Future collectible classic cars? Holden Monaro, Ford Ranger Raptor, Nissan GT-R, Tesla Roadster and Other Possible Automotive Investments | Opinion

Demand for the Holden Monaro CV8 is already starting to rise.

Cars can be a good investment if you choose the right one.

Just ask those who bought the HSV GTSR Maloo W1. Although the exact price is unknown, it is likely to be less than $200,000 and so far, two of the four examples produced have been sold for over $1 million. That's at least $800,000XNUMX of profit in less than five years.

We've written extensively this year about the rising prices of used and classic cars. This got us thinking: what are the best investments in 2021 that can make big money in 2031 and beyond?

Let's get one thing clear from the start - I can't predict the future.

Try as I might, I can't say with certainty what will happen tomorrow, let alone in 10 or 20 years, so don't take this article as certified financial advice. However, there are certain patterns and trends that can be studied to determine which models are most likely to be paid large sums of money for in the future.

There are some obvious good investments that already require large sums of money, such as the Ferrari 458 Speciale. It's the last naturally aspirated V8 that Prancing Horse will build, and it's already garnering some acclaim. Give it another decade and a few electric Ferraris and car collectors will be vying for high-speed V8 machines.

Unfortunately, not many of us can afford a Ferrari. So let's instead look at cars that are more affordable today and can actually go up in price instead of going down.

Picking the right car for the future is largely a matter of predicting the audience. Two decades from now, people who have the money for an expensive classic car will be less likely to be interested in a Holden or a V8-powered Ford (as they are today) and more likely to be fans of something else.

This is because collectors often buy their children's favorites. The car they wanted when they were teenagers and are now successful enough to afford it. That's why we see so much money being spent on classic Australian cars - it's a market run by people in their 40s and older who grew up watching Peter Brock and Dick Johnson in Bathurst.

Most likely, this is only a small part of future collectors, today's children. They grow up in the world of electric vehicles and Gran Turismoso their tastes will be very different.

Tesla Roadster

Current price range: $150,000-$200,000

There are a few things that make a collectible car stand out. Does it have historical significance? Was it built in limited numbers? Does he have an attraction beyond his leading character?

Regardless of how you feel about Tesla (and Elon Musk), it's hard to argue that the original roadster didn't meet all of these requirements. The Lotus Elise-based sports car was the catalyst for an industry-wide transition to electric vehicles and allowed Tesla to become a major player on the international stage.

It doesn't really matter that the roadster was heavy, not particularly fast, and lacking many amenities. For car enthusiasts in the future, this is likely to be a step forward in the industry and, as a result, bring in big money.

Prices are already rising. A few years ago you could buy one for around $100 and now only one is sold in Australia for $190,000, so it looks like some people already see them as a long-term investment.

Nissan Skyline GT-R 'R32'

Current price range: $ 80,000- $ 130,000

A whole generation of car lovers grew up with Sony games. Gran Turismo and watching Fast and furious movie franchise, both pop culture phenomena that were filled with Japanese cars.

The GT-R "R32" (back then called the Skyline) was not well received when it was new. Largely because he defeated Brock, Johnson & Co. on the hippodrome and was considered to have an unfair advantage. The all-wheel-drive turbocharged coupe was dubbed "Godzilla" because it crushed opposition so much.

We're already seeing price increases on these early GT-Rs, so if you think this is a good idea, you'll want to act fast to get one for less than $100k. And in the not too distant future, there may be an even bigger crowd of JDM fans lining up to pay big bucks for a car like the Skyline GT-R like Gran Turismo generations are wealthy enough to turn the virtual into reality.

BMW M3 'E46'

Current price range: $ 60,000- $ 95,000

For some, the E46 generation BMW M3 has the same mystique and appeal that the Ford Falcon GT-HO Phase III has for the current group of collectors who are paying over $1 million for a blue oval special model.

Does this mean the E46 M3 will ever cost that much? Very unlikely. First, the M3 is a global car, so more cars have been built and the audience is wider, so the supply/demand ratio is very different.

That doesn't mean these gorgeous six-cylinder coupes won't go up in price. In fact, they are already showing signs of positive growth over the past five years. A few years ago, a manual model (that's the one you want) could be bought for as little as $40,000. Now you'll be looking at more than $65,000 almost regardless of trim and condition.

However, if you could get a car from the bottom of the current market, treat it with respect, and maintain or improve its condition, an early 2000s European sports car fan would probably be willing to pay big bucks for it in the next decade or so. about that. . 

If you doubt me, take a look at the prices of the E30 M3...

Holden Monaro CV8

Current price range: $35,000-$100,000

While I've been talking about EVs, JDMs and Euros, there's no reason to think that the Australian-made car market will completely disappear for the foreseeable future. There are kids now growing up in the die-hard Holdens or Fords who want to own the car their mom or dad made—or just longed for.

The challenge is to pick the right Australian made car because the reality is that there are a lot of low end, rarely used examples of the latest Commodores and Falcons as people look to cash in on the current sentiment over the decline of the local industry. . This means that in 10 years supply could exceed or equal demand, negating the potential for growth. 

That's why I would go with the Monaro, it was long gone by the time Holden closed so there are more natural variations on the market that create opportunities. As you can tell from the wider price range of the current models offered for the latest Monaro iteration, demand is starting to pick up.

However, if you can find it at the right price, regardless of mileage, and restore it to showroom condition, it has a chance of becoming a highly desirable collectible in the coming years.

Porsche 911 '991.1'

Current price range: $140,000-$150,000

While I admit this is the upper limit of what can reasonably be called "affordable," there is something about this particular breed of Porsche that gives cause for optimism. More precisely, it is the engine. 

When Porsche released the 991 generation model, it did so with a completely new platform, but with relocated engines: a 3.4-litre flat-six for the 911 Carrera and a 3.8-litre flat-six for the Carrera S. Why? Because he always planned to upgrade to his then-brand-new turbocharged 3.0-liter flat-six when the "991.2" update arrived midway through its life cycle.

This means that the earliest 991 generations of the 911 are powered by the latest naturally aspirated engine in the wider lineup. The larger, naturally aspirated 4.0-litre engine remained, but only in the top-of-the-line GT3 and similar special editions, making them more collectible but also more expensive.

So, if you buy one of those "latest" naturally aspirated 911s, you may find that someone is willing to pay you more for it than you paid in the near future.

Ford Ranger Raptor

Current price range: $65,000-$90,000

I agree that it's not quite right and the Ranger Raptor definitely doesn't fit the criteria for a limited edition model that usually becomes a collector's item, but... there are several reasons why I think the Raptor is worth it.

First, it is an innovative car in many ways. It may not have been the first premium model to be factory upgraded, but it certainly helped accelerate the market. The Toyota HiLux Rogue and Rugged X, the Nissan Navara Warrior and the Holden Colorado SportsCat are all reactions to the success of the Raptor. 

In addition, it is a popular car today. Children grow up with him and form a bond with him that can carry over into adulthood. While that might not mean they'll pay the absolute top price for it, it does raise the possibility that a well-groomed first-generation Raptor could become a future classic.