In May 2021 bne IntelliNews launched the bne Car Ownership/Age index (bneCOA) to answer a puzzle. Estonia had more cars per head than Germany on half the income. But most of their cars are old bangers.

Should you buy a classic car? Standing beside my own 1971 Jaguar E-Type Series 2, I look at the genuine pleasures—and occasional frustrations—of owning an older car. Classic-car ownership can be enormously rewarding, but the experience often depends upon your expectations, storage arrangements, willingness to maintain the car and level of mechanical knowledge. In this video, I discuss some of the important things to consider before buying: • The character and sense of occasion a classic car can offer • Maintenance, reliability and unexpected repairs • How useful some basic mechanical understanding can be • Storage and regular use • Choosing the right car for your abilities and circumstances • Why classic-car ownership is not necessarily right for everyone This isn’t intended to discourage anyone from buying a classic. It is an honest look at what ownership can involve, so that you can choose a car you will genuinely enjoy rather than one that becomes an expensive source of worry. I would be interested to hear about your own experience. Which classic do you own—or which car are you considering buying? For carefully selected performance, prestige, classic and specialist cars, or for help buying or selling something interesting, please visit: https://www.drivewithpaul.uk/ Please subscribe to DriveWithPaul for knowledgeable, straightforward car reviews, buying advice and vehicle walkarounds. #ClassicCars #JaguarEType #DriveWithPaul