The "next" big classics? When the answer is NOT Miata.

"KatzManDu" (KatzManDu)
02/17/2015 at 14:08 • Filed to: None

I'm throwing together a list of the "next" big classics; cars that are fun to drive but are not overpriced (think E30 M3, etc.) This is an exercise to find what's at the bottom of its demand and price curve before it inches back up. This is open to all makes and models on all continents. Here are a few that I can think of. What can you come up with?

BMW E31 8-series

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BMW E34 M5

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Citroen CX Break

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MG TF (because nothing says quality like a MR-layout MG)

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BMW 320si (always nice to reference your own posts):

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Jag XJS

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The Audi B5 S4 and RS4; I don't see them ever getting any lower in price than they are now.

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The Audi UrS4, too.

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DISCUSSION (29)

PanchoVilleneuve ST > KatzManDu
02/17/2015 at 14:14

I still say an unmolested bugeye WRX is probably a great investment.

itschrome > KatzManDu
02/17/2015 at 14:15

2004 Cadillac Seville.

I'm banking on it :P

Cherry_man1 > KatzManDu
02/17/2015 at 14:16

Terminator in Stock form.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > KatzManDu
02/17/2015 at 14:17

You tried finding a clean NA recently? They're getting expensive.

Conan > Cherry_man1
02/17/2015 at 14:20

There's one locally I just wish wasn't yellow.

Cherry_man1 > Conan
02/17/2015 at 14:22

Wich yellow? Zinc or Screaming?

Sweet Trav > KatzManDu
02/17/2015 at 14:24

80's G-bodys everyone who longs for a muscle car but cant afford it. Sure the stock motors are junk save for the GN, but that is easily fixable, I've seen them running with everything from Duramax Diesels to Ecotecs to Big blocks and everything in between.

I would also put 6spd 97-02 Camaros and T/A's on the list.

Sn210 > KatzManDu
02/17/2015 at 14:25

Kinja'd!!!

I hate to keep sounding like a MR2 cheerleader today but...

AW11 MR2! Especially the supercharged version.

http://carbuying.jalopnik.com/has-the-toyota…

Any non-molested, un-riced, bone stock Japanese sports cars from the mid 80's to mid 90's really.

Mattbob > KatzManDu
02/17/2015 at 14:27

e36 non M cars. They are cheap, and can be fixed on a reasonable budget if you DIY. They are also fun to drive.

Ducky > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
02/17/2015 at 14:31

which makes me so happy.

my dumb "not an S2000 but close enough" is getting into "serious downpayment on an S2000" territory

E. Julius > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
02/17/2015 at 14:31

T_T

Conan > Cherry_man1
02/17/2015 at 14:34

Screaming. I think I could get down with Zinc more.

KatzManDu > Sn210
02/17/2015 at 14:36

There was a supercharged version? I thought they had NA and Turbo.

Textured Soy Protein > KatzManDu
02/17/2015 at 14:40

The original AW11 MR2 came in 1.6 liter NA and supercharged versions.

The 2nd-gen SW20 MR2 came in 2.0 liter NA and turbo versions.

Sn210 > KatzManDu
02/17/2015 at 14:40

yep, for 1988-89 models in the US. Turbos didn't come until the next generation, the SW20

Cherry_man1 > Conan
02/17/2015 at 14:47

for me screaming > zinc

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > KatzManDu
02/17/2015 at 15:50

My vote goes to the Lexus GS300/GS400, original Infinity Q45, 1st gen Acura NSX, 2nd Gen Acura Legend, 1st or 2nd gen Civic CRX and... the Chrysler PT Cruiser!

Edit: And the Pontiac Fiero too.

Conan > Cherry_man1
02/17/2015 at 16:14

I can see why. I think people feel it stands out more a lot.

Cherry_man1 > Conan
02/17/2015 at 16:21

to me it's doesn't look like its dulled paint

Conan > Cherry_man1
02/17/2015 at 16:24

Yeah, and I want a Terminator that comes off as more chill than extreme (in spite of its Terminatorness). But truth be told, if it's still up for private sale when I pay off some more loans it'll be in the running.

Cherry_man1 > Conan
02/17/2015 at 16:48

look at the dark red ones cause those are like the sleepers in my book

Conan > Cherry_man1
02/17/2015 at 16:58

I think those are fantastic. If the guys at Hi End ever talk me into a convertible they've got one I'd love to have.

Cherry_man1 > Conan
02/17/2015 at 17:27

Personally I would never get a vert anything. Too scary if rolled over

Conan > Cherry_man1
02/17/2015 at 18:01

Yeah, it's pretty unlikely from me too. I've rolled a car before. We'll see if they have something decent around once I finish paying this latest round of business loans though.

VonBelmont > KatzManDu
02/17/2015 at 20:07

Any car'll be a classic if you keep it on the road long enough.

El Rivinado > KatzManDu
02/17/2015 at 21:20

The Lincoln Mark VII. Fox body, V8, luxury brand recognition. If the air suspension doesn't go ka-put, it could command some pretty big bucks in the future.

DrScientist > KatzManDu
02/19/2015 at 10:04

Jag XJS

ppppppplllllllleeeeeeaaaaassssseeeee. make my investment in a fairly well sorted version a good one.

problem is i fear, these were just not rare enough. i think over the course of 18 years, they produced some 50,000 xjs's. so its difficult to figure out which are going to be "special" and which will lag. luckily about 49,600 of those original manufactured xjs's have all but rotted away... from dust to dust.

some of the more unicorn-ish versions, the very late model 6.0L v12s and the i6s with 5-speeds are creeping up or at least haven't hit ridiculous prices. these go for low to mid teens. your everyday 82-90 xjs with the anemic HE v12, gm 3speed auto and some (a lot of) problems, will be in the 2-5k range.

e31's too. and you forgot 928s.

can you tell i like big 80's luxo-coupes?

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > DrScientist
02/19/2015 at 12:08

I plan to get one myself, eventually. I already have a source for used parts on them, and another for new, due to putting the rear suspension from one in my project. Parts commonality between two cars in the stable with no commonality otherwise? Load me up!

KatzManDu > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
02/22/2015 at 10:21

Sweet. I didn't know Jag made any manual XJS from the factory. All the USA got were automatics. Now I'm searching again. I need this in my life. But I only find those with six cylinders.

http://www.autoscout24.eu/Details.aspx?i…