Finding out about calssic car historical values and trends

Finding out about calssic car historical values and trends

Author
Discussion

phn

Original Poster:

335 posts

242 months

Friday 5th March 2021
quotequote all
Hi there,

I'm looking to buy a classic car this year both for driving pleasure and also as an investment (at least that's the weak justification I am providing to my wife!).

I'm wondering which fun classic cars would keep their value or perhaps even go up in value.

With that in mind, can anyone recommend the best sources of info on historical classic car prices and future trends?

Regarding my shortlist so far (purely based on the fun factor and not value) I am thinking about one of the following: TVR Chimera / Griffith, Mercedes SLK55AMG, Porsche Cayman 3.2, Maserati 4200 or Granturismo, Bentley Arnage, Bentley Continental GT, Mitsubishi GTO / 3000GT. If anyone has any comments on this crazy wishlist, it would be lovely to hear this as well!

Thank you!


Turbobanana

6,159 posts

200 months

Friday 5th March 2021
quotequote all
phn said:
Hi there,

I'm looking to buy a classic car this year both for driving pleasure and also as an investment (at least that's the weak justification I am providing to my wife!).

I'm wondering which fun classic cars would keep their value or perhaps even go up in value.

With that in mind, can anyone recommend the best sources of info on historical classic car prices and future trends?

Regarding my shortlist so far (purely based on the fun factor and not value) I am thinking about one of the following: TVR Chimera / Griffith, Mercedes SLK55AMG, Porsche Cayman 3.2, Maserati 4200 or Granturismo, Bentley Arnage, Bentley Continental GT, Mitsubishi GTO / 3000GT. If anyone has any comments on this crazy wishlist, it would be lovely to hear this as well!

Thank you!
I would suggest that for any "investment" potential you'd either have to be lucky with your choice, or go older.

SLK, Cayman, Maseratis and Bentleys on your list will still be depreciating. I suspect TVRs are at their nadir and the Mitsubishi only really appeals to the JDM crowd at the moment.

How long do you intend to keep it?

Keep an eye out in the classic car mags for market opinion, and see Glenmarch for a good online record of auction sales over the years.

W11PEL

1,029 posts

162 months

Friday 5th March 2021
quotequote all
I'd swerve anything not ULEZ compliant.

So that's after 1981 and up to say 2003 (ish)

I can see this scheme rolling out in most major cities in the near future...

phn

Original Poster:

335 posts

242 months

Friday 5th March 2021
quotequote all
Thanks for both responses - good advice!

I especially like that glenmarch site - very useful - I have added to my bookmarks. The point about ULEZ is also well noted.

Basically the cars I am looking at are the ones I have wanted at different stages of my life, which are now within reach. So being perfectly honest with myself it is more for fun than for investment I am purchasing, but having said that I don't want to lose a ton of money if I sell, as most cars don't last me more than a couple of years before I fancy a change.

There is also another possible candidaate I think I missed off the list - an Aston Martin DB7.

Thanks again!


sixor8

6,243 posts

267 months

Friday 5th March 2021
quotequote all
The ULEZ compliancy date of 1981 wasn't accidental.

To explain, cars in the 'historic' class are exempt so next year it'll be cars made before 1982. Unless the goalposts are moved that is, but it's rolled forwards every year since the 'rolling forward' was re-introduced in 2015. smile

AMGSee55

629 posts

101 months

Friday 5th March 2021
quotequote all
Older than your wish list but Porsche 924/944 values are on the march and a fairly safe bet I would have thought. Alfa Romeo GtV6 also (the 80s version). I can’t see decent Maserati Biturbos getting any cheaper, coupe or saloon. Obviously the older your choice gets, the more it will likely cost to maintain particularly where bodywork is concerned - unless your pockets are deep, it’s helpful to know your way around a toolbox too and not rely on the trade for routine maintenance and repairs.

andrewcliffe

935 posts

223 months

Friday 5th March 2021
quotequote all
Unexpected costs on a Rover V8 engined TVR will be a lot less than Mitsubishi, Maserati etc., Chimaeras are still undervalued IMO

neutral 3

6,356 posts

169 months

Friday 5th March 2021
quotequote all
We are selling our Griff 500

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Friday 5th March 2021
quotequote all
That's quite a list!

The only ones I can see holding their value are the TVRs, Maserati and maybe the Misubishi. But as someone already said unexpected issues on the TVR ought to make your eyes water a bit less than the other 2!

Have you thought about a Supra Turbo A80 or an RX-7 Turbo - they don't seem to be getting any cheaper.

Or maybe a BMW Z4M?

andrewcliffe

935 posts

223 months

Saturday 6th March 2021
quotequote all
fundamentally an TVR is a very simple car using proven bought in oily bits, so relatively easy to look after. All the others have a lot of complex electronics which are great when they are working, but can lead to all sorts of pain later on.


phn

Original Poster:

335 posts

242 months

Saturday 6th March 2021
quotequote all
Thanks for all the replies - it's been a few years since I last posted on Pistonheads (prior to this thread) and it's nice to see the community is as helpful and fun as before! smile

I have always wanted a TVR - I nearly bought one when I was 25, and I'm a lot older than that now ;-) but the SLK55AMG is also tempting me with it's creature comforts!

It will be exciting once lockdown is over and I can go car hunting again! :-)

mirandamilly

66 posts

152 months

Thursday 25th March 2021
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Did you choose a car?

I've am in a similar position where I want a fun car but like the idea of price appreciation rather than depreciation. I have decided to go for an Aston DB7 which can be found for circa £20k for a decent one. They are already appreciating and I hope for a few years of free motoring around my beautiful part of the Wales.

phn

Original Poster:

335 posts

242 months

Friday 26th March 2021
quotequote all
I've still not decided what to go for - interestingly one of the cars I am considering is an I6 Aston Martin DB7, but I'm sitting on the fence as I'm still not fully sure if the potential costs and niggles would outweigh any value increase in the car. Also on the shortlist is a very nice TVR Chimaera which had a recent restoration and so should be free of age related issues, due to lots of new parts fitted.

I think if not for the COVID situation I would already have bought something, but with restrictions on travel, no garages open, and no possibliity of test drives, it's making the job of finding a nice car a lot harder! April 12th cannot come soon enough for me!


mirandamilly

66 posts

152 months

Friday 26th March 2021
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Good call regarding the Aston Martin - it sounds like we have a similar agenda.

I am also looking for an DB7 straight six (in fact I have my eye on one here on PH) as the potential running costs are more manageable than the Vantage. Also 165 mph is fast enough for my driving. I guess that the best ones will have a full service history.

phn

Original Poster:

335 posts

242 months

Friday 26th March 2021
quotequote all
mirandamilly said:
Good call regarding the Aston Martin - it sounds like we have a similar agenda.
I wonder if we are looking at the same DB7? smile

mirandamilly

66 posts

152 months

Friday 26th March 2021
quotequote all
Blue and best value in Country?

phn

Original Poster:

335 posts

242 months

Friday 26th March 2021
quotequote all
That's the one wink - I can tell you have good taste! thumbup

bartelbe

92 posts

79 months

Friday 26th March 2021
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My advice is don't buy it as an investment. The market for classics is unpredictable, so there is no guarantee your purchase will go up or hold its value if it does. The value is also very dependent on condition and your number on enemy is going be corrosion. Don't think you will swerve that issue by buying a modern classic from the 90's. Rust protection was better back then but stuff like galvanisation doesn't last forever and once cars hit the 16-20 year mark, they start to rot.

In fact they can be more difficult to repair because their construction tends to be more complicated. Having welded sills on a car from the 70's and one from the late 90's, I know which I prefer to work on. OK you will probably farm the work out but it will cost you pounds a plenty.

george123

458 posts

181 months

Monday 29th March 2021
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sixor8 said:
The ULEZ compliancy date of 1981 wasn't accidental.

To explain, cars in the 'historic' class are exempt so next year it'll be cars made before 1982. Unless the goalposts are moved that is, but it's rolled forwards every year since the 'rolling forward' was re-introduced in 2015. smile
My car is a 1977 MY and registered as historic so no VED. However, checking on the ULEZ website, it's liable to the £12.50 charge?

sixor8

6,243 posts

267 months

Tuesday 30th March 2021
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I'd suggest either their database is wrong, or the car has a later registration date, either due to importation or maybe substantial change? TfL's own website states that historic vehicles are exempt:

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emissio...

Is it a commercial vehicle? They have to be pre 1973 to be exempt.