Help in research about classic cars / Mercedes

[8bender]

Hi Guys

I'm doing a research about the raise of value of classic cars in the last couple of years
( also as a good investment) do you have any info that can help me ? statistics etc?

Thanks

Neil

[97 SL320]

I don't consider cars a reliable investment, even those in the classic market.

When the stock market goes down, money from people that are not car guys goes into the car market. This pushes prices up to levels well beyond reasonable, then suddenly the cars hit an upper limit, no one is wanting to pay big $ for a car and the market crashes , like 25% of what stuff was selling for months earlier.

You never know what is going to be hot or just float around. I fully expect there to be a glut of muscle cars once the baby boomers thin out.

For low volume or specialty cars, Ignore what the "book" says about value, it means nothing. Book is valid for a recent, high volume car model that is running through auctions / dealer lots nation wide.

About 2011 I bought my 97 SL320 , paid $ 6,000 for a decent but needs tidying up car. The book was something silly like $ 10,000 , this car was for sale for a year or so. with no takers. Yes, they were trying to get book for it when first advertized. $ 6K for a not so old car that was $ 80 K new is criminal. Even with what I did to get the car up to standard, I'm into it for what someone paid in sales tax when new. ( adjusted for inflation )

If you have some disposable $, buy cars that you like and don't worry if they are going to go up or down.

[Skid Row Joe]

^^^^^^^Pretty good advise!

Although I've heard there are Gurus that are known in select brand and model specific car pricing appraisals.
Finding out what they go for at classic auction may help establish a value.

[PARSHOOT1]

Checkout the folks at Hagerty. They track car values and put associated graphs in their weekly email.

[Mxfrank]

My experience is that maintenance costs increase exponentially with regard to the car's value. On my daily driver Mercedes, I'm perfectly happy to use aftermarket parts. On my Barracuda, I spend months researching every repair, and more months hunting for NOS parts. It doesn't pay as an investment unless you are in a position to do most or all of your own work, or the car is something really special.

Classic car buyers tend to buy their childhood memories. So at times you will see better prices for an ordinary 1965 Mustang than for a '31 Pierce Arrow. As generations come and go, their cars tend to gain and lose value.

Classic car values also have a relationship to the stock market. They peak at the end of bull markets, when there's lots of cash available for self indulgent hobbies.

[8bender]

thank you guys