I don't know about investment values. I have never bought or built a car for it's investment value.
If you like it buy it.

 

93 Cobra (around 5000?)
93 Cobra R (107)
94 Cobra Indy pace car (1000)
95 Cobra R (250)
95 Cobra removable hardtop convertible (499)
96 Mystic Cobra
98 Bright Atlantic Blue Cobra
00 Cobra R

Plus the aftermarket tuner cars: Saleen, Roush, Steeda, etc.

 

Tax free municipal bonds are an investment.

I don't look at cars as an investment. I think anyone that does is taking a huge risk for little or no reward versus a traditional investment. The car could get stolen, the garage could burn down, mice could eat the wiring, rust could set in, the market could drop, tastes could change, etc. etc. etc. I can remember when guys were holding onto 1976 Cadillacs convertibles, Mid 80's GM T-Types, etc.

ALL THAT BEING SAID...high dollar cars are going to go a lot higher. Rare cars will just get rarer. I think 5.0's will be worth significant money someday, but the real high dollar cars will be the Cobra's. Even better would be an R-model.

But still from an investment standpoint...it makes no sense. If you drive it, you'll have years of insurance, licensing, fees, taxes, wear, tear, etc. If you don't drive it, there's a cost associated with storing it, keeping it dry, keeping some sort of insurance on it...not to mention the lost income from NOT buying the tax fee municipal bonds (or CD's or whatever).

That's my take on it. Mustangs suck money up. They don't create it.

Phil

 

Thanks for the feedback. I guess when I say investment purposes, I am not comparing that to investing in stocks or bonds. I guess it is more what will depreciate the least and possibly be a collector as it gets older. I agree that a car should be bought to drive, not just sit. I love my 67 mustang, but I don't see myself wanting to take a long road trip in it. I wouldn't mind putting some money into a newer mustang to enjoy on longer rides and have the hope that it doesn't completely depreciate.

 

...I wouldn't mind putting some money into a newer mustang to enjoy on longer rides and have the hope that it doesn't completely depreciate.

For "newer" Mustangs, I like the 1994-98.

Limited budget? 1985-93 Fox-Body Mustangs: Fox-Body Mustang makes CNN Money's Top Ten Investment Cars under $5K

Or get the best Cobra you can afford: Ford Mustang SVT Cobra - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Gimme an amen on the sucking up money.
I have a reolica personalized license plate I sometimes will put on a car at a show....MY401K

 

I agree with Phil. Unless you can afford a very rare and expensive car, any car collecting is not a good investment. Most of us, even the one's that are able to do their own work on the car are upside down on our mustangs. I didn't buy mine for investment purposes, I have other real investments like real estate, stock, bonds, etc. My mustang is strictly for fun.

 

Look for limited numbers, and unique performance and/or styling...

Any of the SVT R cars would be good, but they are NOT very comfy drivers, as they didn't have A/C...

A good bet would be a Saleen Cobra - only ~120 cars built between 1996 and 2003... Best of SVT (4-valve motor) and Saleen (styling) combined. They're out there... even in convertible form. There was a Mystichrome 04 Saleen Cobra 'vert (1 of 2) on Ebay that sold quick at $40k a few months back.

Fox-body Saleens seem to be warming up. Lots of variables there, but some neat possibilities, like an 89 SSC (161 built). In 1992, they only built 17 cars.

Of course, most any of the 94-99 Saleen S351's would be an excellent choice. Many have been ridden hard, and the 94-95 shortblocks were questionable quality, but you can't go too wrong there. A 99 S351 is tough to find, but it's the last/only year of the new edge body, with a 351...

 

I understand where you're coming from in trying to find a late model that won't totally depreciate. I imagine you're not comparing stocks to cars, just looking for a car you can have fun with and maybe not lost a lot of money on over time. I'd also not like to take my money from my good investment (69 mach 1) and put it into a depreciating asset.

I had considered selling my 69 Mach and getting an 04 Mystichrome cobra convertible for about $30k. I think the prices on those cars will continue to decline, then level out. I like the idea of a 400hp, 6 speed convertible with all the comfort features plus the neat paint scheme. I'd say the faster and lower production the car is, the more collectible it may be in the future.

 

Investment? How many years? If you think in terms of 10 years if today's trend in fuels, ecology, government control etc. todays future desireable cars may be relagated to a few museum pieces.

Those of us who are somewhat elderly recall 30 years ago when muscle cars were cheap, the energy crisis turned out to be a passing hiccup.

What's comming now may not be a hiccup. I hope to be able to drive my '68 Mustang and '70 Torino for another 10 years! I don't consider either of them to be an investment.

 

I understand where you are coming from. May not necessarily be loking at an investment, but maybe if you are like me, you don't want to buy something that is depreciating.

The top of my list would be the '93 Cobra. It is on the rise in value, probably about 25% in the last 6 months. Some are commanding more than original list, which isn't that bad for a 14 year old production car.

Someone mentioned the Cobra R's. The only one I see maybe is the '93. The 95's and 2000's are not bringing the money.

Late model 03/04 Cobra's are holding their value pretty well.

Another is the fox body Saleen's. A good low mileage one is gaining in value and if it is a low number year such as 92 it gains even more.

All of this being said, you need to look for a low mileage car. Say a 93 with 20K or less miles.

These are not Barrett-Jackson type cars, but on the internet, they are selling and bringing decent dollars.

 

I judged a '93 Cobra this past weekend in Oklahoma, only had 6k miles on it. Oil filter, battery and drive belt were only items not original. He had the battery and original belt! Teal colored with gray interior, nice car!

 

Here are two options that I am looking at right now.

1) 1995 Cobra Convertible w/optional hard top. 102,000 miles, all original except exhaust. Great condition

2) 1988 Saleen 35,000 original miles all original except has the SSC wheels.

In production number, the Cobra is a lower production car, but not by much. There are a lot of pluses for both.

Decisions Decisions....what toy to buy

 

Cars are HORRIBLE investments. I know people who will say others, but do the math.

A 65 convertible mustang in 1965 went for what, $3500? Today, depending on options it may be worth around $25k. I know others are worth more, but on average, $25k gets you pretty good. Before you say "that's a 1000% growth". Sure, now divide that by 40 years and you are down to 20% growth annually, and subtract out the inflation rate between 1965 and 2007 and you'll see the return on investment from that original value is around 4-5%, which a savings account will beat on average.

A modern car that you intentionally buy as an investment means you plan to park it and rarely drive it. Remember, each mile you drive ticks the value down. Now factor in storage costs and repairs. Even a car that sits will have problems, especially modern electronic heavy cars (even the 80s ones) and you will not like the picture in 30 years.

Carb'd cars are easy since electrical parts were scarce in the car and carbs are relatively easy.

 

I judged a '93 Cobra this past weekend in Oklahoma, only had 6k miles on it. Oil filter, battery and drive belt were only items not original. He had the battery and original belt! Teal colored with gray interior, nice car!

Charles, you judeged a '93? I need some help with my Saleen. I wrote to two of the judges with a question weeks ago and never got a response. Would you mind if I sent you a PT to see if you can help?

While speaking about a Teal 93, I came within a hair of buying one up io your state two weeks, except I got a line on a 6000 mile '89 SSC Saleen, all original down to the Red Champion battery. Looked at it last weekend, now just have to see if we can come up with a number that makes sense.

Of all the '93 Cobra's. Teal is by far my favorite of the three colors.

Fustang1 If money were close to being equal, if it were me, I would go for the Saleen. The wheels can be found on Ebay or some of the other sites.

The '94 is a SN95, and the older ones are not in demand, and the hardtop convertable is a novelty that doesn't mean much right now, plus it has 102K on the clock.

 

I don't know much about them, but you can send me a PM with your questions and if I don't know I can probably find someone in MCA that does!

 

You have a number of things working againist you IMHO if you are looking to get the jump on some collectible investment from the 80-90's. Because others are thinking the same as you so many of the possibilities have already been put away with little or no miles. Due to this the supply will likely be higher than the number of buyers and instead of an investment they may just be another money pit (just ask all the people who put away the anniversary Corvettes

What your attempting to do is to predict the demand (not the rarity) for some time in the future. Not an easy task and if history is any guide you are more likely to get it wrong than get it right. Tons of people who bought cars and put them away in the 50-60's choose wrong though you normally hear only of the few that got it right (for now)

One last thing to think of .... if they out law the use of gasoline .... what would that car be worth?

 

Cars are HORRIBLE investments. I know people who will say others, but do the math.
A 65 convertible mustang in 1965 went for what, $3500? Today, depending on options it may be worth around $25k. I know others are worth more, but on average, $25k gets you pretty good.

Actually, the return on that theoretical investment is only 5.04% not including inflation. You take the FV of 25,000, the present value of -3500, discounted for 40 years, and treat it like a zero-coupon bond. And that of course doesn't include any costs like maintinence, insurance, etc. By all counts it's a bad investment.

Although, if say you bought a Boss 429 for $3000 in 1973 and sold it today for $150,000, you'd have a pretty good return at 11.83%. The S&P500's still a better investment, but it's the fun factor that really matters.

 

2015 50th anniversary mustang

i'm curious what someone thinks the 50th anniversary 2015 mustang would be worth in 10-20 years?

 

As far as collectibility on those years, my first choice would be a 2004 Cobra coupe not convertible, then a 93 Cobra and lastly a 93 LX 5.0. notchback. Problem is trying to find them in good clean non modded condition. However I dont think these cars will really go up in value. Reason being the new ones just keep getting better and better and faster.

 

Hmmmn. Best INVESTMENT Mustangs... see below:

 

Here is a list of the rarest mustangs. I would definitely think they would go up in value... When investing in cars its hard to come out on top...


Here are some really hot mustangs that will go up in value...

65-66 K code fastback
65 Shelby GT350
65 - 66 Mustang GT convertible
71 429 CJ
67 390 GT
68 1/2 428 Cobra Jet Mustang
66 Hertz GT350H
71 Boss 351
94 5.0 Indy Pace Car
93 Cobra R
83 SVO Turbo
69-70 Boss 429
95 Cobra R 351
67 GT500
68 GT500 KR
69 428 Cobra Jet
69 GT Convertible
71 351C Cobra Jet
79 5.0 Indy pace car
69-70 Boss 302
67 K Code
96 Cobra 32 Valve

 

What I wonder if if car collecting..more than any other hobby…is generationally based. We want as middle aged guys the cars we lusted after as teenagers. That keeps value up for those cars, but as the years pass, the interest and price in those cars wanes and falls.

 

Mustang Investment

this is an old thread BUT: in 2014 when a savings account is not 5% but 0.5% even if you have 50k in there. Ok I am lucky an have a rental that makes me 10.2% a year but most investments make 5% so if you bought a Mustang in 1965 for about $2500 5% a year makes the car worth $8750. and today that Mustang is worth at the Min 10k if you bought the K code its worth min 30k. So tell me which investment would YOU rather have? Stocks are boring.

 

this is an old thread BUT: in 2014 when a savings account is not 5% but 0.5% even if you have 50k in there. Ok I am lucky an have a rental that makes me 10.2% a year but most investments make 5% so if you bought a Mustang in 1965 for about $2500 5% a year makes the car worth $8750. and today that Mustang is worth at the Min 10k if you bought the K code its worth min 30k. So tell me which investment would YOU rather have? Stocks are boring.

Now, just remember that the $2,500 you had in 1965 has depreciated so badly that it's only worth $250 today. Figuring your 5%, compounded monthly, you'd have $30,298.46 after fifty years. Even if you DID buy that '65 Mustang you'd be paying fees to maintain and store it over the course of time. It would end up a losing proposition now matter which way you cut it.

 

1965 for about $2500 5% a year makes the car worth $8750.

Check your math, 2500 @ 5% for 50 years = just about $27k. (compounding annual interest, if monthly the total is closer to 29k)

 

A couple fairly cheap ones that are bound to appreciate a bit:
1984 GT350 - got to love the car that Shelby sued Ford for. Only 3000+ 5.0 hatchbacks out there and they are cheap.
1985 5.0 - last of the Holley carbs. Find a T roof! Still dirt cheap.

 

1985 5.0 - last of the Holley carbs. Find a T roof!

Looks like my '85 GT with a 5 speed and T-Tops is my ticket to retirement!


;-)