October 26, 2008
Can buying a car ever be a good investment?
PM asked:
I already have two cars. Both are regular everyday cars. I love cars,
and wish I could buy something more collectable. Maybe a Saab
900, or something like that. But I don’t have money to waste on
additional car depreciation. I would like to buy something reasonably priced which would actually be in demand 5-10 years from now, and retain much of its value. Any suggestions? I am not interested in a pimped out car. I simply love the look of a clean
car in original condition. But again, can buying a car every be a good investment? (with the exception of course of the obvious collectables such as the 65 mustang, and so on)
I already have two cars. Both are regular everyday cars. I love cars,
and wish I could buy something more collectable. Maybe a Saab
900, or something like that. But I don’t have money to waste on
additional car depreciation. I would like to buy something reasonably priced which would actually be in demand 5-10 years from now, and retain much of its value. Any suggestions? I am not interested in a pimped out car. I simply love the look of a clean
car in original condition. But again, can buying a car every be a good investment? (with the exception of course of the obvious collectables such as the 65 mustang, and so on)
Filed under Other - Cars & Transportation by Administrator
Comments on Can buying a car ever be a good investment?
no unless its already 50 years old
I would say there are 2 cars that keep their value well and that is a toyota camry and a porsche. But both of them still loose value, just not as fast as most other cars. You usually have to keep them 25 years so they become historic before they start going back up in value.
If you have a knack for it, you can buy a used car cheap and then sell it to someone else for more than you paid for it. I recommend looking for private sellers and private buyers. Remember not to make more than 6 sales a year, else you may need a license.
The 65 Mustang, who would have known that back in 65 it would have been selling for so much today? Kind of like the housing market 10 years ago, who would have known? Cars are rarely a good investment. Most depreciate 50 percent in 3 years. Adding rims, a stereo, and an aftermarket suspension accelerates the depreciation even more.
Buy a car because you like it, not because you hope that other people are going to want it 40 years from now and pay your retirement.
If you are very sure about getting a car for investment purposes, get a car that is very expensive and made in low numbers of production. In other words, keep your eye on the Ford GT (not the Mustang GT, the GT) Keep your eyes on the Maybach. The Bugatti is also a surefire hit with car collectors. Sell grandma’s 87 Toyota Cressida, it ain’t going to be a classic.
Funny story that you mentioned Mustangs. Back in 1986, I had a neighbor who bought the Mustang SVO thinking that it was going to be a collector’s car in the future. He bought it and let it sit in the garage for years. Have you seen what an 86 SVO Mustang is worth? check out eBay at
yes its like having a bank account without the bank and the 65 is worth a lot of money right now when it was new it cost around 3 or 4 thousand think what it will be Worth in ten years from now