Appreciating classic

[Deanspoors]

I've got a bit of money saved up at the moment (burning a hole in my pocket) and since interest rates are so low I was contemplating on buying an appreciating classic, not so bothered on buying a car with only the intention of making money on it, rather to have something pretty to look at in the garage, drive around on a nice sunny day probably only putting 500 or so miles on it in a year.

Looking for something;

Pretty

£20-50k

Low miles

Rare

Rust free

 

Ideas, links?  

 

one car I did like the look of, although with it being modified, having aftermarket parts, very different from original it's everything you shouldn't buy in a car for investment... it does look pretty  

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/alfa-romeo/gt-junior/alfa-gtam/7398231

 

 

[Thrustyjust]

E30 M3 for the occasion. Should have bought one 10 years ago when they were 8 grand or so.................

[John K]

Does it have to come off the shelf pretty or would you be prepared to spend £10k on the car and £20k to £30k on a restoration?

And the Alfa is pretty, but IMHO to different from original to interest the real collectors and perhaps you would have trouble shifting it on.

And does it need to use all the budget?

Was wondering about a Capri 2.8i

Or for a lot more beans, Audi Ur Quattro...

[Deanspoors]

19 minutes ago, Thrustyjust said:

E30 M3 for the occasion. Should have bought one 10 years ago when they were 8 grand or so.................

I have looked at these, but the half decent ones are BIG money already.

8 minutes ago, John K said:

Does it have to come off the shelf pretty or would you be prepared to spend £10k on the car and £20k to £30k on a restoration?

And the Alfa is pretty, but IMHO to different from original to interest the real collectors and perhaps you would have trouble shifting it on.

And does it need to use all the budget?

Was wondering about a Capri 2.8i

I agree about moving the Alfa on. Hmm, a project is not ruled out, but it would have to be something prettier than a Capri, and whatever it was, I think it would have to be the highest spec, e.g. RS 3100.

[John K]

3 minutes ago, Deanspoors said:

I have looked at these, but the half decent ones are BIG money already.

I agree about moving the Alfa on. Hmm, a project is not ruled out, but it would have to be something prettier than a Capri, and whatever it was, I think it would have to be the highest spec, e.g. RS 3100.

I get "Pretty", in which case you can only look at Italy and lord the Alfa is so pretty

What about "Handsome"? I edited the post to mention the Ur Quattro 

I've seen a gorgeous restoration in Evesham a few times and it is very handsome in a square jawed way. Even makes a nice noise.

And should be quite a solid, reliable tool.

[Rory's Dad]

Ooooh those wheels are wonderful!

[Deanspoors]

I'm not sure I can get away with the looks of the UR, it's a bit of a marmite car for sure, it does seem to tick a couple of boxes though. 

[Sparkymart]

Landrover defenders are on the was up ...!

[andy665]

E36 M3, Capri 280 Brooklands, Alfa GTV V6, Alfa SZ, E39 M5, Mk1 Elise / Exige, TVR Griffith - so many great cars  

[Deanspoors]

4 minutes ago, andy665 said:

E36 M3, Capri 280 Brooklands, Alfa GTV V6, Alfa SZ, E39 M5, Mk1 Elise / Exige, TVR Griffith - so many great cars  

Out of those, the S1 Exige sounds like a good idea, with the aluminium body and fibreglass body there will be less rust to worry about already bringing big money though. TVR's are always desirable too, quite a few low mileage ones about, shame the Sagaris has sky rocketed! 

[Captain Colonial]

Porsche 911 993s (last of the air cooled engines) are starting to appreciate well, ex-neighbour of mine bought his Carrera4 many years ago for £13k and sold it recently for nearly double that.  928s are getting more rare and are appreciating, handsome brutes even if the rear is a bit large!  944s, especially the Turbos, are also a good choice.

Jenson Interceptors on the way up.

Early Alfa Spiders are pretty and always popular.

Lancia Delta Integrale, fast and rare, will hold its value.

E46 M3 Coupe (obvious)

[Rhett Turner - Black Country AO]

I went to Blenheim Palace on Saturday and there was a Coys Car Auction there, I did not go in to have a look as there were charging for the privilege, I did have a look through the fence and looked at the catalog when I got home. It may give you some ideas. I guess the actual prices will be somewhere at some point.

 

 

[DamperMan]

A lot of the modern ish Astons have reached there bottom value and can only go up.  Assuming they are not all time bombs full if disfuntional electronics.     12 years ago I bought a basket case 1969 DBS for 3k,   With non original engine.   My wife became pregnant and I sold it 6 months later. For the same price.    Cars similar condition are 35-45k. Whata Mistaka to  Makea!    The challenge is to find an appreciating car you'll enjoy, and will not eat you out of house and home while you have it. So that even if it does not appreciate it's not been a waste of time and money.     

[Vogalogue]

Don't say that... I sold my 55k mile E46 M3 a few years back for 6k. It was like new!

993 is a good shout (my favourite shape)

Maybe a decent R129 Mercedes SL, or a decent 8 series.

Totally different price bracket, but I think nice unmolested MR2s and Supras aren't a bad investment at the moment.

[Simon Marks.]

Hi,

RenaultSport Cliov6.  I have had mine (Phase 2 - 255bhp) for just over eighteen months and values are well and truly still on the up.  It's an exciting car - just as impractical as a Westfield (from a space/luggage point of view) and just as intoxicating to drive.  The values on the continent are even higher than here in the UK so to sell abroad would appear to be a way of further enhancing the investment.  The owners' club (v6Clio.net) is on a par with WSCC, the owners as enthusiastic, and there are some excellent specialists around to keep on top of the cars.

If a UR Quattro is a "Marmite" car, I guess the Vee could be considered the same.  I had a guy come round the house to sort a lock problem on another car and he described the Clio as "needing an ASBO just standing still" !

Simon