£100K Garage: Andy Burlison
From M5 to SL55, Andy reckons his choices have big investment potential. See them all here!
Previously owned: Mini x3 (including Cooper 998cc), Honda CR-X, Alfa Romeo GT Junior 1600, Mercedes W123, Mercedes W124s x3, BMW E30 325i x2, BMW E30 316i, BMW E34 525i, Peugeot 504 coupe, Saab 900s x2, Saab 9000, Vauxhall Magnum, Honda Prelude second gen, Mercedes W211 estate, Citroen CX25, Toyota Carina II, Morris Minor, Renault Clio Williams II, Jeep Cherokee, Lexus IS200, VW Golf Mk1 GTI. Peugeot 106. Fiat Uno 45
Currently owned: Toyota Harrier and Volvo 940 (in Hong Kong as my Sheds)
On the shortlist: "Actually this could be called 'turn your £100K garage into a million pound retirement fund'. Please hear me out. I am 42, have three kids and will never throw away money on a depreciating new car. So when I look at this feature, I think about all the bargain classics that will be worth 1,000 per cent of their value now in 20 years time. In fact I am currently working out my investment strategy to spend £10,000 each year on emerging classics, only to sell them one at a time in 20 years time and not pay a penny of capital gains tax on my investment. But to get me started, I am going to use the PH fictional £100K to give my investment fund a great head start with seven purchases for the future and two daily drivers.
"On the actual shortlist are a Toyota Chaser, Nissan Gloria, Mitsubishi Pajero first gen and Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo."
Cost: £8,995
Balance: £91,005
Why I chose it: "It was the only reasonably priced example on here. Outside of this fantasy I will buy a real E34 M5 within the next year. Last of the hand built M5s, a brilliant daily classic. And with only 790 RHD examples made, this will be worth a fortune in the not too distant future."
After your own six-cylinder M5? E34s for sale here.
Nissan Skyline GT-R R32
Cost: £8,995
Balance: £82,010
Why I chose it: "A low mileage example with a standard interior and one that can easily be made to look factory original; how many of these will there be like this in 20 years time? These have a global cult following and the guys who loved them at 13 and 14 will be in their 50s in 20 years time. That's when they will spend a fortune on a great example."
If you want to stash an R32 GT-R away for the future, there's a few for sale here.
Cost: £8,600
Balance: £73,410
Why I chose it: "Just another bargain car with from a marque with a massive cult following. What an amazing daily practical classic for the future. You only have to look at the prices of 2002s, Dolomite Sprints, Fulvias and Escort Mexicos to know that these things will be incredibly popular, especially being normally aspirated."
V6 Golfs this way!
Mercedes SL55 AMG
Cost: £15,750
Balance: £57,660
Why I chose it: "A bit more than I would like to pay, but the mileage makes this worth the premium. Convertibles hold their value so much better in the classic world so to have an example like this, in the 'period colour' too, will be a surefire investment hit. Yes, there is no shortage of AMG Mercs but this is a very pretty model and will make a great summer cruiser in years to come."
An AMG icon, and very affordable now too. SL55 AMGs for sale here.
Cost: £13,950
Balance: £43,710
Why I chose it: "Finding a presentable, working Lotus which is over 30 years old probably means you have got a good 'un. Compared to other supercars of the same era, these are an absolute bargain. Against the cost of one in Asia or the US, Esprits are very underpriced in Blighty. Thanks to the famous film connection, these will always be popular."
All aspiring Roger Moores this way please. Colours other than white are available.
Ferrari 308 GT4
Cost: £26,995
Balance: £16,715
Why I chose it: "I have always loved these cars, they were the cheap accessible entry to Ferrari ownership. But buying a house and raising three kids has meant I wasn't able to buy one for 12 grand five years ago.
"As a 70s child, I am intoxicated by Bertone's design compared to the earlier Dino. This is the only sensibly priced advert in my opinion, and with low enough mileage to make some money. There has never been a more modest way to drive a Ferrari, I think they are amazing. Can't believe they have doubled in price over the last few years."
[N.B. You will see that the featured car has sold but it was impossible to substitute a replacement with the budget remaining. Clearly someone else had an eye for a cheap 308! All other cars for sale on PH here.]
Cost: £8,995
Balance: £7,720
Why I chose it: "I could have sworn 968s were less than £10K a year ago, where have they all gone? I was sure that I saw the prices go higher as I scanned the classifieds. Never mind as I had a 944 Turbo once, then began a long story of police visits, stolen vehicles, lift off oversteer, lamp posts, repairs and a mechanic who stole the car (!). In the end I think it cost me about seven thousand pounds.
"But still, it was a brilliant everyday car and I loved every drive in it. This example seems sensibly priced, I would obviously get a full inspection, and find the original wheels (and my red braces). One day people will realise how many 911s there have been, and that now there are just over 300 RHD 944 Turbo models registered in the UK."
Will 944s experience a value rise similar to old 911s? Turbos and the rest for sale here.
Cost: £6,640
Balance: £1,080
Why I chose it: "Well the wife needs something for her trips to drop the kids off at school and for family holidays to France. Having owned the same car but in 200K guise, I know them to be the perfect everyday estate. It's just as at home parking outside a Michelin starred restaurant as it is going to the dump. Incredibly comfortable and safe to boot."
Need a sensible family wagon? E-Class wagons on offer here.
Toyota Supra Turbo
Cost: £995
Balance: £85
Why I chose it: "Which leaves me with a shed for my 16-mile each way commute to the station (in the UK) and my five-mile similar commute in Hong Kong.
"What could be better than a nice gentle, comfy auto Supra, to plod back and forwards to the station in? I can even fit the kids in the back, and have room for golf clubs in the boot. As a hobby I can tune the amazing six-cylinder turbo engine to my heart's content, knowing that 500hp is well within its grasp."
You probably won't find many more like this one! All Supras on PH here.
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All I need now is the space and cash to start investing.
Can't recommend an E34 M5 enough from a driving perspective, regardless of the fact it's a 4-door barge. The engines in these are magical things too IMO. However, there's not a chance in hell I'd run mine as a daily. Much better as a weekend summer car, with an occasional Friday commute
Also, I put 'investment' in scare quotes because as someone has alluded to above, although cars such as these won't drop in value like a new one, you'll need to spend a small fortune keeping them in good order (and possibly sort out some proper storage), or you'll just have a driveway full of rotting restoration projects worth a fraction of what you paid.
Also, I put 'investment' in scare quotes because as someone has alluded to above, although cars such as these won't drop in value like a new one, you'll need to spend a small fortune keeping them in good order (and possibly sort out some proper storage), or you'll just have a driveway full of rotting restoration projects worth a fraction of what you paid.
This is a poor list IMO. Some nice cars in and of themselves, but not a good list. Doesn't seem like it's well thought out at all. Who would spend £90k on "investments" then schlep around in a shed supra that is going to lunch it's engine at some point soon if you try messing with it?
This is a poor list IMO. Some nice cars in and of themselves, but not a good list. Doesn't seem like it's well thought out at all. Who would spend £90k on "investments" then schlep around in a shed supra that is going to lunch it's engine at some point soon if you try messing with it?
Oh you and wouldn't be able to drive any of them either as cars as investments tend to be very mileage sensitive.
But a quick peep in the PHCs just now shows some cool models available under £20k. If one can stomach the potential problems, an Esprit, especially the Turbo, is a beautiful car to own. And great value, at that money.
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