Cruising into Easter with car finance

If you've never experienced the thrill of sitting back in an old classic Australian car while cruising around the streets and turning heads all over the place, then you've been missing out.

And if you have done that? Well, you know how much fun it is, and a car loan from AAA Finance can get you into a very special ride. You could be in a fairly unique class with your own classic as well. Roy Morgan Research shows that 0.1 per cent of Australian motorists are on the road with cars from the 1960s and before, 0.4 per cent own a vehicle from the 1970s and 2.3 per cent of cars on our roads are from the 1980s.

No matter where you go, your classic car is sure to be one-of-a-kind. As it rolls closer and closer to the end of the financial year, you could find yourself in a position where you have more access to funds from your work bonuses anyway, so these brilliant feats of engineering are less out of reach.

What cars are out there that might interest you? Check out the list below for some inspiration:

1) Toyota Hilux

The modern Toyota Hilux is known for its power and reliability, as the newest petrol models are producing 175 kilowatts of power at 375 Nm of torque, allowing for a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes.

The older models didn't have the same technology behind them, but were still among the most reliable in the world. A 1993 Toyota Hilux was up for auction in New Zealand last year that had clocked over 1.2 million kilometres in its lifetime - that's the equivalent of driving around the world 42 times.

What's more impressive about the old Toyota Hilux utes is how tough and sturdy they can be. The boys over at Top Gear had a real go at killing one and, try as they might, they could only injure the classic car, not destroy.

Buy an old workhorse ute and add a lift kit for a bit of flare, some fat mud tyres to really get some traction on the tough off-road trails and powerful roof lights for an aesthetic and functional addition that will really make your Toyota Hilux stand out.

2) Holden Torana SLR 5000

The SLR 5000 version of the classic Holden Torana line was by far the fastest available - and the engine note made that even more obvious. Boasting a grunty 5.0 litre V8 and only available with a four-speed manual gearbox, the Holden Torana SLR 5000 is packed full of excitement, has a great racing lineage and sports a rare badge.

For an even more exhilarating cruise, the L34 option has a more upgraded engine to go along with bolt-on fender flares and sturdier racing wheels. You'll start turning heads from miles away when people hear this beast of the Australian roads coming, and that pleases the car enthusiast in all of us.

3) Holden HQ Monaro GTS-350

The Holden HQ Monaro GTS-350 is another classic Australian muscle machine. The 350-block V8 under the hood took the car right up to a top speed of 201 kph and reached 100 kph in just 8.1 seconds - a phenomenal time for a car engineered before 1975. The thunderous machine will not only be fun, but it will improve your street cred no end.

Inspiration is abundant on this list, and while there may not be many for sale at the moment, one of these favourites is sure to pop up on the market in the near future. As the end of the financial year rolls around, there could some work bonuses coming your way, or maybe it's time to move on to bigger and better things. If that's the case, these old classics could well be sitting in your garage in the near future, and your family will thank you.

With the cooler autumn months upon us, there will be more of an opportunity to cruise around in these old beasts without worrying about paint fade or the elements doing too much damage to your new prized possession. Road trips are on the cards, and even the kids wouldn't be too embarrassed being seen in these Australian monsters. The rumble of the engines, the classic aggressive styling and the cool, relaxed driving positions could all be yours to own with a car loan.

In the meantime, satiate your hunger for a beautiful old car and talk to AAA Finance about a pre-approved car loan that could change the way you spend your spare time drastically, especially over the Easter break.