what $12-15k driver that will hold its value

I'm in the market for a toy car. It must seat at least three (wife and 4 year old). It doesn't have to be fast, but it doesn't hurt. I want somehing that I like to look at drive on nice days. I would also like something that won't depreciate quickly as I have car add and I assume a few years from now, I'll want to own something different. I've considered stretching the budget to get a 996 c2, but I'm afraid I'll break it and won't be able to afford a new engine. I'm open to muscle and pony cars, other classics, Fd rx7, s2k, etc. Any ideas? I'm kind of paralysed since I don't anticipate having an extra $15k for quite a while.

Older muscle cars probably won't depreciate much. Mustang/Chevelle/Olds/Pontiac/Buick etc., etc.

I bet you could find a neat 'vert at that price.

You can eek into an air cooled 911 for that money and it will seat three fine as long as it's not a vert. It will hold it's value and it is an excellent toy car. It might really be $20k by the time you get it the way you want it though... still, it's not going to get any less valuable unless you ball it up. Shop carefully (or wait for Woody to sell another one :) )

Yep, just about anything from the '60s or so ought to at least hold its value if not appreciate as long as you take good care of it.

80's cars are pretty much fully depreciated, so you should be able to find a buyer later for about what you paid for it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rt=nc&item=111136865592

If you want something more modern, I've found that the Scion xB doesn't seem to depreciate much.

I've known this guy over the net for at least a decade - A guy you can trust. At $12k, this car is a steal.

http://www.stangfix.com/index.php?topic=19978.0

nderwater wrote: 80's cars are pretty much fully depreciated, so you should be able to find a buyer later for about what you paid for it. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rt=nc&item=111136865592

That thing is sweet. Does it come with a coked up dead hooker in the trunk?

bravenrace wrote: I've known this guy over the net for at least a decade - A guy you can trust. At $12k, this car is a steal. http://www.stangfix.com/index.php?topic=19978.0

Well I think we can end the thread with this post.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/open-classifieds/1992-corvette-zr-1-in-clemson-sc-12500/68306/page1/

Vette ZR1

My dad just told me yesterday that the KBB value on his 2007 S2000 has gone up about $1K since he bought it two years ago.

I've been shopping e36 M3s lately and they have clearly not only bottomed out but started going back up. $10k should buy you a well cared for example. I would think it would, worst case, hold it's value, best case, continue to appreciate. They may never be as coveted as the e30 M3, but folks seem to be rediscovering them now.

04-06 GTO with some miles on them should be in that range. Quick, comfortable (no pain after 1000 miles of driving with no breaks), 4 seats (very nice back seat), and a ton of fun. Sways, springs, & dampers would be nice if you are going to be tracking the car but for public roads, the stock suspension is more than adequate. At least around me, prices have been stagnant or rising slightly. Being a rare (and completely under rated when new) should help keep prices where there are.

In reply to gtoben:

And unbelievable gas mileage at 1000 miles to the tank full.

bravenrace wrote: In reply to gtoben: And unbelievable gas mileage at 1000 miles to the tank full.

Gas stops don't count

dyintorace wrote: I've been shopping e36 M3s lately and they have clearly not only bottomed out but started going back up. $10k should buy you a well cared for example. I would think it would, worst case, hold it's value, best case, continue to appreciate. They may never be as coveted as the e30 M3, but folks seem to be rediscovering them now.

This was what I was thinking as well. I'm sure they won't get e30 money, but really well kept ones certainly aren't getting any cheaper.

An E46 may be in similar territory, You can find reasonable ones in that range, and if you give them the TLC they may be lacking, I'd imagine you'll end up near par at resale with a clean well maintained example.

How about a GTO? Modern drivetrain, nice interior, also seem to have bottomed in value.

For a bigger car, Pontiac G8 GT's are creeping into that range. Until more V8 rear drive competitors creep into their territory they seem to be holding up their values as well.

That mustang is great. Anyone recommend a shipping company to get it to buffalo? I'm looking into flights. E46 m3 is a consideration as well. E36 not so much. As much as I like the idea of a gto, I can't get past the looks.

I currently have in my fleet a 318ti as my dd, a v6 rav4 as the wife's dd. A miata, a dwarf car and an old mini project. I'm looking for something to compliment those.

I'm confused by:

"Needs to seat 3"

Then you bring up an S2K, FD RX-7, etc.

If you've ever been curious about land yachts that will get you a decent example of most any 60s full size 4 door.

z31maniac wrote: I'm confused by: "Needs to seat 3" Then you bring up an S2K, FD RX-7, etc.

Maybe two inside the car, plus a car seat on a luggage rack on the trunk? I'm sure Yakima makes a car seat mount.

Yeah. It should seat three. My wife would be muh happier if it did, but I'd make an exception for something awesome.

Fueled by Caffeine wrote:

nderwater wrote: 80's cars are pretty much fully depreciated, so you should be able to find a buyer later for about what you paid for it. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rt=nc&item=111136865592

That thing is sweet. Does it come with a coked up dead hooker in the trunk?

Not at all saying that I don't like them, but those cars are worthless, they just all get scrapped here. They don't even sell for as much as a 4 door one.

I think what you want is some sort of classic. If it were an occasional toy in that price range, my money would be spent on finding a nice example of a Classic Mini.

I was thinking E46 M3. Right there at that sweet spot before they start going back up.

Find the cleanest, low mileage one you can find. The value can only go up.