Vintage MB investments

[Will_w202]

If you're a nontraditional investor like me, and you need something other than mutual funds to stir your soul, realizing that you're speculating, what are your top MB "buy low sell high" cars?

I picked up a 92 500SL, orig paint, 2 owner, all records, very nice car, a year ago. Based on past SL performance at age 40, these cars always do well. MB convs in general do very well at the 40 year point. Basically, a car I loved as a kid and love to drive today.

What else could you buy today, without killing the bank? SL/CL coupes? E320 cabs? Would a decently-restored pagoda SL for 25k be worth buying today and selling tomorrow? How about the 95 C36 I wanted in college, as long as I dont spend too much rehabbing it, what's t hat worth in 20 years?

Who has experience in this realm? Basically, it's a financial means to justify a visceral addiction

Sedans never do well, convs always do, specialties do decently........

[Jorn]

I doubt a '92 SL will ever do well, maybe an AMG version or one tuned to the max by Brabus. There are just so many of them. E320 cabriolet hold there price pretty well, a nice one is still around $20K similar price as a E500 or 500E W124; and not that many cabriolets were built.

For your viewing pleasure.

[MTI]

Originally Posted by Jorn

I doubt a '92 SL will ever do well, maybe an AMG version or one tuned to the max by Brabus. There are just so many of them.

It's roughly a 30 year decline in value before an SL starts its uphill climb in value. Due to the prices, there aren't as many SL than sedans, so sedans tend not to recover value or collector status.

Limited editions, such as the Silver Arrow models or anniversary badged versions will do better than most, provided that they are in stock condition and documented.

[Skippy]

See sig.

[alabbasi]

Cars should not be looked at as investments. Sure some are worth some money but they also take a lot of money to keep them in the condition were people would be willing to pay top dollar for them so you'll never be the right way.

On the other hand, if you truly like a car, then buy it and enjoy it and maybe when you get to sell it someday, you won't lose your shirt.

[TylerH860]

Hard to think of them as long term investments. I guess if you did it, there's pretty much no way you could drive it.

Think about the poster cars of the 80s and 90s, with limited production numbers, and high performance. I don't really see any cheaper modern Mercedes right now that would fit that bill.

[Jorn]

Originally Posted by MTI

It's roughly a 30 year decline in value before an SL starts its uphill climb in value. Due to the prices, there aren't as many SL than sedans, so sedans tend not to recover value or collector status.

Limited editions, such as the Silver Arrow models or anniversary badged versions will do better than most, provided that they are in stock condition and documented.

A modern SL is just not an exclusive car like they used to be. A 300SL was a rare car when it came out and even the 190SL and the W113 were not very common. But hey you never know.

[iwrock]

Every MB that I have bought and sold has lost value. Not too many people want to by an MB, let alone an older MB.


I am expecting to take a pretty big hit on my E55 when I turn around to sell it - but hey, you have to pay to play.

[Hatterasguy]

I think the MB models to keep an eye on:

500E
600

AMG cars from the 80's.


To fetch big money they need to be low mileage, original, and well documented.

I can see 600's going over a million at some point.

[iwrock]

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

I think the MB models to keep an eye on:

500E
600

AMG cars from the 80's.


To fetch big money they need to be low mileage, original, and well documented.

I can see 600's going over a million at some point.

500E, I can see obtaining collectors status, but their prices are still deflating.

600s - maybe, but only the LWB ones. And even then, only those with documentation/historical provenance will be worth something. This is speculation, but I only see a true MB nut wanting one of these that has no historical background. The hydraulic systems on these are pricey to maintain, and it takes a special someone to take care of them. (Have experience with one!)

AMG cars from the 80s... Well once again, only the ones with paperwork are worth something. Not to mention these really exotic AMG cars need a bit of specialized maintenance that I bet quite a few of them never got. And at that - an MB nutcase will be the one that will pony up the money for it.

[MTI]

Originally Posted by Jorn

A modern SL is just not an exclusive car like they used to be. A 300SL was a rare car when it came out and even the 190SL and the W113 were not very common. But hey you never know.

It would be way too soon for a R129 to be going for $2 - 4 Million, especially since it does not have the pedigree or legendary history of a 300SL . . . however it is likely to recover its original msrp and higher as time goes on and the less well maintained end up crushed or rusted out.

[Hatterasguy]

Cars that tend to go up in value are the cars that you wanted when you were 13, than when your older and have money you go buy one.

This is why muscle cars are so hot right now, that age bracket that grew up not really being able to afford what they really wanted now can.

This is also why pre war cars are now close to worthless, because that generation is mostly dead and only die hard collectors want a 1940 Buick or a Model A.


So ask yourself this, when you were in HS or younger which cars did you and your friends lust after? Or these days play in video games?

Here is what I think will do well:

Lamborghini Diablo
Dodge Viper
Ferrari 355
Nissan Skyline
Mitsubishi Evo
Subaru WRX
Hummer
BMW M3/5
Honda Civic
Honda NSX

As my generation starts to make money were going to go buy our dream cars, and they are not Hemi Cuda's those are our parents cars. But in 30 years I can see Hemi money being paid for a Subaru or limited edition Civic.

[iwrock]

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Cars that tend to go up in value are the cars that you wanted when you were 13, than when your older and have money you go buy one.

This is why muscle cars are so hot right now, that age bracket that grew up not really being able to afford what they really wanted now can.

This is also why pre war cars are now close to worthless, because that generation is mostly dead and only die hard collectors want a 1940 Buick or a Model A.


So ask yourself this, when you were in HS or younger which cars did you and your friends lust after? Or these days play in video games?

Here is what I think will do well:

Lamborghini Diablo
Dodge Viper
Ferrari 355
Nissan Skyline
Mitsubishi Evo
Subaru WRX
Hummer
BMW M3/5
Honda Civic
Honda NSX

As my generation starts to make money were going to go buy our dream cars, and they are not Hemi Cuda's those are our parents cars. But in 30 years I can see Hemi money being paid for a Subaru or limited edition Civic.

You are right, and thats an interesting list of cars you have there. I believe your onto something with it. Quite a few of them have already bottomed out in terms of pricing (I am keeping an eye on a few of them, as I want one!), namely the M5, NSX, Viper, Diablo, and 355.

I would also add the Porsche 911 (only the Turbos, GT2s, GT3s), Ford GT, and Toyota Supra.

Now that I am thinking about it, quite a few people that I went to school with are now parting with their college cars (various cheapo cars like civics, etc) and are starting to get into some of the cars listed here (Porky 911s, M3/M5s, and an NSX or two).

[t walgamuth]

I saw an NSX on the road today in INdy. I would like to test drive one of them one of these days. Pretty cool car. I thought it was a corvette at first at the angle I was looking at it, but when he hit the gas it sounded nothing like a vette.

[Skippy]

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Cars that tend to go up in value are the cars that you wanted when you were 13, than when your older and have money you go buy one.

This is why muscle cars are so hot right now, that age bracket that grew up not really being able to afford what they really wanted now can.

Generally speaking, I would tend to agree with you.

This is also why pre war cars are now close to worthless, because that generation is mostly dead and only die hard collectors want a 1940 Buick or a Model A.

So I might finally be able to afford a Model A now? Cool. I saw one in the paper today but they didn't list an asking price. It appeared to be original/unmodified.

So ask yourself this, when you were in HS or younger which cars did you and your friends lust after? Or these days play in video games?

300SDL (W126), '69 Hemi Roadrunner, pretty much anything else fast, V8, and Mopar dating from about 1963-1971, first gen Camaros, mid 90's M5, 49-50 Mercury and Ford, 55-57 Chevy, 32-34 Ford, Cummins Ram, late 60s-early 70s GM A bodies.

My dream garage at age 18 would have had a '70 Buick GSX Stage 1 455 (four speed of course) parked next to my '70 Hemi Cuda (lime green or maybe purple and of course a four speed), parked next to my '69 Hemi Roadrunner (dark green and four speed). Then for long trips, maybe about a '69 Polara, perhaps with a 440, and a Harley thrown in for good measure. And I was born in '78. Yes I am weird.

My tastes have changed a bit in the intervening 16 years. I still like all those old cars (maybe not the Harley so much), but I'd rather have a 911 than most of the cars I just listed. Might be a tough call with the Roadrunner though.

Just a thought: There's a guy where I work who has a 50's T-Bird (cool) and a 30's Packard (sub-zero) in good condition. He's older than me, but he isn't THAT much older than me.