Which of these 2 cars should I choose?

[WEL]

This question is a little tricky so bear with me...

Car #1:

It gets 33M MPG highway. It costs about $3,000. It's FWD. It costs $20/month to insure. It takes regular unleaded. It's potential problems include head gasket failure which is fairly common on this model.

Car #2:

It gets 29 MPG highway. It costs about $4,500. It's AWD. It costs $27/month to insure. It requires premium unleaded. It's potential problems include my desire to modify it to make it even faster.

What both cars have in common:

They are the same make/model, just different trim levels. Interior space, appearance, creature comforts are all almost exactly the same.

Pros of car #1:

It's cheaper to insure, cheaper to fill up, and cheaper to buy.

Pros of car #2:

It's faster and more fun. But most importantly, I see this trim level going up in value overtime. The car is nearly 20-years-old. That means its value will likely increase - and it will probably do so since it's the highly sought after turbocharged AWD model. So basically, although car #1 is cheaper, I see car #2 as being an actual investment.

Which would you go with? The safe bet or the car that will likely appreciate much faster than car #1 will?

[ua_guy]

If saving money is your primary concern, go with the FWD car. AWD systems, haldex type especially, can be expensive to work on and will probably need service at this point in its life--new clutch packs, CV joints, etc. Also, turbochargers start to wear out and need replacement at high mileage, and, chances are, an AWD turbo vehicle has been driven hard.

Neither car is likely to go up in value--not unless they're very well preserved, extremely low mileage examples that might fetch high market value in small circles of enthusiasts. Or, if the value does end up increasing, you're looking at having to hang on to the car for a significant period of time, and it sounds like you're shopping more in the "daily driver" territory, something that you need for transportation.

[autoxer]

I wouldn't consider a 20 year old car an investment. Even you are able to sell it for more than you buy it for, the difference isn't likely to cover the cost of owning it when you add up insurance, maintenance and gas.

I would buy car #2, just because I would rather drive an AWD turbo model. Don't trick yourself into thinking of it is an investment. Buy it because it brings you joy. btw, is it a celica?

[ua_guy]

#2 would definitely be more fun to drive.

If I had to guess...it's a late 90's Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX? Maybe not though.

What are the cars, and how many miles on each?

[bjl584]

Car 1 if you want to save.

Car 2 sounds fun, but I doubt that it's an investment. A Chevelle is an investment. A 20 year old Euro or Japanese car is most likely not.

[WEL]

I wouldn't consider a 20 year old car an investment. Even you are able to sell it for more than you buy it for, the difference isn't likely to cover the cost of owning it when you add up insurance, maintenance and gas.

I would buy car #2, just because I would rather drive an AWD turbo model. Don't trick yourself into thinking of it is an investment. Buy it because it brings you joy. btw, is it a celica?

Ha - I really don't want to say because then emotions come into play. Everyone has biases. For instance, I like Supra's but kind of think the 3000gt was a fail. So if someone were to ask me if a 3kgt was a good investment, I'd give them a funny look.

#2 would definitely be more fun to drive.

If I had to guess...it's a late 90's Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX? Maybe not though.

What are the cars, and how many miles on each?

Maybe. Maybe not.

Car 1 if you want to save.

Car 2 sounds fun, but I doubt that it's an investment. A Chevelle is an investment. A 20 year old Euro or Japanese car is most likely not.

A Chevelle used to be worth just a couple grand as well. My uncle has two of them and one (rust free - runs perfectly he got for free back in the 80's). With all those baby boomers dying off and with prices at all time highs, I wouldn't consider there to be much room for growth in the Chevelle market. A 20-year-old car, however, is at its lowest. There's only room to grow from there.

Car 2 would be fun. An investment... I'm still unsure about.

And my focus isn't really saving money. I'm focused on what will create the most value for me in the long run. If spending less for car #1 and investing the difference will net me more money, I'll do it. If car #2 would net me more money, I would (happily) do it. I just have to decide.................

[autoxer]

If you keep calling it an investment, then you are going to convince yourself that it is a good idea.

And my focus isn't really saving money.

If your focus is on investing, then don't speculate. Sure there are some cars that will go up in value, but most of them will continue to depreciate. Especially if you continue driving it. If you were going to buy an old 911 or an NSX and tuck it away in a garage, then maybe you could call it an investment, but if you buy some cheap old sports car, drive it and modify it, then it is very clearly an expense, not an investment.

[bjl584]

If you keep calling it an investment, then you are going to convince yourself that it is a good idea.


If your focus is on investing, then don't speculate. Sure there are some cars that will go up in value, but most of them will continue to depreciate. Especially if you continue driving it. If you were going to buy an old 911 or an NSX and tuck it away in a garage, then maybe you could call it an investment, but if you buy some cheap old sports car, drive it and modify it, then it is very clearly an expense, not an investment.

Agreed. Lowering an old Honda Civic or BMW 3 series, putting on a spoiler, a modified exhaust, a super charger, and etc. does not make it an investment. It's just a toy for personal enjoyment. There isn't anything wrong with that, but it certainly isn't an investment. I highly doubt you could buy a car like that bone stock, dump a bunch of money into it in the form of upgrades and modifications, and then turn and sell it for a profit. If you want the car, then buy it, drive it, and enjoy it. But don't expect to make money on it. You'll most likely be disappointed.

[cypher1]

Lowering an old Honda Civic or BMW 3 series, putting on a spoiler, a modified exhaust, a super charger, and etc. does not make it an investment. It's just a toy for personal enjoyment. There isn't anything wrong with that, but it certainly isn't an investment.

Definitely agree with this and what autoxer said in terms of investment. My questions would be, what are you looking for within these vehicles, and how does that correlate with them as an "investment? A reliable, fuel efficient car, with little maintenance? Or a hobby/project car as a daily driver to eventually make money on?

Car #1:

It gets 33M MPG highway. It costs about $3,000. It's FWD. It costs $20/month to insure. It takes regular unleaded. It's potential problems include head gasket failure which is fairly common on this model.

Car #2:

It gets 29 MPG highway. It costs about $4,500. It's AWD. It costs $27/month to insure. It requires premium unleaded. It's potential problems include my desire to modify it to make it even faster.

If you already have another vehicle, then go with car #2 as a project. Also, do you work on your own cars or pay someone else to?

Regardless of the age (especially 20+ years) of any vehicles, it's going to have mechanical failures/issues. That’s another cost to consider, besides labor/time. Believe me, I know where you're coming from in terms of buying old cars, fixing/driving for awhile and flipping. Both of my current cars are 10+ years old with rebuilt motors I put in when I bought them.

If I had to guess...it's a late 90's Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX? Maybe not though.

While my import tuning days are gone, I'd have to agree with you guessing the #2 is probably 95-99 (2G) GSX. I have a friend in FL who blew his same 97 GSX and has been sitting on it for at least 3yrs. He's hoping to rebuild with a 1G 6 bolt swap (I'm not holding my breath on when that's going to happen), as he's determined he can make money off it once it's running again.

With that, if #1 is a base RS or GS, that would make sense since those have same Neon motor which I've heard are notorious for head gasket failures.

While this isn't a car forum, another friend with a 95 GSX put 4500 into his for new clutch kit, turbo/boost gauge kits, intercooler, piping/clamps, injectors, etc. I can't remember what PSI he was boosting, but when he got it dynoed, it was pushing ~290 HP but had it lowered to 275 to stabilize. This was 8-9 years ago, and I think he ended up selling the car for 7000 (and that was with a new paint job). Goes back to hobby

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

This question is a little tricky so bear with me...

Car #1:

It gets 33M MPG highway. It costs about $3,000. It's FWD. It costs $20/month to insure. It takes regular unleaded. It's potential problems include head gasket failure which is fairly common on this model.

Car #2:

It gets 29 MPG highway. It costs about $4,500. It's AWD. It costs $27/month to insure. It requires premium unleaded. It's potential problems include my desire to modify it to make it even faster.

What both cars have in common:

They are the same make/model, just different trim levels. Interior space, appearance, creature comforts are all almost exactly the same.

Pros of car #1:

It's cheaper to insure, cheaper to fill up, and cheaper to buy.

Pros of car #2:

It's faster and more fun. But most importantly, I see this trim level going up in value overtime. The car is nearly 20-years-old. That means its value will likely increase - and it will probably do so since it's the highly sought after turbocharged AWD model. So basically, although car #1 is cheaper, I see car #2 as being an actual investment.

Which would you go with? The safe bet or the car that will likely appreciate much faster than car #1 will?

What are you needs? I bought a "small" car in December, and am regretting it. We need carrying capacity for "bigger" things, I hate having to borrow my in laws truck every time I need to pick up something big from Home Depot.

How about performance in bad weather? Is that needed? I had a horrible winter and spent it wishing I had at least 4wd.

[ronb]

If you keep calling it an investment, then you are going to convince yourself that it is a good idea.


If your focus is on investing, then don't speculate. Sure there are some cars that will go up in value, but most of them will continue to depreciate. Especially if you continue driving it. If you were going to buy an old 911 or an NSX and tuck it away in a garage, then maybe you could call it an investment, but if you buy some cheap old sports car, drive it and modify it, then it is very clearly an expense, not an investment.

I wish I would have bought an NSX 10 years ago. They've really been going crazy with the new one set to arrive soon.