January 4th, 2012  Posted at   Classic Cars

Do you have an old car lying in your garage that you are thinking about selling? STOP! Before you do, it is important to know whether or not your vehicle is vintage. Vintage classic cars may not mean much to you, but they do mean a lot to your bank account! If you have ever been to a vintage car show, you know that there are many parts of vintage vehicles that sell for hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars. If your vehicle is in good working condition, it could be worth more money than you could even imagine!

So what exactly are vintage classic cars? A vintage classic car is basically any vehicle that was manufactured between the years of 1920 and 1950. Known as the ‘real classics’, vintage cars are collected by car enthusiasts around the world. So, if you have a ‘hunk of junk’ sitting around in your garage – you will want to make sure that its actually junk before you decide to sell it or send it to the crushers.

How can you tell if your vehicle is vintage? The best way to distinguish vintage classic cars from other vehicle types is by looking at the year that it was manufactured. If you don’t know the manufacturing date off the top of your head, find the Vehicle Information Number (VIN) and type it into an online search engine. The VIN of a vehicle should be able to bring up a variety of information regarding the make and model of your car. If you find that your vehicle was manufactured between 1920 and 1950, you may want to reconsider your idea to sell!

While all cars made between 1920 and 1950 are considered vintage, there are some vintage classic cars that are considered more valuable than others. Many times, the value of a vintage vehicle is determined by the number of units. If you can, use the internet to find exactly how many models of your vehicle were manufactured. Additionally, find out how many are still in existence today. The less models that were made, and the more rare the car is today, the more it will be worth in the sellers and collectors market.

Another thing that helps determine the value of vintage classic cars is the relevance of the vehicle. The more history that a vehicle has behind it, the more valuable it will be to collectors. Similarly, if a vehicle carries memories that are generation specific, it may be worth more money as well. Read more… »

January 3rd, 2012  Posted at   Classic Cars

Are you considering buying a new or used car? If you answered yes to this question then why not also ask yourself why not a Nissan? This is because Nissan cars continue to offer real value for money to vehicle consumers in the South African market. Even better news is that Nissan is continuously improving the quality and reliability of their vehicles, to the point that they are now considered one of the safest vehicles in the world.

Passenger vehicles for families and speed freaks

Whether you are looking for a passenger vehicle, sports utility vehicle or a powerful commercial vehicle, you will find a Nissan car that is right for you. The new Nissan passenger cars include some of South Africa’s most iconic vehicles and include the Nissan Tiida, Nissan Qashqai, Nissan Livina, Nissan 370Z and the powerful (not to mention legendary) Nissan GT-R.

Reliable is simply another word for Nissan

Are you looking for a reliable sports utility vehicle for business or recreation? Well then, why not consider the all new Nissan Navara, Pathfinder, Murano, Patrol or even the multi award-winning Nissan X-trail. They are some of the toughest vehicles in the world and offer consumers a safe and secure drive and a comfortable yet powerful driving experience.

Commercial is king

If your business requires a new commercial vehicle you will need one that is both cost-effective and functional. This is why Nissan South Africa provides you with a number of possibilities. This includes the Nissan NP200 (a worthy replacement for the much-loved 1400 Bakkie that was popular in South Africa for decades), Nissan Patrol Pickup, Interstar and Interstar Taxi, NP300 Hardbody, Primastar and the Nissan Cabstar. Read more… »

January 2nd, 2012  Posted at   Classic Cars

An antique car generally refers to cars that are older than 45 years old. This is a rather loose definition and can vary somewhat from state to state. For the purposes of registration, most states will recognize a car older than 20 years old as being antique. For the car enthusiast, finding and buying an antique car can be an exciting and fulfilling hobby. Before you go shopping, make sure you know what you’re looking for. There are a lot of scams out there just waiting for someone to pay top dollar for a car that may not be a great deal after all. Some things to watch out for are:

  1. Check the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Make sure this number on the vehicle matches the number on the car’s title. The VIN may be located at the base of the windshield, on the driver’s side door sill or in the engine compartment depending upon the model and age of the car.
  2. Will you be able to buy replacement parts for the car? This is a valid question, because antique cars need to be maintained and repaired just like any type of vehicle. If you want to maintain the integrity of the word antique, you will want to make sure that parts are replaced with original parts matching the model of your car. Check into how difficult these parts will be to locate, how pricey they will be, and who can do repairs on your type of car.
  3. Are full service records available for the car you want to buy? Having access to the service records for your vehicle can go a long way toward knowing the history of the vehicle. They will indicate the maintenance that has been done, what some of the problem areas might be, and what parts are new.
  4. Do your research before you head out to purchase an antique auto. Some years of certain models may have experienced chronic problems which were cleared up in subsequent years. Talk to other antique car owners and find out what their experience has been with their antique car purchases. The decision of which car to buy may be determined by whether you are buying the car to drive and enjoy every day, or whether it will mostly be a showpiece. Read more… »