Hey Scotty, in the next few years I am thinking about getting a 25+ year old vehicle (probably pick up). Is there any that you would recommend to stay clear of?
From what I remember for pickups the F series, Toyotas, Nissan, were decent. Even GM and Dodge were ok back then weren't they? Or is there anything to avoid?
Context: In BC, Canada if the vehicle is in good cosmetic condition, original or era appropriate parts the insurance is only about 10% the cost with Collector Plates.
Looking for a vehicle that can tow approx up to 3000 lbs and put on approximately 5, 000kms/ 3,000 miles per year. I don't care about 4wd. Any thoughts?
At this point a year range your looking for is mid 90s they aren’t bad but found to have some worn out bushings and just require some refurbishing but out of a truck that old I can only assume your not expecting the world out of so just get one that is clean and have it checked out and you’ll be fine it doesn’t have to be a money pit
Anything that old you have to be really careful with. They can become money pits extremely fast.
Whatever you do, have a mechanic check it out and plan on spending some pretty good coin to make it road worthy.
I am confused Mod_Man.
Scotty often has talked about getting an old vehicle for a weekend toy (aka not used for a daily driver) . I am not trying to put words in your mouth but do you disagree with Scotty and think that most weekend toys become money pits?
Or is it the extra strain of towing up to 3000 lbs that you think it will become a money pit if 25 years old?
Thanks for the feedback but I am seeking further clarification and information support for what you are meaning.
I would say most weekend toys CAN become money pits but it really depends on the car/truck and what it will be used for.
Any 25 year old car is going to need repairs. But if you want to make it nice yes it is going to cost quite a bit and be a lot of work. If you just want to drive it 2k or 3k miles a year for hauling things and can live with some things not working on it, you could save a lot of money and be alright.
The thing to remember is it is 25+ years old and is not going to run perfectly all the time and will need work.
All I care about is that it gets from A-B and fits within the collector plates restrictions
Collectible condition
Vehicles with any damage anywhere — regardless of vehicle age — does not meet the collectible condition.
Vehicle must be fully assembled with no missing parts and be in exceedingly good condition.
Vehicle exterior must not have any dents, paint blemishes, bubbling, chips, rust, or visible primer. Body repairs to the vehicle must be completed according to professional practices and standards.
Engine and engine compartment must be stock for the model year of the vehicle without any performance enhancements. Engine and engine compartment must be clean and detailed with no damaged, deteriorated or rusted parts.
Vehicle interior must be in excellent original or restored condition with no tears, stains, or significant wear. Minor restoration to the original upholstery are acceptable. Upholstery conditions also apply to motorcycle seats.
Vehicle exterior, interior and engine must be clean and detailed.
Accepted parts and accessories
Your vehicle must be maintained or restored to a condition that conforms to the original manufacturer’s specifications and must be considered by ICBC to be of collectible value.
The engine and drivetrain must be stock for the vehicle model and year without any performance enhancements.
Acceptable after-market parts, era-correct accessories and safety upgrades can be found on the approved parts and accessories list (page 4 of the Application for Collector Motor Vehicle Program).
Applying for collector vehicle plates and insurance
Confirm your vehicle meets the eligibility requirements.
Complete the Application for Collector Motor Vehicle Program.
Photograph your vehicle following the photo requirements (page 2 of the Application for Collector Motor Vehicle Program). Here are some example photos.
Take the completed application and photos to an Autoplan broker or mail them to ICBC.
Mailing address
ICBC - Collector Vehicle department
235-151 West Esplanade
North Vancouver
BC V7M 3H9
Submitting the application form
All pages of the application form must be completed for approval. Once we get your application, it will take about four to six weeks for review.
During peak season (April - September), wait times may be longer due to the high volume of applications.
Top reasons an application might be declined
Incomplete applications
Poor vehicle condition such as dents, paint blemishes, bubbling, chips, rust or visible primer
Missing photos or poor-quality photos
Non era-correct parts and accessories (ex. stereo, wheels, performance enhancements)
Vehicle not fully assembled or parts missing
https://www.icbc.com/vehicle-registration/collector-mods/Pages/Collector-vehicles.aspx
There any 25+ year old vehicles that you would recommend or not recommend for pulling up to 3000 lbs?
Towing is hard on the drivetrain. Try to get one with low KMs where the axle and tranny aren't all clapped out.
What would you consider low km's on a truck?
less than 200,000 km
I'm in BC, and I had a truck that started falling apart from rust @ 200,000 km. It's just wet all the time.
So, what are you going to do with it? Is it going to be a daily driver? Being that old if that is what you want to do they will become money pits. If it is a collector car, then Chevy's, Ford's and Toyota's are all good options.
Looking for a vehicle that can tow approx up to 3000 lbs and put on approximately 5, 000kms/ 3,000 miles per year. I don't care about 4wd.
If you go with pre-1985 no computer crap and do some updates as far as carburetor and brake system...you will have something that is basic, functional, and will run forever...with proper maintenance...unlike any newer computer controlled junk that is always subject to failure.
Chevy, Dodge, Ford were all workhorses in those days. Toyota downfall was frames that rotted to dust.
Look for something in Manitoba or Saskatchewan that spent its life in the plains, on a farm...not lugging its way through the Rockies.
Thanks for the feedback. Would you not recommend something from BC?
It is much more temperate than Manitoba or Saskatchewan, no salt, sand (and also aren't lugging through the rockies. My understanding is that southern bc vehicles have less body issues than anywhere else in Canada. Am I mistaken?
less than Ontario
I got a 90 f150 that has only 86k miles on it and I love it but its been a real pain because all the gaskets are needing replaced and plenty of carbon build up to clean but other than that I love driving a classic and going to the junk yard for parts is a fun thing to do. I love 70s and 80s Fords and GM's because of the simplicity in it all. I recommend it to not be a daily driver to work but as a days off drive to the store kinda thing even though I personally am using it as a daily to work and home.
