Six good bets for cars destined to become future classics
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4/9/2008 - 4/10/08
It's tax time, that time of year when we reconsider how we spend, save and invest our money. Considering the stock market's current malaise, you might want to try a different investment with your cash.
How about buying an older car? If you pick the right one, it could be a sound investment that will appreciate over time.
David Kinney, a journalist who follows the auction markets of older cars as publisher of Cars That Matter Price Guide, offered his advice. He put together a list of cars that were no older than 30 years, could be bought for mad money and could yield a profit when it's time to sell.
"I will guarantee that every one of these cars have done better than the stock market has since the beginning of the year," Kinney said.
Here are six models Kinney calls good investments, along with his comments:
Cadillac Allanté, 1987-1993
"There are things to be said for the early ones, although most people prefer the later ones because of the Northstar V-8."
What to like: "I have seen some price increases on those recently. Just slightly. But there's more collector interest in them now."
But beware: "Hardtops are not interchangeable year to year. You buy one of these cars and put a hardtop on it, and most people take them off and never use them again."
Price: $3,500 to $14,000
Ford Thunderbird, 2002-2005
"They were meant for cruising. The amenities are more important than the power. I don't think people were buying them to be Corvettes."
What's to like: "Service and parts are easy to find. Very distinctive, great colors and pretty luxurious. Expensive when new, these cars were bought by owners who were careful with them."
But beware: "There was a period when they made a ton of Thunderbirds, and they're still not collectible."
Price: $13,500 to $29,700
Mercedes-Benz 300D Turbodiesel Wagon, 1979-1985
"This will blow you away: I have now seen two ... that are being restored for major collections."
What's to like: "They could be nice cars. They're really well-screwed together and have a lot of potential upside. They sold a lot of them new."
But beware: "They have rust problems, and every one you find has a quarter-million miles on them. They're expensive to buy, run and restore."
Price: $1,350 to $6,200
Toyota Supra, 1986-1992
"A car that people are going to want to have. It has a reputation as a well-built and sexy car in its own way. Everyone had a friend who owned one."
What's to like: "The styling stands up to time. They're relatively forgotten, and you haven't seen many of them at all."
But beware: "Many rusted, or are all used up. You'll have to look for the little old lady one, but they're out there. Also, turbos back then were very fragile, more so than today."
Price: $1,625 to $7,200
Triumph TR8, 1980-1981
"They had V-8 engines, which is very rare in a British sports car. This is the only place left in the world where they're not being bid up."
What's to like: "That styling, which was so polarizing, is coming back into style. They do have ugly tartan interiors, but that's part of the period charm."
But beware: "Stay away from coupes; convertibles are worth a lot more. Find one that hasn't been played around with. The ones that are worth the most are ones that are stock."
Price: $5,490 to $26,200
Volkswagen GTI, 1985-1989
"You know, this is a car that has a great following and had a huge impact on the market; it redefined what a sports car was at the time."
What's to like: "Small, fast and nimble — they were aimed at and denoted youth. If you couldn't buy one then, it's a good time to buy one now."
But be aware: "It's hard to find one that hasn't been highly modified or bitten by the tin worm."
Price: $2,000 to $6,400
About 'Cars That Matter'
Started in 2006, this price guide is compiled by David Kinney and incorporates auction results as well as market pricing. The guide is printed three times a year. A one-year subscription is $40. For more information, go to www.carsthatmatter.com.
How to gauge a future collectible: Look for controversial styling. "When it's been around for awhile, it becomes less controversial," Kinney said. "With age, it becomes a coolness factor."
When to sell a car: "It's timing for some of them," Kinney said. "You can still buy a running, breathing 1963 Studebaker Avanti for $12,000. They should be worth more. They're such iconic cars, but nobody wants them."
What's next: "Automobiles are 110 years old; every year there are more that are collectible."