The nicest 911 that 50k can buy. Or possibly Cayman GTS.
So budget up to 50k say. I am not fussed if the car is newer or older, for example was looking at the M4 competition where a nice 2019 car can be had for around 42k. Also was looking at DB9 and AMV8’s as well. I want to see the car retain value as much as possible over say two-three years of ownership at say 6k miles a year. I was also looking at a 2016 exige for example as well. What do you all think the best punt would be?
Update: ideally not more than 15 years old max. Automatic preferably
Last edited by langdalematt; 28th February 2021 at 12:11.
The nicest 911 that 50k can buy. Or possibly Cayman GTS.
- Porsche 912,
- Porsche 914 (prices are rising - mine is for sale),
- BMW's like the Bauer cabrio, 2002Tii's.
- Citroen DS the early ones,
- Morgans,
- Exotics like Bristol and Jensen.
- Austin Healey (if you can find a good one that's still not overly expensive....).
- All types Lotus, especially the older ones with a Spyder chassis,
- Land Rovers,
- Land Cruisers.
Or, go left-field and buy a not-so-expensive classic with a knackered engine and have that replaced with electric power. Volkswagen Type 3 or 4 would be my candidate for that!!!
The ideal answer is a classic, but then you have to sift through those that are both "nice" and able to do 6,000 miles a year without problems. I was thinking a RR Corniche but it would have to be the drop head as the convertible is over budget.
A classic Merc, if perfect, will be great, too. You're a little short for a good Pagoda, but there are excellent alternatives.
'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.
997.1 Turbo Manual coupe
Usable reliable...lots of servicing specialists..
Quick enough and still feels quite modern...last of the Mezger engined Turbos...
Like the idea of a cayman gts but would a 911 turn o hold its value better?
911 of almost any variant
Youve answered it already 911 turbo
Lotus are killing the Elise this year. Although it's no automatic one will keep its value long term in my eyes. Shorter term a lighty used one might be better.
A defender never seem to really change in value, some are even automatic, if it's just for being a "cool" car rather than a nice car then the auto doesn't hurt it in my eyes, although I can't see why you want one for a 6k a year toy.
Safe place for the cash, E39 M5. Although you will want the manual and will probably creep just over 15 years I think and could end up with big bills, but they are unlikely to do anything other than rise.
Same goes with the Z3m coupe
Real left field suggestion would be a Morgan, either 3 or 4 wheelers all give off a very different type of driving experience to a M4, about as different as you could get I bet and while they will not be as easy to source or shift, will be a lot more of a special car. Not sure how much aero you can get for 50k these days
Some of this will depend upon if you have a garage or not.
Not having a garage rules a lot of the older stuff out for me.
I'd also say that unlikely a car will retain all of it's value putting on 6K a year.
A few exceptions over the years like a 1M but few and far between.
A case of which will you lose least on.
Last edited by Hood; 28th February 2021 at 13:17.
True!
< 15 old interesting cars are extremely expensive to maintain. It will eat up a large part of your 50k budget. A 3k service for a Porsche is no exception. In a perfect world, its value will go up every year with 3k to compensate...
A really interesting and cheap option: VW Up GTI! Only a handful were built, modern technologie and it will hold its value over time
Last edited by thieuster; 28th February 2021 at 13:22.
Dreadful recommendation based on OP's brief because they are over budget and no idea what the residual value will be like but... I want one, so why not share!
For those that are not aware of them yet, a brand new Mk1 or Mk2 "Escort"...
https://mst-cars.com/
The car will be on the drive. I think something that just depreciates say no more than 3k a year. If I can find something thats still under warranty and depreciates at say 3k a year based on putting on 6k miles a year, that would be ideal
An Evora NA would have cost you 25-30k 3 years ago. If you bought one now, it will cost you 25-30k. When you sell it in 3 years time, it will probably be worth 25-30k.
Alpine A110, Alfa Romeo 4C or Lotus Evora IPS. All seem to have glacial depreciation.
Much cheaper option BMW 135i DCT coupe.
911 997/996 Turbo
E39 M5
E46 M3
R34 Skyline
456 Ferrari
Aston DB9
Mini F56 JCW GP3 (new car thrown in!)
If you want a car that is fun to drive, looks good, is going to depreciate hardly at all and is highly unlikely to let you down or come with any big bills, why not consider a 3 or 4 year old Toyota GT86? My wife's GT86 is 4.5 years old (so still under warranty) and It has depreciated by less than 1K over the past 8 months (and now prices are starting to creep up if WBAC is anything to go by). Nothing like the 'statement' of the more expensive options on your list, but generally seen as a great real-world driver's car https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/toyota/gt86
A little quote from the article, suggesting it's in good company: 'The more commitment you put into driving them, the more they come alive, so you focus on upping your game to allow the car to up its own. Caterham 7, Porsche 911, Nissan GT-R… and this little Toyota. They all sharpen up as you do. It’s an addictive relationship to get into.'
Last edited by JonRA; 28th February 2021 at 15:28.
There is much to weigh up when choosing the right car but these three are solid value retainers and are very different from each other on the cost/age/maintenance-reliability scale:
Audi R8 V10 manual (first gen)
FK2/8 Honda Civic Type R
E92 BMW M3
Probably hard to go wrong with a 911 Turbo as mentioned a few times.
If you dont mind going over the 15 year guideline Id suggest a Honda NSX. You can use it everyday, it comes in an auto and if it has been looked after, it will be reliable.
Any Noble, only going up in value
Some good thoughts here. Was offered an Alfa 4c which is tempting
My neighbour took me into one of his outbuildings (he owns a small farm) and I walked in to see a stunning Datsun 240Z, specifically THIS one.
A friend has an Alfa Montreal ... bought new in the 70s ... it has longevity ... but not a classic to leave on the driveway
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwLQ7jbdVV0
dunk
"Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"
Porsche 928 or 944 turbo.
Both well made classics that are going up in price and with good parts availability at decent prices.
Lot of choice but most of the suggestions here will not do well on a drive way, especially Italian, pre 2000 Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, some of the Japanese rally inspired cars like Lancers, Imprezas can rot terribly.
Personally I would look at something cheaper, more modern and lots of fun, I give you the E46 M3, 338bhp manual 8000rpm redline.
Probably cost you half of that 50k for a good car, they have long bottomed out and predicted to rise, well the better cars anyway.
Something like this has a 5k Munich Legends tax but it should be fully sorted with a decent warranty - https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/list...8&cId=11103266
Last edited by murkeywaters; 1st March 2021 at 00:31.
Supercharged jag maybe??
Tesla Model S, or an original model Prius. You wouldn't believe what those will be worth in 10 years time.
Sorry. Been drinking.
Fair comment, 944s and some of the 911s still can get the odd bit of corrosion around the sills, arches, windscreen areas, really what Im saying is older cars irrespective of their make dont sit too well on driveways.
Damp getting into electrical connections, brakes corrode and can bind, I suppose this is true if any car if its not driven much and left outside.
Look for an unmolested Skyline R34GTR UK version, I appreciate outside your age limit.
These will hold their value and increase.
Fantastic cars to drive and imho look great.
https://911virgin.com/listings/996-turbo-x51-manual/
Glorious, and 911virgin will buy it back from you if you take care of it.
I know you've said automatic, but manual Mezger Porsches are the pinnacle and nobody really wants an older auto Porsche. You want to drive the thing, not it drive you :)
Last edited by The Doc; 1st March 2021 at 09:28.
Any Aircooled 911.
The 996 Turbo, (but you will need to move quickly as prices are going up).
The Porsche 968 Clubsport
The 924 GT
Personally, find a bit more money and buy Ditchdivers 996 GT3.
Alternatives could include.
Mk1 Golf GTi
Peugeot Rally Sport or 1.6 GTI
Renault 5 Turbo
Fiat 131 Sport
Alfa Junior
Lotus Cortina Mk1 (although finding one for 50k might be a challenge)
Lotus Cortina Mk2
Basically any car that has a race pedigree and can be entered into Classic Car race events (even if you dont want to partake yourself)
Whoever does not know how to hit the nail on the head should be asked not to hit it at all.
Friedrich Nietzsche
Nobody mentioned this yet??
Something like this? Modern, fast, practical, reliable, and already has about 7 years of your 3k pa depreciation covered.
With a view to getting something newer. Now that Jag have confirmed they will be 100% electric by 2025, I think the F type 5.0v8 S could be a good bet. What do you think? Could be bought for 40-45k 2016
Anything oldish and Porsche if history tells us anything.
Great drivers car the Cayman GTS and should hold value quite well -
https://www.williamscrawford.co.uk/l...15-model-year/
I'm just gutted that I sold my mint E46 M3 years back, hindsight is a great thing😁 If you can get a clean one which has had the subframe sorted then go for it.......CSL anyone!!