Top 5 used cars to make money on

[neilrr]

Vindicated!

http://cars.uk.msn.com/Usedcarguide/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1289095

In light of the rest of the world finally beginning to cotton on, does it not make sense for this icon & cast iron certainty to be a collectors' item to be the New Forum Pic?

I believe there's a picture of a rather nice fully loaded example - automatic, full electric leather, heated, memory seats, AC, cruise, SRS (v. rare in '87), sunroof, etc, etc, posted on this thread http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=31463&page=2

 

[Will]

I rest my case

Will

 

[Shude]

Vindicated!

This was also discussed a couple of years ago on Top Gear. Seems like a great way to inflate prices!

I think I'm going to write a "future classics" article about the 1998 C230k!

 

[stats007]

A Land Rover Defender is in there and I wouldn't want one of those either!

 

[C43AMG]

I rest my case

Will

Who is a clever boy then ?

 

[219]

Just what I was saying elsewhere last week .

"If you buy at the bottom of the depreciation curve - the price can only go UP"

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Ah, he mentions the MkII VW Golf GTi 16v in Oak Green - the very car I lusted over as a yoof. The car both me and my Dad wanted so bad, but could never have afforded at the time. Maybe it's time to put the record straight - now where can I find a minter?

("yoof" - see I'm still down with the kids even though I have silver - not grey - hairs these days).

 

[Doodle]

LOL @ the irony...I was thinking about this just last night. The Alfa is now up on ebay and will be going soon, but the impending sale made me lust after another one in better condition.

This rapidly extended to getting a 190 Cosworth as they are far better constructed than the Alfa ever was. Can't justify 3 cars at the moment though so the C250 would have to go in its place, and I'm not sure using the 190 as a runabout is the best idea

 

[Satch]

A Land Rover Defender is in there and I wouldn't want one of those either!

As an ex Landy owner I agree. They are a sound proposition if you can live with the design limitations or really do need an agricultural vehicle. As a fashion item they are sad indeed.

Also if you can stand the Land Rover service chain in terms of duff service and costs, can find a good Landy specialist to look after it or are confident enough to get your own hands dirty.

I may be biased but Land Cruisers (not the Amazon in this country though) fare better in those stakes because a lot of people now know that they are built off the near indestructable HiLux 4x4 chassis with a bigger engine and fancier bodyshell.

 

[stats007]

Let's face it - if you want to make money on a car you can buy anything to do so - you'll make more money on an auction fleet car if that's your plan.

Of course if you love 190s then it's an added bonus but I won't be buying one just because it might hold it's value or go up slightly in a year.

 

[grober]

Having read the article got to disagree that all the models described are a good depreciation investment. The Mercedes Cosworths and the Ford Focus RS qualify because they fall into the category of "factory tuned versions of mainstream models made in limited numbers" a bit like AMG merc models of today or the BMW " M "series or Alpinas. The Land Rover , VW GOLF GTI and BMW estate good as they undoubtedly are, don't have that rarity value and performance edge necessary to hold their value in the long term.

 

[Shude]

a bit like AMG merc models of today or the BMW " M "series or Alpinas.

Even then if you have an AMG or an M5 or something that's a bit tatty or has high mileage then it's practically unsaleable, which makes it effectively worthless.

 

[janner]

"If you buy at the bottom of the depreciation curve - the price can only go UP"

Not necessarily

 

[Satch]

Of course if you love 190s then it's an added bonus but I won't be buying one just because it might hold it's value or go up slightly in a year.

Some years ago my idiot brother in law purchased a last of production Fiat X-19 special edition as an "investment", having been assured that these would become much sought after collectors items. (Which may have become true because most would soon die from the rustworm)

How we laughed as it was kept coddled in his nice warm garage, only allowed out on dry sunny days and created huge astress and aggro whenever his wife went near it.

After 14 years of ownership and unrelenting worship he sold it for £4k having finally come to terms with that fact that it was never, ever going to make him money.

Lousy return on investment and stress to boot. Great.

 

[stats007]

You can all fight over this one

 

[Alfie]

Ah, he mentions the MkII VW Golf GTi 16v in Oak Green - the very car I lusted over as a yoof. The car both me and my Dad wanted so bad, but could never have afforded at the time. Maybe it's time to put the record straight - now where can I find a minter?

("yoof" - see I'm still down with the kids even though I have silver - not grey - hairs these days).

I think the actual colour was Lhasa green. It was a dark green metallic, very sought after at the time and used examples were commanding a premium. Has to be an all time classic.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I think the actual colour was Lhasa green. It was a dark green metallic, very sought after at the time and used examples were commanding a premium. Has to be an all time classic.

Lhasa green was a Mk1 only colour IIRC.

Oak green was similar (but richer and 'less blue' if that makes sense) and only available on the Mk2.

Monza blue was another rare Mk2 colour that looked great.

 

[C240Sport97]

buying a car as an investment is an OXYMORON

 

[imadoofus]

buying a car as an investment is an OXYMORON

Not necessarily so. Buying a Focus or a Golf as an investment is not goping to supplement your pension by much, but spend proper money on a genuine classic, with provenance or in exceptional condition and, if you look after it, the chances are, over time, you will make on it.

PJ

 

[Shude]

My Father bought a Porsche 944 in 2001 and it's now worth twice (valued for classic insurance by the Porsche Owner's Club) what he paid for it.

Attractive coupés from respected brands will always end up appreciating if they are well looked-after.

Good MB SLs do not drop far below £10k before creeping back up, do they?