In about 2004/5, when I traded up from a 2001 Saab 9-3 Cabrio to a 1996 Land Rover Defender 110 Station Wagon I selected the 300Tdi engine model even though I could have afforded the newer TD5 model because I wanted to do my own servicing - and I haven't even changed the oil myself since then. Though I have fitted a few accessories!
When I decided to get a Morgan I started off thinking about £20k-plus nearly new that I no doubt would have taken to a dealer for servicing. In the end I found a less-than-£13k 20-year-old model that has already been tinkered with and thought "I could tinker too". It seems to have worked a bit this time - I've greased up the front-end already, I've got a new set of ignition components to fit (and I will fit them...soon), and I've taken out the rear seats and passenger seat to treat with Gliptone Liquid Leather.
For me, part of the fun of ownership is "tinkering" - which is one of the reasons I prefer older cars: they are easier to tinker with and it doesn't affect the re-sale value so much. Unless your older cars are Rollers or Ferraris I guess.
