Investing in cars?
 

Has anyone here considered investing in certain cars? It's probably not the most efficient way to invest your money, but there are a few cars that appear to be fairly "safe" and have been steadily going up in value.

Even if you didn't plan on parking the car in a heated garage for a decade, you could possibly use it on a semi-regular basis and get back what you paid for it (however, with some of these cars running costs is a big factor).

Here are a few models that are still fairly affordable that look like a decent bet.

Thoughts?

Acura NSX - $30-$40k

Honda Integra Type-R - $10k-$15k. Very low entry cost, not a lot of survivors - many have been heavily modified, abused, etc, etc. There are a few examples locally that appear to be clean and relatively low mileage.

Mercedes Benz 500E (not an E500 - big difference) -$15k

BMW E30 M3 - $20k-$30k


And more questionable models:

Buick Grand National $8k-$15k

Porsche 930, 993 - I'm no Porsche aficionado, but I'm told the 930 has been going up in value. The 993 looks like it is gaining value as well, but I would be more hesitant with that one. It is the last air cooled Porsche though, that might come into play. Also, the 993 has held its value much better than the 996.

LHD Supra MKIV TT, LHD Mazda RX-7 FD3S

BMW 850CSi - 1500 produced, 1200 for 850Ci.


Any thoughts on American sports cars? Firehawks, ZR-1s, Grand Sports, etc. The C4 ZR-1 can be had for 30k or so.

Cars are poor investments.

There are too many costs associated with them for any half-decent return.
You have your initial investment into the car, yet then the car has to be properly maintained and periodically ran so things don't seize up.

Yet things will deteriorate on their own (gaskets, seals, tires) just because of time. Which again will require replacement.

All-in-all if you know that the inflation will continue to increase (goodluck) then sure, but why do we all call cars "money pits"?

I don't know if this would be classified as affordable but I think a front engine v12 Ferrari would appreciate in value over then next 10-15 years. A 550 goes for around 80k these days.

None of the cars you listed are anywhere near what could be considered an "investment". There are only a small number of cars that would qualify (like a Ferrari 330 LMB or Mclaren F1).

i picked up a Celica from a co worker a couple years ago for $500, drove it for a year, did 0 maintenance and then sold it for $2500... it was pretty much free transportation for a year with what i made on it!

this kinda counts :fullofwin:

As mentioned, very few cars can be considered to be a good investment. There will always be cars that don't depreciate as quickly as others (ie: NSX-R or -R GT) but for the most part you'll never recoup the money you dump into it.

Honestly, as snails hinted at, the easiest option is to find a car for dirt cheap, fix it yourself, and flip it for profit. I've done it a few times and it's usually worth the effort (provided it's not a super intensive repair job).

'Murica collectibles have a way higher and wider appeal (not just in the US but in Eastern Europe). Honestly "classical" Europeans like the 850CSI, no one really cares.. the only anomaly in the 90s is the NSX, or the really rare ones like the EB110, F1 etc.

Vancouver is a horrible place to be car collecting especially classics (I will rank it slightly ahead of Hawaii). If you are serious into collecting.. Do what most people do, keep a warehouse / garage South of the line.. I suggest Mt Vernon because there is a rail stop. 50k will buy you a nice one, 10k for forklift, car lifts and maybe a self rigged spray booth and a few ks a year for taxes, utilities, internet and security. I picked Colorado because of the proximity to both East and West but you will be flying. Bring up cars to Canada only when they are asked for. Why pay Canadian taxes and extra costs in servicing and insurance when often the people you are trading with will not be Canadian?

Most car collectors in Vancouver I hate to say are more showy like "Real House Wives of Vancouver"'s Ferrari garage rather than substance.. Both are rather incompatible.

Perfectly restored '67-8 GT500 fastback? Might be a decent investment. Ferrari 250 GTO? Good investment. Are there better ways to invest your money? HELL yes.

Honestly those things the volume are too low.. You need both volume and returns to be successful. I would say deuce roadster, chevy trucks, old caddies and lincolns.. Again just being in Canada has so much stacked against you. If it is an real investment I prefer to have favourable factors right off the bat.

^ Investing in chevy trucks. That's a first.

Stock Integra Type R's, Supra's and other imports will go up in value. Couldn't afford one in high school, grow older make some money, midlife crises hits, buy your high school dream car.

You are assuming kids in that era will grow up to have as much disposable income as the baby boomers?

The Advance Design ones have good following

Buy every type R you see for sale and control the market locally = profit $$$$$

:troll:
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unless you can afford the likes of Hakosuka GT-R and F40 and have the garage space/warehouse to turn em into 100% garage queen I would think buying cars with the intention of value appreciation is a bad idea

If you intend on driving them even a handful times a year good luck trying to get a fair value from ICBC once you total them....even if it's a fender bender parts will be likely be scarce and $$$

If you buy a rare car just enjoy it...if you ever need to sell it one day and the value goes up then just think of it as a bonus...but dont bank on the idea of that when you buy it in the 1st place

i think its better to buy a couple r32 skylines and import them to the states next year

There are little to no cars a mortal can own and consider an investment worth making. Ferrari 250 GTO, Shelby Super Snake ect ect. All sell for MANY millions now. The trick is to have these cars BEFORE the prices inflate....and we are at the point where these prices ARE inflated.
Investing in a car is not investing, its what married men tell there wives when they buy a car that is a waste of money in there eyes.

That being said, I'm looking to invest in a Supra.....

Worst investment ever. Maybe not ever, but it's up there.

Ha ha... investing in cars. What a dumb idea.. better to invest in a body shop in Richmond, where you have a guaranteed return on investment.

Though this thread reminded me of a Fiero I saw on Craigslist the other day.. 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT 15,000K

"Hermetically sealed"... it's a FIRE-O! Ha ha.. but it's his baby... ha ha ha ha.. that's even better...

Investing in cars is not a dumb idea. However, one must exercise some judgement in doing so.

Our owner has a beautiful 2000GT. As a result, I've kept an eye on it's valuation for insurance purposes:

Toyota 2000GT heads to auction | Hemmings Daily

Kev

The only time I would "invest" in a car is if there is massive import duties and licensing fees making the car appreciate over time. Only a few countries in the world operate this way..

People from South Asia should know what I'm talking about.

lol, this gotta be a joke.

the cars you listed...

would at most be split even at the end of the day.

then there are those cars that you'd flip for money: the typical buy low, sell high. all about luck. you gain a bit, you lose a bit in cars.

Car is a poor way to invest, same as a woman.
So your got to have two cars and two women, yolo !