Undervalued cars

[Lynn]

Guys are always asking me what the "next" collector car is going to be. Of course, no one knows for sure, other than the ones that come out as "collectors edition" or are promoted as such when new probably will not make it. Remember the 76 Eldo convertables selling for double sticker because it was the last american convertable? Can't give away one of those boats now.

So, got to thinking and here is my list in no particular order. Some old, some newer and some in between. Just think that they are underappreciated and therefore undervalued.

69 Corvette, esp 350 horse 350, which you could even get with factory a/c.

91-94 ZR1, especially a Lingenfelter.

06 GTO with the LS2. Never accepted by the traditional Goat crowd, but an amazing car that can be bought today with a 6 speed for around 16k. Conservative styling that doesn't seem to push anyone's buttons, but I think will stand the test of time.

02-03 BMW M Roadster with the S54 engine (especially with just a few bolt on mods (i.e. chip, air box and lower gears) which of course could be put back to bone stock at any time). My wife drives an earlier version with the S52, and I am having a hard time figuring out how you get an ADDITIONAL 80 horsed to hook up. I keep hanging the rear out on hers (don't tell) with hardly any effort, but it stays under control anyway. Amazingly well balanced.

Cadillac CTS-V. Maybe a long shot but a lot of fun anyway.

So... give me a list of your 5.

[XXXGoldL34M20]

A 1970 Dart Swinger which was a Mopar National champ and 4 speed and Plum Crazy color. Sold for $29,500.
I seen this car in person and said to myself that these Swingers are an undervalued muscle car by far.
Another good example of a great car you can buy for low prices.

[JJEH]

I mostly agree with Lynn, especially on the 2006 GTO.

BMW Z3? I don't think so... fat, ugly and lame (except the M Roadster with the S54 engine).

We also shouldn't forget about the 2002 Camaro SS, or the 1970 to 1976 Plymouth Duster.

Also most Mercedes-Benz AMG's are undervalued imo, especially the W201, W/S202 and W/S/C124.

[Lynn]

BMW Z3? I don't think so... fat, ugly and lame (except the M Roadster with the S54 engine).

I agree. <span style="font-weight: bold">Not</span> the Z3. That is why I spedifed only the M roadster, and only the one with the s54 engine. Although the fun factor is definitely there with the s52 engine, it is huge with the s54/

[JJEH]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lynn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I agree. <span style="font-weight: bold">Not</span> the Z3. That is why I spedifed only the M roadster, and only the one with the s54 engine. Although the fun factor is definitely there with the s52 engine, it is huge with the s54/ </div></div>

Yes, the M3 engine is not bad. But I think - regarding BMW - we sould put more focus on Z1 Roadster, 8 series as well as M1. They are really rare and their values will only go up...

Just like the value of original Hemi Cudas... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/burnout.gif

[budnate]

2002 to 2004 ZO6 Vette's are a great buy these days 25k buys a low mile car, they are animals!.

[1969z280]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: budnate</div><div class="ubbcode-body">2002 to 2004 ZO6 Vette's are a great buy these days 25k buys a low mile car, they are animals!.</div></div>

I love my 03. It even makes a great touring car.

[Lynn]

Hope you are right on the 8 series. My son has an 850. But... have you ever tried maintaining one the V12? Valve cover gaskets is about an 8 to 10 hour job.

[Keith Tedford]

A lot of what got the musclecar craze going in the '80s and '90s was the fact that these cars were only built basically from 1964 to 1970. High insurance and emissions standards effectively killed performance until the mid '80s when it slowly started to come back. There wasn't anything from the factory with performance during that time so the old Musclecars were it and the demand took off. Today, as in the '60s performance increases every year. Nostalgia won't set in until the factories end the hp race or some unforeseen event does it for them. Who's interested in yesterday's car when tomorrows car is even better. If the old cycle repeats itself, it will be the top dogs demanding the top prices just like the first time around.

[JJEH]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lynn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hope you are right on the 8 series. My son has an 850. But... have you ever tried maintaining one the V12? Valve cover gaskets is about an 8 to 10 hour job. </div></div>

Yes, BMW's are a pain. But keep it as original as possible and let only BMW do the services/repairs.
I'm sure the 8 series will become v e r y valuable. To me, it was with one of the best looking/performing BMW.

[PxTx]

For me, the E30 M3 cars with box flares are the clear rising stars for colectible value. Real racing stuff for the street- not just horsepower and handeling for a consumer market.

[Tenney]

1m or M Coupe and this ...

http://www.dinancars.com/shop/D850-1000A-High-Performance-5-8-Liter-V-10-Engine.aspx#page=1

[SBR]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Keith Tedford</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A lot of what got the musclecar craze going in the '80s and '90s was the fact that these cars were only built basically from 1964 to 1970. High insurance and emissions standards effectively killed performance until the mid '80s when it slowly started to come back. There wasn't anything from the factory with performance during that time so the old Musclecars were it and the demand took off. Today, as in the '60s performance increases every year. Nostalgia won't set in until the factories end the hp race or some unforeseen event does it for them. Who's interested in yesterday's car when tomorrows car is even better. If the old cycle repeats itself, it will be the top dogs demanding the top prices just like the first time around. </div></div>
I agree! What made the 60s car so desirable was the fact that the were the performance benchmark for many years. That and the fact that the are great looking cars as well adds to their desirability. I don't know if a Ford GT qualifies as undervalued but it's the only new car that I know of that has not depreciated. When that happens, it's usually a sign that prices will only go higher as time passes. The Buick GNX is another car that never depreciated although I wouldn't call it a new car anymore.

[Fast67VelleN2O]

Any dealer built Fox body Mustang (Saleen, Rousch, etc)

Fox body Mustang Notch back with black interior and a 5 speed with rare coloring.

03-04 Mustang Cobra

Original Big Block A Body Mopars.

Intercooled T-Type Buicks in rare colors.

[427TJ]

1967 396 Camaros! Not many made.

[ohhawk]

1966-71 big block El Caminos - original or original restored

Hard to find especially with little or no mods and born with drivetrain. Many have had a hard life due to their use as a utility vehicle. In most cases they have been significantly less $$$ than the more popular SS hardtops of the same years. Pickups have been drawing more attention in many markets so maybe these may see some of that price appreciation in the future as well.

[Igosplut]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ohhawk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">1966-71 big block El Caminos - original or original restored

Hard to find especially with little or no mods and born with drivetrain. Many have had a hard life due to their use as a utility vehicle. In most cases they have been significantly less $$$ than the more popular SS hardtops of the same years. Pickups have been drawing more attention in many markets so maybe these may see some of that price appreciation in the future as well. </div></div>


I agree. A friend has a 66 non-SS (67 was first year for SS) El-Camino 396-375HP with factory bucket seats and console. Never saw one like that before, and it came with the POP. He got it for short money in 2000 as there was no interest in it.

[PxTx]

Not sure if everyone knew what an E30 M3 was, so I figured I would throw up a picture or two.

Street Car

http://sportscaradvisors.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/bmw-e30-m3.jpg

Race Cars
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9UDz8Dgv1pg/SwPX4-8YM7I/AAAAAAAAHss/uEXmKteIT4o/s1600/E30-DTM-wallpapers-M3+%289%29.jpg

An El Camino may be a good value for some, but I think these E30's are about to take off. Decent examples can be had for about $25K and I am confident that they have 1 or 2 doubles in value in the near future. Remember it wasn't that long ago that the Yenko Deuce did a similar double in value?

[WILMASBOYL78]

I think the non-SS cars with the V8/4 speed drivelines are a good choice...that El Camino Scott S. was selling is a good example..mint car, all original and a little over $20k...you can't build anything for that kind of money. That would be a cool car to cruise in <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[Tommy]

Undervalued car... six cylinder cars with the six cylinder removed. Add two more cylinders and one more pedal..... instant classic <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif


Tommy <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

[Keith Tedford]

There are a surprising number of very nice six cylinder cars out there and there are people who are perfectly happy with that. Many people turn up their noses at these cars and the values have suffered accordingly. For those who want more power, The later LT1 or LS series of engines are a great swap. For most of us, these swaps, if done properly, would only ad value to the cars.

[Dave Rifkin]

GMC Syclone / Typhoon
Monte Carlo SS; especially from the '80's
Buick GN / T-Type
L46 Corvettes
Pontiac Can Am
Dodge Demon 340 / Dart Swinger 340

[PxTx]

I agree Dave. The Sy/Ty trucks are cool! Articles like this were a fun read.

http://graphic-server.com/cgi-bin/backissues.cgi?full/CD199109.JPG

I also think the 1993 Cobra was a high water mark for many of those loosely familiar with the 5.0 movement.

http://www.svtcobraclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1579&amp;stc=1&amp;d=103153166 9.jpg

The more I think about it, Turbo power is really the key ingredient to modern high horsepower. Just about any Turbo car form the late 1980's though 1990's will probably be collectible. Aside from the obvious ones, how about these:

http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/vehicle-pictures/1994/mitsubishi/eclipse/90808091990102-480.jpg

http://www.firebirdfever.com/images2/d3_1_b.jpg