What would you buy for the next "big thing"?

My $.02, I think the GM G-body cars (Malibu, Cutlass, Skylark, Lemans, etc) are still cheap enough and will be going up in prices. Last of the midsize cars with V8 RWD. 78-87, so getting old enough that they are no longer just old cars for transportation. Obviously the 2 door and special versions are going to cost more and be worth more. These were also the last of the El Camino line.

 

Trucks and import rear wheel drive stuff is still hot and 60s-80s 4x4s.
Hopefully the ugly mid 70s early 80s land barges get some love
Possibly will see a mini truck surge coming up

 

Cars are not something I'm going to invest in for long term. There are much safer and better options out there for long term investment.

That said, I believe the non-computer, non plastic trim, unmodified, and simple cars would be what I would invest in. For the next 10-15 years, I believe people are already to wanting to return to the time when life was a simple life. They are going to seek simple functioning vehicles that actually work, that they can afford to buy.

Of course, to be honest, one really has to define how many years from now will be considered "long term." Not many of us have another 40 years to wait for an investment to become valuable. Should we still happen to be around that long, the importance of being rich may have lost some of its appeal.

 

Spot on, plus here in the EU unless people change their voting habits at some point the powers-that-be would legalize all individually driven vehicles out (you in the US might have dodged the bullet but even in the US many young people are not interested in cars, and who knows what new computer game will make this or that car popular).

Oh and we're obviously talking about "our" cars. Exotic supercars are in another world and seen as investments sometimes from day one, so no steals there (or if there are, there's a catch because there is no LS equivalent when you talk Lambos and Ferraris, any bits cost an arm and a leg).

 

Agree on going back to simple cars but this to me - in 2024 - means something from the late 90s early 00s at the latest, and those are slowly being taken off the road as rust and lack of spares are taking their toll. I mean, I can see the logic of keeping something like a Buick Park Avenue with the GM 3800 engine or some Toyota but don't expect the LEGISLATOR to allow makers to produce anything not containing surveillance and control systems in it (as well as many other complex gizmos).

 

Yep, G-bodies. What haven't been taken by mother nature have been used up on the dirt tracks. So the number of good ones still available are drying up fast. Take into account that the lowrider crowd likes them too, there's a following and market.
Plus they are even making repro frames for them now so the ability to repair rusty ones will make them more attractive.

 

I hope you are on to something; been running this thing around.

 

Fox bodies and Turbo Buick's. GMC Syclone/Typhoon, Chevy 454SS, and the F150 Lightning.

 

All of those are on the upswing, especially nice examples.

example
https://bringatrailer.com/ford/f150-svt-lightning/

 

TBH, the real hidden value is probably in the import market now that the "Fast and Furious" generation is aging.

But right now it's probably the 3rd-gen F-Body, Fox-bodied Mustangs, and OBS-era GM SWB trucks. I suppose to an extent also the G-Bodies. The trucks have already started rising.

 

The 25 year old JDM import rule is going to be a bellweather for that. I don't keep up on the cars involved, but early 2K stuff that has been held offshore but is now a possibility is probably a good bet. Lots of money and paperwork risk, though.
example
https://www.jdmbuysell.com/for-sale/honda/s2000/
If I wanted to play this market, this site might be a start to get educated.

 

Doesn't even have to be the cars that were previously "un-importable". The domestic LHD S2000s are going up. Certain models of Civics, Integras, Supras, all sorts of stuff that is definitely not HAMB-friendly.

 

True. For the best chance to buy low, sell high, you want something that has little competition or market valuation. That's why the JDM stuff would have a better chance for reward VS risk.

 

JDM? LHD? OBS? OMG IDK WTF!!!

 

U R N O/T!

 

Mom bought thisone new in 85. I bought it from her in 2001 and replaced the lame ass 3.8 & th350 with a 305 from my cousins rs Camero and a 700r4. Stollen in 05, and partialy stripped. Its npw repainted and sitting on my garage waiting for a trans rebuild. in the roughly 130k miles this thing has gburnt up at least 7 transmissions and is on its third engine.

 

Good investment for my fun factor , older Harleys that have been sitting for years

 

That's a beautiful car. 7 transmissions?!?! How about a 455 Buick and a turbo 400? That would probably drop the nose down a scosh too.

 

Love old Harleys/Indians....take up a lot less space also.
My problem is age....reactions/alertness/sight/cell phone drivers/etc. have me without presently.
"For the next big thing" I see the later El Caminos/Choo Choo Classics bringing increased values.

 

this car has a transmission curse! the 700 going bad is all my fault, bad adjustment on tv cable. Im ok with the 305. it's a hydraulic roller motor with headers, a Weiand intake and Holley 600. I should put the AC back on. The stance sucks, but also my fault. when i bought springs for the front i got regal V8 springs, but didnt realize there V8 was an olds 307. It's only a little heaver then the small block Chevy.

 

Cab over semis from the late 60’s early 70’s . Guys are pulling them out of the weeds and back lots around here . Getting them back on the road. You asked for big lol

 

Cab Overs , need no DEF or Computer is my understanding , ole timey log books

 

Im thinking about some poor 16 to 20 year old kid who wakes up 50 years from now and wants to relive his hot rod years drivin alleys and through small towns maybe a farm field looking for a KIA, Nissan or Toyota to restore.

 

Over 65 looking at 75 right?

 

Not yet. 55. Just don't pay attention to any cars newer than the 1970's.

 

I have two of these, 1988 Fiero Formula. I had one identical to the black one as a 21 year old. Never been the next big thing but they are safe (5 star crash #2 behind volvo in 1988), reliable and always been cheap. They made 380k of them total 1984-1988 and lots still around. Many are low miles as they were fairly inexpensive when new and often used only as weekend/second cars for a few years before being parked. Mine have more than doubled in value since I bought both in 2020 for a total of $5000. My son has claimed the silver one as, if you squint, it looks like a DeLorean.

 

@Crusty Chevy have you watched Ronald Finger's series?

 

I watched some of it but the reality is you can buy a really good one for next to nothing and he picked a turd out of a field. It made him famous and I assume now rich so I guess he did alright with that heap and hopefully gave some youngin's the inspiration to fix up an old beater.

 

I could have bought a beautiful black on black 2 door hardtop '78 Malibu back in 2000 for $250. I passed because the instrument cluster was pulled out and there were wires hanging out everywhere. I still think about it too often.