Future classics

"Just Jeepin'" (macintux) 09/14/2020 at 09:56 • Filed to: days of future past

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A frequent lament in these parts goes roughly like this:

These used to be a dime a dozen, and now a clapped out example sells for half my salary!

(Maybe not precisely in those words.)

My question is this: what car can you buy dirt cheap today that 5 years from now will command silly prices? It’s easy to do this in hindsight, but can you anticipate something that isn’t yet on the depreciation rebound?

(It feels like, by definition, this has to be a discontinued model, but a specific generation of a current model might make sense here.)

Let’s say for the sake of keeping the discussion grounded that today there must be at least one page of results on cars.com, nationwide, for the car listed $4k or less. (Added bold because people are apparently missing this.)

For 5 years from now: zero hits at $4k and at least three at >$20k. Hopefully someone will still be griping on Oppositelock about how nobody makes manuals with full-sized spares other than Jeep, and they’ll stumble upon this post and laugh at our predictions.

I’ll put my own out there: Honda Element. I feel like I’m cheating by picking a SUV(ish) vehicle; were the Fit not an ongoing concern, that would be my choice instead.

What’s your best guess?

boredalways > Just Jeepin' 09/14/2020 at 10:05

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Pontiac Aztek

https://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchresults.action/?mdId=20673&mkId=20035&prMx=4000&rd=99999&searchSource=QUICK_FORM&zc=46227

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Just Jeepin' 09/14/2020 at 10:06

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This doesn’t fit the criteria, but any unmodified, manual e9x  335 should be a good “investment” at this point. Maybe not a quadruple you money, but at least double. If you buy it fir 8 grand now I could see it being 20 in 5-10 years. Once manual cars are gone. 

Just Jeepin' > boredalways 09/14/2020 at 10:06

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Well, it’s not a full page of results, but I’ll allow it.

boredalways > Just Jeepin' 09/14/2020 at 10:08

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On me smartphone 

Just Jeepin' > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/14/2020 at 10:09

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Fine, but that’s a different thread. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Just Jeepin' 09/14/2020 at 10:13

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NA Miata is already climbing. NBs are the new NA and as such are getting thrashed and trashed by everyone and their dog, leaving few nice examples for the rest of us. But that’s too obvious.

I think that the MBW Z3 will also overnight become significantly more valuable than they are now. Just a year ago the local Craigslist was full of them and now nothing.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Just Jeepin' 09/14/2020 at 10:14

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First gen Toyota MR2?

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Just Jeepin' 09/14/2020 at 10:16

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Clean E46s and Lexus LS400s. Prices are pretty low and they’re apparently great.

B5 Passats/A4s are also pretty cheap now but are definitely going to be a future classic, since 90% of them will have been scrapped at some point in the next decade. Well maintained and problem free examples are going to be money.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > BaconSandwich is tasty. 09/14/2020 at 10:16

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Good choice. There’s still lots of rough examples around but there are less of them and they get rougher every year.

Definitely not 4k.

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/d/lebanon-1993-toyota-mr2-na/7180668320.html

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/14/2020 at 10:17

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Maybe, but seems like wishful thinking. Manual sales are going away because there are fewer and fewer manual drivers out there (and that number’s only going to go down as time goes on).

Just Jeepin' > BaconSandwich is tasty. 09/14/2020 at 10:17

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I don’t see any for <$4000 today.

facw > Just Jeepin' 09/14/2020 at 10:19

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$20k is a pretty high bar for a $4000 car (even if we assume those $20k ones will be low-mileage and or nicely restored) . In any event, looking at what’s on my local Craigslist, I think you biggest chances are a fir st-gen Audi TT (unique design, relatively fun toy) and the Jag XJ ‘86-2003 (has been around forever leaving a lasting legacy , but will soon be dying out, nice place to sit, distinctive and luxurious look, desirable, desirable V8 and V12 options). Maybe some chance on the XKs as well, though If I had to pick one I’d go with the XJs.

I think being an unreliable luxury brand helps, as it makes it less likely for lower value versions to hang around, people will get fed up with the cost of fixing them. 

Jb boin > Just Jeepin' 09/14/2020 at 10:21

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Quirky and/or common cars usually does that here and become youngtimers.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Just Jeepin' 09/14/2020 at 10:22

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Land Rover Discovery, I’m seeing very similar price climb as the Range Rover Classic. A clean, unmolested and well maintained Discovery 1/2 is going to fetch $20k in 5 years easily.

Just Jeepin' > facw 09/14/2020 at 10:23

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I don’t see XJs today below 8k, much less 4k, at least on dealer lots.

Just Jeepin' > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 09/14/2020 at 10:30

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I only see 2 listed anywhere in the country for less than 4k, so marginal under the criteria I set, but sure.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Just Jeepin' 09/14/2020 at 10:31

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Okay, I’m basing this off of the following thoughts.

1) The brand must either be dead, dying, or brought back from the brink

2) Th e vehicle must be either “disposable” or get bought by a crowd that tears through them like drifters and track rats

3) The vehicle must either be ahead of its time or behind the times when it was launched which led to people not appreciating it at the time either because it was too futuristic or there were better options available.

My picks?

4th generation mitsubishi eclipse with a manual - Everyone got their teenager one of these as a graduation present either brand new if you had some cash or used if you didn’t. The 4th gen came out around the same time as the 2009 economy crashed so sales were LOW despite the car still having that disposable air about it. Good luck finding a good condition one with a manual in 5-10 years time for under 10k. V6 manuals right now are already 7-8k in great shape.

Buick Regal GS (3800 Supercharged) - W-body grandpa car. Word’s out about how good they are so street racers have been snapping them up for cheap over the past decade. Few will be left in good shape a few years from now. A stock, low mileage Regal GS will be the darling of Barett Jackson in 2060.

The FWD cars GM crammed V8s into (Grand Prix GXP , Lacrosse Super, Impala/Monte Carlo SS) - They’re not quite in 4000$, buy-here-pay-here dealership lot territory, but they are a wonderfully hoontastic way to live beyond your means when you’re on the struggle bus of life. Hate to throw an entire car ownership base out the window like that, but I don’t see many of these in *good* shape or with *tasteful* mods. Same as above, low mileage stock examples are gonna be BAAAAAAAAAANNNNNKKKKKK about 50 years from now.

Neon/Caliber SRT-4 - All the destructive ownership habits of the Focus ST and Cobalt SS crowd, with the legendary build quality of a brand teetering on the brink of failure for most of a decade. Godspeed SRT-4 owners! You’re fighting the good fight....I don’t know how many of you will come out on the other side, but it’ll be a wonderful, blowoff valve filled good time!

Chrysler Crossfire - The future “I know what I have” poster child. No one wants them today. BUT, the VERY SECOND that Chrysler as a brand finally goes away, those things are getting snapped up by the Tommy Bahama and Jorts crowd to be brought to car shows complete with branded lawn chairs and those stupid posters with all the car specs like wikipedia doesn’t exist. 

facw > Just Jeepin' 09/14/2020 at 10:32

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May be getting late for them. There are bound to be some, but probably not ideal condition (there’s a V6 one on CL here for $1800). Ideally I think you are looking for a private seller early 2000s one owned by someone who thinks of it as an old car with expensive repair bills rather than a future classic. At less than 20 years old, it should be possible.

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Just Jeepin' 09/14/2020 at 10:33

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Maybe not a full page, but I vote 350Z/G35. Th ey will start to get scarce, and a minty version will shoot up in value .

facw > BaconSandwich is tasty. 09/14/2020 at 10:34

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I feel like the time to buy a first-gen was the late ‘90s. They are already pricey now. If you want an MR2, you need to be looking at last gen-MR2s, but I don’t think those have the same appeal.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 09/14/2020 at 10:41

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All of these are fantastic. The Buick Regal GS might already be there, as I only see the rare one in good condition as already most of the crappy ones have been raced and crashed. The supercharged Buicks in general are still a great way to go fast for not much money up front or down the road. A friend had a supercharged Park Avenue and that thing was a blast.

And 10 years down the line it will be the same thing but even faster with the Lincoln MKZ. An NA V6 currently holds my record for the fastest car I’ve ever driven. It’s just gobs and gobs of silky smooth torque at any RPM. High powered FWD American cars in general seem to have the perfect combination of careful first owners and steep depreciation for them to make great budget hoon mobiles. 

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Just Jeepin' 09/14/2020 at 10:45

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Haha might already be working.  I bought my totally stock, mostly in good condition, 100k miles one for under $3k in 2017.  At least in the D2 facebook group they used to go for $2k all day.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI 09/14/2020 at 10:46

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They are already getting very scarce as they have been cheap for a while now. Especially if you want one with a manual. I feel like they’ll never shake their disreputable image but the cheaply modified ones will disappear in favor of expensively modified ones once again as the car itself becomes more valuable. It’ll be like 2008 up in here again.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 09/14/2020 at 10:48

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Fucking Kinja ate my reply.

There are still plenty for under $4k.

TheJWT > Just Jeepin' 09/14/2020 at 10:54

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90s sport bikes that weren’t limited production. Homologation stuff already goes for big money these days, but 600s and 750s that were long seen as disposable track bikes are going extinct faster than many people realize. By the time people start becoming nostalgic about them they’re going to be in for a rude awakening that there are very few left.

And I will own them all

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 09/14/2020 at 10:54

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Yeah those are the D2 prices I am used to being depressed by!

WilliamsSW > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 09/14/2020 at 10:55

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+1 on the E46, I would include the E36, too.  They’re cheaper.  I suspect any RWD car that handles decently and is cheap now would fit.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 09/14/2020 at 10:56

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You know what, this whole thing just reminded me about these cars and their stereotypes so fuck it, I’m doing some Mr. Regular style riffs on them.

*ahem*

Mitsubishi Eclipse - Well, I wanted a BMW buuuuutttt.....Yeah.

Mitsubishi Eclipse - The official car of dying on a hill that no one asked about. You know that guy? That one guy complaining about how they moved production of Keystone Light to a different brewery and now it sucks? Yeah. He drives an Eclipse. Also, while I’m here...

Mitsubishi Eclipse - For the guy who still drinks Keystone Light in his 30s

Mitsubishi Eclipse - “Oh hey, my pizza’s here!”

Pontiac Grand Prix GXP - Not a firebird.

Pontiac Grand Prix GXP - The official car of pretend-shifting your 4-speed automatic.

Impala SS V8 - For the man who wants the loudest vehicle in the apartment complex so that every morning when he wakes up, he knows everyone wakes with him.

Caliber SRT-4 - The official car....... Actually no, I can’t in good conscience take a dump on them. Their owners have had enough. Imagine not only owning a Dodge Caliber, but owning a Dodge Caliber that you have to *explain*.... Also I once saw a man flip a dodge caliber by clipping the curb in a Taco Bell parking lot and that is pretty much everything you need to know about Do dge Caliber owners.

Chrysler Crossfire - The official car of going to mass on wednesday because “Well the weather’s gonna be good on sunday, low humidity, no wind, I’m not going to get a better shot to beat Tom’s score on the back 18 of WHISPERING BREEZE (fart joke) COUNTRY CLUB so I’ll just go on Wednesday, that still counts, it’s just an attendance check anyways...”

Pickup_man > Just Jeepin' 09/14/2020 at 11:02

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80's and 90's trucks. Squarebodies are already on the rise, and I expect them to get higher still in the coming years. GMT 400 trucks are just hitting the point where beat ones are still worthless, but clean and pristine ones are bringing (or at least asking) good money. Same for OBS Fords. The Cummins 2nd gen Rams have been high priced forever, but I expect them to really start dragging up the 1500's and gas models as well. I’ve been pining for one lately and stop to ogle every clean one on the road.

For my oddball pick, Chevy Beretta and really most other early 90's GM “performance ” coupes. Gran Prix GTP’s, Z34 Lumina’s etc. They’re not great cars, but not as bad as people make them out to be and as the Radwood tax keeps driving up prices on more desirable models I expect these overlooked and at this point pretty rare cars to start climbing in value.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > WilliamsSW 09/14/2020 at 11:05

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I think E36s in good condition are worth more than similar condition E46s right now. Spec E36 and drift/stance kids destroyed the market.

Just Jeepin' > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 09/14/2020 at 11:11

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Not on cars.com, the baseline I specified. Prices on FB are all over the map on everything.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 09/14/2020 at 11:18

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Oh man, the lincoln's of 2005-2015 are going to vary wildly in price over the next decade. I can't even begin to guess which ones will and won't rise fast

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 09/14/2020 at 11:22

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Literally the only thing I could find to dislike about the MKZ was its build quality, so I suspect these are going to quickly become very ragged looking overnight.

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/lincoln-mkz-belated-impressions-from-a-brief-drive-1844227321

Pretty much the same fate as the poorly named Lincoln LS but it was a way better car to begin with. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 09/14/2020 at 11:35

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This is good.

Dodge Neon SRT4 - The official car of owning the fastest car in your trailer park.

Dodge Neon SRT4 - The official car of torque steer taking you off the road as you exit the Hooter’s parking lot.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Just Jeepin' 09/14/2020 at 12:28

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https://kalispell.craigslist.org/cto/d/kalispell-jeep-wrangler-renegade/7195756029.html

ClassicDatsunDebate > Just Jeepin' 09/14/2020 at 12:31

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1st gen RAV4

Just Jeepin' > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/14/2020 at 12:39

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I hate it when a beauty like that is used as a plow. So hard on it. 

WilliamsSW > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 09/14/2020 at 12:40

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You’re probably right - honestly most of the cars I see for sale from either generation are pretty beat. Especially E36s. I’m not sure what a “nice” one would sell for, other than the creampuffs on BAT. 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Just Jeepin' 09/14/2020 at 12:45

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It looks to be in fantastic condition for an old Jeep tho...

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > WilliamsSW 09/14/2020 at 12:45

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Clean manual ones pretty much don’t exist, from what I’ve seen.

Just Jeepin' > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/14/2020 at 13:03

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Curious how straight the frame is after being used as a plow, but hopefully I’m about to spend that money on an XJ. Waiting for the PPI.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Just Jeepin' 09/14/2020 at 13:05

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Hard to say about the frame, TBH I’d put good tires on it and use it as a plow and commuter. 

WilliamsSW > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 09/14/2020 at 15:15

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They do, but they’re mostly convertibles. A lot of those didn’t do much DD service. This one is 1 owner, 110k miles, accident free and rust free, complete service records from day 1 . It’s worn, so not a BAT queen, but everything works, no lights on the dash.  Just needs LCA bushings and something is effed up in the top mechanism. 

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > WilliamsSW 09/14/2020 at 18:18

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Right, but who wants a vert?

Me, I want a vert. Link?

WilliamsSW > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 09/14/2020 at 18:23

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Lol that's my car