It’s hard to ignore a new Mercedes-Benz S-Class or Rolls-Royce Ghost as it floats by in traffic. They’re majestic and exclusive machines meant to turn heads—and with base prices of $117,300 and $354,750, respectively, they should. I used not to think much past a luxury car’s newness, but my perspective has changed as I— and the cars themselves—have gotten older.
“THAT’S A ______!”
Most people who are literate in car brands and have some sort of interest in automobiles as a whole can probably recognize a just-off-the-showroom-floor Bentley or BMW. Cars like those are currently being sold by dealers and reviewed in magazines and on social media and YouTube. Even those who know nothing about cars will at least be aware they’re looking at something more special than a Toyota Camry when they see a Maserati Quattroporte or Audi A8 L.
THE GREAT DIVIDE
As cars like those age, they can wind up in one of two categories: Just Another Used Car, or Modern Classic. One type of Just Another Used Car was purchased later in its life by the third or fourth owner as a status symbol at a price brought down to an attainable level by depreciation and the passage of time. Once a gleaming icon of sophistication, it’s now a $20,000 car with $100,000-car maintenance costs which have been minimally paid. Its previously shiny paint has dulled and there’s a good chance it’s sagging on its worn-out air suspension. It only remains visible because of its flaws.
IF YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW
A Modern Classic is not just a car—it’s a decision. Its owner has chosen to ignore all the modern offerings around him/her and search out a specific vehicle from yesteryear, perhaps a Lexus LS 400 like the one his/her parents had when (s)he was a child, or a Bentley Turbo R, (s)he wanted since (s)he was a teenager. Its shortcomings and problem areas were known going into the purchase, but things proceeded anyway. The knowledge that getting certain replacement parts would be challenging didn’t faze him/her. There was no hesitation at the crossroads of paying thousands of dollars to have a W210 E55 AMG shipped from the other side of the country or driving it home over the course of several days. This person knew exactly what he/she wanted, went after it, and got it, difficulties and headaches be damned. Few bystanders look at the car and call out what it is. Instead, they’re left asking, “What is that?” The owner and fellow enthusiasts know what they have and derive satisfaction from being part of a special club and driving a car that’s distinctive yet low-key.
Inside a Modern Classic, there aren’t acres of screen space, configurable ambient lighting, or jaw-dropping gee-whiz features. The interior is more of a museum that shows what was possible in a bygone era and how far the auto industry has come as opposed to a modern electronics store.
For those of who own older luxury cars, how has your perspective on them changed? Post your answer in the Comments section below.
