So, I'd like to hear about your lust... you CAR lust, that is! But throwing money at a "problem" is boring, so let's add some constraints to make this challenging. Here're the rules:
1) You have a force in your life (wife? business sense? modicum of self-restraint?) that's said you must choose three cars to add to (or start) your collection.
2) To make it harder, no single car can cost more than (about) $120,000 right now. But you must be able to pick up all three for less than $300K in today's market.
3) The afore-mentioned constraining force has stipulated that you must attempt to avoid depreciation in the total collection, but that as a reward you can spend 20% more overall if you can show a reasonable expectation of appreciation in this total 3-car collection over the next FIVE years.
4) Being a car-lover and a driver, you will absolutely intend to take these cars out for the occasional drive--no hangar queens kept under glass for you! So while you're selecting to do better than break-even on car value (not including the expense of keeping and operating the cars) over the next decade, you want some "thrill and style" ROI (return on investment). So the challenge is to optimize for collection value *and* driving thrill (regardless of whether you get your thrills at a drag strip, on a track, or just cruising).
What three cars would you select for your collection? I had some fun answering this. I hope some of you do, too.
Bonus points if you could lay your hands on your choices right now (and can link to the one you'd buy, so we all can ooh and ahh over your finds!)
I'm starting with all numbers-matching restorations that are completely stock (or in "easy" return-to-stock) configurations, for best re-sale value. Here are my choices. I reserve the right to change my mind when I see someone with a better idea than me!
1) 1966 Corvette 427 (L72/425hp(+)). I love the body style, and while the big-blocks can be hot to drive, they seem to be a good buy right now with fair expectation of appreciation over the next ten years. And it's one of the fastest classic cars Detroit produced, which supports my desire for the blend of cruising (99.9% of my driving time) and (rare) drag-racing thrills. (Note: this was a hard decision for me, because I've always lusted after the '63 split window coupe!)
2) 1969 Camaro Z28. Again, one of the top-ten fastest from the American Muscle Car era, and a body style I've just always loved. Takes me back to my teenage muscle-car days (I still pine for my long-lost '68 (faux)GTO). On this car, while I'd buy it stock, I just think it needs to be driven around with some big meats on the back. Are raised-white letter tires just too retro? I think not (but I'm not an especially classy guy)!
3) 1999-2000 Ferrari 550 Maranello. One of the soon-to-be classic (?) Ferraris whose body style still resonates without looking dated, and strong performance for the dollar. Reputed to be a hoot to drive, and (hopefully) at the bottom of the characteristically steep Ferrari 10-year depreciation plunge and about to bottom out and provide good value (if not appreciation) if reasonably maintained.
So, right now, those are my three. What say you?
1) You have a force in your life (wife? business sense? modicum of self-restraint?) that's said you must choose three cars to add to (or start) your collection.
2) To make it harder, no single car can cost more than (about) $120,000 right now. But you must be able to pick up all three for less than $300K in today's market.
3) The afore-mentioned constraining force has stipulated that you must attempt to avoid depreciation in the total collection, but that as a reward you can spend 20% more overall if you can show a reasonable expectation of appreciation in this total 3-car collection over the next FIVE years.
4) Being a car-lover and a driver, you will absolutely intend to take these cars out for the occasional drive--no hangar queens kept under glass for you! So while you're selecting to do better than break-even on car value (not including the expense of keeping and operating the cars) over the next decade, you want some "thrill and style" ROI (return on investment). So the challenge is to optimize for collection value *and* driving thrill (regardless of whether you get your thrills at a drag strip, on a track, or just cruising).
What three cars would you select for your collection? I had some fun answering this. I hope some of you do, too.
Bonus points if you could lay your hands on your choices right now (and can link to the one you'd buy, so we all can ooh and ahh over your finds!)
I'm starting with all numbers-matching restorations that are completely stock (or in "easy" return-to-stock) configurations, for best re-sale value. Here are my choices. I reserve the right to change my mind when I see someone with a better idea than me!
1) 1966 Corvette 427 (L72/425hp(+)). I love the body style, and while the big-blocks can be hot to drive, they seem to be a good buy right now with fair expectation of appreciation over the next ten years. And it's one of the fastest classic cars Detroit produced, which supports my desire for the blend of cruising (99.9% of my driving time) and (rare) drag-racing thrills. (Note: this was a hard decision for me, because I've always lusted after the '63 split window coupe!)
2) 1969 Camaro Z28. Again, one of the top-ten fastest from the American Muscle Car era, and a body style I've just always loved. Takes me back to my teenage muscle-car days (I still pine for my long-lost '68 (faux)GTO). On this car, while I'd buy it stock, I just think it needs to be driven around with some big meats on the back. Are raised-white letter tires just too retro? I think not (but I'm not an especially classy guy)!
3) 1999-2000 Ferrari 550 Maranello. One of the soon-to-be classic (?) Ferraris whose body style still resonates without looking dated, and strong performance for the dollar. Reputed to be a hoot to drive, and (hopefully) at the bottom of the characteristically steep Ferrari 10-year depreciation plunge and about to bottom out and provide good value (if not appreciation) if reasonably maintained.
So, right now, those are my three. What say you?
