Ridiculously Undervalued Car Models/Generations and Versions

[Aerocoupe]

The C4 Corvette is currently the cheapest generation of Corvette out there. Both pre-facelift and post-facelift models can be had for about $10,000 or less depending on condition, and special variants like the Grand Sport and Collector's Edition go for a little more. Even ZR-1's (a car that was compared against Ferraris and 911 Turbos that are worth many hundreds of thousands of dollars currently, and set production car endurance speed record) can be had for cheap if you're willing to look hard enough, with the '93-'95 models being the more sought after due to their increased power over the previous years (405 vs 385).

 

[Dennisch]

The C4 is coming seriously close to the C2 as prettiest Corvette, at least on my list.

 

[TenEightyOne]

The C4 is coming seriously close to the C2 as prettiest Corvette, at least on my list.

It's aged well - somehow it looks better as a "classic" than it did when new.

 

[Sharpie]

Honda CRX

Much-beloved, and available for a few grand (depending on the running condition). It's a little hard to find versions that aren't just destroyed by aftermarket mods or poor maintenance. But if you could find one, it's a very special car that should retain its value.

If honda could reproduce this car something like retro style it would be instant hit.

 

[Tornado]

The C4 Corvette is currently the cheapest generation of Corvette out there. Both pre-facelift and post-facelift models can be had for about $8000 even when fully loaded and nearly flawless

Fixed.

 

[Danoff]

If honda could reproduce this car something like retro style it would be instant hit.

The RSX is not far away.

 

[Silver Arrows]

It's aged well - somehow it looks better as a "classic" than it did when new.

It helps it has a good foot in feeling like the future from an 80's to mid 90's standpoint, and also can trace it's design roots to the C2 and C3 especially.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Every* Corvette generation epitomizes the style of its period. You could never say, in my opinion, that a Corvette looks "timeless" but that's fine, because they aren't meant to. The Corvette ethos is to synthesize and distill the style (and even general culture) of the time, and every damn one of them has done a great job of it. This typically means that any given Corvette rides a graduated bell curve of coolness; they look sensational when they first debut, and gradually look more dated in a linear way for the next 15 years straight until they are in seriously uncool territory. Then the trend reverses in the same way. The C4 has nearly fully cleared this threshold while the C5 is in the painful depths of it. Part of me thinks the C6 won't follow the same trend, but my brain tells me it probably will.

*Later model C3 'Vettes were extremely outdated by the time they were finally put down, the only real outlier in Corvette style-history.

 

[Silver Arrows]

Automobile has raised a good point in one of the many underrated gems in the 90's Japanese sports car wars, the Subaru SVX.

http://www.automobilemag.com/news/1992-1997-subaru-svx-collectible-classic/

With the SVX’s rarity and the uptick in general values for collectible Japanese cars, you might think that these sporty Subies have taken off in value. You’d be wrong; the market has remained virtually flat for the SVX, regardless of year or trim level. That means you should be able to find a solid example for well under $10,000. Start looking at the $5,000 price point to avoid bottom-feeder examples needing lots of overdue maintenance.

Of course, this won't be staying anytime soon. The JDM-aboos are going to be descending on other smaller time vehicles like the Pulsar GTi-R and the SVX like vultures soon enough.

 

[TheCracker]

Don't think it's been mentioned yet. The DB7 is currently available for around the £30k mark for a well looked after one. Down to as little as £23k for a higher mileage one without as an extensive service history. I'm sure they were a little cheaper five years ago, so their values are probably on the up. Even the slightly more humble XJ-S, which donated it's underpinnings to the Aston, is showing its values are going up.

The Ferrari 348, for many years the unloved mid-V8 Ferrari, is still hovering at under £50k. Not as cheap as some cars mentioned here but their values will surely only ever increase from now on.

 

[TenEightyOne]

The Ferrari 348, for many years the unloved mid-V8 Ferrari, is still hovering at under £50k. Not as cheap as some cars mentioned here but their values will surely only ever increase from now on.

View attachment 700522

Seriously unattractive aftermarket costs though.

 

[MedigoFlame]

I've been looking up the GS F and RC F and I can't help but find them to be pretty good deals. Brand new, they were in the $80k range, but now you can get a barely used one for down to the low $50k range. Meanwhile the RC F can be picked up for the mid $40k range.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

You can get an RC350 for less than $28k if you look hard enough. That's a lot of car for $25k, even if it's not the V8.

 

[mustafur]

Mitsubishi FTO GP Version R

This car will beat any stock non JDM Integra Type R, it sold in limited numbers and was a Japan exclusive model and still sells for under 10KAUD here for a good condition one, I think this will age well with the high reving V6 that sounds Glorious.


Late 90s to early 2000s Toyota Crown.

Especially in wagon form I am starting to see these being used as a base for 2J Daily cruises and prices are incredibly low under 10k for near mint condition ones.

E39 BMW M5

This car is the best generation of M5 for most people and the prices have been at the lowest point for awhile now, the E60s are starting to get cheaper then them so I would say this is peak time to get your hands on this super sedan before it starts rising.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

Don't think it's been mentioned yet. The DB7 is currently available for around the £30k mark for a well looked after one. Down to as little as £23k for a higher mileage one without as an extensive service history. I'm sure they were a little cheaper five years ago, so their values are probably on the up. Even the slightly more humble XJ-S, which donated it's underpinnings to the Aston, is showing its values are going up.

View attachment 700521

Older Astons in general seem very cheap in the UK. You can easily get a V8 Vantage for £30k and for maybe another 5 grand you can have an automatic DB9. Even the Rapide at £45-50k seems like good value.

It used to be that Porsche 924s and 944s were really undervalued, but in the last few years they've easily tripled in value. I believe that 15-20 years ago the same was true of the 914 and especially the 914-6. You could get a 914-6 for not much money at all, but now if you want a good one you're quite probably going to pay 6 figures. To a lesser extent, I think the next car on this chain is the Cayman. They're still decreasing in value and I believe that by the time I can actually afford to buy and run (and insure) one that they'll still be depreciating (which is good, because I really want one), but I suspect that in 10-15 years the prices will start to rise reasonably quickly.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

Older Astons in general seem very cheap in the UK. You can easily get a V8 Vantage for £30k and for maybe another 5 grand you can have an automatic DB9. Even the Rapide at £45-50k seems like good value.

It used to be that Porsche 924s and 944s were really undervalued, but in the last few years they've easily tripled in value. I believe that 15-20 years ago the same was true of the 914 and especially the 914-6. You could get a 914-6 for not much money at all, but now if you want a good one you're quite probably going to pay 6 figures. To a lesser extent, I think the next car on this chain is the Cayman. They're still decreasing in value and I believe that by the time I can actually afford to buy and run (and insure) one that they'll still be depreciating (which is good, because I really want one), but I suspect that in 10-15 years the prices will start to rise reasonably quickly.

I've been keeping an eye on 986 prices, and for the first time I'm starting to see them trending up. Could be the start.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

I've been keeping an eye on 986 prices, and for the first time I'm starting to see them trending up. Could be the start.

I just hope they haven't already hit rock bottom; a decent Cayman here is still close to £10k. That said, Lotus Elise prices seem to be stable or rising slightly, so that might be an indication that the market for really driver-focused sports cars simply isn't going to allow prices to get too low. In the last few years I've seen no real movement in S2000 prices either, and MX-5s are now getting a bit more expensive here.

A car whose prices definitely do still seem to be dropping and which I think is definitely undervalued is the 996 turbo. It's at the sweet spot of undesirability, especially when compared to other 911s: First water cooled turbo, controversial styling, often mistakenly thought to have the same engine issues as the NA 996s, and it's 15-20 years old. At maybe £40k it's not cheap, but you're getting a proper sports car with 415 bhp, a manual gearbox, four wheel drive, usable space for luggage and two people, and a generally good reputation for reliability. It's also a bit stealthy, since 996s don't really get noticed as much as a newer (flashier) 911s or a pre-996 model would. I very much doubt I'll be able to afford to own one before they start gaining value, but I do think they've got a little way to go yet before that starts happening.

 

[Crash]

A car whose prices definitely do still seem to be dropping and which I think is definitely undervalued is the 996 turbo. It's at the sweet spot of undesirability, especially when compared to other 911s: First water cooled turbo, controversial styling, often mistakenly thought to have the same engine issues as the NA 996s, and it's 15-20 years old. At maybe £40k it's not cheap, but you're getting a proper sports car with 415 bhp, a manual gearbox, four wheel drive, usable space for luggage and two people, and a generally good reputation for reliability. It's also a bit stealthy, since 996s don't really get noticed as much as a newer (flashier) 911s or a pre-996 model would. I very much doubt I'll be able to afford to own one before they start gaining value, but I do think they've got a little way to go yet before that starts happening.

996 Turbos have been going up over here in the US. You can still find higher mileage ones at fairly low prices, but the low mileage, low owner cars are getting expensive. Even if you buy in the middle of the market valuation now though, they are still a tremendous bargain.

 

[Dennisch]

These have been hovering between 3 and 5000 Euro's for the longest of times, and if it isn't a rusty one, and preferably one with the 3.6 engine, you'll get a lot of comfort for the money. And, shockingly, reliability. Apart from a failing ABS system which is easily solved these are truly great cars.

 

[McLaren]

I've been looking up the GS F and RC F and I can't help but find them to be pretty good deals. Brand new, they were in the $80k range, but now you can get a barely used one for down to the low $50k range. Meanwhile the RC F can be picked up for the mid $40k range.

Most of this is in part because Lexus built so many of them that ended up sitting on the lots; we have one currently at 400+ days old I'm still considering leasing. The residuals on them however, are just bad making it worthwhile to pick up a used 10-15K mile example that's been CPO (and purchasing the additional 5-year warranty on top of the CPO's 2-year) for $50-60K. Adding in that the RCF was far too under whelming & the GSF was under powered despite both making terrific, reliable daily drivers.

Due to this, you'll find production numbers for both GS & RC line being cut for this year (esp. the RC) which means both F models will see limited build numbers. Right now, I believe the production line for the GSF/RCF is mostly focused on the 10th Anniversary models. Give it a few years and the values of these cars may settle out and become cult classics with the ISF.

996 Turbos have been going up over here in the US. You can still find higher mileage ones at fairly low prices, but the low mileage, low owner cars are getting expensive. Even if you buy in the middle of the market valuation now though, they are still a tremendous bargain.

I think this has been the result of the previous Turbos becoming more & more out of reach for the common enthusiast. I don't think there are any 993 Turbos that can be had for under 6-figures anymore in even moderate conditions. Mint ones might as well be as expensive as a Carrera GT.

 

[Crash]

I think this has been the result of the previous Turbos becoming more & more out of reach for the common enthusiast. I don't think there are any 993 Turbos that can be had for under 6-figures anymore in even moderate conditions. Mint ones might as well be as expensive as a Carrera GT.

For sure. And it doesn't help that all the air-cooled 911s have gone up significantly in the past few years, while the 997 and later 911s are still expensive from when they were new. Hell, looking at Turbos, you look at 964s and none of those are under 6-figures anymore, and I imagine the 930 Turbos are not far behind.

 

[MedigoFlame]

Most of this is in part because Lexus built so many of them that ended up sitting on the lots; we have one currently at 400+ days old I'm still considering leasing. The residuals on them however, are just bad making it worthwhile to pick up a used 10-15K mile example that's been CPO (and purchasing the additional 5-year warranty on top of the CPO's 2-year) for $50-60K. Adding in that the RCF was far too under whelming & the GSF was under powered despite both making terrific, reliable daily drivers.

Due to this, you'll find production numbers for both GS & RC line being cut for this year (esp. the RC) which means both F models will see limited build numbers. Right now, I believe the production line for the GSF/RCF is mostly focused on the 10th Anniversary models. Give it a few years and the values of these cars may settle out and become cult classics with the ISF.

I'd love to pick up a GS F, if I had the money.... But of course, I've been eyeing the ISFs, however they've all basically bottomed out at $20k range and anything cheaper seems abused or modified. I really want something with that 2UR....

 

[Clark]

E87 130i

Over £30k new and now you can get a good one for around £5500 or a really good one for £7000. Ride is crap if I’m brutally honest (never got round to the Bird’s B1 kit on mine) and needs an LSD but engine is so good; 265bhp, sounds great and loves to rev while still torquey and returns 30+mpg easily. Handles well on smooth roads but as said the standard suspension can make the handling on rough roads a bit jittery. In four years the only thing that went wrong (that I didn’t cause) was needing new coil packs.

 

[Turbo]

2004-2007 Volkswagen Phaeton W12



You can buy this full-size, W12-powered, $120,000 new, luxury barge for less than $10k. If that's not good value than I don't know what is.​

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

2004-2007 Volkswagen Phaeton W12



You can buy this full-size, W12-powered, $120,000 new, luxury barge for less than $10k. If that's not good value than I don't know what is.​

I shudder at the maintenance bills.

 

[Tornado]

There's a reason everything secondhand in that market segment, and especially everything German, and especially everything made by VAG, is essentially worthless. That "good value" only extends up until when you realize that the $10,000 you paid is a good deposit for the first trip to the VW dealer to clean up all the deferred problems.

 

[-Fred-]

There's a reason everything secondhand in that market segment, and especially everything German, and especially everything made by VAG, is essentially worthless. That "good value" only extends up until when you realize that the $10,000 you paid is a good deposit for the first trip to the VW dealer to clean up all the deferred problems.

This. Just have a look around the web at how many people bought V10 Touaregs, W8 Passats or out of warranty AMG and M products are now considering selling organs on the black market just to repair them.

 

[McLaren]

This. Just have a look around the web at how many people bought V10 Touaregs, W8 Passats or out of warranty AMG and M products are now considering selling organs on the black market just to repair them.

A couple weeks back, we received a 2012 S-Class at work w/80K or so on the odo, as a trade-in. I believe the car was purchased for around $12-15K meaning they were likely going to resell around $20K. IIRC, the front shocks/struts run on an air system, but when we popped the hood, our techs noticed that you could see a build up of residue that had seeped through the top of both, effectively making the car ride very stiff. When we asked a local dealer what it would be to replace them, we were quoted $5,000 for the fronts alone before labor fees. We didn't bother physically seeing what condition what the rears were in; they wholesaled the car realizing they'd never make their money back.

 

[eiriksmil]

Can we seriously not include maintenance/repair boondoggles in here?

Cars that are cheaper than they 'should be' are sometimes cheaper because they are maintenance nightmares. Luxo barges, cheap to buy, expensive to run, wiĺl never get your money back. Ie. not a bargain but expensive.

I saw Japanese cars mentioned here. Usuaĺly cheaper than 'they should be' and they are reliable. Having said that try sourcing parts for one that's not an Evo, Supra or one of the other big name cars. I got an 81 Daihatsu Charade. Market value is far below Mk1 Golf, looking isolated at purchase price it may look like a bargain into simple Youngtimer car ownership. Very few parts are remanufactured or reproduced meaning you gotta go custom (ie. expensive). Whereas the Golf repro parts and spares are stocked at specialist shops. Spending a little more to begin with suddenly doesn't look so bad.

I believe cost and the amount of energy spent sourcing parts in ownership are factors that keep prices on cars down, unless racing/rally pedigree or hype/greater fools theory overshadows this (the prospect of owning a Delta Integrale being a good example of something rational to car people and a case of insanity to everyone else).

 

[Dennisch]

I got an 81 Daihatsu Charade.

I have a 99 Cuore, plenty of those around and yet, parts are already getting scarce. Even new.