"Future Classics"

[pg2ownage]

future classic =

especially since this will probably be the last good non vette sports car GM builds

...let the flaming begin

How about the Saab Viggen? Not too many of them were built and a lot met their demise already

Not a turbo Dodge, but it gives credence to the notion that turbo Dodges will be valuable...

I took a an absolutely perfect 1990 Chrysler LeBaron convertible in trade from the original owner, with 71,000 miles on it and a full service history. The guy bought a 1970 Mercedes 280SL from me, and honestly, I didn't want the LeBaron.

Oddly enough, I had more interest in the LeBaron than I would have ever imagined! Someone came into my shop and paid me $3500 for it (their offer, not my asking price - I was going to put it on eBay).

So, since LeBarons were crappy cars with their only real redeeming quality being that they were convertibles (just my opinion) and turbo Dodges have always been kind of cool and had an enthusiastic following... I think that the turbo Dodges will be collectible some day.

As much as some might disagree with cars of the drift scene, I see the following all becoming hard to find and increasingly more expensive:

• AE86 Corolla
• Earlier RWD Celica
• Nissan 240SX

I think given another the RWD Corolla will become all but non-existent, except for those that managed to escape drift debauchery or were unmodified and restored.

The same goes for the S13 240SX, in that because so many people buy them strictly for drifting, many are getting beaten beyond repair. Lots of young drivers are wrecking them on the street, and some get all of their age related problems all but ignored (the rust on my example). But, unlike the TurboDodges, the 240SX has such a following that restoration parts are becoming more common. I think here in a year or so we'll start seeing replacement frame rails, and other commonly rusted parts showing up from aftermarket vendors.

The RWD Celicas, although somewhat forgotten already, are becoming more popular as the RWD/Drift fad continues to search for other uncommon cars.

I just imagine that in 10 years, the number of unique RWD cars will be fairly limited, mostly because since 1990, there have been very few RWD cars produced. Enthusiasts who don't want a BMW, S2000, or Miata, F-Body, Mustang, Corvette, Supra, 300ZX or 3000GT will be left trying to find something smaller and more rare sporty cars of the mid-early 80's.

I never understood lusting after these little old econo boxes. They were crap when new and will be even worse after 20+ years - even sitting in storage. Unless you were in high school and that is all that you could afford, but there are so many better looking, faster, better handling cars that can be bought today for $5k.

Emissions regulations are going to do a pretty good job of getting rid of the majority of the carbed cars that have to be tested, they are already mostly gone in california.

Rusnak_322 wrote: I never understood lusting after these little old econo boxes. They were crap when new

I beg to differ! Allow me to introduce the following exhibits for the courts review:

CRX SI

Sentra SE-R

AE86

Datsun 510

E30/E36 M3

SRT4

Omni GLH

Subie 2.5RS

1st Gen Miata

Honda CTR/ITR

The list can go on and on. Fun cars dont have to use pushrods and have a V pattern block. Bricks can be fun, thrifty, and dependable just like anything else. I think you will find quite a bit of cult followers of these "little old econo boxes"

I rest my case

[/threadjack]

+1 for 4cylndrfury's explaination. I agree wholeheartedly

4cylndrfury wrote:

Rusnak_322 wrote: I never understood lusting after these little old econo boxes. They were crap when new

I beg to differ! Allow me to introduce the following exhibits for the courts review: CRX SI Sentra SE-R AE86 Datsun 510 E30/E36 M3 SRT4 Omni GLH Subie 2.5RS 1st Gen Miata Honda CTR/ITR The list can go on and on. Fun cars dont have to use pushrods and have a V pattern block. Bricks can be fun, thrifty, and dependable just like anything else. I think you will find quite a bit of cult followers of these "little old econo boxes" I rest my case [/threadjack]

I was talking about that CRX in the first post and the Chevy bodied Geo Metro in the ebay link. I have a Miata and love the E30. Neither of those would be called econo boxes. The Omni GLH kinda does. No clue what a AE86 is. I had a girlfriend who had a CRX that was new back when I was in high school. I don't remember anything about that car that would make me want one.

Rusnak_322 wrote: No clue what a AE86 is.

Rusnak_322 wrote: I had a girlfriend who had a CRX that was new back when I was in high school. I don't remember anything about that car that would make me want one.

PHeller said: As much as some might disagree with cars of the drift scene, I see the following all becoming hard to find and increasingly more expensive: AE86 Corolla Earlier RWD Celica Nissan 240SX

Man, don't say that about the 240SX. I'm aiming to save my pennies for either that or a Miata. I guess I know what my answer is going to be come buying time.

Rusnak_322 wrote: I never understood lusting after these little old econo boxes. They were crap when new and will be even worse after 20+ years - even sitting in storage. Unless you were in high school and that is all that you could afford, but there are so many better looking, faster, better handling cars that can be bought today for $5k.

I'll agree that most old econoboxes were crap, but the ones people are talking about in this thread are generally the performance models, which tend to be more fun/rare. You don't see anyone saying "Someday I WILL own a 1987 Escort LX".

Like the CRX I have seen the prices of clean first gen RX-7s on the rise.

Clean GSL-SE's and early 79-80 models are now fetching $3,500 - $5,000 pretty regularly.

Tom_Spangler wrote: I'll agree that most old econoboxes were crap, but the ones people are talking about in this thread are generally the performance models, which tend to be more fun/rare. You don't see anyone saying "Someday I WILL own a 1987 Escort LX".

then again, no one said an 87 escort will be a FUTURE CLASSIC...hence the title of this thread. My whole gripe was generalizing all small cars as non-fun, non-lustworthy econoboxes because the are all crap

There are many high dollar older cars that although they will be classics, they might actually drop in value compared to the more common classics.

Things like 90's Alfas, MB's, certain BMW's, and other European marques will probablly become classics, but only to those who have horded parts for them.

The sport/rare model econo cars have been popular enough that I think the parts for them will still be available in 10-15 years and it won't cost an arm and a leg to replace something common.

FindlaySpeedMan wrote: Man, don't say that about the 240SX. I'm aiming to save my pennies for either that or a Miata. I guess I know what my answer is going to be come buying time.

I actually have my 240SX listed as "For Trade" and I'm swamped with people with what were popular enthusiast cars (Civics, VW's, others) that are willing to trade cars 5+ years newer with half the miles as my 240 just to get into the drift scene.

Alfas are actually alot easier to get parts for than you would think, but for most of the newer ones a complete restoration would be unlikely becasue nice interior parts are not really available. To me for a car to be a classic you need to be able to get enough parts to restore one, and it has to be worth something when you are done. Currently, I think the 60s and 70s Alfa GTV would be a classic, but I dont know if the newer ones will ever be like that.

$5k. I'm dumbfounded:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-CRX-CRX-SI-HONDA-CRX-SI-ORIGIONAL-NEAR-MINT-SURVIVER-1986_W0QQitemZ170336301431QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item27a8d5b177&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%253A3%7C39%253A1%7C240%253A1308

I would have considered paying $3k for that.... not so sure about $5k, though.

I had one that looked like E36 M3, but was mechanically perfect that i bought for $300 from the Honda dealership after it sat there for 6 months. That was including tax and paperwork. I probably got it for free.

amg_rx7 wrote:

MiatarPowar wrote: Wow. That thing is hot. It's so odd to see one that hasn't been riced/rusted/wrecked.

or stolen

Give it some time

cobalt SS? quick and affordable!

Any chance for special model neons(ACR, R/T, SRT-4)? I ask if only for the sake of how rare Clean ones are. In my own exsperiance I am seeing less and less of these any more, even in junkyards they seem to be disapearing.

^ I think so. The first gen ACR's are especially fun to drive, and hard to find in clean shape. SRT's seem to get destroyed/over-modified, so a clean stocker will always be somewhat desireable. I think.

StevenFV19 wrote: cobalt SS? quick and affordable!

perhaps...but not because they are particularly special....only because they will be riced/raced to death and clean ones will just be plain old rare in 10 years

and the Chevy bodied Geo Metro in the ebay link

You mean the Chevy branded Suzuki Swift? Those were good, reliable cars that got great MPG, had decent power, and excellent potential. Nothing wrong with that.

Pretty much any performance-oriented model that tends to get cut up and modified makes for a future classic because unmolested models are so hard to find. What will the odds be of finding a factory-stock Fox body notchback in 2020?