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Classic Car - Appreciating Values
scootz - 2/12/17 at 10:11 AM

They've been on the up for a few years now, and I've missed the boat on on the usual suspects.

So, any suggestions for sub-£10k cars that are likely to appreciate?

I have always liked Jag XJS's... had one a number of years ago. IMHO, the only problem that car had was that it followed the E-type! Otherwise it's a very handsome car.

The XJS prices still haven't taken off yet - likely?

Any other shouts?


CosKev3 - 2/12/17 at 11:53 AM

Still some classic sporty jap cars you could buy,they are going up well in price.


loggyboy - 2/12/17 at 12:14 PM

E36 or E46 M3.

[Edited on 2-12-17 by loggyboy]


theconrodkid - 2/12/17 at 12:51 PM

MX5,s.....funnily enough i have one for sale


twybrow - 2/12/17 at 01:40 PM

So much to choose from at the moment. Find a car that had a cult following back in the day, yet remains very relevant and popular today. Find a good unmolested (or tastefully modded) car, preferably with low miles.

Off the top of my head: E46 M3, Porsche 996 (very undervalued at present), classic Impreza turbo, 205 GTI, Mk1 Elise etc. Or for more of a project: Mk1 Range Rover, Mk1 Escort, early Elan etc.


mark chandler - 2/12/17 at 02:05 PM

I would say that XJS's have moved up quite a bit, I have had a couple lovely cars the last was a facelift 4.0litre manual which was faster than the V12 it superseded.

If you can stretch try and get a DB7, they are starting to move and will never be cheaper.

Old crocks like Sunbeam Alpines have been steadily going up and are ally good one should be within budget, pretty cars but like anything of that era not that nice to drive.

Porsche are still cheap, 928's a removing the right way, had one it was fantastic


Toys2 - 2/12/17 at 02:17 PM

It's such a tough question, I have a 1990s Elan, they can still be picked up for under £5k, but should be worth much more. They're a rare (in terms of numbers left) great handling, high performance Lotus, but just not to everyone's taste. I have mine for fun, not as an investment, the only thing that I can guarantee, is that if I ever sell it,THEN the values of them will go up in price

I think another thing to add to the formula is..
Unless you're really going to hold on to one for ages! The car in question must be out of production in all forms, including later - but similar versions

For example, the S1 Elise is a cracking car, but in my opinion the S2, right through to the current Elise's are better still


morcus - 2/12/17 at 02:57 PM

It depends what you want to do with the car. Personally I think you've missed the boat for crazy increases in a short time frame because interest rates are going up and low interest rates apparently drive people to "invest in tangibles".

I think buying a car from the 90's or early 2000s that had a big following at the time would be a good choice as the people who coveted them as teenagers will soon move into middle age and want to relive the youth they never had. On that basis I'd like to suggest MR2, E46/39 BMW, Saxo, Astra GSI or something simillar.

Something else to bear in mind is the USAs 25 year import rule which I'm lead to believe has created a boom in Japanese car values. This one works on the above thinking too as you will be looking at the sort of cars the 90/00s teens were driving on Gran Turismo.

Or this, AutoTrader has a lot of E46 M3s for between 7k and 10k.

Ultimately though I'd say its only worth doing if you get a car you enjoy owning and treat any increase in value as a bonus. It can also create a problem where you can't ever justify selling it because it will keep going up and you'll never afford another one, like a friend of mine who bought a Capri when they were worthless.


big_wasa - 2/12/17 at 03:17 PM

I bought one of the last new 2 stroke scooters 18 months ago. I should have held out for the very last special additions as they are already on the up.

I also think a well built kit will come good.


rdodger - 2/12/17 at 03:19 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Toys2
It's such a tough question, I have a 1990s Elan, they can still be picked up for under £5k, but should be worth much more. They're a rare (in terms of numbers left) great handling, high performance Lotus, but just not to everyone's taste. I have mine for fun, not as an investment, the only thing that I can guarantee, is that if I ever sell it,THEN the values of them will go up in price

I think another thing to add to the formula is..
Unless you're really going to hold on to one for ages! The car in question must be out of production in all forms, including later - but similar versions

For example, the S1 Elise is a cracking car, but in my opinion the S2, right through to the current Elise's are better still


We also have a really nice M100 S2 Elan. A really good fun car and amazingly reliable! It must be down to the Isuzu engine :-)

We have had it about 4 years now and I think the values have risen about 15% in that time.

A really nice low mile one is no more than 10k


Shooter63 - 2/12/17 at 03:41 PM

My boss is big time into classic cars sl pagoda mercs e types early 911 etc, at the moment he's buying sl500 mercs like there going out of fashion ( 3 last week ) he doesn't get his fingers burned often ( excluding a genuine RHD 1966 mustang )

Shooter


scootz - 2/12/17 at 04:57 PM

Cheers guys - a lot to think about there.

It would be a garage queen - only driven short distances on dry roads to keep things ticking over. Whatever I got, it would have to hold my interest - that's why I'm huffing and puffing about XJS's... I think they are are a beautiful shape and would always have a smile on my face every time I lifted the dust sheet!


rdodger - 2/12/17 at 05:14 PM

There is your answer then. Buy what you like and makes you happy. Hopefully it will at least cover it's costs.

No point in having something you don't really like just to try and make a few quid.


steve m - 2/12/17 at 05:26 PM

I had been thinking about sticking some money on a classic, as an investment,
But like most things investments can crash as well as go up

Now of coarse had I kept the series 1 flat floor 3.8 e-type that I paid £4500 in 1992, and sold for £6500 a few weeks later,
it would be worth 100k or more now, gutted !!

or the Lotus elan, 2+2 that I bought in 1983, and sold in 1989 (at a loss) would be worth an awfull lot more now

but then the maintenance and related costs of running these classics, would mean that any profit made on a sale, could be minimul

and then theres RUST, and a doubt there is one solid rust free XJS in the world, and certainly not the TWR Xjs that I was very interested in buying back in 1989 to replace the Lotus elan, as that Xjs had more rust than the titanic!

Personally, I believe my savings are better off with the premium bonds, and safer than investing in a rust pot

just my opinion

steve


ianhurley20 - 2/12/17 at 05:28 PM

Thius will give you an idea of prices at a recent classic car auction

https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/en/classic-auctions/results/results-from-saturday-4th-november-2017/


scootz - 2/12/17 at 06:47 PM

Cheers Ian


perksy - 2/12/17 at 06:58 PM

quote:
Originally posted by ianhurley20
Thius will give you an idea of prices at a recent classic car auction

https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/en/classic-auctions/results/results-from-saturday-4th-november-2017/





There's some bargains amongst those listings


mark chandler - 2/12/17 at 07:00 PM

Face lift XJS were galvanised, just means they rust from the inside out not both ways, a good one is a lovely place to be.

My DB7 was £16,000 7 years ago, now worth £25,000 although I would need to sit on it to achieve this.


loggyboy - 2/12/17 at 07:27 PM

Oh, Clio Trophys are on rise (4-5k 3 yrs ago, 6-7) this year.


jeffw - 2/12/17 at 08:17 PM

Honda S2000, get a late one with lowish miles and you'll make money in the long term


scootz - 2/12/17 at 10:18 PM

quote:
Originally posted by jeffw
Honda S2000, get a late one with lowish miles and you'll make money in the long term




I've seen this said elsewhere, but theres over 4500 of them on UK roads just now.

I guess you'd have to sit on one for a lot of years to get the return?


PAUL FISHER - 3/12/17 at 12:35 AM

I agree with Jeffw, although they may be 4500 registered, how many are low mileage late model, most are early model high mileage cat C and D car or imports, you can still pick up a nice one for less than £10000, should make you 10% a year I think.
The other cars I think would be a good investment are the early maserati's the old twin turbo's.
A few out there from £6500.
Also any old Ginetta's , as they are again building new cars, second hand early cars will come on strong over the next few years as they get a bit of a following.

[Edited on 3/12/17 by PAUL FISHER]


loggyboy - 3/12/17 at 01:09 AM

Its still the percentage game, better to have car that has the low mileage late registration but is also limited in numbers. Also, the S2000 is great car. But classic? Maybe if they did some 'special' ones but not really obscure enough to be assured of good appreciation.


scootz - 3/12/17 at 11:10 AM

quote:
Originally posted by PAUL FISHER
Also any old Ginetta's , as they are again building new cars, second hand early cars will come on strong over the next few years as they get a bit of a following.



This Ginetta G20 has popped up for sale a lot over the last 5 years and almost doubled in asking price. I don't think there's much room for it to go a lot further TBH.


scootz - 3/12/17 at 11:13 AM

This Tommy Kaira ZZ certainly isn't going to lose any money at £35k. Way out of my price league though!


swanny - 3/12/17 at 11:23 AM

Mgzt 260 or go full fat 400 with the supercharger. Only a few hundred made. Useable every day. Mustang v8 engine. will be a classic prices on the rise now

[Edited on 3/12/17 by swanny]


scootz - 3/12/17 at 11:29 AM

I remember when the factory MG SV's were auctioned off... looked expensive at £20+k. They've taken off as well.


PAUL FISHER - 3/12/17 at 02:14 PM

quote:
Originally posted by scootz
quote:
Originally posted by PAUL FISHER
Also any old Ginetta's , as they are again building new cars, second hand early cars will come on strong over the next few years as they get a bit of a following.



This Ginetta G20 has popped up for sale a lot over the last 5 years and almost doubled in asking price. I don't think there's much room for it to go a lot further TBH.



I think this one would be a sound investment.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C664577


ianhurley20 - 3/12/17 at 03:57 PM

I am confused about that G4 as the ad says £7400 ish but the text has offers over 10k. A friend has a 1968 G4 which he has had since the very early 70's. It has been stripped for repainting which has been done but the car needs putting back together. He was recently tempted by a classic auction house to sell as is and they valued it in its present state at 12 - 15k


jeffw - 3/12/17 at 04:50 PM

quote:
Originally posted by scootz
quote:
Originally posted by jeffw
Honda S2000, get a late one with lowish miles and you'll make money in the long term




I've seen this said elsewhere, but theres over 4500 of them on UK roads just now.

I guess you'd have to sit on one for a lot of years to get the return?


The late (post 2004/5) are the most desirable and there are relatively few of them. There was a white roll-out special addition (100 made) which commands big money. If you look for 2007 S2000 with under 70K mileage you'll see what I mean about price on a 10 year old car.

I wished I had bought an NSX when they where £20K because the same cars are up in the 40-50K mark now.


scootz - 3/12/17 at 05:02 PM

I don't think I've ever seen a Q-plate making good money.


femster87 - 3/12/17 at 09:11 PM

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C882223


femster87 - 3/12/17 at 09:12 PM

quote:
Originally posted by ianhurley20
I am confused about that G4 as the ad says £7400 ish but the text has offers over 10k. A friend has a 1968 G4 which he has had since the very early 70's. It has been stripped for repainting which has been done but the car needs putting back together. He was recently tempted by a classic auction house to sell as is and they valued it in its present state at 12 - 15k


I'd have the g4. always wanted one


02GF74 - 3/12/17 at 10:42 PM

The car you didn't buy is the one that would have made the most money.

If it were that simple, by this time next year we'd all be millionaires.

You'd probably need to buy 5 or more to hedge your bets.

So as ^^^^^ said a while back, choose something that will make you smile when you drive it, but each time you drive it, it devalues a bit and risks being crashed.


jeffw - 3/12/17 at 10:45 PM

quote:
Originally posted by femster87



I'd have the g4. always wanted one


G12...the only choice


PAUL FISHER - 3/12/17 at 10:52 PM

quote:
Originally posted by 02GF74
The car you didn't buy is the one that would have made the most money.

If it were that simple, by this time next year we'd all be millionaires.

You'd probably need to buy 5 or more to hedge your bets.

So as ^^^^^ said a while back, choose something that will make you smile when you drive it, but each time you drive it, it devalues a bit and risks being crashed.


Nail on the head, we can all be speculative, but as car enthusiasts we need something exciting to drive, so that is always my priority.


nick205 - 4/12/17 at 04:57 PM

Good condition Peugeot 205 GTIs are appreciating. They can still be had sub £10k and really are great fun to drive.


scootz - 5/12/17 at 11:43 AM

I wonder when (if) the late 70's / early 80's Lotus and TVR wedges will take off.


Christof - 5/12/17 at 02:42 PM

Looking into my crystal ball, I can foresee that interest rates will rise faster than anticipated before too long.

Take a look at long term interest rates. Central banks are pumping out cheap money supporting/creating asset bubbles including cars, art, property etc.

I'd sit tight for another year.

That being said, I haven't a clue and its a mad debt ridden world.

[Edited on 5/12/17 by Christof]


Stevie_P - 5/12/17 at 04:30 PM

quote:
Originally posted by scootz
quote:
Originally posted by jeffw
Honda S2000, get a late one with lowish miles and you'll make money in the long term




I've seen this said elsewhere, but theres over 4500 of them on UK roads just now.

I guess you'd have to sit on one for a lot of years to get the return?


I had my S2000 for 5 years and made a small profit on the purchase price.
Good cars.
Late model (09 stuff) has issues with the engine though any that had a problem should have come to light / been fixed by now.
Steve


bi22le - 5/12/17 at 11:31 PM

It's not all about numbers, I think it's more to do with the following and predicting the market. This means you don't have to wait 20 years to make 10k you could play the market for 20 years, own lots of nice cars and earn 3 times that.

MK1 escorts for example. Any part of any model is worth a more than it should. I don't know why, maybe due to find memories and racing heritage. Mk2s is all about rally success and are also worth a fortune.

Old minis, iconic and have good history.

My point bring that at one stage there were millions of them and most were worth bigger all.

So, in my eyes don't predict the next icon. Ride the wave of association. So, anything RS and still cheapish. Especially S1 Escort RST, RS focus MK1. S2000 are a good shout because they stand up as a good car and the new NSX is bringing fast Honda's back (civics are not fast or special!)

A lot of the previously mentioned stuff is good. Just makes sure you enjoy looking at it and driving it, and expect to loose money, then it's a nice surprise!!


PAUL FISHER - 6/12/17 at 07:38 AM

quote:
Originally posted by scootz
I wonder when (if) the late 70's / early 80's Lotus and TVR wedges will take off.


I think anything Lotus or TVR is a safe bet, and both great cars to drive, and as cars like the TVR Chimaera are making strong money now, anyone wanting to get into TVR ownership the Wedges are still affordable.
I purchased a Chimaera 500 in around 2008 for £6600, sold it 2 years later for £9000, thinking I was getting top money for it, they are going for £20000+ today in the condition mine was in


mark chandler - 6/12/17 at 08:04 PM

For £10,000 an early XKR or XK8 has got to be looking good value, I ran an XK8 for a couple of years, lovely place to be and IMHO it's a nicer shape than the later ones and rarely seen on the roads these days.

They rust around the sills and rear wheel arches so need a good inspection, parts are easily obtainable.

Mine was a soft top, just a really nice place to be, warm and quiet when raised, you would not know it was not a hard top with reasonable a/c to keep you cool when the roof was down.

Surprisingly economical as well, mid 20's to low 30's on a good run.


steve m - 6/12/17 at 09:07 PM

Just buy any Diesel car, as the news tell us that Diesel will be band by 2030, so Diesel cars will be VERY VERY rare


loggyboy - 6/12/17 at 09:19 PM

Just picked this up, hoping it may pick up or certainly break even over next few years.


Mr Whippy - 7/12/17 at 02:53 PM

quote:
Originally posted by steve m
Just buy any Diesel car, as the news tell us that Diesel will be band by 2030, so Diesel cars will be VERY VERY rare


great then you can just stare at it since it can't be driven on the road....

saying that, if you got a pre 1991 model by that time you won't need an MOT for it since it will be 40 years old and a historic vehicle...