Investment cars

[OverSteery]

Much though I hate to say it, as I'm no huge fan personally, 911...
ah just remembered the V8 rule..

so 928?

BMW e31? - manual 840 (or even 850)

both get my vote to go up in value

Have you considered going to the dark side where the V8 has its natural home? Corvette and Camaros. Personally I still fancy a nice 70 floating Cadillac...

I'm hoping to see Monaros and HSVs rise in value, but if history is any guide, this will only start to happen after I sell mine.

Edited by OverSteery on Tuesday 21st March 10:27

[TobyLerone]

Now, I know this might be controversial, but I've just not had any kind of connection to any Porsche. I don't know why, and I know they are wonderfully engineered, well made, and liked by most people, I've just not 'got' the attraction.

The V8 'rule' is pretty loose. If there was something really nice, I could definitely ignore the V8 thing. TVR Tuscan for example. A cracking engine! Or an older M3.

Monaro is a really strong contender. There's a few that have been tastefully modified with stuff like increased capacity diff houses, air intakes, big brakes and exhausts. I've driven LHD in the UK and I'm definitely not a fan. I realise that, come sale time, there's the whole European market to appeal to, but it's not something I'm willing to get into. Unless something LHD is stupidly cheap and it's an impossible-to-pass offer.

I've been looking at Bentleys too - the Turbo R is something I like, and they seem to be either appreciating (even a few years ago, there were LOTS more for sale sub £10k) or at least the prices have firmed up. Something like the Azure convertible would be really nice, but they are all >£60k - which is over double my top spend. Maybe just take a Sawzall to the cheapest Turbo R on the market....

Thanks for the opinions and ideas by the way - always good to get a feel for what others think about this stuff!

To give an idea how much out of my comfort zone this stuff is - I currently drive a 2004 Landcruiser. And I want something really different from 99% of the Euro-econoboxes and rep-mobiles on the road.

Also, I'm not afraid of doing some work on whatever I buy. I'm a mechanic, and I have easy access to a few workshops to do some work, rather than constantly having to send my stuff into the garage.

Edited by TobyLerone on Tuesday 21st March 16:58

[anonymous-user]

From what you describe, I'd say a Monaro would be perfect. If you like tinkering, there are endless ways to modify these cars. Loads of engines to choose from, not just the ones they left the factory with!

Mine has a 6.2L LSA engine, same as that in a Camaro ZL1 but with a bigger supercharger, clutch from a Corvette ZR1 and gearbox from a VXR8. Makes over 800hp !

Other engines put into our cars
Twin turbo LS7 (1000 hp)
Supercharged LQ9 truck engine
600hp LSX 454 (7.4L) naturally aspirated

Or you can leave them standard and just enjoy them as they are.

Guy on here called James (preciousmetal) sells them so drop him a PM and he'll be happy to offer advice. There's also the HSV and Monaro forum on PH who will happily answer any questions and we know many of the cars as they come up for sale.

Good luck with whatever you choose

P.s. Monkfish performance sell all the parts and deliver nationwide.

Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 21st March 18:31

[jamiebae]

Surely it has to be a DB7? They look like great value now, they're easier to maintain than a DB9 and don't have that horrid automated manual gearbox and £30k gets a really decent example.

You can have a V12 or i6 within budget too.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[Yertis]

wormus said:

From what you describe, I'd say a Monaro would be perfect.

I agree. And if they're rustproofed and you keep on top of looking after them they're indestructible (apart from that gearbox bearing that falls to bits).

[aeropilot]

TobyLerone said:

Monaro is a really strong contender. There's a few that have been tastefully modified with stuff like increased capacity diff houses, air intakes, big brakes and exhausts.

If you are serious about buying something with an eye on longer term value......avoid the modified car route.
Well maintained and stock is usually where the money will be at some point in the future.

TobyLerone said:

I've been looking at Bentleys too - the Turbo R is something I like, and they seem to be either appreciating (even a few years ago, there were LOTS more for sale sub £10k) or at least the prices have firmed up.

Also, I'm not afraid of doing some work on whatever I buy. I'm a mechanic, and I have easy access to a few workshops to do some work, rather than constantly having to send my stuff into the garage.

You're going to need those skills in abundance if you go anywhere near a Bentley
Even the parts to fix 'em will make your wallet wince, even if you can work on it yourself.


Of your suggestions, the older M3 isn't a bad shout, nice E36's are getting rare with prices on the up for nice unmolested examples.

[Yertis]

aeropilot said:

If you are serious about buying something with an eye on longer term value......avoid the modified car route.
Well maintained and stock is usually where the money will be at some point in the future.

In general I agree but you'd be hard pushed to find a Monaro that's not had some sort of modification. Fortunately a quick glance through the receipts will tell you whether the mods are "good", "why bother?" or "make excuses and leave". The standard car really does need some of the simpler mods, suspension bushes and that sort of thing.

[TobyLerone]

Yertis said:

aeropilot said:

If you are serious about buying something with an eye on longer term value......avoid the modified car route.
Well maintained and stock is usually where the money will be at some point in the future.

In general I agree but you'd be hard pushed to find a Monaro that's not had some sort of modification. Fortunately a quick glance through the receipts will tell you whether the mods are "good", "why bother?" or "make excuses and leave". The standard car really does need some of the simpler mods, suspension bushes and that sort of thing.

Which is the kind of things I'd listed. From what I've seen, good supercharger installs increase value too. When I say 'modify', I mean performance parts that work better than the original items - big brake kit on something thats really fast would, in general, be a positive. Not just a bunch of barry'd stickers and a big feck off wing screwed in with self-tappers

I'm looking at older Mercs too, alongside maybe the TVR Griffith. Cruising in South of France, in a big old V8, top down, sunshine... Sounds like something I could learn to enjoy! Again, it definitely doesn't have to have a V8, but I do love the noise.

Are the Griff's generally accepted as more reliable / easier or cheaper to repair than the Cerbera or Tuscan?

[anonymous-user]

Yertis said:

aeropilot said:

If you are serious about buying something with an eye on longer term value......avoid the modified car route.
Well maintained and stock is usually where the money will be at some point in the future.

In general I agree but you'd be hard pushed to find a Monaro that's not had some sort of modification. Fortunately a quick glance through the receipts will tell you whether the mods are "good", "why bother?" or "make excuses and leave". The standard car really does need some of the simpler mods, suspension bushes and that sort of thing.

Indeed. The standard car is a blank canvas to modify tastefully, mechanically. I'd say brakes, bushes and exhaust are the minimum to look for. The supercharged ones are ridiculous fun and the engines are so strong and tuneable, you'd be mad not to if you can afford to. A bolt on supercharger, cam and remap will take a 400hp LS2 to about 640hp reliably which is hard to beat for the money. Add to that everyone seems to love them and they sound awesome.

For example:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=htvTzFx2zuU

[Johnny 89]

TobyLerone said:

Are the Griff's generally accepted as more reliable / easier or cheaper to repair than the Cerbera or Tuscan?

Yes, tried and tested engine with lots of parts availability (reasonably priced), lots of knowledge and really not a whole lot to go wrong.

See also: Chimaera

[squirdan]

range rover classic.

£30k will get you a fully restored mint early car. V8 obviously. although TBH i'd go for an early 4 door from the early 80s myself, take the engine out and store it and fit a 4.6

or a CSK

petrolicious and harrys garage for 2 recent films extolling the virtues

[jackpe]

Lotus Esprits are totally undervalued due to a largely undeserved reputation as being troublesome. The vast majority have not been looked after and will be trouble but if you find a good S3 Turbo that is in my mind a great investment. I bought mine intending to keep for a couple of months but have been unable to sell it!!

Rust will not be an issue which is quite refreshing, they look absolutely awesome as 70s wedge designs, offer the brilliant Lotus ride/handling and you can still get a decent one for between £20-30K. that a quarter of the price of a 308 or a porsche 911 turbo from the same era. Downsides are that quality is not brilliant (but in my mind no worse than same era Ferraris), the interior is cramped and if you do not buy a good they will be a heap of trouble!!!

Couple of youtube videos : Turbo Esprit Pickup and this one comparing it to a 930 turbo: 80s icons

[peteA]

jamiebae said:

Surely it has to be a DB7? They look like great value now, they're easier to maintain than a DB9 and don't have that horrid automated manual gearbox and £30k gets a really decent example.

You can have a V12 or i6 within budget too.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

DB9 doesn't have an automated manual box it has a 6 speed ZF box (torque converter type) and it's pretty damn good in my car? Think you may be getting mixed up with the V8 Vantage?

Agree though - at that price a DB7 is a good shout...especially the V12

[jamiebae]

peteA said:

jamiebae said:

Surely it has to be a DB7? They look like great value now, they're easier to maintain than a DB9 and don't have that horrid automated manual gearbox and £30k gets a really decent example.

You can have a V12 or i6 within budget too.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

DB9 doesn't have an automated manual box it has a 6 speed ZF box (torque converter type) and it's pretty damn good in my car? Think you may be getting mixed up with the V8 Vantage?

Agree though - at that price a DB7 is a good shout...especially the V12

You're probably right there, I just remember the manual shifts on the one I drove (a very tired 'supercar experience' day car) were extremely slow and clunky so I guess I just assumed with no actual research behind the assumption.

[crankedup]

I have gone for a punt on a BMW e46 M3, a 2003 'face lift' model in standard trim. This car is the last M to be the last straight six normally aspirated, which sounds awesome even in standard trim. Also last of the anolouge cars, mine is a manual gearbox, lovely. These cars are slowly appreciating in value, paid £10.3k for mine and whilst appreciation in value is not assumed driving fun is. Just means I need to drive the thing now!

Edited by crankedup on Friday 24th March 14:09

[Mr Tidy]

But it isn't a V8!

If a V8 apparently isn't essential I would have suggested a Z4M Coupe - same engine as your M3 but a bit more style.

Still, I hope you enjoy the M3. (BMW version at least, the road with that name is a total f*ckup).

[elanfan]

I wouldn't say anything else with my username. Not a V8 but a lovely noise, great power to weight, still very quick, handles, rear wheel drive and flying up in value:

[anonymous-user]

XJS? could do a lot worse than a pre HE coupe or a proper convertible....

[POORCARDEALER]

elanfan said:

I wouldn't say anything else with my username. Not a V8 but a lovely noise, great power to weight, still very quick, handles, rear wheel drive and flying up in value:

Still one of the worlds great drivers car, I love them...

[coetzeeh]

Get a TVR Griffith. You could do a lot worse. I owned one for six years, cost me servicing and consumables only. Never let me down. Sold it what I paid for it.