Investment cars
Discussion
So, whatever I buy next, will be something cool. Maybe a classic. But definitely an appreciating asset. I suppose the title, 'investment' is probably a little misleading. I mean that, I'll buy something to use, maintain, and maybe a partial rolling-resto, and then come the day I sell, will be worth the same, but hopefully more than what I paid.
I'm down to a few choices - Jensen Interceptor being the first. Simple to maintain, cool. Maybe a bit rusty now, and with limited parts. And the top end of my budget (about £30k MAX)
TVR Cerbera AJP V8 - most have been lightly modified. Plenty of specialists for chassis work. No rust on the bodies.
Vauxhall Monaro - super simple engine. Multitude of readily available spares and upgrades.
I think whatever it is, it needs to have a V8, but I could be flexible.
What do you guys think? Anything else to consider? Whats almost certain to appreciate if bought now-ish, and kept in good order?
I'm down to a few choices - Jensen Interceptor being the first. Simple to maintain, cool. Maybe a bit rusty now, and with limited parts. And the top end of my budget (about £30k MAX)
TVR Cerbera AJP V8 - most have been lightly modified. Plenty of specialists for chassis work. No rust on the bodies.
Vauxhall Monaro - super simple engine. Multitude of readily available spares and upgrades.
I think whatever it is, it needs to have a V8, but I could be flexible.
What do you guys think? Anything else to consider? Whats almost certain to appreciate if bought now-ish, and kept in good order?
The TVR.
There will never be a car with all these features again:
So it is the last of its kind.
There will never be a car with all these features again:
- Hand built body and chassis
- A unique engine
- Unique (non parts bin) fittings
- Made by a small independent company
So it is the last of its kind.
As an owner of a Cerbera 4.5, I'd have to recommend the Interceptor out of that list! Buying a Cerbera as an investment is taking a huge risk, since I bought mine 8 years ago, the only thing that has really changed with the values is the top end of the market, and I'm not sure if they actually sell for the price being asked. There has been a slight increase in values in general, but it's nothing significant compared to much of the classic market, you could view that as good future potential, but conversely, if values only continue a steady increase you will spend significantly more in maintenance over the same period.
TobyLerone said:
Jensen Interceptor being the first. Simple to maintain, cool. Maybe a bit rusty now, and with limited parts. And the top end of my budget (about £30k MAX)
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=136...
I suspect as a hand built, low production, luxury car from the 70s they are not simple to maintain.
Edited by OverSteery on Monday 20th March 09:36
If you fancy a TVR, go with a Chimaera, they're lovely looking things and don't have the specialist engine costs associated with the AJP V8. Watch for chassis rust on all TVR's though.
Jensen would be nice, or why not look at a Triumph Stag? Another classic English V8.
£30k is near the bottom the Aston V8 Vantage price, but if you're looking for something to improve, why not look at a tatty V8 M5?
Jensen would be nice, or why not look at a Triumph Stag? Another classic English V8.
£30k is near the bottom the Aston V8 Vantage price, but if you're looking for something to improve, why not look at a tatty V8 M5?
Jensen Interceptors are overrated in my opinion. They are rust buckets, have an oversized, ugly rear window and will no doubt be very expensive to run with that 6 lite engine.
What about the Reliant Scimitar GTE? (the poor mans Jensen Interceptor). I keep hearing that they are slowing gaining value, with Middlebridge examples fetching upwards of 25 grand, but that's an exception as they are very rare with only about 77 of them having been made. They say it's only a matter of time before the GTE 5a, 6a/6b models start climbing. Personally I haven't seen any evidence of prices rising that much with those cars, minus one or two "concourse" or fully restored I've seen for sale by dealers and the odd private seller. Too many GTE Scimitars end up as spares or repairs and then get bought and made into a boy racer or track car with a V8 engine in it.
What about the Reliant Scimitar GTE? (the poor mans Jensen Interceptor). I keep hearing that they are slowing gaining value, with Middlebridge examples fetching upwards of 25 grand, but that's an exception as they are very rare with only about 77 of them having been made. They say it's only a matter of time before the GTE 5a, 6a/6b models start climbing. Personally I haven't seen any evidence of prices rising that much with those cars, minus one or two "concourse" or fully restored I've seen for sale by dealers and the odd private seller. Too many GTE Scimitars end up as spares or repairs and then get bought and made into a boy racer or track car with a V8 engine in it.
Edited by Jukebag on Monday 20th March 10:08
Jukebag said:
Jensen Interceptors are overrated in my opinion. They are rust buckets, have an oversized, ugly rear window and will no doubt be very expensive to run with that 6 lite engine.
What about the Reliant Scimitar GTE? (the poor mans Jensen Interceptor). I keep hearing that they are slowing gaining value, with Middlebridge examples fetching upwards of 25 grand, but that's an exception as they are very rare with only about 77 of them having been made. They say it's only a matter of time before the GTE 5a, 6a/6b models start climbing. Personally I haven't seen any evidence of prices rising that much with those cars, minus one or two "concourse" or fully restored I've seen for sale by dealers and the odd private seller. Too many GTE Scimitars end up as spares or repairs and then get bought and made into a boy racer or track car with a V8 engine in it.
GTE's don't have a V8 from standard which was a requirement of the OP. Yes, you can put a V8 into one but then its investment value will be nil.What about the Reliant Scimitar GTE? (the poor mans Jensen Interceptor). I keep hearing that they are slowing gaining value, with Middlebridge examples fetching upwards of 25 grand, but that's an exception as they are very rare with only about 77 of them having been made. They say it's only a matter of time before the GTE 5a, 6a/6b models start climbing. Personally I haven't seen any evidence of prices rising that much with those cars, minus one or two "concourse" or fully restored I've seen for sale by dealers and the odd private seller. Too many GTE Scimitars end up as spares or repairs and then get bought and made into a boy racer or track car with a V8 engine in it.
Edited by Jukebag on Monday 20th March 10:08
He would be better trying to find one of those rare South African Ford Capris with a sanctioned V8 Conversion.
Cerb is a cracking car but that engine is expensive to fix when it goes wrong and it is far from immune to problems. Chimaeras still seem good value and with insurers ready to write them off for little more than a scratch, numbers are diminishing. I've been fortunate enough to own Griffs when the prices have been rising nicely but, even so, the prices have only covered the running costs. If you're lucky, you may achieve the same with a Chimaera.
If you're looking at something older, buy the best you can, it's nearly always more expensive to buy a car needing work and pay somebody to do it, than buy one that's had the work done. The exception to this is if you have the time and ability to do the restoration yourself. I'm not sure that £30k is enough to buy a really good Jensen and if you don't get a good one you'll be throwing money at it from the second you get it home.
Have you considered something from the US? 60s Mustangs are always popular and you could get a nice example for £30k Huigh volumes mean you'll never make a fortune on one but, look after it, and it should retain its value. Parts are cheap, especially if ordered from the US. Camaro worth a look too
If you're looking at something older, buy the best you can, it's nearly always more expensive to buy a car needing work and pay somebody to do it, than buy one that's had the work done. The exception to this is if you have the time and ability to do the restoration yourself. I'm not sure that £30k is enough to buy a really good Jensen and if you don't get a good one you'll be throwing money at it from the second you get it home.
Have you considered something from the US? 60s Mustangs are always popular and you could get a nice example for £30k Huigh volumes mean you'll never make a fortune on one but, look after it, and it should retain its value. Parts are cheap, especially if ordered from the US. Camaro worth a look too
I know it's the same for a lot of cars that were cheap before the classic car boom but Jensen Interceptor's(not including the convertible) were to be had for little money especially if they needed a bit of work, I remember having a look at one which coincided with that period where the price of petrol went up suddenly(2008 perhaps?), there was a big push on diesel cars at the time and the government at the time were doing no favours for people who owned a big old gas guzzlers and I thought it might be a case of wasting money on a car which I might not be able to get rid of at any time. Oh how wrong I was.
Of that list I'd go with a Monaro (I own one). Very usable day to day and still modern enough not to be rubbish. Quite agricultural in an old school way but fabulous fun and the engine dominates the experience.
Find a supercharged one if you can and enjoy 600hp of oversteery fun.
Still love mine after 11 years of ownership and they don't seem to lose any money either. Worth the same now as they were 5 or 6 years ago and less than 600 left so quite rare too.
This might help
http://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-buying-guid...
Find a supercharged one if you can and enjoy 600hp of oversteery fun.
Still love mine after 11 years of ownership and they don't seem to lose any money either. Worth the same now as they were 5 or 6 years ago and less than 600 left so quite rare too.
This might help
http://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-buying-guid...
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 20th March 19:50
t. bloomen said:
I wouldn't be too sure of Vauxhall appreciation though.
Prices seem to be going up. Few years ago a nice VXR would have been about £12k, now with more mileage, some are advertised for £18k. Even early CV8s with over 100k miles are advertised for £9k. Not sure if they are selling though. Well, I have lusted after a Monaro for a number of years... And I know they're pretty easy to add power to - the LS is a great base engine!
I meant that the Interceptor, while a luxury car in its day, is old now. No computers, no electronics to speak of. It's all mechanical, hydraulic or electrical. Easy stuff. The welding can be pricey, and it scares me a bit. But as far as it being complex, it's "only" welding.
The TVRs would worry me a bit too, in the same fashion. Extensive welding, and with the AJP V8 being a unique engine, I can imagine the bills when something goes bad are huge. The Cerbera would be a lovely motor though. Ever since I saw a Purple one on old Top Gear I wanted one!
I meant that the Interceptor, while a luxury car in its day, is old now. No computers, no electronics to speak of. It's all mechanical, hydraulic or electrical. Easy stuff. The welding can be pricey, and it scares me a bit. But as far as it being complex, it's "only" welding.
The TVRs would worry me a bit too, in the same fashion. Extensive welding, and with the AJP V8 being a unique engine, I can imagine the bills when something goes bad are huge. The Cerbera would be a lovely motor though. Ever since I saw a Purple one on old Top Gear I wanted one!
wormus said:
Prices seem to be going up. Few years ago a nice VXR would have been about £12k, now with more mileage, some are advertised for £18k. Even early CV8s with over 100k miles are advertised for £9k. Not sure if they are selling though.
I got £8k no quibbling for my 135,000 CV8 and that was a couple of years ago. Mind you it was on the market again more recently for less. A good buy for someone – it was still more or less perfect, thanks to Roger and Andy at MF.Of these three I would definitely go for the Monaro as the pain-free option. Absolutely loved mine, but ouldn't have another – 17,000 miles a year in one for eight years was enough.
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