Browsing the classifieds is always amusing.

I wonder if the guy spenging big bucks for his Alfa Milano about twenty years ago (and kept it in average shape) thought that it would ever be worth essentially the same as the cheap Geo Metro his gardner bought about the same time and proceeded to beat the c^@p out of it? Both worth about $750.

Not an isolated example, but they were sequential in the ads this morning and provoked the thought.

And it's not as if the beat up "cheap" car was a desirable model... like a CRX or something. It was just cheap economical transportation with zero sporting aspirations.

So twenty years from now, what current high dollar cars in decent shape will be worth about the same as a beat up Chevy Aveo?

Anything from Mercedes Benz, Jaguar, or Saab is destined to be a bargain someday. Until you have to fix it.

It's not just 20-year old cars. A 2001 Celica GT-S is worth more than a 2001 Audi A6 2.7T today. Not so in 2001.

Tom Heath wrote: Anything from Mercedes Benz, Jaguar, or Saab is destined to be a bargain someday. Until you have to fix it.

And I will destined to own that Jaguar and be constantly beating my head against a wall.

That idiot who can't spell wrote:

Tom Heath wrote: Anything from Mercedes Benz, Jaguar, or Saab is destined to be a bargain someday. Until you have to fix it.

And I will destined to own that Jaguar and be constantly beating my head against a wall.

Trade you for my 20-year-old Benz...quick, before the maintenance catches up with me.

A 12 cylinder BMW cost around $100K a decade ago. Now they are about easy to sell as herpes. A 3 series in the same condition is worth more.

I have been using this to my advantage for a long time. I love depreciation. I am only 5 years away from an Exige S!

wcelliot wrote: .....So twenty years from now, what current high dollar cars in decent shape will be worth about the same as a beat up Chevy Aveo?

1) A twenty year old Aveo will be rare as hen's teeth.

2) Who in their right mind would want one?

I have the sticker from my now 20 year old Audi, it $30K back in 1991. I got it for a fraction of that. Of course, it has issues, but being a VWAG car it has the same issues now as it had 20 years ago :)

minimac wrote:

wcelliot wrote: .....So twenty years from now, what current high dollar cars in decent shape will be worth about the same as a beat up Chevy Aveo?

#1) A twenty year old Aveo will be rare as hen's teeth. #2) Who in their right mind would want one?

My point exactly. The fact that a BMW 8 series is worth less than a 3 of the same year is interesting, but not my point. The 3 was and still is a desirable car. But I'd find the fact that an 8 in decent condition was worth less than a "bottom of the barrel" car in bad condition to be fascinating...

1996 Civic with 200,000 miles seems to be worth 3x My 96 Aurora that held a $46,000 sticker price.

wcelliot wrote:

minimac wrote:

wcelliot wrote: .....So twenty years from now, what current high dollar cars in decent shape will be worth about the same as a beat up Chevy Aveo?

#1) A twenty year old Aveo will be rare as hen's teeth. #2) Who in their right mind would want one?

My point exactly. The fact that a BMW 8 series is worth less than a 3 of the same year is interesting, but not my point. The 3 was and still is a desirable car. But I'd find the fact that an 8 in decent condition was worth less than a "bottom of the barrel" car in bad condition to be fascinating...

Please point me in the direction of the 8 series cheaper than the E36s of the same year, pleaseandthankyouverymuch. I will go buy one TODAY.

I think he's talking about the 7 series. Nobody wants those.

EricM wrote: I have the sticker from my now 20 year old Audi, it $30K back in 1991. I got it for a fraction of that. Of course, it has issues, but being a VWAG car it has the same issues now as it had 20 years ago :)

Same for my 1984 -733. The sticker was $48K! I bought it in 89-90 for $4K. I wouldn't part with for any less now.

I passed up a running/driving 850 (needed paint and some minor bodywork) a couple of years ago for under $2000. It would be difficult to score an E36 in similar shape for less money. Want me to check if the guy still has it?

wcelliot wrote: I passed up a running/driving 850 (needed paint and some minor bodywork) a couple of years ago for under $2000. It would be difficult to score an E36 in similar shape for less money. Want me to check if the guy still has it?

I was more looking at clean prices. I can get a clean E36 around here for $4k or less. I would be all over a clean 850 for that same price for sure.

I want you, but don't want you to go check if the guy still has it. I really don't have room or time for another project car right now.

Funny, my boss is currently in love with the idea of trading in his Tahoe for a used Audi A8. He can get one with 3xk miles on it for around $30k. I keep telling him that new luxury cars with high maintenance costs depreciate quickly. That's why he can get a 3 year old A8 for $3xk. That depreciation curve is going to continue while his Tahoe will hold it's value much better. He's unconvinced. There goes my raise...

minimac wrote:

wcelliot wrote: .....So twenty years from now, what current high dollar cars in decent shape will be worth about the same as a beat up Chevy Aveo?

#1) A twenty year old Aveo will be rare as hen's teeth. #2) Who in their right mind would want one?

Follow this board in 20 years, I guarantee there will be Aveos on it. It's like the Yugos that seem to drift in and out. No one SHOULD want one, but for whatever reason they keep showing up.

Actually Yugos have some redeeming qualities.... ;-) They just weren't assembed all that well.

wcelliot wrote: Actually Yugos have some redeeming qualities.... ;-) They just weren't assembed all that well.

Yeah they had a rear windscreen heater so your hands would stay warm while pushing it.

my $45k 1991 corvette sold for $17,995 in 1995 when my dad bought it at 4 years old, and 20 years old it might fetch 6 grand right now. it actually held some value compared to the 20 year old 750iL's i had been looking at for $800-2000

You know, my 90 Protege 4wd sold new for 11,000, and I bought mine for 800 bucks a year ago. I figure in another 20 years, after WW3 and provided that it hasn't been transformed into a zombie assult vehicle, it's value should increase significantly. I'll register it as a classic in a few more years

EricM wrote: I have the sticker from my now 20 year old Audi, it $30K back in 1991. I got it for a fraction of that. Of course, it has issues, but being a VWAG car it has the same issues now as it had 20 years ago :)

Sticker price on original window sticker in my 1991 Audi 20 20V: $44,000! Of 1991 money. The only option on the car was pearl white paint ~$1400.

I bought it for $1800 6 years ago. Current value in still driving condition: about $1,000. Talk about depreciation.

This goes back to the truth that owning a 10 year old version of todays cars is going to be terrifying given all the complex systems to fail.

Teqnyck wrote: You know, my 90 Protege 4wd sold new for 11,000, and I bought mine for 800 bucks a year ago. I figure in another 20 years, after WW3 and provided that it hasn't been transformed into a zombie assult vehicle, it's value should increase significantly. I'll register it as a classic in a few more years

Hang on to it, you and i will have a contest.

My 1990 MX6 GT sold new for $17,229 (give or take a thousand, mine was fully loaded save for 4ws) and i purchased it for $900 highly modified a year and a half ago.

(I've since gotten cash offers of $3300, but i think that's cheating)