I am looking to invest anywhere from £10-20K in a car. It will be cleaned and kept safe and driven rarely. It would purely be an investment over a year or so.

So...what do you guys see as being a worthy purchase with the above in mind?

I have some ideas but it is a little subjective as we all have 'cars' that we loved when we were younger and would like to buy. I am trying to figure out what would be the best for investing rather than loving...

Ideally, something that

(a) Is in need of a little work only
(b) That has been a little neglected cleaning wise - I can make anything look new so long as it's solid ..... and enjoy doing so
(c) Will guarantee no loss (subject to the market not collapsing again)
(d) Is set to become more valuable quickly - all being well

Over to you then guys...

Thats a tricky one for me im not that clued up on the classic side of things but i would be interested in the old school rally cars

Something like

Lancia Delta Intergrale
Audi Quatro S1 "Urquatro"
Possibly a Sierra Cosworth 4x4 but dont think they would appreciate as quickly as the others? but like i say i dont know much about buying a car for an asset!

Best of luck be interested to see what you end up with!

I reckon you could do worse than one of these...

Eighties-tastic va-va-voom!

BMW E34 540/535 sport in manual flavour.
They are getting very thin on the ground now with the good ones commanding fairly strong money.
Quite fun to drive too.

The Renault is a good shout, the GTA's are a cracking car that are quietly increasing in the shadows, same goes with some of the Porsche models and early BMW's.

Have you thought about a Lamborghini

How about a Lotus? I saw an Excel up for sale recently for £7k when you used to be able to pick them up for £2.5k three years ago. Esprits are cheap at the mo. It's such a fabulous shape that could never get out dated. Trouble is , would it be the n/a or the turbo you'd buy? oh no

Jaguar XJS - definitely increasing in value at the moment.

That Lambo is class!
I love the Eclat/Excel wedge shape but the interior is woeful on most.
What about a 944 Turbo or a 928 S2?

A 3.6 manual in Sapphire Blue for me please.

Nice Lambo

Sierra Cossie

Herald Convertible

928

And my favourite.....

Grale

Escort Cosworth prices are rocketing at the moment.

Clio V6

Early 911 if you can get one within budget.

What about a vw split screen camper?

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/car-advert/volkswagen/t1/1973/294129/

Always sought after....

Hahahahahaha, I have been looking at that one today. It is the highest priced available, unless you go for the older Alpine .... these are more desirable I think but all cars available are in France.

I agree, been looking at older M5's too...

Older Massy Ferguson are more desirable mate I do love my tractors though. Recently bought (not m, the club) a lovely Boomer Diesel Turbo charged cab type with air-con and radio



The Esprit is a good call I reckon - but I am biased about this as I love James Bond movies - then again, who does not



I agree, they are moving.... another good call



Been looking at the 968 and 356b - yep, another great call



Bezzer, you and I are on the same wavelength



The early, air cooled 911's have moved away from my price range unfortunately. Unless anyone can find one? I cannot



Beautiful Shifty! But I simply refuse to buy a VW unless its a 911


Thanks guys, it's a tough one isn't it!! Not easy at all !!!!

Will keep you informed as we go along........ S1 your, yes!!

If you can get a Porsche or older BMW M the parts are SO much more available than other stuff.

A Lotus?TvR might be worth a punt.

Also consider some sort of MK1/ Mk2 escort.

A Ferrari 308GT4. The garage near me respored one and made £20k with not much work. Like this sort of thing http://www.petrolicious.com/this-70s-wedge-is-wonderful-and-available

Too much to choose from!!!!!!! Grrrrrrrrr! I'll look into the 308's

996 is right at the bottom of the curve

Interceptor!

like this?

Nevermind the rust, these things are awesome cruisers with plenty of style and guaranteed to pull some crumpet!

Not sure it'll make you any money though. ..

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm. Always fancied the interceptor. Can I have a ride in it when I see you next?

Seems you've pulled already Boosted Didn't take long huh!

Another vote for Clio V6

This could have potential:

Yellow fezza mondial

Alfa Montreal - I would have said RZ SZ but these are appreciating quicker than I can believe!!

bit of haggling and shes yours!

or this

These seem to top out at around £20K. Having owned numerous coupes in better shape and spent a fortune ..... this one does not wet my appetite I can see that being a money bucket



I've already seen the montreal it's a nice car for sure. The montecarlo, interesting.......

I am begininng to focus a little now ...... Porsche 968 is high on the list

Look at the sz, 7 years ago it was a 20k car now 50-70.

I'd go alfa / lancia. They have pedigree and in the UK the badge alone is rare.
If I had a spare 20k it would be a very rough rs500 cossie, but then I'm a ford fan boy.

If you could stretch the budget a little 996 turbo ?
What about something like a SL55, Escort cossie.
Recently seen a ccossie up for £75k !!!

what about a lancia thema 8.32 very rare now

Yes but a 968 isn't going to gain in value at the same rate as a Motecarlo so the Lancia gets my vote if I had to choose between the two.

Hmmm, there is a pretty big porsche price hike going on at the moment Joe. Check out the 968 Club Sport prices and then the pre 996 911's

Looking into the Lancia, it is the most expensive I can find anywhere. Even looking at a montecarlo forum, it seems that none have sold for this price before.

There have been some pretty seriously renovated ones (50K miles) gone for £10K. I don't want to be the guy who has set the record for the most money paid for a model.....as at £13K she's expensive, topping the tables!

I'm after something that is guaranteed to make money in the short term. The Lancia of course will eventually, but I don't want to wait and see. See first thread

What about the GTV cup?
Or you could go American muscle
Dodge Charger
Camero
My fav is a Plymouth road runner

The original maserati ghibli - (can't find one atm)
Imo a Porsche isn't going to climb quickly, the integrale and sz / rz's have doubled in price in the last five years.
So have the rs fords - the escort cosworth was an appreciating chattel from day 1 if looked after.

It's a tough call, if we could all predict what would increase in value I'm sure we'd all have one!

It is a tough call. I suppose time spent browsing and chatting will lead to something interesting in the end though.

The porsche 968 CS is seen as the next thing for raised prices. I saw a 1978 911 SC this morning, it appeared on eBay. Was a good price, I emailed the guy to request purchase and the advert was pulled..... Annoying!

I also saw a Lancia Beta with only 31,000 miles on it for sub £8K. Still thinking about this, maybe buy 2 cheaper (compared to budget) cars and double the chances of profit ..... maybe!!!

A 968 isn't the classic Porsche shape so I don't think it'll ever do what the early 911 turbos have done.
928 maybe as they appear more desirable and they've just revived a v8.

Mercedes E190 cosworth.
here

Not an m3 but pretty cool.

If I was in the market I'd be leaning towards these because the money for them is on the up every year

Noble m400 (if ou can get in the price bracket)
Noble m12 gto
Ford Sierra RS500
Ford Sierra cosworth (3door)
Ford escort cosworth small turbo model.
Lotus cortina
Lotus Carlton

I've been watching these cars go up in price for the last few years

Good luck in whatever you buy

The search is over ....... didn't take long! I knew what I wanted to buy deep down (for short term profit) and I thank you guys for helping out with suggestions.

I've gone for what many will see a left field choice, but having been watching the market on these things (for A1 condition with impeccable service history) this I feel is a good choice of car to put away for a year...

The 968 Club Sport were moving out of my price range and the very few that were within it, needed care and attention, that I could not do being away from the UK

So what is it??

Lets see of you can guess....



Once again, cheers guys.

944 turbo at a guess, long time since I've been near one though.

Yep, a 1990 944 Turbo S (SE in UK) or a Porsche 952

Cool!
Hope it's a good 'un!

One owner for 24 years is a good start!! Full Porsche service history and all the top options including racing chassis spec'd from day 1. Still has the Porsche tyre compressor and tool kit like new too. Then there is the garage she was kept in all this time .... Very happy, I'll get pics up when I am home next.

a mk1 focus rs you could get a low mileage one for your budget no problem.These will shoot up in price its just a matter of when.

What area of your budget did it come in at, patch?

£15K Jim. He wanted £17 There were three going this week at this price. One at £19 and two at £17. All with under 100K miles and full, I mean full service histories. All were late Turbos...

You can buy cheaper, but as the saying goes when buying classics, buy on condition, not on cost

And all are now sold

Interesting choice Phil. I look forward to a write up and some before and after photos!

looking forward to pics always wanted a 944

Very nice.
I had a 1989 black Turbo SE a few years ago with Linen leather 'big wing' seats. Lovely car to drive.
A few minor tweaks can see them over 310 ponies too.
My only disappointment was then exhaust noise as it sounded pretty much like any other 4-banger.

Nice choice Phil, pop round for coffee in her when you get back

That looks like a stunner Phil well done mate.

I take it Kitty did the negotiating for you in her native tongue

Have a read of this, one small paragraph further down...

I will not be driving it Joe, apart to a car show if there is one local enough whilst at home next .... garage queen Better if you pop into mine next time I am home. We have moved though! Just down the road.

Kit has been surprisingly quiet about all this Joe (Magoo)

Coffee and biscuits at yours then

You're on!

Some pics then..

Thats lovely Phil, really really clean. I expect you can improve on that however!

Guaranteed with a capital G

Lovely car!
Same colour combo mine was too. Is it MO30 spec?
I notice no split rear seat though. Thought that was a standard SE fitment along with the fabric rear luggage cover?

Split rears standard on Turbo S, Turbo SE (silver rose edition only) and Series 2 cars. Other cars was an option. The nylon luggage cover is there, just not 'there'

Spec wise...

- Sport Chassis M030
- Limited Slip Differential M220
- 10 Speaker HiFi M490
- Air Conditioning M572
- Original Club Sport Alloys - Silver/black crested centres

Plus the usual, forged pistons from factory being one to mention - I am told

Edit - This got me looking into luggage covers. The split seats had the fabric cover that it seems was awfully saggy when placed on - like an old mans ....

The non split seats get the vinyl roller luggage cover as seen in the picture above, it's rolled up against the back of the seat (fixed) and when out looks much neater.

Yes forged pistons straight out of the box.
Your right about the 'roller blind' looking way better too.
It was the second thing I changed on mine, the first being a new chipset etc for the DME.

The forged wheels look better than the standard Design 90's too. Are they polished?

Did you spot this 3.8 M5 on your search?
Looks a superb car:

E34 M5 3.8

No I did not. Looks like a rare old model indeed. 1 of 139 wow!!

May still be interested in that if it's around in a few weeks time!

Lancia Integrale Martini 5 looks set to sell for £100k!!!

Should have gone Italian!

31 miles!!! Hahahaha! The owner must have the patience of a saint!

They are none polished club sport wheels. As specified from new. As for the chipping, I want to leave it how it is, just standard throughout.

Do you have any pics of yours? Love to see it!

How can someone have that in there garage and not drive it?!
They must have some pretty special other motors kicking around to leave that one alone.

Only got a few old (dirty) pics of it unfortunately as I lost data on a hard drive with a lot of car pics on.
It was running around 340 bhp in the end but the lag was terrible!

Looks very nice, I love the 'adapted' mat for the drivers side

Haha.
Yes that was my 'daily' drivers mat. It was a cut down passenger front iirc.

I had a good (clean) set for shows and other activities!

Update on the 944 investment.

I am hoping that this article means my purchase was a good choice at just about the right time....

Article from Classic Cars Magazine

Audi Quattro 1980's rally classic ? Or has it been mentioned already ?