Now let’s just be clear with each other, no investment is 100%. AND – the following review is simply my best opinion. However, as Thomas Stanley, author of The Millionaire Next Door explains, the most successful investors invest in what they know. The fact of the matter is – I know cars, and I know them pretty darn well.
With that out of the way, let’s talk about the good stuff. Recent times have shown that certain cars, bought at the right price, have the very real potential of earning some serious returns. The key element here is knowing which cars hold the secret sauce for those paydays. What makes up that secret sauce?
Here are a few secret ingredients to think about:
- limited production numbers
- special package
- unique history
- color combination
- options or an option delete
- engine/trans or the combination of the two
The cars that I’ve picked for this list have one other important factor in common. Nice examples of each of these cars can be found for $30k or less. Based on recent market increases in the collector car market (and these cars specifically) each one on this list has the potential to be at or near 6 figures within the next 10-15 years. Patience and smart selection is key. As always you’ll want to purchase the absolute nicest example you can afford. Try to find an unmollested example (meaning little or no aftermarket modifications). Next – if you don’t have the skills to do it yourself, spend the money on a professional detail and paint correction. And third, splurge on a full maintenance work up on the vehicle. Oh-and one last tip that can mean thousands… if it was available always purchase a manual transmission. Less than three percent of today’s cars have manual transmissions, but true driving enthusiasts (and those looking to invest) will pay up for a car that provides them with the full driving experience and connection with the road.
Now onto the list, in no particular order:
1993 Mustang Cobra
This jaw dropping Mustang was available in just 3 colors: Black, Red, and Teal with a total number of 4993 produced (excluding Cobra Type R models).The rarest of all being Teal with Black cloth interior (only 185 of these exist). For maximum profit potential try to assure that your choice has the factory floor mats which are unique to this car and found in black or grey.
1986 BMW E30 M3
The first of the BMW’s “M” model line up this, was a performance machine! Wide body fenders and quarter panels allowed for meatier tires, while the aero accents, suspension upgrades, and engine tweaks, kept the power to the asphalt. Between 1986 and 1989 only 5,189 M vehicles were produced each only sharing the bonnet,roof,and door panels with their ordinary 3 series siblings
1987 Buick Grand National
With only 547 made, these are becoming harder and harder to find. In fact, this is the one exception to my jumping off point of under $30k. Scouring the internet I’ve found a couple in the $50k range with one recently selling at Barrett Jackson for $165K!!!! Performance enhancements including the Garrett T3 turbocharger allowed this little black Buick to outperform both the Ferrari F40 and the Porsche 930 in the quarter mile. If you every find one of these unicorns in a barn one day – don’t mess around……buy it!
Toyota A80 Supra
This car is hard to find in a completely unmolested form. That’s because it’s just so easy to tweak these things to over 1100 horsepower! If you’re in the market for one of these, look for a twin turbo with a 6 speed gearbox. Those lucky enough to find one will become the proud owner of what has been considered one of the most reliable sports car ever made.
1991 GMC Syclone
Only 2998 of these quick little pickups were every made. AND – of that number only 3 were made in 1992 before being cancelled. As the fastest production built pickup of it time, this little AWD pickup could only be purchased in black. Keep your eyes open for those 3 elusive 1992 models!
1992 GMC Typhoon
Built from 1991 – 1993 the Typhoon was based on the Jimmy and is the sister car to the Syclone listed above. 1991 only produced 6 pre-production units so unless you have a horseshoe up your butt, your best search efforts will be spent on the 92 and 93 model years. A 1993 Garnett Red with Grey example is the unicorn to look out for, with only 24 produced.
1989 Trans AM Anniversary Edition
Only 1555 were built, all white, and all with the 3.8 liter turbo charged V6 taken from the Buick GNX (also included on this list), this puppy will scream!
1993 – 1995 FD Mazda RX-7
The twin turbo third generation of Mazda RX7 hit the streets looking like something from a science fiction movie back in the day. Some say the design was well ahead of its time, since you could easily imagine the same car rolling off of the line today. Look for an “R” model and stay away from red since it was the most popular color in each production year.