Friday, July 28, 2017

When does an old car become a classic?


This is my 1.6 GLX 5d (AC)Peugeot 206 when I bought it back in 2008. Now 19 years old and looking just as good as it did back (I've even repaired the wing mirror) then, I need to sell it on. 

The new job requires an awful lot of mileage and for accounting reasons, it's cheaper to stick me in a pool car than pay mileage. This means a somewhat newer Peugeot in front of the house and a 206 that didn't do many miles anyway, doing a lot less. 

Sadly, despite driving well, looking good and being a generally very nice little car - I still like the look of the design which I think hasn't dated at all - it's worth pretty much nothing. According to Parkers Guide, while it might have cost £11,145 when new, the best price you'd buy it for is £585 and that's from a dealer. Private sales are nearer £100, although the consensus among people who know about these things is I could get £300, and a popular car buying site will give me £150 if I spend money MOT'ing it. 

OK, the valuation is based on 200k miles rather than 85k on the clock (told you I didn't drive much) and a slightly lower spec than I have, but it's still not much for a nice driver where everything works (OK, the aircon needs a re-gas), timing belt has been replaced, the interior is in good nick and it's generally a pleasant place to be. 

At 19, I'm wondering how long before it becomes a "classic"? 90s classic is all the rage at the moment in Practical Classics mag but for most, it seems the 205 is rather more than exciting than the 206. These are just old. Despite that, I could see myself polishing it up and showing the car in a field somewhere as people wander by saying, "I used to have one of those" and marvelling at the 6 CD player in the boot.

What I need is either someone looking for a cheap runabout or a nice dry and free, barn to sit it in until classic status arrives. But when would that be?

(Note: If you are looking for a cheap runabout or offering free barn space near Leamington Spa, please get in touch.)

3 comments:

neil whitehead said...

Nice set of wheels, Phil. Keep it to hire out for appearances in future episodes of Coronation Street or Eastenders.

Huw Griffiths said...

I suspect that the "banger" to "classic" transition might be somewhere around the 20 year mark.

I don't pretend to be an expert (or anything resembling one), but I can remember a lot of fuss about some of the feral Fords that were built in the 90s.

In particular, I can remember some stuff about the Ford Escort RS Cosworth being effectively uninsurable for anyone young enough to still have a pulse - with suggestions that a number of the things might be stored away for 20 years and then insured on "classic car" policies.

I don't know if there was any truth in the suggestions - but the appearance of 90s cars in classic magazines would lend it some credibility.

Anonymous said...

You can find equivalent car buying services online. They don't advertise on the TV and offer significantly more cash for your car. Done this and few times now and always been pleasantly surprised at the amount offered.