Retro Chic: You Should Definitely Buy a Youngtimer

by Sofia Brontvein

Retro Chic: You Should Definitely Buy a Youngtimer

19 Feb 2024

You do not need a Ferrari or Lamborghini to catch all the attention on the road. You should just buy a youngtimer and enjoy every journey

I am the proud owner of a 1993 Jaguar XJS. I purchased this car on Dubizzle for 80,000 AED. The previous owner bought it at an auction and imported it from Austria. Like any other vintage car, my Jaguar wasn't in perfect condition. I had to invest an additional 15,000 AED to fix an oil leak in the engine, replace brake pads and worn-out bearings and absorbers, repair the air conditioner, and address other technical issues. But now, the car is in perfect technical condition. However I could continue to enjoy the aesthetic aspect of restoring the Jaguar to its factory state for years, such as finding the original stereo and steering wheel, restoring parts of the interior, and fixing a few dents on the body. But these are just minor details.

Photo: Sofia’s personal archive

A 1993 Jaguar is considered a youngtimer, a term used for cars around 35 years old. They are not yet classified as classic retro cars, but they are definitely not considered new either. There are no clear characteristics defining youngtimers, leading to endless debates among car enthusiasts, which is not worth delving into. If you visually like the car, don't pay attention to others. Everyone has their own opinions.

The main advantage of youngtimers over oldtimers is that they are much more user-friendly and easier to manage. There are plenty of options with automatic transmissions, decently powered steering wheels, electrically adjustable seats, mirrors, windows, and roofs in the case of convertibles. The aesthetic of youngtimers also differs significantly from the rounded European (or extremely angular American) models, massive and luxurious oldtimers from the 1960s and 1970s. For me, cars around 35 years old are more adapted to modern life.

Choosing a vintage car is purely a matter of taste. Many of my friends are surprised that I drive a car that practically hugs the ground. The XJS is not soft and comfortable; it feels more like riding a skateboard down a slope, feeling every bump. But oh, how beautiful it is to drive. In the UAE, expensive and exclusive sports cars don't surprise anyone. You can see a dozen Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches, Rolls-Royces, and Bentleys in traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road in five minutes. However, vintage cars always attract more attention. My Jaguar XJS gets photographed at gas stations and parking lots, taxi drivers suggest exchanging cars at traffic lights, and drivers of Ferraris and Porsches smile and nod approvingly. Firstly, a retro car is beautiful, and secondly, it is bold. Everyone understands that such a car may cause inconveniences, but aesthetics come first for you. You immediately gain the status of not just an ordinary person but an appreciator.

Photo: Theodor Vasile, Julian Hochgesang, Vaclav Pechar

Owning a youngtimer in the UAE is pleasant and easy on one hand. Good roads that don't damage the suspension. No snow drifts to struggle with on a low rear-wheel-drive car. Good fuel quality, plenty of repair shops and garages, and a community of collectors where you can find friends and like-minded people.

On the other hand, summers here are extremely humid, posing a risk of corrosion. If you have a lot in a closed underground parking, you don't need to worry about humidity. At most, you can additionally secure the car with a protective cover if you feel it is humid, even in the parking lot. The most pressing issue in the UAE is spare parts. Almost all parts for vintage cars have to be ordered from Europe, so their cost increases, and delivery takes about two weeks.

Photo: Lukasz Jablonski

If you are knowledgeable about vintage cars, it is advisable to buy one at an auction. If you are not that confident in your knowledge yet, it is better to look for your dream youngtimer on platforms like Dubizzle. Before making a purchase, agree with the owner that you will conduct a technical test with an independent contractor to uncover any potential issues in advance. Some owners honestly disclose current issues with the car, while others may hide the most challenging quirks.

Yes, dealing with a youngtimer will undoubtedly require more effort than with a three-year-old sedan or a five-year-old crossover. But no modern car can compare in beauty and aesthetics to a vintage automobile. A routine trip to work turns into a journey you want to tell your friends about and reminisce about in the evenings.

Photo: Mateusz Suski

by Sofia Brontvein