What car would you buy to own for 40 years?

[SLO-BOB]

also entitled-"Future Classics"(?) and inspired by the - How long have you owned your 911 thread over in tech, I wondered, what car would I buy that would not only last 40 years, but keep my interest for 40 years. I can see keeping my 92 that long, but it's already 15 years old and not new to me. A new 911 is not only more $$ than I want to spend, but too technology burdened to be the kind of car I want to maintain 20 years from now.

So, if you were going to buy a new, production car to keep forever, something that would be comparable in todays dollars to a 66 911 bought with 1966 dollars, what would it be? I can't think of one. Maybe an Elise?

[Jims5543]

My 1987 RX7, I contemplate selling it over and over after 7 years of ownership. I have so much invested in it its just not worth it to sell it. Its fun to drive and I'll probably keep it for a long time.

Hmmmm.... 40 years? I might pass it down to my sons as I get older for them to play track with.

[SLO-BOB]

No fair going back in time Jim. If we could do that I would choose my Mom's E-type or TR-3, or heck, go right to the heart of the issue and get a 70 911. I also had an new 81 RX-7 that was a future classic. Datsun 240Zs, etc., all future classics at the time, but what is out there now that competes?

[tabs]

Ford GT40, Shelby Mustang, Viper.

[Chocaholic]

Yes, Ford GT is a good choice. Probably about the same cost as a late 60's 911 adjusted for inflation.

[Seahawk]

Originally posted by Jim Cesiro
Its fun to drive and I'll probably keep it for a long time.

I thought you wre talking about your FJ!

Honestly, my 94 Targa will be a 40 year car from the date of manufacture...my kids both love it and I enjoy it.

With my lifestyle, the next 40 year auto is either a truck or the FJ!

[Joeaksa]

Just looking at a Brit car magazine that had valuations. A 1972 911S is worth 17k pounds, about $34,000. A 1989 911 about the same. Cars in Europe are holding their values very well over there and many people are coming to the US to find a reasonable one.

Well worth finding a nice example and putting it in a garage somewhere to save for a while. Possibly a nice 356, E-Type and few others. Bet you would make some money in 20-30 years.

[Moses]

Originally posted by tabs
Ford GT40, Shelby Mustang, Viper.

+1

[Jim Richards]

I'd buy a Cayman S. If I had real $$$, I'd get it from Ruf.

[Dantilla]

Originally posted by tabs
Ford GT40, Shelby Mustang, Viper.

I would add the Z06 Corvette, and Lotus Elise.

Looking back, all the truely desirable cars today were desirable when new. There are oddballs like the Edsel that have become collectable, but even now they're collectable because they're oddballs.

The cars that make gearheads heart rate jump when they drive by are timeless.

One caveat about the Elise- I hope they're more reliable than past Loti, or there won't be any left in forty years.

[SLO-BOB]

Originally posted by Chocaholic
Yes, Ford GT is a good choice. Probably about the same cost as a late 60's 911 adjusted for inflation.

A new Ford GT lists out at $170,000. A Porsche 911 sold for about $7000 in 1966. Adjusting for inflation, that would be about $42,000 today. A new Viper will set you back about $85k. The new Shelby Mustang is probably closest to this adjusted price, but not my cup of tea.

The 1966 911 was a car that a guy like me, back then, could afford. Probably much like the Elise of today. I would love to by a future classic that I can afford. Yes. The Ford GT is a car I would love to own. Sadly, I can not afford it.

[epbrown]

BMW E46 M3 (2001 - 2006). I won't list its many attributes, since most people here are familiar with it. I will point out that the M3 coupe follows the original mission statement of the Porsche 911: a car that can be driven daily, transport a couple with two small children, and yet still be run on the track on weekends. Adjusted for inflation, I think it falls in the same price category as the original 911, which the current 911 can't claim (or the Boxster and Cayman, for that matter).

[Jims5543]

I have been thinking about this a bit.

I agree an Elise would be a good one.

The car I sold to buy my Porsche would be a good contender, my 2003 MINI CooperS John Cooper Works. A 2006 version would be a contemporary example.

I really regret selling that car and want to buy another one when the prices come down to earth.

[SLO-BOB]

Originally posted by epbrown
BMW E46 M3 (2001 - 2006). Adjusted for inflation, I think it falls in the same price category as the original 911, which the current 911 can't claim (or the Boxster and Cayman, for that matter).

That's another good one. The 89-91 M3 is certainly a classic.

I have also been considering the new M coupe. If it was offered with a decent paddle shifter I would probably do it.

[pwd72s]

How well will 2006 computers last? All the electronic controls that are part of even the economy cars sold today? I don't think many will still be running 40 years hence.

[the]

40 years is a long time!

I suppose most of the megabucks cars would fit the bill. Muricilago, Ferrari Enzo, etc.

For more "reasonable" NEW, currently available cars - maybe a GT3, in an unusual-for-a-new-car color like viper green, mexico blue or signal orange. Sweet. If someone gave me one of those new, I could see keeping it a long, long time.

[Dantilla]

Originally posted by pwd72s
How well will 2006 computers last? All the electronic controls that are part of even the economy cars sold today? I don't think many will still be running 40 years hence.

Good point. Maybe I should just plan on keeping my long-hood.

[BGCarrera32]

If you'd have asked a few years ago before Chrysler took over, I'd say anything Mercedes Benz. Today... ?

[Porsche-O-Phile]

My 951. Heck, it's already halfway there and still runs like a top with 200k miles on the clock. Compression is perfect.

[hatpix]

BMW MZ4 Coupe in Imola Red