Old car

An old car is an automobile that is viewed by its owner or others as being advanced in age by the standards of typical lengths of automobile ownership in society. Though there is no exact numerical definition of an "old" car, factors that may lead a vehicle to be viewed as "old" include its chronological age, the number of miles/kilometers on its odometer, its external appearance, its mechanical condition, its congruence with the style of vehicles made in the present, and the views within the community in which one lives or frequents.

Terms like antique, vintage, retro, or classic car are frequently references to older vehicles in good condition that have been well kept or restored, while terms like clunker or jalopy are used to refer to older vehicles in poor condition that have an undesirable reputation.

Reasons for owning an old car
Some of the reasons one may own an old car are as follows:
*The owner may not be able to afford a newer or replacement car
*The owner may have the money for a newer or replacement car, but may not wish to spend it on one
*The owner may feel attached to the car
*The owner may like the style or some other aspect of cars from the era in which it was made, which has since been discontinued
*The owner may enjoy driving an antique or classic car
*The owner may not need a newer or replacement car
*The owner may wish to avoid drawing attention to oneself. This may be the case with celebrities or other wealthy people.
*One who parks a car frequently in an area where theft or vandalism are common may wish to have a vehicle of little value, so if it is stolen or damaged, little is lost.
*One who transports valuable materials may wish to not have them noticed

Advantages to owning an old car
Owning an old car may have some advantages.

Economics
Most economic experts recommend that keeping an old car costs less money than replacing it. Though an old car may require frequent repairs, the amount of money that must be spent on these repairs will be less than monthly payments on a replacement vehicle.

Lower Depreciation
An older vehicle depreciates in value less than a new vehicle.

Insurance
Older cars may incur lower insurance costs, as losses in the event of an accident or theft would be lower.

Inconspicuous appearance
An older vehicle may draw less attention to one who does not want to be noticed by the public, or who does not want goods inside the vehicle to be attractive to a thief.

Drawbacks to owning an old car
Owning an old car also has some drawbacks.

Impression
An older car, especially one with a less than perfect appearance, may not be able to impress someone who sees the vehicle when attempting to obtain a good reputation, such as when conducting business. This is of particular importance when the person who must be impressed either rides in the vehicle or sees it parked at their location.

Reliability
An older vehicle may need more frequent repairs, or the owner may be more fearful of its breakdown. For this reason, the owner may be more reluctant to take it on a longer trip.

Safety
An older vehicle may lack safety features that have been introduced in the automotive industry since its manufacture. Also, the safety of a vehicle that is not in perfect condition may be compromised.

Insurance payout
Auto insurance companies are more likely to declare a vehicle that has been in even a minor accident a "total loss," whereas they may very well pay to repair a newer vehicle that has major damage.

Notable old car owners
*Sean Penn in 2003 was the owner of a 1987 Buick Grand National when the vehicle was stolen in Berkeley, California.
*Sam Walton drove a 1979 Ford F-150 pickup truck until his 1992 death

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