Is the ZR-1 going to appreciate in value eventually?

[weneversleep]

I was the one who posted the "C5Z06 owner thinking about a ZR-1". I appreciate all of the feedback I got on that thread.

I'm now in serious looking mode for a nice ZR-1. I actually prefer the 90-93 interiors over the 94-95 sport seats, even though the 94-95 is probably a "better" car, or at least more powerful.

I'm just wondering, as probably most ZR-1 owners (or potential owners) do: will the ZR-1 ever be an appreciating value collectible? I can't see any reason why it wouldn't be, but then there's the school of thought that says that "modern" cars will never appreciate in value.

Anyway, just another discussion thread...

[Kevin]

it's a limited edition mass produced american car... the answer is who cares. I'll be dead by the time it matters. i'll let my nephews fight it out

[weneversleep]

To elaborate more on my original post...

I want to buy a ZR-1 because of the experience of owning a ZR-1, and all that it represented (and still represents). I want to experience that LT5.

However, I'm trying to decide whether to buy a super-low-mileage ZR-1, a "collector grade" car if you will, or a higher mileage one that I don't have to worry about keeping the mileage low.

I'm starting to think about diversifying my portfolio into collectible cars, and personally I think the ZR-1 is poised for future collectibility and appreciating value. I've been following the prices for a while, and they seem to be bottoming out, if not slowly starting to turn upwards.

I realize that none of us can see the future. However, I bet that every current ZR-1 owner has thought about this issue before.

[scottfab]

I put together a clock for predicting ZR-1 investment value
about 10yrs ago.

http://home.comcast.net/~scottfab/CarTime.html

[vilant]

I believe they will appreciate in value just because we're slowly coming out of one of the worst depressions ever. Things can only go up after hitting rock bottom (although we could fall back into one). As far as low or high mileage will depend on what you really want. If you want to drive and enjoy your car buy one w/ over 15K mi.. If you want a museum piece that your hoping to show and MAYBE make money on buy a low mileage one. If you hold on to it long enough the worst that should happen is you get your money back, depending on how well you take care of it.

[Kevin]

cars are not investments

[Fully Vetted]

Originally Posted by Kevin

it's a limited edition mass produced american car... the answer is who cares. I'll be dead by the time it matters. i'll let my nephews fight it out

Explain that to the '87 GNX guys that are now watching their values go up.

Cars are not investments? I totally disagree. The right cars bought at the right time and at the right price are gold mines.

[weneversleep]

Originally Posted by Kevin

cars are not investments

I disagree with this statement.

Are the vast majority of cars a consumable good? Yes.

However, there are certain cars that have appreciated in value, some exponentially so. It's quite easy to show this.

For a sophisticated investor, especially one who has a passion for cars, I think that investing in cars may make sense. I would never invest in coins, or paintings, or other "alternative" investments that I know nothing about or care anything about.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Fully Vetted

Explain that to the '87 GNX guys that are now watching their values go up.

Cars are not investments? I totally disagree. The right cars bought at the right time and at the right price are gold mines.

and for every one car that goes up in value there are thousands that go down. Cars aren't investments.

[Fully Vetted]

Originally Posted by Kevin

and for every one car that goes up in value there are thousands that go down. Cars aren't investments.

I'm not saying ALL cars are investments. That's ridiculous. Almost as ridiculous as saying NO cars are investments.