[trader220]

There is a difference in buying a car and putting some more money and sweat equity in it to try and sell it for a profit over buying a car and flipping it in a years time. The simple answer is that none of these cars is going to increase in price as an investment. That does not mean if you're a savvy buyer you cant flip one for a profit and if you're talking about sub 10k cars then from a % basis the return may look high.

Looking at a 10k car you could sell for 12k in 12 to 18 months time you also need to consider the cost to carry that car, that money could have been earning some interest risk free elsewhere. Then take out your taxes, since you'll have paid sales tax, and your other costs such as paying to list the car for sale and registration and insurance.

Yes cars have come down in price but that does not mean if we soon start a slow economic recovery that these cars will return to their former prices, the truth is almost none of them will as they age. I believe a lot of them are reaching the bottom of their decay cycle but it also could be a decade before they see any significant upticks.

Just as a data point I have bought 2 1994 C4 wide body cars in the last 18 months one for 30k and one for slightly more than 30k. IMO thats a really nice car for sale here but its not a screaming buy and dont forget the seller first listed at 45k