Best Marketplace to Buy a Classic

Do you need to be lucky to find the classic of your dreams? It really does happen for some people; they’re driving down a back road, or wandering through a dealership, when out of nowhere the right car, at the right price, just seems to appear in front of them. Most of us, however, will have to make our own luck when it comes to sourcing our dream rides. Nowadays, that often means getting savvy about how, and where, to search and shop online. We’ve picked some of the best, and a couple of the not-so-best, places for you to look. Which means there’s just one question left to ask: Do you feel lucky?

Facebook Marketplace

Sure, you’ve heard all the horror stories about buying a classic car on the same site people use to sell half-empty bags of plastic cookware – but if you have nearly infinite amounts of both time and patience, there really are a few diamonds scattered around in the rough out there. Facebook Marketplace is the official home of “I just want this thing gone.” Sometimes that means a good bargain on a car that just needs a little bit of TLC, but more often it means dragging home a “ran when parked” example for a long summer of diagnosing carburetors or wiring issues. There’s no pricing guidance available on the platform, so check CLASSICCARVALUE.COM to get a sense of where your negotiations should start.

Best for: Buyers who are short on funds and long on free time.

Beware if: You’re expecting a no-stories, no-excuses car for immediate use.

eBay Motors

Compared to Facebook Marketplace, eBay Motors has a lot of tools to help you make good choices. On the true auction listings, it’s easy to see what the other buyers in the (virtual) room are thinking. You can also search completed listings to find out what similar vehicles were fetched in the past. eBay has made big strides in recent years to make their auctions more trustworthy and accurate. As with FB, it’s never a bad idea to check CLASSICCARVALUE.COM for additional guidance on your bidding. Make sure you really understand the terms of sale on each individual item, including the exact details of shipping or pickup.

Best for: Decisive buyers with a tolerance for risk.

Beware if: You don’t already have a very settled idea of what you want and can afford.

PCA Mart

PCA Mart stands out as an exclusive platform reserved for members of the Porsche Club of America (PCA), providing a curated selection of Porsche models spanning from different eras and conditions. This specialized marketplace ensures a community-driven experience, where enthusiasts can connect with fellow members and access unique offerings tailored to their passion for Porsche automobiles. Prices tend to be on the ambitious side, but the same is true for the available documentation and service records.

Best for: Financially strong buyers with very specific desires for a particular Porsche.

Beware if: You’re not yet up to speed on the difference between a “964RS” and “964 RS America”.

Hemmings

Remember that big yellow book on the newsstands every month, filled with everything from Model Ts to Aston DB5s? Hemmings is online now, but many of its traditional values remain, from a plethora of well-established dealers to a broad variety of cars available at fair prices. You also get extensive resources for enthusiasts, including articles, forums, and event listings. It’s a true pleasure just to window-shop the site, although that can lead to a few impulse purchases!

Best for: Buyers looking to understand a market and connect with a solid seller or two.

Beware if: You told a family member you’d just “be on the computer for a couple of minutes.”

ClassicCars.com

Like Hemmings, this site has thousands upon thousands of listings, but here not all of them are for traditional classic cars – you can find a 2024 Lexus on ClassicCars.com almost as easily as you can find a 1992 model. Good search tools and properly assigned categories are part of the attraction here, along with plenty of listings for cars that are being auctioned around the country. With more than 4,000 pre-war cars listed at the time this article was written, it’s also a great place to start looking for antiques and heirloom vehicles.

Best for: Window shoppers who might become serious buyers if they find the right car.

Beware if: You’re prone to impulse purchases.

Classic.com

Is it an auction tracker? A market-price evaluation tool? A place to directly buy or sell a particular vehicle with a dealer or privately? Trick question – Classic.com`` is all of the above, and more. The site tracks recent sales across hundreds of sales venues and auctions and directly correlates those results to current listings. Detailed vehicle histories empower buyers to make informed decisions, and it’s extremely easy to quickly check values across different generations or models of a particular car. Expect to spend a little time learning how the site works – but once you’ve unlocked its secrets, the rewards are immense.

Best for: Data-driven buyers who want all the information all the time.

Beware if: You’re an intuitive shopper who likes to browse without a particular direction.