MR2 Roadster: depreciation, value and best option..
Discussion
Been looking at Mk3 MR2s / roadster's recently and can't decide where to chuck my money.
Firstly, how do we think it'll age financially? I see decent Mk1s are maybe starting to appreciate as the numbers thin out, while Mk2s and early Mk3s are pretty much bottom dollar. Given that Toyota have no plans to make a Mk4, is it plausible that the late Mk3s (more desirable because of 6spd box, sorted pre-cat issue) might hang onto their value a bit better than earlier cars, or is this just wishful thinking?
Considering I'll be doing about 7k miles a year, from a value / depreciation perspective am I better going for a cheaper, leggy example (say 03 plate with 110k on the clock for £2k) or a later, lower mileage car (say 54 plate with 60k for £4.5k)? I'm well aware that low mileage doesn't always mean better as it could all have been done driving a 1/2 mile to the shops and back from cold on a daily basis..
I know these cars are reliable and cheap to fix (so high mileage shouldn't be a problem), but also that a newer, lower mileage vehicle should be in better nick (I'm a perfectionist tart so whatever I choose will need to be pretty minty).
I suppose that if I bought a leggy motor for £2k now, kept it in good nick and put 20k on it over the next three years I could probably get £1-1.5k for it as I've not seen any Mk3s for less than this. I suspect I'd lose more if spending £4.5k on a 50k minter and trying to sell it in three years with 70k.. but then it should be nicer to own if it's more presentable and all the bushes aren't shot.
Anyone care to chuck in an opinion?
Finally, what are people's thoughts on this one on ebay? Looks like a nice example and local but I can't help thinking it's overpriced by at least £800..
Ta
Firstly, how do we think it'll age financially? I see decent Mk1s are maybe starting to appreciate as the numbers thin out, while Mk2s and early Mk3s are pretty much bottom dollar. Given that Toyota have no plans to make a Mk4, is it plausible that the late Mk3s (more desirable because of 6spd box, sorted pre-cat issue) might hang onto their value a bit better than earlier cars, or is this just wishful thinking?
Considering I'll be doing about 7k miles a year, from a value / depreciation perspective am I better going for a cheaper, leggy example (say 03 plate with 110k on the clock for £2k) or a later, lower mileage car (say 54 plate with 60k for £4.5k)? I'm well aware that low mileage doesn't always mean better as it could all have been done driving a 1/2 mile to the shops and back from cold on a daily basis..
I know these cars are reliable and cheap to fix (so high mileage shouldn't be a problem), but also that a newer, lower mileage vehicle should be in better nick (I'm a perfectionist tart so whatever I choose will need to be pretty minty).
I suppose that if I bought a leggy motor for £2k now, kept it in good nick and put 20k on it over the next three years I could probably get £1-1.5k for it as I've not seen any Mk3s for less than this. I suspect I'd lose more if spending £4.5k on a 50k minter and trying to sell it in three years with 70k.. but then it should be nicer to own if it's more presentable and all the bushes aren't shot.
Anyone care to chuck in an opinion?
Finally, what are people's thoughts on this one on ebay? Looks like a nice example and local but I can't help thinking it's overpriced by at least £800..
Ta
nice cars
read the buyers guide on MR2roc, imoc etc.
Are you buying it to drive or to store as a future classic? If the latter, don't waste your time, buy something else instead that's more bankable.
If you want one to drive and you're just looking to guard yourself against divebombing depreciation, well, with respect it's a £4k car. depreciation is irrelvant! £4k for a whole car - £4k is what you lose just for driving a new focus off the forecourt!
pick one that has good history, known issues attended to (precats), has a hard top, is a nice colour, has nice wheels and leather etc etc etc... and pay whatever the asking price is (less a few %) and just get on with having it!
read the buyers guide on MR2roc, imoc etc.
Are you buying it to drive or to store as a future classic? If the latter, don't waste your time, buy something else instead that's more bankable.
If you want one to drive and you're just looking to guard yourself against divebombing depreciation, well, with respect it's a £4k car. depreciation is irrelvant! £4k for a whole car - £4k is what you lose just for driving a new focus off the forecourt!
pick one that has good history, known issues attended to (precats), has a hard top, is a nice colour, has nice wheels and leather etc etc etc... and pay whatever the asking price is (less a few %) and just get on with having it!
RedAndy said:
nice cars
read the buyers guide on MR2roc, imoc etc.
Are you buying it to drive or to store as a future classic? If the latter, don't waste your time, buy something else instead that's more bankable.
If you want one to drive and you're just looking to guard yourself against divebombing depreciation, well, with respect it's a £4k car. depreciation is irrelvant! £4k for a whole car - £4k is what you lose just for driving a new focus off the forecourt!
pick one that has good history, known issues attended to (precats), has a hard top, is a nice colour, has nice wheels and leather etc etc etc... and pay whatever the asking price is (less a few %) and just get on with having it!
Thanks - I've done my homework on potential issues and joined the MO2roc read the buyers guide on MR2roc, imoc etc.
Are you buying it to drive or to store as a future classic? If the latter, don't waste your time, buy something else instead that's more bankable.
If you want one to drive and you're just looking to guard yourself against divebombing depreciation, well, with respect it's a £4k car. depreciation is irrelvant! £4k for a whole car - £4k is what you lose just for driving a new focus off the forecourt!
pick one that has good history, known issues attended to (precats), has a hard top, is a nice colour, has nice wheels and leather etc etc etc... and pay whatever the asking price is (less a few %) and just get on with having it!
Definitely buying to drive it and certainly not as an investment. However I don't have a lot of money and yes, want to guard myself as much as possible against it losing most of it's value. I'm also of the mindset of keeping things for a long time and looking after them, so it'd be nice to know that well-kept examples would still be worth a bit more than nowt in a few years.
I appreciate your point but then £4k is a not inconsiderable sum for me; I'm used to owning an older cult hatch and have never spent more than £1.5k on a car, so depreciation has never really been an issue at all. Good point re. the Ford however I'm the last person who'd ever buy a new car - especially a Focus
Now looking for an 04/05 "Red" edition with about 60k on or less.. ideally don't want to spend more than 4k, and obviously want to get the most for my money
manand38 said:
Agree. These things are very good value at the mo. I've gone for a TF300.
They do.. how are you finding yours? Any write-ups of your experiences?Gassing Station | Japanese Chat | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff