Finding out about calssic car historical values and trends

[phn]

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!

[phn]

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!

[phn]

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!

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! :-)

[phn]

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!

[phn]

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?

[phn]

That's the one - I can tell you have good taste!

[phn]

Hmmmmmm interesting points above ^^

It's also some of the rationale behind my wish to buy a classic now - I'd rather have the fun now rather than wait until "later on" when it may be too late or inconveient to run one!

I guess my investment hopes would be to have a classic which at least would not experience depreciation.