Buy Into the Fun, but not the Depreciation
Return on
investment can be measured in many ways. In cars, though, it's almost
always twofold: fun behind the wheel and financial prudence (a.k.a., not
losing your shirt). The first is easy, especially if you've got a real
budget. The second, however, is rare. Getting both in one car is like
finding a unicorn in Detroit.
But it can be done.
We found
10 cars (OK, there are a few trucks) that are decidedly cool, hold
their value and aren't likely to depreciate while you enjoy them. Heck,
we'd even bet you could make money on most.
As always, there are
exceptions. Maintenance costs are the big one and it's hard to pin down
which car might do the least damage to your wallet in the long run. A
good pre-purchase inspection with a reputable mechanic will go a long
way in making sure you buy the right car. So will some real research.
All of these cars are supported by a library of Web-based knowledge, so
there's no excuse. And even though there are no guarantees, there are
some pretty solid bets.
So here they are.
1991 Acura NSX
Cost: $28,000-$49,000
Why:
It's been nearly a decade since the last new NSX rolled off the
assembly line and early models are now starting to demand higher prices
on the used market. The first year (1991) can be found for just over
$20,000 if mileage isn't a concern, but any at- or sub-50,000-mile '91
NSX is going to start above $30,000. The 1991 NSX holds its own even
among contemporary cars; its precise manual steering and snappy gearbox
continue to offer supercar performance while it remains incredibly
comfortable (docile, even) as an everyday driver.
With
development involving Formula 1 icon Ayrton Senna and its "plucky
upstart" status versus the Italian and German supercars of the day, the
legend of the NSX grows every year. You'll be hard-pressed to pull up to
a Cars and Coffee event in one without drawing a crowd of grinning
admirers. As well-maintained early NSXs become rarer, their prices are
on the rise: A thorough pre-purchase inspection will help mitigate
repair costs of a car that only gets more special with age.
1988 BMW M5
Cost: $9,000-$17,000
Why:
The first-generation M5 came to the U.S. in small numbers (around
1,200), but it made a big noise with enthusiasts and the press,
beginning a legacy of "super sedans" that continues today. Each
successive M5 vies for the Best Car in the World title, but it's the
1988 original that stands out as the greatest-ever melding of balanced,
driver-focused performance and luxurious practicality. And let's be
honest, there's no questioning the cool factor of a body that was penned
in the late '60s.
Despite their rarity in the U.S., many
original M5s are driven daily by outright fanatics. While everything
else may fail, the 3.5-liter inline-6 engine tends to be rock solid even
with high miles. Featuring individual throttle bodies, the U.S. car
pumped out 256 horsepower. Surviving 1988 M5s are rare, but many can be
found for less than $10,000 with high mileage and (too often) with
questionable modifications. Be prepared to shell out upwards of $15,000
for a lower-mileage example with any kind of service record history, and
make sure you know a good BMW specialist.
2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
Cost: $33,000-$50,000
Why:
Merely looking at the Ford SVT Raptor is a visceral experience. It
looks as if it just drove out of the Baja 1000, which would be a mere
amusement if it didn't actually deliver. But it does. Off-road, the
Raptor can handle just about everything a sane driver will want. And it
does it without sacrificing on-road comfort or handling.
The
interior is as soft and welcoming as any American cruiser and the
6.2-liter V8 (make sure you get the 6.2-liter) cranks out 411 hp and 434
pound-feet of torque, and makes an unholy racket that will put a smile
on your face every time you fire it up. Drop some coin on a low-mile
Raptor now, or three times that amount in 20 years at some big auction
in the desert: your call.
2005 Honda S2000
Cost: $16,000-$26,000
Why:
Honda's beloved S2000 sports car is no longer in production, but its
fandom continues. S2000s can be found throughout various model years at
fair prices, but it's the post-2004 cars that are truly engaging. And if
you want the best S2000, look for a 2005 model. Many fans decried the
reduction of the original S2000's 9,000-rpm redline to 8,000 for the
2004 model year, but the shorter 1st through 4th gears along with the
increase in usable torque at lower rpm makes the 2005 a more livable
car. It simply offers more performance where most drivers actually use
it.
With its forward-thinking digital instrument cluster,
possibly the best six-speed manual transmission ever made and a
naturally aspirated specific output only surpassed when Ferrari released
the 458, the S2000 is one of the last great everyman sports cars. Plus,
its reliability is exceptional, so feel free to fling a few extra bucks
out for a lower-mileage example.
2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Cost: $17,000-$27,000 (X); $18,000-$33,000 (Sahara); $24,000-$39,000 (Rubicon)
Why:
When the four-door 2007 Wrangler Unlimited made its debut, the
naysayers came out in force: Four doors went against the ethos of the
ultimate everyday off-roader. The stretched wheelbase made the Wrangler
too big. It's less capable on difficult terrain. On and on they went.
But Jeep pulled it off.
The
Wrangler Unlimited is not only a great off-roader worthy of the
Wrangler name, but it's a unique SUV setup that can't be had with any
other brand. On top of all that, the modern Wrangler is among the
leaders in resale value: and somewhat surprisingly, nowhere is this more
evident than with the 2007 Unlimited. It's difficult to find a
sub-50,000-mile 2007 Wrangler Unlimited for less than $20,000. For a
rough-and-ready SUV that can take you where you need to be with rear
seats that fit actual humans, it's hard to argue with a 2007 Jeep
Wrangler Unlimited.
1997 Land Rover Defender 90
Cost: $39,000-$75,000
Why:
The 182 hp from the Defender's 3.9-liter V8 sounds underpowered today,
but when mated to the tried-and-true all-wheel-drive setup of the Range
Rover it proves more than enough to do what the Defender was built to
do: go anywhere.
The 1997 model-year Defender 90 was the last to
be brought to the U.S. market. The niche appeal of its old-school
off-roader aesthetic combined with ever-shrinking numbers of
well-maintained cars conspires to keep prices exceptionally high. When
you see a Defender in person it's easy to understand why they're so
coveted: the square-ish, bulky body mated to big, mud-stomping tires
tickles just about all of the basic instincts of off-roaders. Built to
get you wherever you need to go in all conditions, the Defender 90's
high cost of ownership is outweighed by its cool factor, scarcity and
raw capability.
1992-1994 Mercedes-Benz 500E/E500
Cost: $15,000-$30,000-plus
Why:
In the early 1990s as BMW's M5 established itself as the performance
sedan of choice, Mercedes-Benz needed a competitor. W124 E-Class chassis
(upgraded with big brakes and the 5.0-liter V8 from the high-end 500SL)
were shipped to Porsche's Zuffenhausen plant for assembly.
Only
1,500 were brought to the U.S. during a three-year production run (for
its last year in 1994 it was re-designated the E500) so it's becoming
harder to find well-maintained low-mileage examples. Diligent searching
will pay off with a "sleeper" classic, featuring the grunt of the
5.0-liter V8's 322 hp, a fascinating history and the quirky charm that
comes with being "the other guy." Overlooked even by many Mercedes fans,
the 500E is a cool divergent footnote in automotive history that also
happens to go really fast.
1995 Porsche 911 (993)
Cost: $24,000-$40,000
Why:
For many Porsche devotees, the 993-era 911 represents the pinnacle of
what a "real" 911 should be: air-cooled, small and focused. Its
replacement — the water-cooled, daily-driver-focused 996 — was bigger
and heavier. The culmination of more than 30 years of innovation and
refinement, the 993 offers classic 911 handling while its air-cooled
flat-6 makes all the right noises.
As a benchmark 911 model, the
993 retains its value on the used market. As the years go by, more 993
owners either decide they can't part with their treasures or they have
"off-road incidents," so expect more scarcity of selection and higher
premiums to buy into the club.
2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder
Cost: $55,000-$70,000
Why:
A fitting last hurrah for the 987-era Boxster, the Spyder edition was
produced as a 2011 and 2012 model before the introduction of the
current-generation 981. It is nearly 180 pounds lighter than the 987
Boxster S and brings 10 additional horses to the table (320 in all). The
Spyder was (and some still say is) the hot roadster to own.
Sitting
1 inch lower than the regular Boxster and with a stiffened suspension,
the Spyder enhanced the already excellent driving characteristics of the
Boxster to miraculous levels. The 2011 Boxster Spyder entered the
market as a production model, so for now at least it's not terribly
difficult to find a used one with low mileage and a clean maintenance
history: but it is expensive. Buying and babying one of these now may
prove to be a sound investment as they become rarer in the future. In
any case, it'll be a fun investment.
2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
Cost: $16,000-$25,000
Why:
The first-year of Subaru's rally-inspired WRX STI stuffs 300 hp and an
impressive all-wheel-drive system into the restrained and practical
Impreza sedan. Few cars yield the STI's combination of high performance
and four-door utility.
The inconsistent availability of Subarus
in various U.S. markets means that used pricing is all over the place,
but look to spend at or near $20,000 for an example with fewer than
100,000 miles on the clock. Lower-mileage 2004 examples can climb into
the mid-$20,000 range: impressive considering the $31,525 MSRP of a new
2004 STI. The 2004 STI did more than establish Subaru with American
enthusiasts; it created an entirely new segment of performance car made
to handle alternative roads and weather. And families fit, too.
Grab a 2004 STI now before it is officially deemed a modern classic.
As read on: http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/features/10-used-cars-you-should-probably-own.html
