Investing in a Car

Michael Myers · 24 Aug 2020 at 16:26

Hi All

Im probably going to roll the dice as i have a spare bit of cash that would be otherwise sitting in a savings account doing nothing.

The idea is to find a fun car that be used on the odd occasion, probably limited to 3k miles per year. that will hopefully be worth a bit more in say 5 - 10 years.

Im currently looking at Honda S2000's as i have owned one before and they seem to be on the rise very quickly.

my question is what would you purchase as a little bit of fun for an investment?. lets ignore the servicing/ insurance costs etc for the moment and lets stick to a 10 - 15k purchase budget.

mccarf · 24 Aug 2020 at 17:00

I think S2000s are a great option as you say, that would probably be the one I'd go for too. You could also look at the MK1 Focus RS as fast Fords just seems to appreciate like crazy after some time.

s-man · 24 Aug 2020 at 17:04

Lotus Elise if you can find a decent one within budget. Possibly a Boxster S as I think the demand for 6 cylinders will drive them back up..maybe

chaparral · 24 Aug 2020 at 17:07

mccarf said:
I You could also look at the MK1 Focus RS as fast Fords just seems to appreciate like crazy after some time.

Think you mean the mk2 Focus RS

There rumours that there prices may jump up even more with Ford not making a MK4 focus RS

Raymond Lin · 24 Aug 2020 at 17:23

Mk2 RS is the one with the volvo T5 engine isn't it?

Nasher · 24 Aug 2020 at 17:36

You could get an Elise for 15k. I wouldn't go much lower though unless you want a restore project. Most of the cheaper ones needed work when I was shopping for them. For the Toyota engined ones you will likely have to pay more.

They are also pretty cheap to service and insure, just don't damage it.

Psycho Sonny · 24 Aug 2020 at 17:36

No car will be worth more in 5-10 years thanks to.

Covid recession
Change to electric
Ultra low emission zones popping up everywhere.

It's a gamble. If you want to make an investment then look elsewhere.

Liquidfox · 24 Aug 2020 at 17:37

Raymond Lin said:
Mk2 RS is the one with the volvo T5 engine isn't it?

Yep

Nasher · 24 Aug 2020 at 17:46

Psycho Sonny said:
No car will be worth more in 5-10 years thanks to.

Covid recession
Change to electric
Ultra low emission zones popping up everywhere.

It's a gamble. If you want to make an investment then look elsewhere.

It's going the other way though. The rare and sought after cars are going up faster now. During recessions the people with cash invest in things rather than money. Plus everyone wants to get their fun car to buy and keep, before being forced in to electric.

Also the S2000 is ULEZ exempt. Most petrol cars from about 1999+ are

mccarf · 24 Aug 2020 at 18:31

chaparral said:
Think you mean the mk2 Focus RS

There rumours that there prices may jump up even more with Ford not making a MK4 focus RS

The mk2 is a great car but I can't see any for 15k or less on autotrader at least.

Edit:
Literally the one car
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008202710253

Nasher · 24 Aug 2020 at 19:04

MK2 RSs have been hovering around there forever. They are the ones to get for a future classic.

chaparral · 24 Aug 2020 at 19:34

Psycho Sonny said:
No car will be worth more in 5-10 years thanks to.

Covid recession
Change to electric
Ultra low emission zones popping up everywhere.

It's a gamble. If you want to make an investment then look elsewhere.

They will if there collectors or show cars

I took these photo's yesterday

Rilot · 24 Aug 2020 at 19:54

I'd buy an S2000. I think the rise of EVs and hybrids will drive values of raw, NA, screaming roadsters up over time.

MrKnifey · 24 Aug 2020 at 19:59

I have invested in a MK1 Focus RS, MK2 XR2 and a 2 x MK2 Escort, although the one is my toy... Just be careful, too many sheds about

Toothy1911 · 24 Aug 2020 at 20:04

I've been tempted by an Elise for a long time. Possibly a TVR, or a Morgan. Both unlikely to lose much value and are great examples of raw motoring pleasure.

ericmcn · 24 Aug 2020 at 21:05

RS Fords are all over the place so wont be collectable - Manual N/A cars with desirable power plants will be desirable as people come to their senses in a decade what on earth they were doing driving diesels / electrics and boring autos all that time...

mccarf · 24 Aug 2020 at 21:33

ericmcn said:
RS Fords are all over the place so wont be collectable - Manual N/A cars with desirable power plants will be desirable as people come to their senses in a decade what on earth they were doing driving diesels / electrics and boring autos all that time...

Escort Cosworths were everywhere at one point too. I can see 6 mk1 Focus RS's on Autotrader vs 4 Escort Cosworths so the Mk1 isn't exactly common anymore.

Nasher · 24 Aug 2020 at 21:49

ericmcn said:
RS Fords are all over the place so wont be collectable - Manual N/A cars with desirable power plants will be desirable as people come to their senses in a decade what on earth they were doing driving diesels / electrics and boring autos all that time...

Already happening a bit I think

Covid has made people realise YOLO. Life is too short for a boring electric thing.

Toothy1911 said:
I've been tempted by an Elise for a long time. Possibly a TVR, or a Morgan. Both unlikely to lose much value and are great examples of raw motoring pleasure.

Older Morgans are one of the top things to invest in apparently.

chaparral · 24 Aug 2020 at 23:01

Anyone know what car this is ?

Havana_UK · 24 Aug 2020 at 23:09

Some form of kit car, fairly modern I'd say by looking at it but going for that late 50s/early 60s look