6 future classic cars to buy right now - we made the list

[stugray]

Here's an example:
1971 Porsche 914-6 showroom price ~$3k
Current price for one in original (restored) condition ~$30-60k

What made the 914-6 such a valuable car?
Low production numbers, and completely unexpected following because it was a "sleeper" performance car NOT due to horsepower, but due to driveability.
(Not to mention it was a 2.0L boxer engine ;-)

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

... and a few years later, many times more than their MSRP. Here's one example (not even an ultimate collectors car, just a good car), there are many many more at Barret Jackson, try again.

Datsun 280z - MSRP $7,429.00
http://www.barrett-jackson.com/appli...n=21.1&aid=443

http://www.barrett-jackson.com/appli...=335.1&aid=443

http://www.barrett-jackson.com/appli...ln=331&aid=223

Those cars are still negative net worth, that $7.5k if it was invested so that it just kept up with inflation would be worth about $30k now, those cars are worth at BEST $20k. Cars are not an investment, you have to go back over 50 years to start seeing profits or the car has to be super rare. Even fully kitted 911's from the early 60's are just now breaking even.

Originally Posted by stugray

Here's an example:
1971 Porsche 914-6 showroom price ~$3k
Current price for one in original (restored) condition ~$30-60k

What made the 914-6 such a valuable car?
Low production numbers, and completely unexpected following because it was a "sleeper" performance car NOT due to horsepower, but due to driveability.
(Not to mention it was a 2.0L boxer engine ;-)

No. The base 914 was $3.5k, the 914-6 was $6k.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/porsche-914-history4.htm

You're right, it's more valuable because they only made 3,351 of them. Taking inflation into account only the most pristine examples are more valuable than they were new, the car has to be worth over $35k to profit from initial investment, not including running costs and keeping it in the appropriate glass case to maximize profit. I'd say most examples of 914-6 are still worth less than they were brand new. The base 914's are only worth around $10k now (maybe $15k if show quality), the initial money investmed would be worth $20k.

Cars are not an investment. Unless you're speculating on vintage racecars or hanging around auctions willing to throw down 6 figures on a whim. In any case, new cars are almost never an investment. At best 50 years from now you could break even.

[suaveflooder]

I agree with @dem00n, oddly. I absolutely love the car, but loving a car doesn't keep the value up. I think the car will be worth about as much (maybe a little more) than a civic in a couple years.

I really do hope I'm wrong though. It would be nice to get a majority of my money back, but I bought the car for $29k, and KBB is at $21k in 6 months. Not looking good for us. Just gonna get worse if they put a bigger engine in this car. Oh well. I personally don't regret my decision.

[husker741]

Originally Posted by suaveflooder

I agree with @dem00n, oddly. I absolutely love the car, but loving a car doesn't keep the value up. I think the car will be worth about as much (maybe a little more) than a civic in a couple years.

I really do hope I'm wrong though. It would be nice to get a majority of my money back, but I bought the car for $29k, and KBB is at $21k in 6 months. Not looking good for us. Just gonna get worse if they put a bigger engine in this car. Oh well. I personally don't regret my decision.

KBB isn't God. It's just a reference, just like every other guide is. I hate when people do that.

[DAEMANO]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Those cars are still negative net worth, that $7.5k if it was invested so that it just kept up with inflation would be worth about $30k now, those cars are worth at BEST $20k. Cars are not an investment, you have to go back over 50 years to start seeing profits or the car has to be super rare. Even fully kitted 911's from the early 60's are just now breaking even.



No. The base 914 was $3.5k, the 914-6 was $6k.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/porsche-914-history4.htm

You're right, it's more valuable because they only made 3,351 of them. Taking inflation into account only the most pristine examples are more valuable than they were new, the car has to be worth over $35k to profit from initial investment, not including running costs and keeping it in the appropriate glass case to maximize profit. I'd say most examples of 914-6 are still worth less than they were brand new. The base 914's are only worth around $10k now (maybe $15k if show quality), the initial money investmed would be worth $20k.

Cars are not an investment. Unless you're speculating on vintage racecars or hanging around auctions willing to throw down 6 figures on a whim. In any case, new cars are almost never an investment. At best 50 years from now you could break even.

No arguments on any of your points, however you're not taking into account that my reply wasn't to whether or not the '86 is a worthwhile investment, but rather to the ridiculous premise that an '86 purchased today would be worth nothing in a few years (read back). Context is everything.

Last note on value - If I get to drive and enjoy my car for 30 years, and by the end it's worth anything close to an inflation adjusted similar dollar mount to what I paid (give or take a few thousand), I'd say it was a terrific "investment".

[suaveflooder]

Originally Posted by husker741

KBB isn't God. It's just a reference, just like every other guide is. I hate when people do that.

lol, people tell me that all the time, but it really is a good starting point, and it's what banks go off of.

KBB is god when it comes to banks and credit unions. If some teenager is gonna come buy my car and finance it, they will get their best rate though a credit union. My credit union will only loan 100% on KBB suggested. So in this case, it is the absolute. At the same time, I'm not seeing people getting even getting suggested retail on these cars right now!

I'd love to say these cars will keep their value, I just don't see it happening

[s0sl0w]

Originally Posted by suaveflooder

I agree with @dem00n, oddly. I absolutely love the car, but loving a car doesn't keep the value up. I think the car will be worth about as much (maybe a little more) than a civic in a couple years.

I really do hope I'm wrong though. It would be nice to get a majority of my money back, but I bought the car for $29k, and KBB is at $21k in 6 months. Not looking good for us. Just gonna get worse if they put a bigger engine in this car. Oh well. I personally don't regret my decision.

How did you spend 29K on a non 10-series FRS???

I didn't even spend that on my kitted out BRZ limited.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

No arguments on any of your points, however you're not taking into account that my reply wasn't to whether or not the '86 is a worthwhile investment, but rather to the ridiculous premise that an '86 purchased today would be worth nothing in a few years (read back). Context is everything.

Last note on value - If I get to drive and enjoy my car for 30 years, and by the end it's worth anything close to an inflation adjusted similar dollar mount to what I paid (give or take a few thousand), I'd say it was a terrific "investment".

No, I'm saying it will be a steady decline over the next decade or two and it will slowly rebound after that. Your post, well I'll quote it again:

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

... and a few years later, many times more than their MSRP.

Those cars you and I and others listed were sold for literally a couple hundred bucks at some point during the late 80's, they were literally a dime a dozen. It's not special, it's like every other car on the market from an objective standpoint and you'll be waiting over 25 years to hit the numerical equivalent of the MSRP not accounting for inflation.

Agreed on the non-monetary valuation of cars, otherwise I wouldn't be here. And there's that niggling little factor that dino juice will be pretty obsolete before these cars become worth what they were new.

[rskdsk]

What makes a car a classic:

1) rare, limited production, usually expensive for it's time
2) unique styling
3) unique driving attribute (for its time) like fast, handling, traction, etc...

Using these criteria, only a few current cars will be classics. A couple that come to mind are the Ford GT, Lexus LFA, Audi R8/10, and maybe the GT-R. When we look back 10-20 years at "affordable car" I can see the NSX, twin turbo RX-7, and Supra possibly making it. Other such as the supercharged MR-2 might have a chance, but with so many of the NA version produce, it becomes much more difficult.

[thill]

Just want to point out that the article states "these six might be worth making an investment in".

It is a poorly written article, IMHO, but I think the author is just stating that these cars have a chance at being future classics at some point. Not in now. Not 5 years. Probably not 20 years. I am not sure I completely agree, depends on your definition of "classic". But you have to admit the BRZ/FR-S bucked the current trend of sports coupes that are more about hp numbers than anything else.

[Boostedpro]

Just wait until they use a twin as a main character car in a movie. Then the prices will skyrocket overnight. Look at what happened to supras when the original fast and furious came out. Around here you could buy a modded TT stick supra for 20-25k. After the movie, they were going for that much stock!

[KevinBRZ]

Originally Posted by s0sl0w

How did you spend 29K on a non 10-series FRS???

I didn't even spend that on my kitted out BRZ limited.

In Canada, BRZ Limited was $29,250, and I think it's a bit higher this year. After taxes and dealer BS mine cost $34,xxx. Add on another $1500 for winter rims and tires, I'm at close to $36,000 just to drive it.

[feedbag]

Bunch of people hopeful they can get a track rat on the secondhand market ITT

[dem00n]

Originally Posted by DCStorm

I question why some people even bother owning this car when they down talk it so much....

Because it has flaws. Who says i don't like my car? A post on the internet? You going to judge a whole person by what they say on the internet?