Is the fact we are beginning to get to the end of the internal combustion engine era going to have an impact on prices in the future?

I suspect the value of good cars will stay strong for a while. The ones that might crash are the “classics for the sake of it”, like the random Siera 1.6 LX or Cavalier that always shows upto classic car shows and only attracts the odd comment along the lines of “I lost my virginity in one of those”.

And it kinda depends on how quickly petrol pumps disappear. I kinda hope that we’ll see “petrol” change from E5, to E10, to E100 and be available indefinitely, there might just be one pump at the garage rather than 10. If that’s the case then there’s no reason for prices to drop really.

On the other hand if petrol ends up being sold by the gallon to niche enthusiasts (c.f. nitro methane and methanol based fuels) then I’d expect the prices of everyday classics to crash. Someone will always want to drive a DB4 up the Goodwood hillimb even if it costs a relative fortune for fuel. It’s the granddad in his Morris Minor, MGB retirement project restorations or tubby middle aged bloke in a ford fleece and his Focus RS that will disappear.

As others have said if you want to make money on it go Ford. The mk2 Focus ST is a decent shout for your budget but maybe hasn’t quite bottomed out so may be a while before you see a return. The current ‘bottom of the curve’ is the Focus ST170. I had one and they are lots of fun (not that quick though) and you could get a low milage and vgc one for half your budget. Prices for good ones are already starting to rise though and plenty are rusting away so condition is key.

I sold mine to my friend last week and he plans to keep it in his lockup for a few years, restore the car then sell for a profit. I’d have done the same if my garage wasn’t damp.

Alfa’s are a decent shout although most are now over your budget. My next door neighbour has a 156 GTA and it is lovely but they’ve shot up since he got it.

Get hold of a copy of Modern Classics mag if you haven’t already as that whole thing is basically the answer to your question if that makes sense?

Only the manual – the auto is holding its value better and is rarer – 4:1 maunual:auto with only about 400 autos left. for the SI Auto Coupe – that’s more like 110. Get one in the right colour, spec etc and it should be a winner.

It’s not a great auto box though… The manual is much better, and as it’s ostensibly a drivers car, it’s the one to have, rarity value or not.

Also, you’ve got to take into account where the TT and the Z$ sit within the product lineup. The Z3 is keeping the Z4 market buoyant and the newer Z4 is more of a cruiser than a sports car as it’s soo much heavier. the TT was replaced by an all round better looking, better driving model, the Z4 wasn’t. The Si Coupe is the rarest of the lot, never replaced and still very pretty and distinctive.

The Z4 coupe would indeed be a reasonable useable investment (and is one of the leading considerations for my next 4 wheeled purchases), but it’s £8k at least for anything worth buying, and more likely £10k for a nice one. Forget Z4M’s, they’re stupid money now, and you can’t really use the extra power on the road anyway.

Good Z3’s would represent a decent purchase to be fair. I saw a late model 2.8i Z3 for sale on Facebook classifieds the other day, quick glance and it looked in good nick. Was under £3k too. That would probably be a good purchase!

The mk1 TT may not have been as dynamically accomplished as it’s replacement, but it’s much better looking than the mk2, and is more of an experience to drive. No TT is a full on sports car, the mk2’s really aren’t much of an event though, unless you’ve gone for a TTRS, they really do epitomise the “warm hatchback in drag” approach that the mid noughties was famous for… And it reflects in their prices too… Mk2 TT’s (TTRS excepted) are devaluing quite sharply at the moment. I took my GF out in a mk2 for a test drive a while back, she said it was a bit boring really. My mk1 by comparison is much more of an experience, even if that has more to do with its dynamic flaws and the fact they put a lot more effort into the interior (seriously, the MK2 is DULL!)… If you know TT’s (I’m not claiming to be the gospel on the matter, but I do know enough about them) then get a good mk1 225 (Roadsters are much rarer, so arguably although not as good looking, will likely appreciate faster) and look after it properly, and it will increase in value… 180’s and 150’s, you can pick them up for peanuts and they still look cool, but you will struggle to sell them on afterwards, they’re mostly getting broken for parts now! V6’s are a bit of an oddity, cos it’s even less of a drivers car than the 1.8T models, but that engine makes a lovely sound. Values are reasonably strong, especially for those with a manual box (the early DSG could be problematic). 240QS’s are out of the picture, as they’re Z4 coupe money now…

The current ‘bottom of the curve’ is the Focus ST170

I’d be less sure. Any increase in value is proportional to it’s desirability and scarcity. If you want to make money it has to be the ‘best’ version of something.

E.g. Mk1 Sprites
Mk3 Midgets (1275)
etc

A Mk2 Sprite is still a good car, but a lot less valuable than a mk1 because it lost the frog eyes. Mk1 and 2 Midgets have less power (and brakes) than the mk3. Mk4 has more power again, but lacks chrome bumpers. People generally buy the others because they’re similar, but don’t have the same premium, so prices rise slower.

So an ST170 is never going to be in the same demand as an RS.

Just buy the car you actually want, and if it appreciates then you’ve done well.

Just buy the car you actually want, and if it appreciates then you’ve done well

This.

Investment mentality has killed the classic scene. My first car was a 1.6 Capri that I bought for £600. Had loads of fun in it, loads of break downs learned loads of mechanical skills then sold it 2 years later for £600.

The same cars now are 5-6 grand plus and they’re just not worth the grief. These days I’d just get a Fiesta on finance like everyone else.

Also, unless you actually use it, expect that low mileage guaranteed future classic you squirreled away in a bone dry lockup, to come out with seized brakes, leaking fuel hoses, rusty tanks, and perished everything.

Unless you’re lucky or meticulous in your maintenance it could come out of that lock-up needing more work than any profit it makes!

Having owned a 3.0SE Z4, a 3.0si Coupe and a Z4MC, the Auto Coupe is definitely the one to have. The manual Z4 MUST have the CDV delete done to be a usable box and it’s still a heavy clutch which can be a pain in any form of traffic. The Z4MC is pure theatre due to the engine/cockpit, but the gearbox is really rubbish. It’s not the same box as an E46 M3 and makes getting off the line a pain. Once up to speed (2nd-6th) the MC is just lovely, sonorous and fun to drive. But the Si coupe with the (6sp) auto has some of the theatre (same cabin as the MC and more soundproofing than the SE), but less nice steering than the MC as it’s electric rather than hydraulic. The Si is also cheap to run (returns high 30s, low 40s on a run), plenty fast and easy to drive. A retrofit LSD would bring it some way toward the MC if you wanted to race it.

Would an older Boxster or Z4 appreciate? As they’re still being produced won’t that ensure a ready supply to keep values down on older models? Appreciate there may be specific variants that could be sort after but they’ll either be valued accordingly now or you’ll have to take a gamble.

I’d go Honda- less chance of massive bills : )

I had an EP3 Type R, while the engine was sound the chassis had rotted (at 180k and 17 years old). It was fun and I loved it, but in the end no one wanted to buy it except for scrap.

Alpin, is there something special about your nb?

You mean Re price?

Very low mileage, silly hard racing suspension, brace thingies over the engine and underneath on the rear. various engine/air filter upgrades that I don’t understand,

Plus I’m in Germany. Second hand motors are generally more than in UK.

I’d go Honda- less chance of massive bills : )

I had an EP3 Type R, while the engine was sound the chassis had rotted (at 180k and 17 years old). It was fun and I loved it, but in the end no one wanted to buy it except for scrap.

Exactly! your Honda made it to 180k.

How many tiny old and beautiful Alfa/ midgets/Imps are going to make it to 180k?

How much will it have cost to take a Boxster to 180K compared to any Honda?

Some will, but there won’t be many due to the cost of keeping something like that going. There will always be low mileage garage queens that are traded for a fortune and live for many years. But I would guess by reputation many £5000 Honda’s have a reasonable chance of making it with out an uneconomical repair.

I loved the idea of a Alfa GTA with a busso engine. Until I watched a bloke in my street get underneath his with his spanners and sockets. Repeatedly, month after month. He constantly had the tools out. So until I can just waive my hand at a mechanic and say “just do it” its not happening.

Where as my wife agreed that a civic type r is the perfect replacement for her 2001 civic when it eventually dies. {reality check, tiny son will probably put paid to that idea}

I’m sure you could make a similar argument for any BMW/vag group car where parts will be relatively plentiful.

I currently drive a BMW, I wish I’d gone for a type R every time the BMW eats a chunk of cash.

S200 is my (fantasy) £5,500 buy 🙂

S2000

I’d be less sure. Any increase in value is proportional to it’s desirability and scarcity. If you want to make money it has to be the ‘best’ version of something.

Quite often the case but not necessarily with Ford. Check out how much mid 90’s Escort GTI’s sell for. It was mince and overshadowed by the Cosworth but I couldn’t belive the price when I looked (when I got my ST170). It’s all relative though, they won’t be worth tens of thousands but I expect you could double your money in 5 years if you pick up a tidy car for £2000/2500 now.

Yeah I agree about the ford thingy. Look at the Xr2i. Poor handling. Poor engine. Not as held in high regard like the XR2, certainly not like the 205 gti. Prices are mad.

A ford with sports trim will always command a high price. Certainly when they get rarer.

I thought of the 2000-2002 fiesta zetec s, no 106 GTi for sure. Drums on the rear. Not high powered. Nice chassis and fun to drive though. But not the best hot hatch, not even hot. Does have a ford badge though and most have rotted away. Had a look on eBay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184334510334

Any love for the MG TF?

Like the OP I’ll be looking for something like this in the next few months and it seems really nice examples of the TF can be had for very little money.

Corrado vr6 or an early Audi S3 ?

Think you’ve missed the boat on Porsche 944, they were well on the up when we sold a few years ago and neutralised or cost of ownership. Not convinced the Boxster will have the same appreciation, lots of them and no quirky design not found anywhere else.

Early forced induction or late normally aspirated I reckon

Corrado G60 maybe or Clio 182/197

I agree about early Boxsters. They drive nice but are dreadful to look at and be sat in. The 987 introduced in 2005 was a much better car both mechanically and cosmetically. I had a 987 Boxster which I sold for my Z4M Coupe. I had far more go wrong with the Boxster in 18m of ownership than I did with the MC over 4 years.

Peugeot 306 GTI6/Rallye. Had afew theyre fantastic things, 205 prices have jumped ship and these will follow IMO. Plus the French knew how to make a good hot hatch in the 90’s!

Any love for the MG TF?

Like the OP I’ll be looking for something like this in the next few months and it seems really nice examples of the TF can be had for very little money.

I dunno, there’s still a lot of them as they’re owned by people who want an MG without the hassle of 50 year old car. So there’s still a lot of them.

On the other hand they’ve got a bad rep after the accountant’s designed the original MG F.

Lot’s about and not desirable, suppose that might change if lot’s get scrapped and the Chinese manage to rehabilitate the MG brand a bit. Apparently the newest car is already a big step forwards from their first attempt.

Corrado vr6

As a VR6 Storm owner, I’d be a little wary. Many of the parts are hard to find and/or expensive and good ones are hard to get hold of, though the Corrado Forum’s a good resource. They do seem to be appreciating though.

Merk SLK (2nd gen), these cars are 15 – 25 years old now. There are loads of the 200 variety at that price – many driven lightly by hairdressers. Smart money buys as big an engine as you can while still looking for a minter. An AMG will be silly money but a guaranteed investment. Bills will be high keeping all of them on the road but its a genuine high quality car and will always have demand.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Benz-SLK-280-SPORT/193524396993?hash=item2d0ef3f3c1:g:IwkAAOSw8Lhe4gMd

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERCEDES-SLK-350-AUTO-2005-ONLY-46-000-MILES/254628685417?_trkparms=aid%3D888008%26algo%3DDISC.CARDS%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20200220090753%26meid%3D9e0adb1ef5a740eb9f0bc03440cf67f7%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D2%26sd%3D193524396993%26itm%3D254628685417%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DDiscV1&_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982