Budget £30k for Appreciating Car

[roca1976]

I would look at adding a few others to the list:

Conti GT Speed
Granturismo 4.7 MC Shift
Alfa 4C
Boxster Spyder / Cayman R
C63
Audi TT-RS
Jag R Types

Unfortunately I don't think there are any hidden gems, most of the modern stuff depreciated as normal for the first 3-5yrs before prices have risen. The change to turbo 4cyl should result in N/A 6/8cyl older models being sought after in the future. probably.

[blueg33]

Alfa 4c's are depreciating at the moment, plus you cant get one for £30k

[AshBurrows]

roca1976 said:

I would look at adding a few others to the list:

Conti GT Speed
Granturismo 4.7 MC Shift
Alfa 4C
Boxster Spyder / Cayman R
C63
Audi TT-RS
Jag R Types

Unfortunately I don't think there are any hidden gems, most of the modern stuff depreciated as normal for the first 3-5yrs before prices have risen. The change to turbo 4cyl should result in N/A 6/8cyl older models being sought after in the future. probably.

What the hell. This is like the worst list of "future appreciating cars" I have ever seen! A C63?!

[Guvernator]

AshBurrows said:

roca1976 said:

I would look at adding a few others to the list:

Conti GT Speed
Granturismo 4.7 MC Shift
Alfa 4C
Boxster Spyder / Cayman R
C63
Audi TT-RS
Jag R Types

Unfortunately I don't think there are any hidden gems, most of the modern stuff depreciated as normal for the first 3-5yrs before prices have risen. The change to turbo 4cyl should result in N/A 6/8cyl older models being sought after in the future. probably.

What the hell. This is like the worst list of "future appreciating cars" I have ever seen! A C63?!

With the possible exception of the Boxster Spyder I'd have to agree. OP if you don't want to loose money hand over fist, don't buy any of these.

[Guvernator]

TommoAE86 said:

vtecyo said:

Nanook said:

vtecyo said:

3 x R32 GTR.

Hasn't the price of these gone through the roof as they can now be imported to the states due to their age?

Buy as many R33 GTRs as you can and keep them for a few years!

Yup. You could buy one in Japan for 3.5k - 5k (before shipping etc). Now you'll struggle with double that.

£15-£20k on some of the R32's!

A late R32 GT-R VSpec II would be a good shout I reckon. They are going for about £20k right now but they are the last of the line R32's made. Only about 1300 production run too so probably a lot less on the road now and the US market will go mad for them. In fact I'm off to the classifieds right now.

[anonymous-user]

AshBurrows said:

roca1976 said:

I would look at adding a few others to the list:

Conti GT Speed
Granturismo 4.7 MC Shift
Alfa 4C
Boxster Spyder / Cayman R
C63
Audi TT-RS
Jag R Types

Unfortunately I don't think there are any hidden gems, most of the modern stuff depreciated as normal for the first 3-5yrs before prices have risen. The change to turbo 4cyl should result in N/A 6/8cyl older models being sought after in the future. probably.

What the hell. This is like the worst list of "future appreciating cars" I have ever seen! A C63?!

Agreed, I'll add Saab 9-5 to that list. They cannot go any lower and for £30k, you'll have enough to start your own scrap yard. I say this as a proud Saab owner.

[NDNDNDND]

Impact bumper 911.

Don't write off the Ferrari Mondial - quattrovalvoles are effectively 4-seat 348s, and have already appreciated beyond the OP's budget. The Mondial 8 may take longer, but they are appreciating - they're not fast, but they do offer an increasingly rare 'classic car' driving experience...

[hondansx]

ukaskew said:

1Addicted said:

- Renault Clio V6 - Wasn't long ago they were under £20k, now £30K

I think this highlights the issue you're going to have quite nicely. I photographed a mint Ph1 (in a rare colour) back in 2010, I think it went for under £10k not long after.

It's now probably worth at least 3 times that, but that doesn't mean it will climb (or even stabilize) any further. It's a big, big gamble on a car that you're arguably not buying for the right reasons.

Think it sums up the market as a whole. Hard to find something unnoticed as the halo effect of Porsches and Ferraris going for silly money has had a trickle effect on anything that looks vaguely rare or collectable.

My one shout is a Lotus Elise. Not just a fantastic car, it is something of it's type that won't be made again. Surely at some point people will wake up and realise they are worth more than £12k.

[SirSquidalot]

BMW E46 M3 manual with the lowest miles you can find
BMW 850
BMW E39 M5
Mazda FC RX7
Toyota Supra IV Manual
Ford Sapphire Cosworth

You could probably get 2 from the above.

My choice would however be a Lotus Carlton, it wont lose money!

[Vitorio]

NDNDNDND said:

Don't write off the Ferrari Mondial - quattrovalvoles are effectively 4-seat 348s, and have already appreciated beyond the OP's budget. The Mondial 8 may take longer, but they are appreciating - they're not fast, but they do offer an increasingly rare 'classic car' driving experience...

Much less desirable then the proper 2 seaters though, at least to my eyes. Id love to have a ferrari some day, but i suspect if mondials are all that are in budget, ill just go and get something else instead, i'd always have that "not quite what i was hoping for" feeling. Id get an old alfa for the classic car vibe and throw the rest into a cayman probably.

Im torn on the 308GT4, i used to absolutely hate the style compared to a 308GTB, but they've grown on me a bit.

[jshell]

1Addicted said:

I've reached a position, finally, where I have the space and money to purchase a car with investment in mind. Realistically my budget is £30k - 35k but I'll consider anything up to this value and of any age. I've looked into a few cars over the last few months, and some of them you've provided me useful info on, so thank you. I've kind of kick started this again recently and have been inspired by a few threads on here. Anyway...

The closer to the value of the car is to the budget, will mean that it would get weekend use as still want to enjoy driving, albeit the miles will be small. Something cheaper would be locked away but maintained, and I'd buy (yet) another car to run along side for fun that in total all comes in under the budget. I'm open to suggestions from 90's hero's up to modern day.
I could possibly stretch this budget to £40k but that's pushing to the max if I don't want to make cuts elsewhere in my life.

What would you go for? Chances are you will think of things I've never considered but, cars I've been to view or are on the list are...

- AM V8V 4.3 - There are good ones at £35k. Are they likely to drop further?
- Honda NSX - Top end budget for an early one
- R34 GTR - Again top end of budget
- Nissan GTR (R35) - Prices of these seem to frequently move +/- the £30-40k bracket. Will they appreciate
- Porsche 997/997.2 CS/C4S - Always seem stable within £30-40k but little appreciation perhaps
- Porshe 996 Turbo - Fairly leggy in £30-40k. Likely to appreciate further?
- Renault Clio V6 - Wasn't long ago they were under £20k, now £30K
- Audi RS4 B5 - £20K seems achievable
- BMW M Coupe (1M) - Haven't moved in a while. Can scrape one in (just) under budget
- Audi R8 V8 - Not so long ago there were a few in £30k's but now high £30k's into £40k
- Noble M12 GTO-3/3R

Can you help?

1Addicted? Addicted to crack if you think you can beat this current bubbled market, imho.

But, I wish you well and lots of luck in your choices!

[Guvernator]

SirSquidalot said:

BMW E46 M3 manual with the lowest miles you can find
BMW 850
BMW E39 M5
Mazda FC RX7
Toyota Supra IV Manual
Ford Sapphire Cosworth

Agree with all of those. The M3 CS edition seem to be holding value really well and it was available in a proper manual unlike the CSL. An 850CSI would probably be a good bet as it was sort of the unofficial M8, not sure the normal 8 series would be as desirable.

I'd probably swap the Mazda FC for an FD though, especially a Spirit R. Again last of the line RX-7 and not too many made, you can pick one up for £20k now. Supra's are already going up so act fast if you want one.

Ideally you are looking for

1) Rare
2) Unique or characterful engine
3) Last of the line\special edition run out
4) Manual gearbox
5) Some racing\motorsport heritage, film\game popularity or cult status also helps.

[olliete]

I like the 1M but they don't seem to be selling.

Noble is a good shout - but again, not many are moving and you need to make sure you buy a really pukka one to avoid it costing you a fortune.

SL600 (R129)
SL55 Pace car

Cayman R - perhaps, but doubtful at £30k

Prices are pretty crazy at the moment - I'd hold off and see where the market is in 6m time - people tend to go a bit crazy for fast (convertible) cars when the sun is out (and interest rates are low / set to get lower)

[Hugh Jarse]

Vitorio said:

NDNDNDND said:

Don't write off the Ferrari Mondial - quattrovalvoles are effectively 4-seat 348s, and have already appreciated beyond the OP's budget. The Mondial 8 may take longer, but they are appreciating - they're not fast, but they do offer an increasingly rare 'classic car' driving experience...

Much less desirable then the proper 2 seaters though, at least to my eyes. Id love to have a ferrari some day, but i suspect if mondials are all that are in budget, ill just go and get something else instead, i'd always have that "not quite what i was hoping for" feeling. Id get an old alfa for the classic car vibe and throw the rest into a cayman probably.

Im torn on the 308GT4, i used to absolutely hate the style compared to a 308GTB, but they've grown on me a bit.

I bought a Mondial, currently gathering dust as a new flat build was signed for but the deposit they wanted was miniscule much to my surpise, which left me with £20k to temporarily splurge. First wanted an Esprit S1-3 but couldnt fit in, then a Elan +2 but then spotted someones Mondial on PH, went on ebay and splurged £22k on a US import.
Still not sure if wise but no regrets either, have hardly driven it but fits the planned family, big boot and is perfect as a promo for two engineering projects I have in mind (but will probably never get round to). Have only ever seen one 3.2 cabriolet for sale in Europe this last 12 months, so pretty rare (in Europe). I read all the time ginger step child etc, but maybe as I was a ginger step child once, i think it looks fab in the flesh Driving wise (not many miles) it is absolutely thrilling, visceral sound, tractor gearchange and short steering with massive front tyres.
Feels fast to me. Galvanised, but mine still has some rust spots to be dealt with this winter.

The 308 GT4 is nicer looking probably, but about £50k, so if you want an F-car, its a Mondial or nothing.
Currently resoldering the circuit board fusebox and replacing relays as a preventative measure.
Not mine:

Edited by Hugh Jarse on Wednesday 27th July 16:47

[bicycleshorts]

vtecyo said:

Nanook said:

vtecyo said:

3 x R32 GTR.

Hasn't the price of these gone through the roof as they can now be imported to the states due to their age?

Buy as many R33 GTRs as you can and keep them for a few years!

Yup. You could buy one in Japan for 3.5k - 5k (before shipping etc). Now you'll struggle with double that.

Depends on the year. 93 and 94s are still attainable (and arguably the ones you want due to the revised oil pump).

[MDMA .]

bicycleshorts said:

vtecyo said:

Nanook said:

vtecyo said:

3 x R32 GTR.

Hasn't the price of these gone through the roof as they can now be imported to the states due to their age?

Buy as many R33 GTRs as you can and keep them for a few years!

Yup. You could buy one in Japan for 3.5k - 5k (before shipping etc). Now you'll struggle with double that.

Depends on the year. 93 and 94s are still attainable (and arguably the ones you want due to the revised oil pump).

for America, imports would need to be 25years old to avoid all the personal import rules. so a 94/94 would be a good idea now as only 2-3 years to sit on them before you could sell to America.

but, you have to think, how big is the market to sell to a private individual in America ? would they not pay the premium and buy from a well known importer ? prices are rocketing on the R32's though. money safe in one of those, for the next few years anyway. would have to be a mint example though.

[ZX10R NIN]

vtecyo said:

3 x R32 GTR.

+1 to this get two good ones put one up for sale & someone from the states will be on the phone.

[EnglishTony]

Seems to be fashionable to knock Mondials which is a shame. It's still a Ferrari. Friend of mine has had one for years and I still enjoy seeing / hearing it.

My money would go on the Maserati however.

That said as has been pointed out the market may well be over inflated at the moment. Unless, like me, you are in love with that Maserati you'd be better off waiting I think.

[Shnozz]

There have been both a Lotus Carlton and an Escort Cossie on ebay recently at £25k. Both look fairly sound investments (if straight cars).

DeLoreans used to be kicking around £20k - no idea what recent bubble inflation has done to them, but I can't help but think they will be a £100k car in a few years.