General car/truck value and future increases...discussion

[Cole Trickle]

Looking for some feedback that might help me and other members......

Here is what i am thinking. I have a decent savings account that is kind of sitting and doing next to nothing since the housing market collapsed.

The days of 4.5% intrest high yield savings accounts are gone. The CD market is a joke and I just can't see locking up 10's of thousands for 2%.

Here is the question........

What cars/trucks are typically a pretty good buy in this economy that you would expect to increase in value significantly over say the next 5-10 years.(I'm not talking 427 cobras or Hemi Cudas)

Do you think you could buy a couple cars/trucks in the 10-20K price range and make on average over say 5-10%?

I obviously think 67-72's are hot and will increase in value.....what else should I maybe look at?

[big_al_71]

any 60's/70's muscle car is a sure bet.

[custom1970]

Originally Posted by big_al_71

any 60's/70's muscle car is a sure bet.

x2

IMO, stick with good clean originals with documentation, they are still a good investment or excellent restorations (they usually sell for a lot less than the restoration cost) avoid cars/truck with lots of modifications. I also see a growing market for non-frame off originals. If you watch the auctions, these you keep hearing them say "they're only original once"

[djgebert]

I have had three old Corvettes and sold all of them for considerably more than I paid for them after owning them for a few years. Stick with the pre 73's though and make sure they are as original as possible and shop around and get a good deal from someone that needs $ and they are a pretty safe bet. That being said, nothing is guaranteed in this crazy economy right now. I also had a pristine 71 Chevelle SS 454 that I still wish I had, they peaked out about 3 yrs ago, but are starting to climb again.

[rob32472]

Why not buy gold? U would be better off and you can get cash if u need it fast.
Posted via Mobile Device

[1972RedNeck]

Originally Posted by rob32472

Why not buy gold? U would be better off and you can get cash if u need it fast.
Posted via Mobile Device

Its a good excuse to get a car/truck your wife doesn't think you need.

[Cole Trickle]

Originally Posted by Fitz

Here is your answer:
None.
Classic and antique cars are risky but investing in old trucks and expecting any return is simply insane.

Originally Posted by rob32472

Why not buy gold? U would be better off and you can get cash if u need it fast.
Posted via Mobile Device

Originally Posted by 1972RedNeck

Its a good excuse to get a car/truck your wife doesn't think you need.

So you don't think you could turn 5+% a year on a nice classic car bought from a distressed fire sale?

I don't look good in gold and I can't drive it.....lol

The wife and I don't share accounts.....whats mine is mine and what I do with my savings dosent involve her. (we also have retirement accts)

[MrGoodpliers]

Survivors. That medium olive 2wd blazer that has been for sale for a while might make some money if you could buy it right. They don't have to be muscle cars, unmolested drivers will only become more scarce and valuable.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by Cole Trickle

So you don't think you could turn 5+% a year on a nice classic car bought from a distressed fire sale?

No. That kind of a return takes a flawless restoration of a car in continuous demand when done by a well known shop. You won't get one of those at a fire sale price; those who have them know what they have. That kind of fire sale only happens in bar conversation and dreams. When money gets tight no one is interested in paying a premium for work done by Joe Lunchbox in his backyard on the weekends.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by Cole Trickle

for 2%.

Here is the question........

What cars/trucks are typically a pretty good buy in this economy that you would expect to increase in value significantly over say the next 5-10 years.(I'm not talking 427 cobras or Hemi Cudas)

Do you think you could buy a couple cars/trucks in the 10-20K price range and make on average over say 5-10%?

I obviously think 67-72's are hot and will increase in value.....what else should I maybe look at?

Here is your answer:
None.
Classic and antique cars are risky but investing in old trucks and expecting any return is simply insane.

[ldgn63]

buy a bunch of imports NOW... in 20-30 years middle age fols will want them because it was "what they had in high school"... kinda like what is driving the muscle car market now.

seriously tho, buying a CLEAN classic CHEVY your money should be SAFE.... but i wouldnt count on a defined profit margin unless you steal it!

[djunkie]

Give your money to me. I'll find a good use for it.

Seriously B, don't spend it on cars as an investment. Even with the stock market doing funny things I'm doing very well on my 401k right now. Fidelity Investments handles it. Maybe give them a call and invest a little and see what they can do with it.

[into69z]

Originally Posted by djunkie

Give your money to me. I'll find a good use for it.

Seriously B, don't spend it on cars as an investment. Even with the stock market doing funny things I'm doing very well on my 401k right now. Fidelity Investments handles it. Maybe give them a call and invest a little and see what they can do with it.

x's 2 I only wish I had the money I have spent on cars but it is fun while it lasts!

I have invested with a guy at Meixler investment management and have averaged over 9% since 2001-I tried "doing it" myself in my 401k and only averaged about 2%-get with a pro they can make it easy........

[bmfm64]

Chevy Impalas are always a safe bet if you can get them right, 58 to 64 with the more accessories, the better. I currently have two 64s. The more documentation the better as stated before.

[Zoomin]

By the time you pay insurance, storage and tags you'll be lucky to break even. If you drive it, forget it. What you pay in gas should be deducted from the gains, plus the wear nd tear.

I prefer to spend money that I would have pissed away on movies or vacations on these trucks. At least I have something to show for it.

[ChevLoRay]

My dad was the investments account manager for a large hospital system. I never heard him ask about making investments in automobiles and trucks. He bought one for himself, a '70 GTO convertible, but never even considered such for their portofolios. Buying a million or more in T-bills was a daily event, too. So, it's not like the money wasn't available....just that automotive ventures weren't the way to go. Watching Wayne Carini on Chasing Classic Cars has shown me that auctions don't always bring the expected dollars. Barrett-Jackson, Mecum and others back it up.

But, I envy you the desire to invest in a vehicle. Good luck.

[stsalvage]

well the 1967 and 69 camaro's are worth the money dodge chargers are worth money 1968--70 I've seen Nova's go up in valve 1969-70 mustang fastbacks 1967--72 3 door suburbans.Its like J Leno says If your going to buy a old car and just to put it in a glass case he said keep your money in the bank cus you will always regret not enjoying what you bought

[special-K]

Good luck with it. I really don't care about investing. I'm an enthusiast. But,the best stuff has already increased at a crazy rate,thanks to investors buying into the hobby. There will always be later model vehicles that will become more valuable. Many will never hit a low value and the ones that do will be the ones loved for their uniqueness. Like something that came and went and really wasn't a blunder. It seems anything American built for the enthusiast will always hold a higher value. The Japanese sedans with performance packages that didn't fall into the hands of tuners will be sought after. The more original the better.

BTW,is this a 67-72 GM truck topic?

[Jeffs70]

lol this is just as bad as politics. Now I will go back to working on my truck and enjoy

[70cst]

Great thread and interesting comments. The truck that I drive takes me back to my younger days. The $$$ that I have in the Circuit Rider I will never be able to recouped. But I didn't restore the Circuit Rider as an investment--but like many said it's a hobby...one that I can afford (I think ). I have much more $$$ into my truck than I was planning on investing.

My truck is my version of a 1970 Muscle Car ...I could not afford a Muscle Car in 1970 and in 2011 I still cannot afford a Muscle Car. So I was fortunate and found a 1970 factory 402BB in Tn.

If one could "stumble" and find one that was a highly optioned BB truck that was low mileage for next to nothing...then one might be able to flip it for good $$$. But our trucks are what they are...a hobby that we can afford in which we are able to develop new friends with similar interest. It’s also an affordable family hobby. My truck was never a financial investment to make $$$. JMHO

Again good thread.

[Already Gone]

Station wagons are finally getting the recognition they deserve. Full size 60's original Chevy Wagons I think are a good bet. As loaded with options as possible and there were quite a few made with 396 and 427's.

[70cst]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

Station wagons are finally getting the recognition they deserve. Full size 60's original Chevy Wagons I think are a good bet. As loaded with options as possible and there were quite a few made with 396 and 427's.

Good point

[68gmsee]

Don't invest in old cars/trucks as income. As others mentioned -too risky.
Unless you're lucky and happend to get a good buy and sell it at a profit you won't make a living doing it.

If you're intent on buying an old classic buy one that you will enjoy and can pass it on. If you make a profit, good, but if you don't you still enjoyed the vehicle.

Also, as mentioned above, for resale purposes buy as completely original as possible and make sure you have someone with the expertise check it out thoroughly. High dollar buyers/investors don't want to buy someone elses modifications. It may not be to their liking no matter how nice it looks.

[rcrahn]

Great thread which is a topic of conversation across many forums these days.....
My opinion the average guy should not bank on buying cars cheaply (10-20K range) and making a profit. Can it happen? Yes, but it's risky and not always a sure bet....
Having said that are there some nice vehicles out there today in this poor economy, absolutely.
Case in point...
A guy I know owns a machine shop/engine building/auto service place. About 3 years ago in walks a lady who owns an all original unmolested 1965 GTO convertible. The original owner was her late husband. She wants the car refreshed. $130K later it is refreshed and looking spiffy. A complete frame off.
Sadly, car is driven maybe all of 200 miles and sits in garage because she has become ill. Later she wants to sell the car, needs $. After a parade of tire kickers/lowballers it finally sells - $45K.
Best advice - look for a situation like this, purchase after someone else has dumped all their money into making it perfect......

Some of my personal favorites....Pontiacs and Datsun Z cars

[Ackattack]

Yeah, I wouldn't buy vehicles as an investment.

However, if I was going to, I'd be looking for stuff that is going to be hot in the future. Not what is hot now.

For example (and maybe these are already hot....but maybe a little cheaper than the 60s muscle cars):

Turbo Buick GN / Regals
'89 Turbo Trans am
Syclone/Typhoon
Supercharged (2nd gen i believe) Lightnings
SRT10 Dodge pickup
Cobalt SS (maybe....kinda a stretch for me)
Possibly a early 90s 454 SS pickup
WRX STI
Mitsubishi Evo

Though I didn't buy it for an investment, I think my G8 will be worth money in the future. I mean they only made ~50,000 of them total in the 2 years they were made. And it was the last year of Pontiac. If I were a real collector, I'd get the GXP model with a 6 speed and LS3.....but I bought it as a daily driver.