Picking A Future Classic Car

"maristgrad" (maristgrad) 10/27/2013 at 13:55 • Filed to: Classic Cars

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How can one know what a car will be worth 20 years from now? What factors create the perfect classic car situation? Is it reliability? Place in car history? Availability? I would think its a combination of the three. If you had $50,000 to buy a future classic car what would it be?

My choice is a 2005 Bentley GT. It's a reliable AWD vehicle which can be driven everyday in most terrains, although I'd garage it for the winter to save the paint. What do you guys think? What would your future classic car be?

My friend is saving up for an Aston Martin in the 50k range. He feels his super car will be worth more than mine in 20 years but time will tell. There's something to be said about hand built vehicles and their craftsmanship.

But what other cars under 50K will be considered future classics? It can't all be British right?

While nothing compares to the $27.5 million Ferrari NART, it's nice to dream isn't it?

!!! UNSUPPORTED LINE BREAK IN HEADER !!!

SpeedSix > maristgrad 10/27/2013 at 13:58

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Since Ford is discontinuing production of the Ford Falcon after 2016, this final generation should become a classic.

Irlyluvwagons > maristgrad 10/27/2013 at 13:59

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Cadillac cts-v wagon manual. If its not worth over 70k in ten years I'd be VERY surprised.

Satish Kondapavulur > maristgrad 10/27/2013 at 14:21

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I'd say the Maserati GranTurismo or one of the later Quattroporte V's. Even the older Coupes and Spyder that can be had around $30K might go up, but the highest would be $75K in 20 years' time.

Jayhawk Jake > maristgrad 10/27/2013 at 14:32

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NSX.

Otherwise, a first gen Viper, Lotus Elise, or an unmolested Supra (if you can find one).

Manuél Ferrari > maristgrad 10/27/2013 at 14:58

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How about one of the several Ferraris you can now buy for under $50K?

They might be common and not that fast by today's standards. But they might still be coveted when older.

banjo cat ghost of oppo past > maristgrad 10/27/2013 at 15:08

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Mangusta this post.

banjo cat ghost of oppo past > maristgrad 10/27/2013 at 15:10

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Mangusta this post.

feather-throttle-not-hair > Manuél Ferrari 10/27/2013 at 15:10

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355 yes. I doubt the 360 will be worth anything, it's been panned as a pretty weak generation.

maristgrad > Manuél Ferrari 10/27/2013 at 15:12

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I've thought very long about this but the best Ferrari in that range just seems to elude me. What Ferrari would you choice if you had $50k to spend on a future classic?

feather-throttle-not-hair > maristgrad 10/27/2013 at 15:14

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993 911, or NSX.

Newer cars: boss mustang, any Z06, BRZ (won't be rare, but lots and lots of love in 30 years) Pontiac g8 GXP, Pontiac solstice GXP coupe, last gen of rwd AMG e class wagons, cts v wagon.

twinturbobmw > maristgrad 10/27/2013 at 15:29

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E30 M3 (obviously)

Even now they're going up in price.

Aston Virage:

Very limited production

Alfa 8C:

Again, limited production

E9x M3:

The only M3 (except E46) that came with a V8.

Jayhawk Jake > twinturbobmw 10/27/2013 at 15:40

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I doubt the 8C or Virage will ever be less than 50k.

The 4C on the other hand...

TSLA > maristgrad 10/27/2013 at 16:00

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If your looking for something American... The GT500 is supposed to be the last Shelby car since his passing. idk how much the Super Snake costs or if Hertz sells off theirs when their done with them but its something to look into... I do know that they only made like 50 of the silver and 50 of the grabber blue base models though.
And there is that Firebird/Camaro monstrosity that happened not to long ago...

Manuél Ferrari > feather-throttle-not-hair 10/27/2013 at 16:46

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Yeah I didn't think the 360 would appreciate either. I was thinking about the F355 and even some of the cars before it.

Manuél Ferrari > maristgrad 10/27/2013 at 16:51

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I would def go with the F355. While they are common they are much loved. Especially the coupe with the 6MT.

The F355 saved Ferrari. It was much faster than its predecessor and brought much needed profit to the company. It sounded amazing and would still be a quick car to drive today.

Manuél Ferrari > twinturbobmw 10/27/2013 at 16:55

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Can you still get a clean and low mileage E30 M3 for under $50K? I thought they're already more than that.

I love the E92 M3, but I think it's way too common to appreciate. BMW sold a zillion of them.

But you being up some good idea. I forgot about Bimmers (even though I love them and have two, haha). There are a lot of older Bimmers you can get for under $50K that might appreciate.

If only we all had unlimited budget for buying used cars...

Manuél Ferrari > feather-throttle-not-hair 10/27/2013 at 16:57

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993 911 is def a car I would buy to collect.

It would cost more than $5K but I'd love to have a low mileage 993 C2S. The S model was way more rare in the 90s than it is now. Now you see more S models than standard Carreras in many affluent cities.

Manuél Ferrari > banjo cat ghost of oppo past 10/27/2013 at 16:58

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Can you get it for under $50K?

If so sign me up!

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > maristgrad 10/27/2013 at 17:01

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My CLS! :D
*Shameless plug

Anyway,.I have a bit of different thinking. What about Honda Beat or Suzuki Capucino?
Or my Mazda Cosmo Rotary Turbo Saloon?

Manuél Ferrari > Satish Kondapavulur 10/27/2013 at 17:02

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The earlier models you mentioned supposedly implode. I wonder how that impacts duties values.

I once had a used car dealer tell me how bad the Maser he had for sale was (I think it was roughly a 2003 coupe). You know cars have issues when the used car dealer is trying to talk you out of it...

Satish Kondapavulur > Manuél Ferrari 10/27/2013 at 17:20

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He was probably trying to upsell you.

Manuél Ferrari > Satish Kondapavulur 10/27/2013 at 17:30

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Actually he was trying to down sell me to a cheaper car. I came to see the cheaper car and just noted that the Maser looked good, I wasn't seriously considering it. I did tell him though that a guy at my work is considering it so he could have tried to get me to bring him in. But he said that he couldn't recommend it without feeling bad.

I hope the current cars are better. I do like the GranTurismo. Ferrari V8, usable back seats, and stunning looks. It could def be a nice car to hold for years. The replacement will probably be turbo to save fuel. The N/A cars could be collectibles in the future.

GRawesome > maristgrad 10/27/2013 at 17:39

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You can find a nice 512TR for close to 50K and they are almost guaranteed to be collectors soon. Probably double your money in a few years, imagine the worth after 20! Way more then a Bentley over the same time period.

banjo cat ghost of oppo past > Manuél Ferrari 10/27/2013 at 18:13

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Oops glossed over that bit...but no, not at all. Maybe one in a bunch of pieces but a showroom quality one might set you back abouts $ 110, 00 they made just over 400 of em

banjo cat ghost of oppo past > Manuél Ferrari 10/27/2013 at 18:14

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Oops glossed over that bit...but no, not at all. Maybe one in a bunch of pieces but a showroom quality one might set you back abouts $ 110, 000 they made just over 400 of em

Manuél Ferrari > banjo cat ghost of oppo past 10/27/2013 at 18:25

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I knew it was too good to be true :) I would be selling assets now to free up the $50K if I could buy a clean Mangusta for that price. Me gusta Mangusta!

Manuél Ferrari > twinturbobmw 10/27/2013 at 18:37

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I thought about this some more and I think a lot of used bimmers will be future classic. The mass production models will never appreciate like a rare exotic does, but owners can still benefit from some appreciation. I think the important thing is picking the right model and timing the purchase to buy the car at the bottom of its depreciation curve.

Even a very common M car like the E92 M3 probably will appreciate at some point if it's clean, low-mileage, and has the right options. If purchased as an investment the owner will need to time the purchase right, keep the car garaged and babied, and not drive it too much. It might take a while but eventually the value could rise.

I'm seriously kicking myself for not predicting the price appreciation of the E30 M3. The car is historic and rare. I could have bought two of them 10 years ago and had one to hoon and one to baby. Now it's just too expensive :/

Manuél Ferrari > GRawesome 10/27/2013 at 18:38

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Good choice. I read that this car was built in lower numbers than its predecessor.

Manuél Ferrari > maristgrad 10/27/2013 at 18:46

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How about any desirable classic coupe or convertible from the early 70s or before that can still be purchased for under $50K in good shape with matching serials?

I heard American muscle cars are appreciating despite how common some of the models were. Lots of people want them and every year one is lost to neglect, an accident, or distasteful mods.

There are many desirable European cars you can still buy for under $50K. Like the muscle cars there were models that didn't appreciate due to being common. But people want them so clean ones go up in value.

Manuél Ferrari > banjo cat ghost of oppo past 10/27/2013 at 18:48

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Check out this find:

http://www.autotraderclassics.com/classic-car/19…

lucky's pepper > Irlyluvwagons 10/27/2013 at 19:51

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A manual trans CTS-V wagon will be the Hemicuda convertible of 2040.

lucky's pepper > maristgrad 10/27/2013 at 19:57

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I'm guessing one of these would make a nice investment.

lucky's pepper > Manuél Ferrari 10/27/2013 at 20:54

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HOLY CRAP! One of the most gorgeous automobile bodies ever penned, a 351 Cleveland that you can buy parts for at Napa, and a recently gone-through ZF, all for the price of a decent used car! If only I had 20k burning a hole in my pocket. Someone please buy this beauty and regale me with stories of how you life is now complete.

Manuél Ferrari > lucky's pepper 10/27/2013 at 20:57

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I know how you feel. I need to sell one of my cars right now due to financial constraints, so adding another one isn't an option. If it was I would seriously be calling the owner now. Look how many boxes that car checks:

1. Good price. Very unlikely to lose value if you don't crash it.
2. Exotic looks with affordable maintenance costs
3. A true class supercar - it tries to kill you at all times

I saw a mint condition red one the other day and fell in love.

lucky's pepper > Manuél Ferrari 10/27/2013 at 21:06

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Being both a huge fan of Italian cars and Fords I've been drooling over the Pantera for years, scouring the classifieds and checking out prices, and this is far and away the best car for the least money I've seen.

Manuél Ferrari > lucky's pepper 10/27/2013 at 21:17

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I love Euro-American mashups too, both the Italian-American and English-American cars. There is something so right about a big American V8 in an Italian or British body. I just recently read about the Iso Grifo, that's a cool Italian-American car too.

Do you have any assets to borrow against? If this car is truly a steal maybe you could find a way to get it before it sells. I've already borrowed against my 401K and life insurance policy to help with cash flow while I wait for my last house to sell, so no new cars for me :)

lucky's pepper > Manuél Ferrari 10/27/2013 at 21:34

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Love the Grifo, especially the big-block cars with the ridiculous square hood scoop needed to clear the the taller engine.

You forgot to mention the Swiss-American hybrids and my personal, all-time favorite, the Monteverdi Hai. Nothing like a mid-engine Hemi.

Manuél Ferrari > lucky's pepper 10/27/2013 at 21:38

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Didn't know it existed till now!

lucky's pepper > Manuél Ferrari 10/27/2013 at 21:38

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And yes, I could get the money, but I'm getting ready to build a second garage so unfortunately all my spare loot will be going to that.

lucky's pepper > Manuél Ferrari 10/27/2013 at 21:48

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Monteverdi was a Swiss Ferrari dealer that got into a pissing match with Enzo in the 60's, so he decided to build his own cars. He built some very cool front-engined GT cars with Chrysler 440s, but his magnum opus had to be the Hai. Only three were built, if I remember correctly, two long wheel base 440s and one short wheel base 426 Hemi car.

Manuél Ferrari > lucky's pepper 10/27/2013 at 22:05

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Haha Enzo seemed to piss off a lot of people and motivate them into building cars!

Manuél Ferrari > lucky's pepper 10/27/2013 at 22:10

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I feel ya! I used to have a small garage because I lived by the beach and all the houses there were tiny. I was storing cars at work and my parents house because I could only have one where I lived.

I bought a new house that has a large garage. All my money went into buying and prepping the house to be lived in. One of my cars has to go if the last house doesn't sell soon.

Garage space has to take priority over cars. Otherwise you can't really enjoy them. No fun to store them outside or have to borrow other people's space.

Ian Duer (320b) > maristgrad 11/05/2013 at 01:16

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Z3 M-coupe

Often overlooked niche model, S54 engine, and it's hard to mistake for something else.