Money in the bank.........or buy a Wedge

[JumboBeef]

I have posted a few times here, saying I want a wedge. The issue is this: I have the money for a good wedge, but would a wedge be an good investment?

I know it will have fixed costs (fuel, tax, insurance) which I can't do anything about, but do you think that a good wedge may be a good investment? Or will it just be a money pit? If I bought a good 390 or 400 for £4-5K and looked after it, do you think the value of it might go up in years to come?

(I need to convince my wife ~ who loves big cars with big V8s anyway ~ that our money would be better tied up in a wedge than in a bank: work with me here guys )

[CHJ]

Why think of it as an investment when depreciation will be minimal? Bet you will get much more joy from a wedge than earning about £120 a year interest, and you might remember the wedge when you're pushing a zimmer frame, but you won't remember the money. Enjoy it while you can I say

[B@man]

Given the way the banks are losing money I'd buy the wedge, also having cash in the bank doesn't make you smile quite as much as the V8 rumble.

As to if it's a safe investment or not who know whats around the corner, at least you will have a grin from ear to ear as long as you can still afford to keep the tank full

[rev-erend]

At the monent - wedge values too to be at rock bottom.

Find a good one and I'm sure at best you will break even .. heck if the recesssion ends and prices go up even make money.

But the most important thing is just to enjoy what you have, when you have it.

You cannot take it with you.

[chedder]

A Wedge in the bank or a Wedge in the garage........no brainer really, garage wins!

[beacon]

Yup , its all about the Wedge , really is no contest.

[jmorgan]

Never really saw the car as an investment, more a way of life.

[Waynester]

Put it this way, find a good one, look after it, and you should at least...get your money back come selling time.

I tried the new car route a couple of years back when i bought a new Focus ST...in orange of course.
Lost 5 grand in a year!! That would have bought a Wedge TVR!

[Jonny weggie]

Well i would'nt give the bank's the satifation after ripping us all off,i ask them what the best saving plan was and she came up with 0.4% and that was one of the better saving account.
So just buy the best you can and you and the misses just bloody enjoy it, then you can join us all at BBWF next year at Ettington, brill..
jonny...

[JumboBeef]

Ok, thanks. I should have know what sort of response I would get, asking this question on a Wedge forum rather than a banking forum

Really, how much does it cost to keep a Wedge on the road? Yes, I know: length of string question.......

Lets say I find one with a good chassis/outriggers, and I don't have any major problems with the engine/gearbox, what sort of costs would/could I face with Wedge ownership? (It would be a toy, and live inside).

[jmorgan]

JumboBeef said:

Ok, thanks. I should have know what sort of response I would get, asking this question on a Wedge forum rather than a banking forum

Really, how much does it cost to keep a Wedge on the road? Yes, I know: length of string question.......

Lets say I find one with a good chassis/outriggers, and I don't have any major problems with the engine/gearbox, what sort of costs would/could I face with Wedge ownership? (It would be a toy, and live inside).

Depends on what string you like.......

If nothing goes wrong and looking after the chassis. Oil, petrol tyres and waxoyl (or preferred coating). Zorst are a bit more but a good stainless knocks that on the head. Clutch, no idea. Wheel bearing recently set me back,....... wait for it....... £9. But once yo get it the bug sets in and the shiny gene exerts its influence......

Edit. My profile has a running total that is nearly up to date but then I had engine issues and went for an upgrade.

Edited by jmorgan on Friday 27th November 10:45

[JumboBeef]

Interesting! How much less would you have spent if your engine hadn't given you issues, or if you went for a straight repair, rather than an upgrade?

What do you think of this one?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

(It's not for me because I don't like the colour but I would/might have bought it otherwise, but it is a good one? What's it worth? £3.5K?)

[convert]

To be honest, looking at a Wedge as an investment might seem like a stupid idea.

Although I'll bet I've 'lost' more on my house over the past three years than I've lost and spent on the Wedge...

Life is to short to worry about whether it's a good investment or not.

But one, Drive it, fix it, drive it, keep it or upgrade it.

[taimar78]

I'll echo the comments of others in saying that a wedge is not generally considered an investment car, although I must say that of the three wedges I have owned, I have not lost money on any of them that I have sold. The 'investment' comes more in your enjoyment of the wedge and, as others have stated, the small amount of interest your money in the bank would earn, is far outweighed by the 'smiles-per-mile' that your wedge would bring you if you get a good example. Go for it!

[adam quantrill]

The depreciation is much lower than other comparable Tivs because the prices are already depressed - and have been since the '90's. 'Investment' and 'car' rarely go together, the best you can hope for is that you don't lose too much money, and if you get some enjoyment out of it, so much the better! On that score the wedge is a really good choice.

With the comparitive rarity of Wedges coupled with the good support - the Bible and this forum - and the relative cheapness of parts, you never know, prices might start going up again. But I wouldn't bet the farm on it.

[combine]

Morgan's are a good investment but they cost the earth for an old v8 so get a bargin wedge !

[grahamw48]

I'd be prepared to pay about 4 grand for the above 390SE, if the chassis was sound...but that's a big IF.