Least depreciating decent sports car.
Discussion
Unfortunately, any car is going to cost money to run. Those cars that fall into the price bracket you mention will probably have cost much, much more when new and will still have the same running costs today as when new.
However I think there are a few gems out there that should be at the bottom of their depreciation curve.
Off the top of my head, the Ferrari 348 seems to like that now, as is the 355 (although i don't think you'll get a good one for less than 30k).
I recently bought an R129 SL60 AMG which, as long as it's kept in good condition and looked after, should not lose any money (though I didn't buy it for that reason).
Pre '89 Porsche 911's hold their money well and I believe good 964 911's are going up in value now.
Going right down the scale, earlier this year, I sold my rather mint 1985 M535i for three times the price I paid for it.
However I think there are a few gems out there that should be at the bottom of their depreciation curve.
Off the top of my head, the Ferrari 348 seems to like that now, as is the 355 (although i don't think you'll get a good one for less than 30k).
I recently bought an R129 SL60 AMG which, as long as it's kept in good condition and looked after, should not lose any money (though I didn't buy it for that reason).
Pre '89 Porsche 911's hold their money well and I believe good 964 911's are going up in value now.
Going right down the scale, earlier this year, I sold my rather mint 1985 M535i for three times the price I paid for it.
The main reason a car stops depreciating is generally because it has reached a certain age and a lot of examples have been crashed, stolen or are generally worn out. Therefore the good ones stop coming down, then start to go back up.
If a car is of that age though and you intend to use it, then it will cost money to run and keep mint.
So although you can buy a depreciation proof car, it still won't be free motoring, although you know this already.
Short answer, Porsche 964 Turbo
If a car is of that age though and you intend to use it, then it will cost money to run and keep mint.
So although you can buy a depreciation proof car, it still won't be free motoring, although you know this already.
Short answer, Porsche 964 Turbo
A 993, but especially a widebodied one.
As for the comments that they may not depreciate but they cost a lot more to maintain I much prefer it this way. I get a warm sense of satisfaction from spending money keeping the car in good condition and replacing stuff to bring it right up to scratch again. I doubt I'd get that same feeling by paying interest on a loan and/or losing that money simply because the car is sat on the drive.
As for the comments that they may not depreciate but they cost a lot more to maintain I much prefer it this way. I get a warm sense of satisfaction from spending money keeping the car in good condition and replacing stuff to bring it right up to scratch again. I doubt I'd get that same feeling by paying interest on a loan and/or losing that money simply because the car is sat on the drive.
Edited by BrewsterBear on Thursday 4th November 08:34
Porkaman said:
I absolutely love cars but hate Loosing 1000's and 1000's of £££ in depreciation. (don't we all?)
So, for a budget of say £20-£30k, what sports car (cab/coupe/2seater), new or used, would likely loose me the least amount of cash after, say, 1 year?
Nothing new or newish. Pretty much all new cars will lose money.So, for a budget of say £20-£30k, what sports car (cab/coupe/2seater), new or used, would likely loose me the least amount of cash after, say, 1 year?
Niche vehicles are likely to be more stable and lose less or at least lose it slower.
TVR's, classic Porsches, Corvettes, Mustangs. Are all probably good bets.
I'd also take a look at things like an e30 M3 and the M Coupe too.
Mr E said:
The right Elise/exgie won't lose too much (I hope)
Elise will, look at how cheap Eclats, Excels and even Europa's have dropped in the past.The Elise is a great car, but there are loads of them, so they will always be plenty to chose from. This won't help to keep prices keen.
BrewsterBear said:
A 993, but especially a widebodied one.
As for the comments that they may not depreciate but they cost a lot more to maintain I much prefer it this way. I get a warm sense of satisfaction from spending money keeping the car in good condition and replacing stuff to bring it right up to scratch again. I doubt I'd get that same feeling by paying interest on a loan and/or loosing that money simply because the car is sat on the drive.
This is the problem though. Many people buy cars that were once very expensive but are now affordable. they then expect running costs to be similar to a Ford Escort or Mondeo. Things go wrong, they get bodged and you have what was once a great car now basically buggered and needing a lot of cash spending on it.As for the comments that they may not depreciate but they cost a lot more to maintain I much prefer it this way. I get a warm sense of satisfaction from spending money keeping the car in good condition and replacing stuff to bring it right up to scratch again. I doubt I'd get that same feeling by paying interest on a loan and/or loosing that money simply because the car is sat on the drive.
I suppose however, that is a discussion worthy of it's own thread!
Edited by bob1179 on Thursday 4th November 08:09
Classic cars and kit cars (including Caterham) are all pretty good for holding their value. Nothing new(ish) unless it is a super rare supercar.
On my cars I have lost a total of £2k over a Triumph Spitfire, Westfield SE and Marlin Roadster, Spitfire did 30k miles, Westfield did 38k miles and Marlin 9k miles in case you thought they were garage queens. The bulk of the loss was the Marlin since I built that one, best bet is to buy one that someone else has built and fettled then not much should need doing.
For that sort of money you can get a high end Cobra replica like a Gardner Douglas or a decent Westfield and save yourself a wedge for spending on trackdays and instruction.
On my cars I have lost a total of £2k over a Triumph Spitfire, Westfield SE and Marlin Roadster, Spitfire did 30k miles, Westfield did 38k miles and Marlin 9k miles in case you thought they were garage queens. The bulk of the loss was the Marlin since I built that one, best bet is to buy one that someone else has built and fettled then not much should need doing.
For that sort of money you can get a high end Cobra replica like a Gardner Douglas or a decent Westfield and save yourself a wedge for spending on trackdays and instruction.
BrewsterBear said:
As for the comments that they may not depreciate but they cost a lot more to maintain I much prefer it this way. I get a warm sense of satisfaction from spending money keeping the car in good condition and replacing stuff to bring it right up to scratch again. I doubt I'd get that same feeling by paying interest on a loan and/or loosing that money simply because the car is sat on the drive.
Same here, I dont mind spending money on my car if I know its keeping it in top shape.I wrote my Mk1 TVR Tuscan off last year and the insurance gave me more than I paid for it.
I bought a 2006 TVR Tuscan Mk2 full Convertible (only 84 made between 2005 and 2006)last year and was offered 4k more for it this year than I paid last.
I know the dealer would then be putting another 3 or 4k mark up to sell from his show room.
Had new shocks and a new clutch fitted but thats it apart from servicing.
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