Affordable Cars Now...Future Classics \ Investments..Under $10K..Your Top 10 Picks

[slow&rusty]

I know we talk about this alot and I just saw a recent list on Haggerty of the top 10 investment cars to buy and wanted to ask the same question but under $10,000 that maybe in 5-10years would be an appreciating classic..what say you?
Here is my list:

1) Mercedes Benz 560SEC or 560SL
2) BMW 635CSI
3) Mercedes Benz 190E 2.3-16
4) Buick Grand National
5) Datsun 240Z-280ZX (Datsun 510s and Datsun Roadsters are already pushing $10K and more for clean ones)
6) Toyota Celica 1970-1975
7) Porsche 944 Turbo
8) Porsche 928S4 (5spd LSD)
9) Dodge Omni GLH
10) VW Golf or Scirocco GTI 1979-1988 (16V incl.)

[dewolf]

Be very hard pressed to get any of those cars here in Oz for under AU$10K. 240Z here is $15K for a piece of crap. $30K+ for a very clean original. The early 70's Celica $6K for a sh$tbox.
I think the last of the 310HP 928 S2 16 Valves will appreciate faster than S4's.
Also think the Triumph Stag will make a comeback. Also think the 80's Alfa GTV6 will do well.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by dewolf

Also think the Triumph Stag will make a comeback.

You forgot to use the green font for that comment.

[dewolf]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

You forgot to use the green font for that comment.

A come back in value that is. Still a great looking car I think.

[Jim Richards]

[Paul_Heery]

My list is a little shorter.

1. AMC Gremlin
2. AMC Pacer
3. Pontiac Aztek
4. Mercury Bobcat
5. Sterling 827

[GH85Carrera]

How about a 1983 928

[Jim Richards]

Corvair-Corsa

[UconnTim97]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

How about a 1983 928

You are clearly confusing classic cars with exotic cars here. It is a fine line, but there is a difference.

[Walter_Middie]

slow&rusty,

What you have is a list of cars that you won't lose money on - NOT inverstments. You'd do better to keep your money under the mattress. These cars may hold there own, but they won't appreciate enough to worry about. I wouldn't keep any of these to make money off of, but I would keep them to have fun with without losing anything - like you do with a new car. Maybe it's a list of cars that are more fun than a new car, and won't cost you anything in the long run.

[slow&rusty]

Originally Posted by Walter_Middie

slow&rusty,

What you have is a list of cars that you won't loose money on - NOT inverstments. You'd do better to keep your money under the mattress. These cars may hold there own, but they won't appreciate enough to worry about. I wouldn't keep any of these to make money off of, but I would keep them to have fun with without loosing anything - like you do with a new car. Maybe it's a list of cars that are more fun than a new car, and won't cost you anything in the long run.

Not sure I agree with that statement and up for interpretation, plus wanted to have a little Friday Fun Topic.

For example...I recently bought a 1983 Datsun 280ZX Turbo and paid $3700, I recently sold it for just under $9,000. Some cars are starting to "come into their own" as I call it.

Some were considered disposable and now enthusiasts are realizing how really quite good they are. Some cars that were super cheap 5, 10 or 15 years ago are now well past $10K for a clean well cared for example...the Datsun 510 Coupe is a good example...in the '80s and '90s you could pick one up for $1000 all day long...and recently a beautiful 1971 510 Coupe sold for $29,000 (!) on eBay. Same with the BMW 2002 and many others.

[kaisen]

I always said that the 1977-1979 Pontiac Trans Am 6.6 (i.e. Smokey and the Bandit) would be a good investment. You could buy nice examples for $2,500. Now they easily pass $25,000.

Muscle cars will always do well

[speedracer]

First gen audi tt..

[Chocaholic]

[QUOTE=Paul_Heery;5422855]My list is a little shorter.

1. AMC Gremlin
2. AMC Pacer



Don't forget that snazzy Levi's interior.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I always said that the 1977-1979 Pontiac Trans Am 6.6 (i.e. Smokey and the Bandit) would be a good investment. You could buy nice examples for $2,500. Now they easily pass $25,000.



Muscle cars will always do well

I would argue that point regarding muscle cars, eventually those who can afford collector cars will be a different age group, one which does not lust after muscle cars. Today's muscle car buyer is a boomer that lusted over Camaros and Cudas when he was a kid, now he has the cash to buy the childhood car of his dreams. I'm 30, and can certainly say that there were no lust-worthy muscle cars when I was growing up. If you're really stretching, MAYBE a 5.0 Mustang or Z28 Camaro. Grand National would be a good one, but they're already expensive.

I would argue that when the next generation of collectors has the means to start shopping for the car of their dreams, you'll see more movement in the Japanese car market. Like it or not, the Honda Civic is the hot rod of the 21st century. Values of the '90s Japanese supercars are already skyrocketing, such as the Z32 300ZX TT, RX-7 turbo, and Supra turbo. I remember 10 years ago when a nice 300ZX TT could be had for under $10k, now they're easily double that.

Not saying that a Hemi Cuda will ever be $10k, but I would bet that they eventually decline from their current silly prices. It's all about nostalgia because let's face it, most muscle cars were a great motor surrounded by a mediocre car.

[Pazuzu]

I was going to say that if you moved the price point to $15K, I'd put the 3rd gen RX-7 and the last Supra beast on that list. I don't think either will drop to $10K, both stabilized and went up before they got to that point.

[911boost]

I think a first gen Subaru WRX STI (2004) should be added to the list.

[Robert Adams]

I'm with onewhippedpuppy, I think he's right on the money. That said I would add the Toyota Celica All trac of any vintage to the list. Owned an 88 or 89 back in the day and let me tell you, that car rocked! Sunroof, 200hp, leather interior and all wheel drive. That sucker moved around corners like it was on rails!
I also think almost any Supra with a sports roof, 5spd & turbo. That may be a hard find for under $10 even now except for the late 80s model, which was a real nice touring car not so much a performance car, so maybe that would leave it out?
Honda Prelude H series coupe and maybe a 1st gen Civic. I also think some of the BMW M coupes will possibly make the list to, but will need LOW miles and stick. Maybe the WRX? Any year GTI's & early R-32 definitely, but I think they need to drop a few $ first. 90's Z coupe & 2+2 w/t-tops with low miles.

[fxeditor]

I would have to think an unmolested first gen Honda CRX would be worth something someday but good luck finding one!


Michael

[Seahawk]

Well said, Matt...when I was considering buying my next non-essential car I really revisited the cars that turned my head as a kid and later as a young adult. I even considered pristine examples of cars I owned, like a BMW 2002, 912, etc.

In the price range the OP specified, I'm at a loss.

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I would argue that point regarding muscle cars, eventually those who can afford collector cars will be a different age group, one which does not lust after muscle cars. Today's muscle car buyer is a boomer that lusted over Camaros and Cudas when he was a kid, now he has the cash to buy the childhood car of his dreams. I'm 30, and can certainly say that there were no lust-worthy muscle cars when I was growing up. If you're really stretching, MAYBE a 5.0 Mustang or Z28 Camaro. Grand National would be a good one, but they're already expensive.