Thinking Of Buying A Vintage Bentley In Miami?

So now you've gone and done it. You saw the ad: Vintage Bentley For Sale, Miami, and after years of quietly admiring these gorgeous vehicles from afar, you've finally caught the Bentley bug and you're ready to get one for your very own. But before you take the metaphorical leap of faith, take a deep breath and insert a little practicality into your search for the world's most divine vintage ride. What To Look For Registration Please: It may seem like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised how often this simple legal check can slip people minds- especially when they're going goo-goo over a beautiful vintage Bentley. Just be sure to verify that the person offering to sell that lovely ride is listed as the owner on the vehicle registration. Service History: The service history is another important checkpoint to pass up front. This handy little booklet should tell you everything you want to know about the past problems, repairs, and maintenance procedures the car has been through, which garage or mechanic serviced it, and how long ago. Be aware that there are some unscrupulous characters out there. If you suspect any tampering or falsity, you can easily verify the service history by contacting the noted garage or mechanic in person about the vehicle. Body Check: Check those gorgeous lines for any dents or rust damage, and note any chips, cracks, peels, or stains in the paint. Once you have given the exterior a throughout pat down, do the same for the interior, looking for damaged or neglected woodwork, leatherwork, or carpeting. While minor exterior or interior damage is not necessarily a deal breaker, be aware that repairing and restoring a vintage Bentley in Miami is no small change operation, and the asking price needs to be adjusted accordingly. Pop The Hood: don't get hoodwinked by a snazzy exterior. One of the most common causes of engine trouble in these vintage beauties is simple owner neglect. Even if you're no mechanical pro, take the time to check under the hood for obvious signs of neglect, such as dirt or oil build-up on the engine components, or signs of fluid leakage. Check the hoses and belts for cracking or age, and do a little investigation on the state of the engine by turning the vehicle engine on for a few minutes, listening for any rough or suspicious sounds, then shutting it down and performing a simple oil check. Oil that looks thick, black, and sludgy is a very clear warning sign of probable engine damage. At the very least, some intensive cleaning and scraping will be needed to bring a sludgy engine back to health. Test Drive With The Pros: Test-driving a vintage Bentley in Miami should be a pleasure, but don't let those stars in your eyes rule out practicality. Be on the lookout for any strange noises, smells, or excessive exhaust smoke when starting and stopping, and check out the engine idle- a rough idle may indicate clogging in the engine injectors. If possible, bring your very own mechanical or vintage car expert for a ride-along inspection. With restoration costs that can equal or exceed the cost of the vehicle, you'll want to know what you're committing to before you drive that baby home.