Looking to buy a Hot Rod?
Well, you came to the right place.
Buying a Hot Rod is not as simple as it sounds. There is a lot of research and reviewing that should, ideally, be done before the purchase. Buyers should concern themselves with the condition of the engine, the potential maintenance costs, certain parts needing replacements soon, and not to mention all the customizations that could affect the cost and longevity of the car. If you are a first-time buyer of a hot rod, it can all be quite confusing.
But not to worry- we’ve got you covered. Read through our latest blog post to see what questions you should be asking next time you plan to purchase a Hot Rod.
What can YOU tell me about the car?
It’s so simple and yet so effective. For starters, you get the owner to start talking, which is essential. Information is key in an expensive purchase. The owner of the car will typically talk about two things: basic information like the next oil change, types of tires and the next brake change, and any glaring conditions, problems or concerns that the car is currently dealing, or might deal with. With all the customization that goes on with Hot Rods, you’ll want to know about every little detail that could potentially cause a problem.
What modifications have you made to the car?
When dealing with hot rods you can expect most of the cars to be modified. Primarily though, when we talk about modifications, we are talking about the engine first. Hot rods usually have a more heavy-duty engine than the factory original engine that came with the vehicle. Be sure to ask about the horsepower and torque of the engine, because you can almost guarantee the numbers on it will be unimaginable. Be sure to ask about any other parts that are original to the car and how well they have been taken care of.
Can I test drive the car?
If you’re a car lover, this question will be on your mind as soon you see the car. This question is incredibly important to ask, though. At the end of the day, you have to make sure the car runs smoothly, and the engine doesn’t stall on you. Hot Rods tend to have a high amount of horsepower, so check out if the idling speed seems too fast for your taste. Be sure to ride on the highway and see for yourself how fast the hot rod can go (while respecting speed limits, of course), as well as the handling. You will also get a good feel for the interior and see if the modifications that have been made also match your taste.
Beyond that, we have a couple of more tips for you as well, when you are talking to your seller:
Look for rust
Look for body rot. A good restoration can hide most body rot that has happened to a car, but not all of it. The best place to search for rust is at the bottom of the car, as that is most difficult to cover up.
Go see the car for yourself
You can’t take someone’s word online. This is especially true when buying a car. Pictures and words can’t and won’t be able to tell the full story, so be sure to go for yourself and judge the vehicle.
Do your research
Conducting research is a little more difficult on hot rods because of the modifications and customizations in place, but check the price of the car and compare it online. Sometimes, owners put details about the car online. You can use that information to help compare the one you’re looking at with other cars, and decide if you are getting a good deal on your potential purchase.