Is buying vehicles from defunct car brands a bad idea?
Oldsmobile, Edsel, Jenson, Mercury, and Plymouth. What do these names have in common? They’re all defunct car brands. Unfortunately, you won’t see a brand-new Pontiac or Triumph car anytime soon, barring some reboot in the future. However, even with an extinct badge on the hood, buying a car from a defunct brand doesn’t need to be a headache.
Defunct car brands shouldn’t dissuade you from buying now-discontinued cars
In short, buying a vehicle from one of the once-popular defunct car brands isn’t an invitation for disaster. However, it might make things a bit more difficult for you as a vehicle owner. For starters, niche cars from defunct brands may present maintenance issues. Owners may have difficulty finding parts to replace broken or failing components.
What’s more, a long-discontinued model might make finding a mechanic willing to work on it difficult. However, some vehicles with connections to existing brands might be better off. For instance, General Motors (GM) service centers may still perform maintenance on cars from brands like Pontiac and Saturn.
Fortunately, online forums and communities are a wealth of information. Should you purchase a vehicle from a defunct car brand, you can search for advice, technical data, and how-to guides on these sites. Additionally, YouTube is an inexhaustible source of maintenance, repair, and modification videos.
So don’t let that SAAB, Pontiac, or Triumph badge dissuade you from owning a pretty cool set of wheels. However, doing your homework is of the utmost importance. Check out online forums and maintenance sites to learn about common issues with discontinued models. Moreover, it’s wise to check a vehicle’s maintenance history and opt for an independent pre-purchase inspection (PPI) before buying a used car.
Finally, don’t expect a discontinued badge to mean collectibility. For instance, the Pontiac Solstice had a starting price of $22,455 in 2008. However, the little sports car currently has a fair dealer purchase price of around $7,528. It’s not exactly an appreciating asset.
