The 10 best investment cars of 2020
Your view of buying cars for investment purposes likely depends on whether you’re in a position to benefit from it or not. Porsche is a master of this in terms of new cars, micro-managing supplies of its sought-after specials like 911 GT3s and Cayman GT4s to fortunate customers able to buy them at list price and then sell on for a tidy profit soon after. Which is infuriating for those obliged to then line the pockets of the dreaded flippers.
Outside of the rat-race for new cars it’s perhaps more fun to look at older ones and speculate on which might represent a fun ownership proposition and also a safe place to have your money while you do so. These aren’t the blue-chip investment classics beloved of the chino-wearing auction crowd, more the kind of cars you can buy and enjoy on vaguely real-world money without fear of losing too much of it in the process. Here are some we’d be tempted to take a punt on.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport Edition 40 – the hot hatch
Launched: 2016
Price today: c. £25,000
There’s a new Golf GTI coming but plenty of the previous generation to enjoy, including the valedictory TCR. But if you want one to reward you financially as well as at the wheel experience shows the anniversary editions are a safe bet. Fortune had it the 40th birthday came during the Mk7’s tenure and the Clubsport Edition 40 – of which just 1,000 were sold in the UK – already commands a 20 per cent premium over equivalent standard cars. Expect that to hold firm, given the popularity of special editions among GTI fans. And if you were lucky enough to secure one of the 150-car UK allocation of the hardcore Clubsport S at the original £33,995 asking price your money is safer still.
Audi A2 – the modern design classic
Launched: 1999
Price today: £1,000
Those who still equate Audi to Vorsprung Durch Technik, bold design and single-minded innovation will find little to inspire them in the formulaic modern line-up, no matter how commercially successful this approach has been for the brand. More’s the pity when cars like the A2 are still within recent living memory, this clever, minimalist, all-aluminium supermini chalk and cheese against the overweight, overcomplicated SUVs and crossovers aspirational buyers now covet. As appealing to aesthetes as it is engineers, A2s can now be bought for banger money but supplies are rapidly drying up and the remaining few will be coveted modern classics to those who appreciate what it stands for. Move fast.
Mazda MX-5 NA/Mk1 – the starter classic
Launched: 1989
Price today: £2,000 and up
There comes a point with every mass-produced car where it disappears from view without anyone really noticing. And so it is with the first-generation of Mazda MX-5, now fresh from its 30th anniversary and still the go-to, affordable first sports car. Little wonder, given you could pick one up for peanuts and run it for even less. But, in the way of these things, natural attrition and rust have accounted for a chunk of the 20,000 sold in the UK and good, original survivors of these and the many imported Eunos versions are increasingly coveted. Don’t expect them to go the way of air-cooled 911s quite yet. But if you find a good example – or have one tucked away – the original MX-5’s stock still has some way to rise.
Toyota Celica GT-Four – the forgotten rally rep
Launched: 1994 (ST205)
Price today: less than £10,000
For all the boy racer image 90s Japanese rally replicas are, like the fans, quietly maturing. Like the Lotus Cortinas, Escorts, Chevette HSRs and Lotus Sunbeams of a previous era, these cars were commonly souped-up, modified with varying degrees of taste and thrashed mercilessly by enthusiastic owners in their day. Not always with successful outcomes. Those that survive, especially in original condition, are increasingly valued. Subaru Imprezas and Mitsubishi Evos are already rising in value, leaving the Toyota Celica GT-Four as the one to grab before it goes the same way. Homologation versions have a direct link to WRC success, are packed with fascinating tech (cheat turbo excluded) and still potent to drive, with the provenance future collectors will likely pay a premium for.
McLaren 675LT – the undervalued supercar
Launched: 2015
Price now: £180,000 upwards
Despite what you might think horsepower figures, performance statistics and lap times are not measures of success in the supercar world. Residual values are, however, and for McLaren that’s proving a challenge. It can beat Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche on stats and score rave reviews for handling and steering feel from reviewers. It’s got an enviable history and image. But if people can’t buy a McLaren confident their money is safe there’s a problem and, anecdotally, the brand is exposed here. The one recent model where critical acclaim, exclusivity and desirability all intersect would appear to be the 675LT, the thrilling driving dynamics the icing on the cake. Values have dropped, even on these. But if there’s one modern McLaren to put your money on this would be it.
Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32, R33 and R34) – the 911 for the PlayStation generation
Launched: 1989 (R32)
Price today: from £12,000
As a cohort who grew up idolising the Nissan Skyline in videogames and popular culture reach the age where discretionary, mid-life crisis purchases are on the radar it’s not too much of a punt to see Nissan Skylines becoming the air-cooled 911s for a new generation. Abrasive looks aside, the Skyline has everything going for it, given its historic motorsport dominance, on-road performance that’s still thrilling three decades on and iconic styling instantly recognisable to fans the world over. Rarely seen outside of Japan in its heyday but since exported across the world, local rules now mean Americans can finally get their hands on them too. Expect values to rise across the board as a result.
BMW M3 (E46) – the driver’s choice
Launched: 2000
Price today: £12,000
Modern performance cars are faster, more technologically advanced and easier to drive quickly than ever. The trouble being roads haven’t changed and there’s less to appreciate at sensible speeds. Little wonder keen drivers consider the late ‘90s and early 2000s as a golden era of performance, involvement and accessible thrills. And the E46 M3 nails this spirit perfectly, being small enough to enjoy on a twisty B-road, fast enough to be exciting at legal speeds and brimming with the charisma you’d expect of a revvy, naturally aspirated BMW M car. Engine and corrosion issues are well-documented enough you can do your research and choose with care and there are – currently – enough around to be picky. But as those numbers dwindle values are only going one way.
Suzuki Jimny – the loveable one
Launched: 2019
Price now: £25,000
Overwhelming critical praise, cult appeal based on a clever reinvention of decades-old heritage, a single-minded focus on core abilities and listings full of delivery miles cars advertised with a significant premium over the list price. No, not the latest Porsche 911 GT3 but a cramped, slow and seemingly crude 4x4 from a small manufacturer little accustomed to life in the spotlight. Pity Suzuki too. Everyone loves the new Jimny. And, obvious practical limitations aside, it’s a cracking little product. But crippling fines under regulations for CO2 averages have a disproportionate effect on a company with sales so modest and the Jimny’s success could, in fact, cripple Suzuki if it sells too many of them. With demand exceeding supply and future sales still in question used values look secure.
Ferrari 458 Speciale – the money-no-object choice
Launched: 2013
Price now: £250,000 upwards
Greatest naturally-aspirated Ferrari of modern times? If the 812 Superfast is just too hot to handle the more accessible charms of the 458 Speciale make it a contender for this title, the exploitable mid-engined balance and screaming, 605PS V8 combined with just enough ‘enabling’ technology to make it fun for average drivers. The nature of the business demands later Ferraris have got faster and more technologically advanced, the brand adapting to the turbo age with commendable panache. But the searing, 9,000rpm power peak of the Speciale remains a high point for the internal combustion engine, these qualities likely to be appreciated further as we shift, inevitably, into the hybrid age.
Honda NSX – the one you can actually use
Launched: 1990
Price now: £50,000
You likely know the Honda NSX headlines – the first usable supercar, exotic all-aluminium structure, revvy V6 engine and a garnish of Senna all add up to an enticing package. And the looks are aging well too, styling that seemed a little unadventurous at the time holding up thanks to its unadorned sleekness. For those of a certain age the pop-up lights like those on the original version will always be cool, too. If hardly a common sight there are a few in the market too, the inherent usability meaning many original owners racked up miles and have left a selection of temptingly affordable ones for 911 money. You can pay more for a low mileage one but for an investment car you can actually enjoy driving these look a solid bet.
List
Volkswagen
Golf
Audi
A2
Ferrari
458
McLaren
675LT
Mazda
MX-5
Toyota
Celica
Nissan
Skyline
GT-R
BMW
M3
Suzuki
Jimny
Honda
NSX
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