced and immediately started dropping jaws.

The M4 CSL is a rear-wheel drive car with a curb weight of 3,583 pounds and 479 lb/ft of torque. Only 1,000 units were made, making this car a rare find for speed enthusiasts. Those able to get their hands on one were expected to shell out at least $140,000, with those searching on the secondary market paying much more. According to BMW, this version is “more stripped down” than the M2 CS and M5 CS, which is how it reaches higher top speeds.

Car trouble is the worst. Cars are complicated, and dealing with problems often feels insurmountable.

 

But, it turns out that a lot of troubleshooting is simpler than it seems and can be reduced to just three steps. These three steps can’t fix absolutely anything, but if your car won’t start or if the engine isn’t running right, you can figure out most problems with the steps below.

 

Check the Spark

 

The first thing a combustion engine needs to run is spark. If you have a spark problem, it usually shows up in one of two ways. Either you’re going to a consistent shimmy while the engine is running (because one or more spark plugs aren’t firing correctly), or the engine won’t start at all.

 

In both cases, the problem is tied to electricity. So, there are a few tests you can run to really pin down the flow of electricity through your engine.

 

To do these tests, you’ll need a multimeter. You can get one from any hardware store or even Walmart, and they are not expensive.

 

The first thing you want to check is the battery. Simply check the voltage across the battery. It needs to read at least 12V, with 13 to 14 being a better sign of a healthy battery. If it’s less than 12V, the car won’t start (for most models).

 

If the battery is ok, the car should start. If it doesn’t, you very likely don’t have a spark problem and should skip to the next section. So, fire up the engine, and check the battery again while it’s running. Again, it should read at least 12V, and typically 14V is a sign that everything is healthy. This is showing you that there are no major electrical problems across the whole engine.

 

If the car starts but you’re getting shimmies, then you want to test the spark plugs. That’s a little more involved, so here’s a nice video tutorial to show you how to do it (it’s only a six-minute video).

 

Check the Air

 

The second thing your engine needs to run is air. That’s where the oxygen comes from for the combustion in your engine.

 

The thing about air is that it’s pretty easy to find, and there’s air in your engine right now. What that means is that airflow problems pretty much won’t prevent the engine from starting. Instead, airflow problems usually cause jerking, hesitant acceleration, and stalling.

 

Now, to test the airflow, you need something that can read flow rates and pressures. Fortunately, that tool is built into your vehicle already. It’s called the Mass Airflow (MAF) Sensor, and you’re actually going to test it with your multimeter too. If it’s working, then it will report any airflow problems to the vehicle’s computer, and you can read those with an OBDII scanner (or take it to any auto parts store to have it read for free).

 

How do you test the MAS Sensor? Here’s another short video.

 

Check the Fuel

 

Lastly, your vehicle needs fuel. If it won’t start, and the battery is fine, then the engine isn’t getting fuel (in the majority of cases). It could be that the tank is empty. It could be that the fuel filter is clogged. It’s possible that your fuel pump is dead. If you can find the culprit from those three, you know what to fix.

 

If the vehicle starts but stalls or has power or responsiveness problems (and the airflow is fine), then you could have a fuel flow issue. That’s also testable, but you’ll need a pressure gauge to do it. The good news is that you can borrow one from Autozone (they will require a deposit) and other auto parts stores.

 

When you have your gauge, you can follow this tutorial to test the fuel.

 

And, that’s it! Those are the three primary steps to diagnose an engine that won’t start or doesn’t run well.

 

You’ve decided to buy a new car and are probably wondering where to start. There are so many factors to consider – price, type of car, features, color – it can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! Follow these 5 tips, and you’ll be in the driver’s seat in no time.

Know what you can afford

Before you start shopping for your next car, it’s essential you know how much you can afford. Having a budget will help you narrow down your options and avoid falling in love with a vehicle that’s outside your price range.

There are many factors to consider when determining your budget, including the cost of gas, insurance, and upkeep. Once you’ve looked at the numbers, you may need to adjust your expectations accordingly.

But by knowing what you can afford ahead of time, you’ll be in a much better position to find the perfect car for your needs and budget.

Figure out the right car for your needs

Buying a car is a big decision. Not only is it a significant financial investment, but choosing a vehicle that meets your specific needs is also important.

For example, if you have a family, you’ll need a car with enough seating and storage space to comfortably accommodate your children and their gear. A car with good snow traction and heated seats is handy if you live in a cold climate. And if you travel long distances, fuel efficiency is a top priority.

By taking the time to figure out what you need in a car, you can narrow your search and find the perfect vehicle for your lifestyle.

Decide if you want to lease or buy

Think about how long you plan on keeping the car. Leasing may be the better option if you only need it for a short time. However, if you plan on keeping the vehicle for several years, then buying would likely be the better investment.

And think about how much money you are willing to spend upfront. Buying may be better if you have a large amount of cash available, and leasing is best if you are low on funds.

Shop around for the best deal

Getting the best deal possible on a new car can save you thousands of dollars. Spending time researching the prices of similar vehicles online will give you a good idea of how much you should expect to pay.

You can then visit several different dealerships and compare their prices. And don’t forget to negotiate! Many dealers are willing to haggle on the price of a car, so it’s always worth trying to get a lower price.

Test drive and inspect before you buy

When you’re in the market for a new car, it’s important to take the time to inspect the vehicle. An inspection can tell you if any major mechanical issues need to be addressed. It can also give you an idea of the condition of the car.

A test drive will give you a feel for how the car handles on the road. So when you’re ready to buy your next vehicle, take the time to inspect it and take it for a spin.