Older cars make a come back; Could running a car that's now over 20 year old be the way to cut down on your motering costs? Has been finding out

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), June 13, 2008

Byline: MIKE TORPEY

RUNNING a car that is more than 20 years old is the cheapest way to drive - with virtually no depreciation, insurance costs peanuts, while the vehicles are normally easy to maintain.

A least that's the view of website Carparts-direct.co.uk, which says that a visit to the internet shows most parts running at less than half the price of those for more modern vehicles.

The site's Martin Mosley says: "Lots of our customers will buy an older car, paying around pounds 1,000, spend a few hundred pounds on it and run it on a low budget.

Tax, insurance, servicing and fuel can be less than one year's depreciation on a brand new car."

Mosley runs the parts for older cars department at the mail order specialists, who say they have seen a huge increase in the number of motorists putting their older car back on the road in recent months.

"It's not just the fun of driving their favourite classic along country lanes. It is practical, inexpensive motoring.

"Without doubt, the cheapest way to run a car," he adds.

CAPTION(S):

RETURN classic cars such as 1980s Volkswagen Gold Cabr iolet