Modern classic values

[trislast]

As an keen trainspotter of classic and modern-classic values, I wonder what fellow PHers views are on the next cars to appreciate are and why some others are stuck in the doldrums.

It's no surprise that 90's Ferrari values have risen, but I doubt many people saw such massive increase in air-cooled porker values - 993 Turbos for £100k?!

At the other end of the spectrum, X308 XJR values remain rock-bottom, while its contemporary, the E39 M5 has been on the up for a while - even though Clarkson said the Jag was one of the best cars he'd driven (although this is often the kiss of death!).

While ISAs lurk around 1.5%, maybe it's time to take a punt

[Matt UK]

I know they build billions, but give it time as they are crashed, tracked, modded and rust away - pristine Mazda MX5 Mk1 values are only going one way.

[TheAngryDog]

trislast said:

As an keen trainspotter of classic and modern-classic values, I wonder what fellow PHers views are on the next cars to appreciate are and why some others are stuck in the doldrums.

It's no surprise that 90's Ferrari values have risen, but I doubt many people saw such massive increase in air-cooled porker values - 993 Turbos for £100k?!

At the other end of the spectrum, X308 XJR values remain rock-bottom, while its contemporary, the E39 M5 has been on the up for a while - even though Clarkson said the Jag was one of the best cars he'd driven (although this is often the kiss of death!).

While ISAs lurk around 1.5%, maybe it's time to take a punt

I cannot see E39 M5 values climbing too much tbh. The lower mileage ones in top condition may, but even then they arent a sound investment. Id say mine, when I have sorted its issues out, would be worth around what I paid for it.

[mike13]

Matt UK said:

I know they build billions, but give it time as they are crashed, tracked, modded and rust away - pristine Mazda MX5 Mk1 values are only going one way.

Hope so,i'm keeping my v spec 93 unmodded,hopefully for a long time

[trislast]

I think that modding has a serious negative impact on values - original is always best.

[Matt UK]

trislast said:

I think that modding has a serious negative impact on values - original is always best.

I think there is a thread about that one

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[GrizzlyBear]

trislast said:

While ISAs lurk around 1.5%, maybe it's time to take a punt

Or maybe that is one of the reasons; Oh joy, another speculative bubble with no benefit to most based on excessively low base rates. What a wonderful job central bankers haven't done!

Just like any form of gambling, I would only use money I can afford to lose and get something that you actually like so it won't hurt so much when the bubble bursts and its worth far less than you paid (before all the expenses of keeping it in good condition are taken into account).

[Captain Muppet]

GrizzlyBear said:

...(before all the expenses of keeping it in good condition are taken into account).

This is a very good point. I was chatting to a guy who regretted selling his AE86 for scrap money when even tatty ones are worth thousands now. Given that he'd have had to pay for somewhere to store it he'd have made a loss on it despite it increasing hugely in value.

While my Elise is currently worth about the same as when I bought it 5/6 years ago it's cost me about a grand a year on servicing, tax and insurance. If resale was important to me (rather than being a welcome bonus) then actually driving the thing would be a waste.

[Matt UK]

Captain Muppet said:

While my Elise is currently worth about the same as when I bought it 5/6 years ago it's cost me about a grand a year on servicing, tax and insurance. If resale was important to me (rather than being a welcome bonus) then actually driving the thing would be a waste.

Ditto for my Caterham

[Alex]

As I have one, which I need to sell, I am going to nominate the Impreza P1.

[Hugo a Gogo]

6-cylinder E30 3 series cabrios, tourings, 2 doors all on the way up, 4 doors still unloved

924s sneaking up

Edited by Hugo a Gogo on Wednesday 19th March 14:44

[Contigo]

Keep any eye on Maser 3200GT prices they have been firming up for a the last few month and with WD and the Centenary year they are about to get some good publicity. Finding a good one is getting much harder these days...

[GrizzlyBear]

Captain Muppet said:

GrizzlyBear said:

...(before all the expenses of keeping it in good condition are taken into account).

This is a very good point. I was chatting to a guy who regretted selling his AE86 for scrap money when even tatty ones are worth thousands now. Given that he'd have had to pay for somewhere to store it he'd have made a loss on it despite it increasing hugely in value.

While my Elise is currently worth about the same as when I bought it 5/6 years ago it's cost me about a grand a year on servicing, tax and insurance. If resale was important to me (rather than being a welcome bonus) then actually driving the thing would be a waste.

I was thinking along the lines, that if you are planning on keeping something until it is rare and valuable, it often means that parts are also getting rare and expensive (wonder how much a immaculate VX220 clam shell is going to cost in 10 years time - so when a car gets a small knock that could be the end of it and a loss for the speculator), to me the people who make money on things like this are more often lucky by getting in before the bubble starts rather than part way through. Keeping rare cars in good condition can be very expensive.

Also your mate with the rotten AE86 would probably got far more selling on parts, also he would get the good feeling that the remaining ones were staying on the road.

I buy cars that I like and don't speculate, when I decide to sell one it will be because I want something else - not because the market is falling as the smart money have decided to take their profits and get out of the market, I accept the value of cars will fall, I keep them in good condition because that is the way I prefer them.

Also when the dailymail has articles on the classic car bubble and what to buy (already has), I take that like a shares tip from a shoe shine boy.

Edited by GrizzlyBear on Wednesday 19th March 15:04

[Escy]

The AE86 is a good example. I currently own one and some of the parts are hard to find and the prices are getting expensive. As the cars have gone up in value, it's easier to justify increasing parts prices.

[trislast]

Does anyone else thing 993 prices have gone a bit silly? Values have hardened recently but I'm not sure if they'll plateau or keep rising.

[J4CKO]

Matt UK said:

I know they build billions, but give it time as they are crashed, tracked, modded and rust away - pristine Mazda MX5 Mk1 values are only going one way.

Been saying that for ages, we take them for granted for being plentiful as they are hardy little things, but they are getting scrapped fairly regularly due to rust and old age, will come a day when the classifieds arent awash with them and there isnt really an alternative, MGF ?

[Devil2575]

TheAngryDog said:

I cannot see E39 M5 values climbing too much tbh. The lower mileage ones in top condition may, but even then they arent a sound investment. Id say mine, when I have sorted its issues out, would be worth around what I paid for it.

I can. Just look at E28 M5 values. E34 values have already hit the bottom and are climbing.

It's just a bit too soon at the moment, I don't think values have bottomed out just yet.

[Devil2575]

GrizzlyBear said:

Or maybe that is one of the reasons; Oh joy, another speculative bubble with no benefit to most based on excessively low base rates. What a wonderful job central bankers haven't done!

This is a good point actually.

The market for things like classic cars booming at the moment in part due to people looking for a safe place to invest.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/1a09fc10-14a9-11e3-a2df-...