Used cars with great resale value?

[TigerNSX]

We all know that used NSXs hold their values extremely well. Are there other sports cars that also have attractive used car values? I would believe that the law of supply/demand might dictate the desirability and price, but I do not know what other used sports cars are quite desirable, but not in abundant supply.

I can think of

1995-1998 Porsche 993, especially C2S, C4S and Turbo
1999-2002 BMW M Coupe
1988-1991 E30 BMW M3
Acura Integra Type-R?

Criteria: Used sports cars with the current price between $10K and $60K
Duration: During the next two years

 

[MJK]

We all know that used NSXs hold their values extremely well. Are there other cars that also have attractive used car values? I would believe that the law of supply/demand might dictate the desirability and price, but I do not know what other used cars are quite desirable, but not in abundance.

I can think of

1995-1998 Porsche 993, especially C2S, C4S and Turbo
1999-2002 BMW M Coupe
1988-1991 E30 BMW M3
Acura Integra Type-R?

E36 4 Door M3

 

[sgvnsxrated]

Pretty much any Toyota or Lexus.

 

[ETLMD]

'93-'98 Toyota Supra Turbo

 

[BATMANs]

Fd & Mkiv

 

[docjohn]

Thats a tough ? because without good parameters a case could be made that any used car if priced fairly will decline very slowly once it hits that "market" price.

 

[TigerNSX]

Thats a tough ? because without good parameters a case could be made that any used car if priced fairly will decline very slowly once it hits that "market" price.

DocJohn, you are absolutely right.

I was loose with the way I phrased the question. My colleagues and I were talking about how if one had purchased 1991 NSX with 80K miles in B+ condition three years ago, accumulated 10K miles, and kept it at B+ condition, the value of the car would still be more/less the same today. One of my colleagues, then, told me about an incident in which his 1996 Porsche 911 was sold for the same price as the price that he originally paid for 6 years ago. My other colleague told me the similar story with his E30 M3, in which he actually made some profits after two years of ownership.

This example led me to question if there would be other "used" sports cars such as these.

 

[docjohn]

I would think any of the older desirable cars such as 308/328/355,911,2002,ect. are holding value.

 

[DrVolkl]

Fd & Mkiv

FD? I guess if you find one that's running.... :wink: :tongue:

 

[heySkippy]

MkII MR2 turbo cars in decent shape seem to be worth a good bit more than normal.

 

[OneRedNSX]

Fd

maybe if you had a perfect unmolested one... for 9 out of 10 i would say that is not the case...


I would have to add the 6spd legend coupe and 99/00 Civic SI's (again, unmolested) to the list though... (although the legend is not quite to your 10k mark I believe but it does hold its value fairly well year-over-year to where you probably wouldn't take much of a hit if you drove one reasonably for two years and sold it)...

 

[SFMarine0311]

Acura RL and Tl seem to hold they're value fairly well.

 

[TURBO2GO]

Any year Porsche Turbo seems to hold its price very well. Have you seen what the air-cooled 993 turbos go for?

Of course thats just half the story. Ferrari holds its value fairly well too. But keeping a Ferrari or a Porsche turbo is more expensive than an NSX. I don't think any car other than some collectible is as low a cost to own as an NSX.

 

[TigerNSX]

A lot of great cars, guys!!! I am writing them down on my "to drive/own" list!

Any year Porsche Turbo seems to hold its price very well. Have you seen what the air-cooled 993 turbos go for?

It's quite crazy - it's not difficult to find 993TTs that are more expensive than 996TTs with the similar mileage and condition! However, I do love the 993 styling and the sound of the air-cooled engine.

 

[jlindy]

Acura RL and Tl seem to hold they're value fairly well.

TL's I would agree, but they can't give away the RL's. They drop quicker than Paris Hilton's panties on a first date. :smile:

 

[Ski_Banker]

TL's I would agree, but they can't give away the RL's. They drop quicker than Paris Hilton's panties on a first date. :smile:

Who, me? :biggrin:

 

[Fireballs_92nsx]

not necessarly sports cars but 91-93 gmc typhoon and syclone
vr-4 3000 gt w/ low miles
94-96 impala with low miles
any exotic imo.
84-87 grand nationals

And all the others people mentioned.
I'm not a gm fanboy either...just stating the facts imo.

 

[Ultraman]

I think BMW Z8 holds its value extremely well.

Mini Cooper not bad either.

 

[steveny]

DocJohn, you are absolutely right.

I was loose with the way I phrased the question. My colleagues and I were talking about how if one had purchased 1991 NSX with 80K miles in B+ condition three years ago, accumulated 10K miles, and kept it at B+ condition, the value of the car would still be more/less the same today. One of my colleagues, then, told me about an incident in which his 1996 Porsche 911 was sold for the same price as the price that he originally paid for 6 years ago. My other colleague told me the similar story with his E30 M3, in which he actually made some profits after two years of ownership.

This example led me to question if there would be other "used" sports cars such as these.

I bought my NSX from a dealer, it was used. I traded the NSX in at the same dealer 4 years later and made a profit.

The question to ask is what would hold it's value like that but still be something that looks nice and is fun to drive.

All BMW cars seem to hold their value well. I think this is because of the BMW being associated with accomplishment and that many upper middle class people are willing to buy the BMW used, some to appear accomplished but on a budget. Not as many people are willing to purchase a used Mercedes. Same thing with model and year changes. A M3 from the late 90's still gets pretty good money. As a comparison look at the price of a E55 from pre 02 compared to an E55 from after 03, or the S55 from 2006 compared to the S63. No one wants to drive the old body S car now that would mean you can't afford a new body style and have to drive the old one. I tell you what for me I am keeping an eye on the market and looking for the new body SL to come out because I am dumping my SL55 months in advance. No way I want to take a 30k hit just because Benz changed the body style.
On the other hand I am seeing why some people buy a Benz and keep it for 15 years. I just love my SL55 and when I think of replacing it I think...with what... what is this good? The car is just perfect for me.

 

[djdrock]

Without a doubt, the 91-95 MR2. I bought my 93 with 12K miles on it almost 4 years ago from a lady for $8,500, and 80K miles later, it is still worth close to that. Ebay has a couple with similar mileage now...$7,100 and $7,500 with 3 days to go. Without a doubt, the best car deal I have ever had. :biggrin:

 

[CL65 Captain]

I think BMW Z8 holds its value extremely well.

Not a chance. The aluminum chassis on the Z8 are prone to warpage that makes the car all but worthless. There is still ongoing litigation as BMW left the owners high and dry on this one and refuse to admit that the engineers messed up.

 

[gleibig]

Not a sports car by far, but my '97 Land Rover Defender 90 was a great investment. I bought it for $37k with 20k miles on the odo and sold it 6 years later for $33k with over 60k miles. That's why I have my beautiful Sebring Silver NSX today!!

 

[steveny]

Not a sports car by far, but my '97 Land Rover Defender 90 was a great investment. I bought it for $37k with 20k miles on the odo and sold it 6 years later for $33k with over 60k miles. That's why I have my beautiful Sebring Silver NSX today!!

The Defender is about the only Rover you can do a deal like that. The Range Rover will kill you on depreciation in the first 2 years for sure.

 

[dx3]

Doesn't apply to your search criteria but I thought I would include it anyway. Back in the day I went to boarding school in N.Ireland. The Reverend of the school drove a "Morgan." Very hard to get car and the waiting list is +10 years. People pay thousands just to buy someones spot in line. The Reverend had one and was looking to get his 2nd soon after I graduated (about 12 years ago.)

Anyone know of them? One of the few cars in the world that appreciates over time...

Jonny

 

[flaminio]

I've seen used RSX-S's listed for more than we bought ours new. If they can actually get that price, it's theoretically possible for me to sell mine for a profit.