Classic Problems with a Classic Muscle Car Every Owner Faces
Owning a classic muscle car is the dream for many auto enthusiasts. Though the days of American muscle have come and gone, these beauties live on as an enduring symbol of a golden age of engineering, and since nowadays buying cars is easier, and you can even go to sites as 2ndchanceauto.com to find a great car for you.
But for all their sleek design and mighty motors, these classics come with their own set of challenges. If you’re considering investing in a vintage muscle car, there are a few common problems that you’ll want to know about first. Of course, you can fix most of the problems yourself, especially if you’re using some of the hints and tips from Auto Mole, but just know it’s not always an easy job!
Classic Muscle Car Problems that Every Owner Faces
Much of the beauty of a classic car comes from the time and place where they were built. However, that’s also usually the source of the problems that plague their owners.
The auto industry has changed a lot since the late ’60s, and many of the standards now in place didn’t exist way back when. As a result, classic car enthusiasts need to be conscious of a few points.
For example:
1. Most Muscle Cars Need High Octane Fuel
And unfortunately, just selecting “premium” at the pump usually won’t cut it.
The problem is that gas’s average octane rating has gone down over time, and often times a classic V8 engine just won’t run as well on the low-tier stuff. High-octane fuels are still available for specialty vehicles, but they’re more expensive and often difficult to find.
On the topic of fuels, you may also need to find fuel that doesn’t contain ethanol. This can be an issue since about 98% of gasoline in the United States does. Ethanol corrosion is a problem for all engines, but it can be especially bad for a classic car that was never intended to use it. There are few things more frustrating than seeing the check engine light come on in your vehicle. This typically indicates that you need to stop by the mechanic or the shop and get a full workup done on your car. Thanks to FIXD, you now have an alternative to that shop visit. This diagnostic tool allows you to perform a quick scan on your car and see why that light is on. It takes a short period of time to do the scan, which will then tell you exactly what it found and what you need to replace or do to your vehicle.
A great benefit of choosing FIXD is that you can use different sensors with each of your vehicles and access each one with an app that you use on your phone. As long as those vehicles run on gas and came out in 1996 or later, you can use FIXD. Once plugged in, this sensor will continue to monitor your car and identify any issues that occur later. You can also use the sensor to set up reminders of when you need to do routine maintenance such as changing your oil. This tool works without any special tools or accessories. You can also check Fixd reviews here.
Again, ethanol-free fuels are sometimes available for specialty uses, but they’re similarly uncommon and expensive.
2. They Need Frequent Oil Changes
An old car means old parts, and old parts mean extra maintenance to keep everything in good working order.
Your daily driver should have an oil changes every six months or 3,000 miles at a minimum. But an aging muscle car will need an oil change much more frequently to help mitigate wear and tear. And as with gasoline, it would benefit from using the good stuff, too.
However, there might be occurrences when you could cause a spillage on your driveway whilst changing the oil on your muscle car (happens to the best of us, so no worries!), and more often than not, it might become slippery and dangerous, not to mention the stain. You could get it cleaned using home remedies that are available on the internet, or contact a qualified oil spill cleanup service in Chicago, or somewhere in your vicinity, to get it professionally washed.
3. Parts are Scarce and Expensive
This is one of the truly big issues with all classic cars. No matter how religiously you protect and maintain your car, wear and tear will eventually take their toll. And once a part fails, replacing it can be a challenge.
If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to find new parts made by specialist suppliers, though only in small numbers and costing a pretty penny. And that’s the best case.
Worst, replacement parts haven’t been made for decades, and your only hope is finding compatible parts at a salvage yard, or maybe finding a modern-day equivalent.
Eventually, you will have to end up buying car parts for your classic muscle if you wish to keep it in working condition for a while more. As scarce as they may be, classic cars are known to be a favorite among many car enthusiasts; with a bit of snooping and searching, you might be able to find the parts you’re looking for after all!
4. They’re Expensive to Buy
Kind of a no-brainer, but before you can even think of investing in a vintage car, you need to be able to afford one first. And since they’re collector’s pieces, you may need to be prepared to shell out more than you thought.
Of course, the simplest and most straightforward way to get one is to go to an auction or a specialty dealer. But these are also where you can expect to pay the most.
But if you’re the type who always dreamed of restoring a car that needed a little tender loving care, you can sometimes get lucky. Police or bank auctions, classified ads, or services like Buy Here Pay Here Cars are your best bet for turning up a bargain.
A Labor of Love
Maintaining a classic muscle car is an investment of time and effort, not just money. But the return is owning not just a car, but a piece of automotive history.
So don’t let the challenges dissuade you. All that time and work will be worth it every time you see that sleek machine waiting for you in the driveway.
