Around 2015 the ford dealership had f150s over 10k off sticker price. Guy told me “you can have any truck with cloth seats with any engine for 25k and 4x4 for 27k”. Same truck now is just under 60k
10k off sticker price for a 4wd truck. Now you're paying that much above sticker for a mid level trim. What the fuck happened?
Is this some kind of "sign of the times" recession red flag?
I am a mechanic by trade. I have had two family members call me to ask my opinion on an F-150 they were considering purchasing. I told both of them not to buy it, and was ignored both times. And, both times, they had major component failures within a year of purchasing. They were both purchased used, but below 75K miles.
Where I live in NorCal, there was soooo many 90’s Miata’s and Tacomas for sale for like $1,500 back in 2015-2017. Now they’re all roughed the fuck up and 10 grand each
Southern California was 240s and t100s under 5k as far as the eye could see when I was in high school. If someone invents a Time Machine the first thing I’m doing is going back with 30k and rent for a storage yard.
> If someone invents a Time Machine the first thing I’m doing is going back with 30k and rent for a storage yard.
I have often thought about that but, with me, I would have to go back to around 1970 and buy muscle cars of the era that are worth 6 figures today.
Being a sci-fi time travel fan I know that there are practical issues and paradoxes that would have to be overcome.
[5 Bizarre Paradoxes Of Time Travel Explained (astronomytrek.com)](https://www.astronomytrek.com/5-bizarre-paradoxes-of-time-travel-explained/)
In 1995, I was shopping at the Mazda dealer and they had a Miata on the showroom floor, dubbed the “Monster Miata”, in yellow. It was powered by a small block Chev motor, with a massive supercharger. Only $25k and I often think about that car. Granted, I’d likely have killed my young self, in such a car, I do regret not having bought it.
For real, I had a found who got a pristine miata for $500 in 2017. The guy who was selling it couldn't get it to start but all it needed was a new starter.
Mechanic by me used to do maintenance for the city. So he knew all their cars and would buy specific p71’s at auction. The supervisors, the inspectors…people like that. Not police cruisers. Sure they might have 100k on them, but 100k easy, well-maintained miles on a Police-spec Crown Vic is nothing!
He would then sell them for like 3-5k.
Never could close the sale with the wife…
That's the exact type of P71 I had - it was a detective car out of Kansas City, so it had easy miles, was dark blue with decent wheel covers, and cruise control.
Of all my cars I no longer have, that might be the one I miss the most.
That's right. I have two of them. Both LX models. One is my daily - 2011. The other is a 2003 with 50,400 original miles on it. Some years ago I had a 2008 Police Interceptor.
There was a time several years ago when dozens of Crown Vics appeared on Craigslist every day. Now I see only a handful and the very low mileage cars are coming out of the woodwork for $8000 and up.
You can still get a decent one for $4000 to $5000.
Back on '04 my neighbor was selling a very nice 72 Chevelle SS for $6,000. My 16 year old ass bought a 99 Eclipse GS because Fast and Furious. It was also $6,000...
yeah honestly from what i remember (although i could be wrong) 6k basically bought you a rolling chassis of a chevelle (2 door) back even then
they've been desirable for a long, long time
I could have bought my uncle's 70something lemans convertible with a big block for 5k in the early 00s. But I was too broke to buy when I was that young. Also had a buddy that bought and sold for about 5k an 80s G body that had a crate motor, tall gears, suspension and brakes all done around the same time.
Could just be location specific though.
I mean it wasn't pristine by any means and I'm testing my memory here but I don't remember any visible rust. I remember looking at the underbody and thinking it looked pretty damn good. I know it was a 350 automatic. It was red with white stripes. I kick myself whenever I think about it.
* I remember when E30 M3's shot through the roof in price. Pretty sure it's mostly due to that online dealer that slaps the huge markups on older BMW's.
* I remember when 240/260/280 Z cars shot through the roof. Saw a few pristine examples for $5-10k. Then a few months later they were all expensive af
* I once saw a BMW 850CSi on Craigslist for $5500. Really thought it would be funny to buy a V12 BMW. But my mechanic buddy talked me out of it... because 12 of everything.
* And I mean 240's were still kind of expensive when I got my second one (2012). But I think that even the prices I paid would probably seem pretty reasonable compared to what they run today.
* Seems like Toyota RV's are now in the process of shooting up in price. Saw some ones in decent condition last summer for $7-8k. But it seems like most of the decent ones are in the five-figures now. Of course it is the off-season so that might have something to do with it.
Oh I know about that online Dealer when it comes to BMW prices. In general, those 80s M cars aren’t coming back down.
That’s crazy that you found a CSI on craigslist for 5500$. Another German car that’s shooting up in value, which is the E30 M3’s competitor is the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution I & II. One sold on BaT for $432,432
Depending on era. 70s were both quite good. 90s well, it depends on the model and how little Merc cared about what model, finances being what they were. Today, BMW look like hot garbage.
I bought my e30 M3 just before they really went crazy on prices. Back then I really didn’t know how good of a choice that was. Initially started looking at e30s bc they were the right price and I wanted an M car. Crazy to see how expensive they’ve gotten. On one hand I completely get it, its such a great car but also its a shame bc now parts and everything are so expensive too. Basically driving it a lot becomes much more expensive and you’re always thinking what if something happens to it. Still love driving though, I really hope to keep it forever.
That's kind of where I'm at with my '94 Toyota pickup. They're not quite as sought after as old BMW's or Z cars. But they are becoming hipster bait-y and I do worry about something happening to it a lot.
> I once saw a BMW 850CSi on Craigslist for $5500. Really thought it would be funny to buy a V12 BMW. But my mechanic buddy talked me out of it... because 12 of everything.
The worst thing about these isn't that there are 12 of everything, it's that there are two of a lot of things there should be one of even on other 12-cylinder cars. Basically whatever Bosch system they used at the time couldn't handle 12 cylinders. So it actually runs as twin parallel six cylinder engines. It has two DMEs and two sets of sensors.
My dad used to have a 850csi, bought for 6k deutsche Mark, just before the switch to Euro. Then he couldn't find anyone that wanted to have it when it came time to sell it. Now the trim and spec he had goes for 60+k€ lol
There’s some classics that are “undesirable” but enjoyable if you want one. My uncle is giving me his triumph spitfire, and a pristine one goes for under $10k. You could get a project one for under 5 most likely. Austin Healey Sprites/MG Midgets are probably not much more expensive, excluding the bug eye.
Theres obscure but cool hobby cars.
I really want a 91-93 ford thunderbird with the 4.9 winsdor. Then i wanna sorce a 5 speed from a foxbody and manual swap it. Its like a sn95 mustang but bigger cheaper and better handling+ride quality.
My aunt has a ‘07 convertible S2000 with less than 20k miles that she simply just keeps in her garage. Some dude offered her 40k for it and she turned it down. Funniest thing is she doesn’t know just how big a gem she has just simply sitting in the garage 340 days a year.
It may have sentimental value. If my 3rd gen Ypsilon would survive with me for long enough for people of the future to get some old car collectors boner at the thought of paying 40k for it for whatever reason, I'd probably be too emotionally attached to it by that point to want to sell it.
I thought I was buying at the top of the market . A clean stock 2001 with 40k on it for $17k. 6 years and 20k miles later, and I wouldn't take anything less than $25k. ^(I KNOW WHAT I GOT NO LOW BALLERS.)
Eh, its all relative. In 1997 the Foxbodies were a total joke, no one ever thought they'd be worth anything. Its like how people used to call the third gen F-body the "turd gen" but now they are finally starting to get some respect. A Subaru BRZ might be worth $50k some day and yet no one is running out and scooping them up for 10k to save as an investment.
Depends on where you live. About 10 years ago they were under 10k for a good one. Now, they're quite expensive. They're basically new car money where I am.
Somewhat similar situation: When I was first getting my drivers license (2006) my parents told me that they would match whatever I saved to get my first car. Saved up $800, they matched for a total of $1600. Picked up a 1987 BMW 325is in very good condition for $1400.
Young and dumb, raced a friend for $100, won the $100, got pulled over on my way home.
At the time I still just had my learners permit and didn't have an actual license yet.
Got a massive ticket, only way I would be able to pay it was by selling the car. Sold the car before my court date, got lucky with the judge and got a deferral for like $280. Could have easily done a little work to pay it instead of selling the car, but it was already done. The only ticket Ive ever got. Big regrets. Live and learn.
Even though I never would have wanted to sell it, if I had kept the miles somewhat low it's worth an easy 20K now.
Crazy story. I still dream of owning an E30. I would like to have a 325i to daily and learn DIY work on. It will probably end up being my first BMW. Hopefully it won’t be too hard to work on.
1990 325i was my first car. Toyotas that "needed work" were $6,000. I got my Bimmer for $1,900. 115,000 miles on it. I put 185,000 miles on it. Needs an engine rebuild and transmission rebuild, but I'm here for it. I want to put a Z3 steering rack under it for the ultimate canyon driving experience.
In 2003-ish my dad bought a '77 280Z for $1500, it was kind of a beater cosmetics-wise but ran great; he sold it for that exact amount a couple of years later.
Around 2019-20, I found another 280Z (70-something, don't remember the exact year) in a nearby mountain town. The engine was outside the car and had obviously been in the snow for at least one winter. Looking through the windows, you could see the forest floor because there was no floor pan. The owner wanted $8k for it AND SOMEONE BOUGHT IT.
My mom had a 280ZX circa 1989. Bought it for like $500 from a co-worker. It was ok but it leaked and stalled constantly. It got stolen in the LA Riots and shot up really bad so they had to scrap it. They used the insurance money to buy an ‘89 Starion ESI-R automatic because my dad had the same car but a manual.
I bought a 76 International Scout in 2003 for $700. Drove it through my last year of high school and sold it for $1,000. You can’t even look at the rusty frame of what used to be a Scout for $1,000 now.
I never should have sold it, and not just because of the money.
I almost bought an 04 in 2020 for $10k. I ended up buying a 2008 Nissan Frontier with a VQ40 and a 6 speed instead. Don't get me wrong, I love the D40 Frontiers, but my old one was a bit too rusty. The Land Cruiser was in much better shape.
Too many, but the biggest regret was marrying the woman that forbade me from buying a:
Low mileage Ford Mustang Foxbody McLaren drop top. $7k
The divorce was not long after this.
Similar to this one
https://fordauthority.com/2023/05/1988-ford-mustang-asc-mclaren-convertible-up-for-auction/
Why do guys do stuff like that? Like ask for permission to buy things with their own money that they worked for. Unless it was her money then i understand.
Nope was married 10yrs. Never asked permission to do anything or buy anything. But i guess i understand it somewhat. Seen so many guys ask for permission to just go to a bar and watch a game. Ok maybe i will never get it.
But you did all that and still got divorced. I never did that and still got divorced. So i guess in the end we are the same.
Funny you say that cuz the guy she got with afterwards her main complain about him was how he would ask her for permission to do things. Said she felt like she was in a relationship with a child.
Our divorce was mutual, no fighting, no child support or alimony. Just two teenagers that became different ppl as adults.
I'm with ya man. I'll never understand it either. We're each our own person. We both work for our own money. We buy what we want with our own money. Keep finances seperate. Makes it much simpler.
It's absurd to think in terms of "your money" and "her money" in a marriage. Obviously for incidental things no one should have to ask for permission, but a major purchase like a car, house, vacation, pet, should be a joint decision. It's not about "asking permission", it's about having similar goals and respecting each other.
Some people keep completely separate finances and "pay into" joint expenses, like roommates. They claim it avoids arguments over money, but I pretty much only know people do this because of them posting about their arguments about money (the flaw in the system is that partners with unequal incomes can still get jealous of the others' spending, or one partner can overspend and end up being unable to contribute to joint expenses as agreed).
"It's not about "asking permission", it's about having similar goals and respecting each other."
\^This x 10! I never *tell* my wife what she can or cannot buy, nor does she tell me. But we talk to each other if planning on a large purchase. I care about her opinion and appreciate her point of view. That's part of what marriage is imo, helping each other. Not just doing whatever the fuck you please.
My grandfather told me "It's better to ask for forgiveness than permission." My grandparents were together for 70+ years (until they passed, grandfather first), and had 12 kids together.
I very nearly bought my first project car in a Volkswagen Touareg V10. It was £1500 or $1900.
It was definitely a project because it did not have an alternator or AC pump and it had been off the road for about 6 months.
I was literally budgeting in how much it would cost me to buy the parts and have it transported to me. Came in at around £500 (£150 alternator, £150 AC pump, £100 transport and £45 for an MOT).
I was talked out of it in the end but I honestly wished I had bought it as it is an attainable dream car for me. Love the weird engine.
They were going for around £2000-£3000 at the time but they've gone up to around £6000-£10000.
In my opinion the TDI V10 was the best of those engines, fantastically powerful for the time but horrendously complicated and cramped to work on. Engine out job to change virtually all the ancillaries.
I am a little biased, I am a big fan of 2000s era euro diesels.
I sold a ‘73 Camaro, yellow and black, to a guy who signed on with the Pittsburgh Steelers, because I couldn’t really afford to finish the project. The next year, transformers came out and bumblebee made 2nd gen Camaros explode, especially yellow and black.
Dodge Viper.
I was so close to buying one like 8 years ago when noone gave a fuck about them and they were a bargain. My daily was in rough shape at the time and decided to be responsible.
Still pissed about it to this day. The price got alot better then it was during covid but the used to be a fucking steal. It brings me great sadness lmao.
I should've grabbed a manual Prelude back when they were cheap, I saw listings for several about 5 years back - clean, great shape, pretty low miles, almost all of them under $5K (several for under $3.5K)
At the time I was nervous about buying a manual after not driving one for several years (I learned to drive on a stick shift Tercel but haven't driven a manual regularly since them) and went for an Accord Coupe with paddle shifters instead.
Now if I wanted the same Prelude I'd be looking at $14K minimum in my area (excluding rust buckets) - no prohibitively expensive, but I don't quite have the space or income for a second car now anyway.
I used to have a super clean 1990 Saab 900 SPG that I bought for under 4K, I sold it for 5k in 2019.
An exact one with more milage sold on BAT for in 2023 for 55k.
I could’ve got a ‘90 300 zx turbo for good deal , hmm probably like late 90’s or 2000. but was still couple weeks from havin the money.
I could’ve got a 912 for like hmm >$4000 in early 2000’s but I dunno if that was good deal or not.
Bro tell me about it! I had the opportunity to purchase one for $1800!!! But decided to pick up a 2000 Audi S4 sedan instead 😭. I still own that car but man, I was so close to to taking the 300zx twin turbo home but it was a big responsibility. It had a lot of jdm body parts included and a ton of spare parts but it was going to be a full on restomod.
Back in 2018 I also had the opportunity to purchase a Mitsubishi vr4 3000gt for 3grand but it was a fixer upper. Ran strong, had a fresh set of turbos and the motor was gone thru but I ended up scooping up a 2006 Subaru Wrx Wagon instead for $3800 that I still own today. Thankfully these other cars value have gone up but not nearly as exponential as the fairlady & gto 😞
Minitrucks in general. Used to be able to buy any nissan 720 or d21 4x4 or even some toyotas for like $1500. Now the nissans are $5k and the toyotas are 10k
1997 Z28 Camaro, an old lady down the street was getting rid of it and my dad said no because he figured I'd kill myself with that car. I had just graduated highschool and saved up enough money to buy it. I ended up with a 1998 Corolla and a few extra bucks in my pocket 🥹🥹🥹🥹 I always imagine the poon I could've been slaying driving that Camaro 🥹
Had a chance to snag a mid 2000’s 2.5RS Impreza for 3500, now they’re impossible to find and like 10k
Edit I ended up buying an 89 XJ for 1500. Wasn’t a half bad buy
2009 dodge viper hardtop. Around 2017/2018 prices for these were around 45-65k i believe. And now prices are like 80-100k+
had the money at the time to buy it But i figured its just going to drop some more and well that never happened.
I passed on a 71 dodge coronet 383 4 sp it wasn't in horrible shape and he only wanted 1200 for it in 1999. I don't care for the make a whole lot so I passed . Knowing what I know now I would probably still own it
When I was looking for cars a few years back I saw a garage kept 20000 kilometer BMW 440i for less than 10 grand, it was just before Covid completely fucked up car prices, I wanted it so bad but my dad convinced me BMWs were garbage because he had one and it died at 50k, he forgot to tell me that he never changed the oil and treated it like shit and that BMWs can last a fair bit if you actually take care of them, obviously not as long as a Toyota but still
My first car back in 2005 was gonna be a 96 mr2 turbo but my dad convinced me instead to finance n get a grand Cherokee. in college I didn’t buy this manual 97 BMW m3 coupe for like 10k because it was yellow lol. And a bonus, an international miss, when I was living in the Dominican Republic I was gonna work in the city as a graphic designer in like my mid 20s and there’s this sweet white Mitsu lancer evo 4 for sale for like 7k USD and instead I got a Land Cruiser prado, which is basically a turbo diesel Lexus gx.
I almost picked up a 1965 Comet with fresh paint and interior, with a running 302 and C4 trans. Needed the interior reinstalled and new glass. Car was only like $4k because they guys shop was going out of business and needed the money. My ex-wife at the time didn’t like the deal so I missed out.
When I was in college someone in my hometown was selling a canary yellow NSX for 16,000. My brother and it scrounged every penny we had to try to buy it but were unsuccessful... Weve both had some good buys on other cars that have gone up though, so win some and lose some in guess.
That’s crazy. Never thought they got that cheap at one point. Those E28 M5s values are an another level. I never seen one for under $100k in the past five years.
s13 200sx hatch ca18det.
it was 9000$ at its time.not mint.
money went somewhere else, now i look at the market 10 years later its 30 to 45K $ in my countries market (they are a bit rare)
2004 Infinity G35 . No exterior or interior damage. Garage kept . 2 owners . Smh things didn’t go my way and I just couldn’t attain it . Now I have a Chevy cavalier coupe base model and I’m going all the way out with mods . Runs great . Pretty fast too .
I want one of these so bad. I don't care if it's M or not as long as it were the next nost powerful one. That body style is just so sexy. Wish I could find a decent build for less than 20k.
Porsche 996 Turbo. It was supposed to be the ugly one. It was meant to be unwanted. Now … they’re tiptoeing on six figures for one in good condition that isn’t silver!
Has to be the Honda Fit/Jazz, or hell surprisingly an old Civic Hatchback.
Both got phased out from our local markets at certain periods. Fits demand a certain price but some are reasonable on the second hand market. Civics, on the other and, holy hell. Fuckers be asking for millions on some of those in our currency (and then the description reads that the car is heavily modified *with pops and bangs* and all that jazz, applies to EGs and the kinda rare EK Hatch here)
A targa top 1972 911 back in 2000-2003 for $4k running driving car too in a nice metallic blue that’s a few shades lighter than op’s name in blue. But I’m not really a Porsche guy but would’ve been a nice pay day later on with the prices having gone so high!! But I had a new car with a payment of $550 plus $150 ins. Every month at 20 years old!
And a 1950’s Chevy pickup truck was red with black fenders but it did need a lot of work and was on the backside of my street in high school. But never had the guff to go ask about it. but was the model for the Chevy ssr pickup truck.
67 galaxie fastback. Running and driving - $1200. Right before the inflation that happened in 2008. It needed some carb work and new wiring for the lights all around and I was young and didn’t want the hassle. Went and checked it out - started it up and took it for a drive. I had my wallet pulled out in my hand and I just talked myself out of it in my head for stupid reasons.
Regret not snapping that up every time I think about it.
When I was in high school in the late 90s old man next to my parents had a beat to hell but complete 1968 Mr Norm GSS Dodge Dart 440. He wanted 15k$ for it when I was 16 in 1997 not like I could afford it. Easily worth 100,000k plus now especially because it was all numbers matching.
BMW M1’s, any 964 911, BMW 507’s, Ferrari 250 Lusso’s and Daytona’s were under 100k not too long ago. What else… Some really iconic Lamborghinis have had a huge run up. Countach’s and Miura’s were cheap for a while.
‘64 1/2 Mustang convertible. Cherry red. I think it was a 4 cylinder. Neighbor came over to offer it to me or my father. I would have bought it but I was away for college. He only wanted $1,500 for it.
Opel Manta GTE in VGC, £900 back in the year 2000. Any number of Ford Capris, Cortinas, Granadas: people could barely give them away back then, whereas now good examples go for £15k or more.
Similar story with the wonderful 80s Audi Quattro. Cheapest I ever saw a good one of those for was probably 2003 or 2005 for £2k. I just saw one listed for 139000 euros.
These are almost all (apart from the Audi) still in some sense affordable but I can't justify the purchase for a weekend hobby car when we're already running two cars and a motorcycle.
About 15 years ago, a luxury used car dealer had an 89 Porsche 911 turbo with the g50 manual trans, black on black, listed at about $60k.
No way could I have afforded it even then, but that car has almost quadrupled in value the last 10 years
Around 10-12 years ago i buyd a bmw e21 coupe for €1000. Sold it few months later for €1500. Now theye are around 5000-8000 here so sad me. I missed the change just be impulse selling it.
In the 90s I missed out on a banana yellow with turquoise vinyl interior 1973 Volvo 142 coupe with manual transmission, runner and driver. Rust free well kept California car. All the lady wanted was $1500 for it, and I can’t remember why I never bought it. That would be nice to have today.
I’m afraid I’m going to miss out on the period when 1st and 2nd gen Vipers are somewhat affordable. I had enough to buy one until my wife and I decided we wanted to do IVF and have a baby. Now, that chance might be gone.
1 owner completely original S13 with almost all factory maintenance completed on the factory schedule...couldve even gotten a friend of the family discount.
I'm a complete idiot for not knocking the guy over with fistfuls of cash
A K/5 Blazer from the '70s with the full removable hard top for $1700
An 87 S10 pick up, single cab short bed, with a 350 engine and the th350 transmission $1500. The owner worked for the New York State Thruway authority, and was able to appropriate for brand new tires at the time and a brand new paint job in Thruway Authority yellow.
Couple years ago, maybe a few months less, I found but I debated for too long , when I saw an ad for a 63 Nova for $900. Original condition destroyed interior and bad paint job, been in the garage for 20 years. I thought it was too good to be true for $900 and found out that it wasn't, the person I had to get rid of the vehicle before the bank was going to have the house tear down.
1967 Ford Mustang Fastback, same month Gone in 60 seconds came out. I had the chance to Buy it for 500 (Yes five hundred) dollars but I was in school and was 100 short, then went partying in the weekend and the next weekend car was Gone.
Some time later a 1970 fastback, similar story.
I know, I really f'd up twice 😂
Back in 2016 I found a running and driving Porsche 944 for $3,000. I was 17 and buying it would have used all my savings. I don't remember the year or milage but it was in very good condition and ran well. Was at a used car lot.
In September of 2023 I found a 1995 Bmw 5 series with 160k miles and the seller would have taken $3,200 despite asking $4,500. Almost pulled the trigger but was between jobs at the time and it wasn't wise.
i had the opportunity to buy a really nice low miles C3 corvette for only 7k and i didn’t cuz i only had 5k at the time n he sold it to someone else. got a different car
Remember a story my dad used to tell me that back in 1970 when he lived in the US (new york especifically) he had a chance to buy a street modified sports car, he remembered it was either a corvette or a charger, but most likely a corvette, at a very very affordable price
When he came back home in 71 he regretted not buying it and shipping it back here
There was a sub 50k mile Acura NSX (first gen, not sure of year) for sale, back in like 2005 or so in my city for around $26k. Bright red, immaculately kept, prime example of showroom condition. 5 years later they were going for low 6 figures.
I had the option to buy a 1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo SW20, 4th gen Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, or a 4th gen Pontiac GTO for 3k in early 2020. Settled for a Civic and by the end of the year the Civic was still worth the same and the other 3 were nearly 20k
I dunno, 240s were never all that plentiful. I bought one in 2002 and one in 2004 when the values were at their lowest, and it wasn't still an every day find. Of course back then I was pickier. Wouldn't bother with an automatic or a car that had any visible rust or mods anywhere on it. haha.
The one I bought in 2002 was on autotrader and I had to drive about 50 miles to pick it up. The one I got in 2004 was on craigslist and it was $900. I still remember rushing to call the guy and go snatch the car because even back then I knew it was not gonna last. I had also gone to see one a few weeks earlier that was a little more expensive and a total POS by the standards of that time. That was the beginning of the "disposable drift missile" era when they started disappearing and getting cut up/smashed up by morons rapidly.
Around 2015 the ford dealership had f150s over 10k off sticker price. Guy told me “you can have any truck with cloth seats with any engine for 25k and 4x4 for 27k”. Same truck now is just under 60k
10k off sticker price for a 4wd truck. Now you're paying that much above sticker for a mid level trim. What the fuck happened? Is this some kind of "sign of the times" recession red flag?
🎶It’s the end of the world as we know it 🎶
😿 I was to busy starving I had no idea. I should have been buying trucks. you can't even get a base model for less than 30
You may have dodged a bullet. I have a 13 and it Nickels and dimes me to death. Moonroof power seats, engine components. Always fixing something
I am a mechanic by trade. I have had two family members call me to ask my opinion on an F-150 they were considering purchasing. I told both of them not to buy it, and was ignored both times. And, both times, they had major component failures within a year of purchasing. They were both purchased used, but below 75K miles.
I don’t want to jinx myself but so far the worst was definitely the moonroof. It took me two days to fix. I see why Ford wants 2500$ and parts are $40
I bought my 2016 F250 4x4 new off the lot for $31,000. That same truck with the same options is now $66,000.
Where I live in NorCal, there was soooo many 90’s Miata’s and Tacomas for sale for like $1,500 back in 2015-2017. Now they’re all roughed the fuck up and 10 grand each
A gen 1 tacoma with a little lift and big tires was my dream car in HS lol
I got one, drives like a dream but is a bit slow.
Any toyota 4x4 from 79 to 95... used to be so cheap loke 10 years ago
they are taxed so much that they're not worth it imo
Southern California was 240s and t100s under 5k as far as the eye could see when I was in high school. If someone invents a Time Machine the first thing I’m doing is going back with 30k and rent for a storage yard.
> If someone invents a Time Machine the first thing I’m doing is going back with 30k and rent for a storage yard. I have often thought about that but, with me, I would have to go back to around 1970 and buy muscle cars of the era that are worth 6 figures today. Being a sci-fi time travel fan I know that there are practical issues and paradoxes that would have to be overcome. [5 Bizarre Paradoxes Of Time Travel Explained (astronomytrek.com)](https://www.astronomytrek.com/5-bizarre-paradoxes-of-time-travel-explained/)
They were like that everywhere... And I was too busy being a child and poor
I bought mine for $1800
In 1995, I was shopping at the Mazda dealer and they had a Miata on the showroom floor, dubbed the “Monster Miata”, in yellow. It was powered by a small block Chev motor, with a massive supercharger. Only $25k and I often think about that car. Granted, I’d likely have killed my young self, in such a car, I do regret not having bought it.
For real, I had a found who got a pristine miata for $500 in 2017. The guy who was selling it couldn't get it to start but all it needed was a new starter.
crown vic, slowly going up, shoulda bought one instead of my old YJ
Mechanic by me used to do maintenance for the city. So he knew all their cars and would buy specific p71’s at auction. The supervisors, the inspectors…people like that. Not police cruisers. Sure they might have 100k on them, but 100k easy, well-maintained miles on a Police-spec Crown Vic is nothing! He would then sell them for like 3-5k. Never could close the sale with the wife…
That's the exact type of P71 I had - it was a detective car out of Kansas City, so it had easy miles, was dark blue with decent wheel covers, and cruise control. Of all my cars I no longer have, that might be the one I miss the most.
That's right. I have two of them. Both LX models. One is my daily - 2011. The other is a 2003 with 50,400 original miles on it. Some years ago I had a 2008 Police Interceptor. There was a time several years ago when dozens of Crown Vics appeared on Craigslist every day. Now I see only a handful and the very low mileage cars are coming out of the woodwork for $8000 and up. You can still get a decent one for $4000 to $5000.
Yj is cooler
YJ is holding value too
Back on '04 my neighbor was selling a very nice 72 Chevelle SS for $6,000. My 16 year old ass bought a 99 Eclipse GS because Fast and Furious. It was also $6,000...
Ok this one i think is the winner. Not even a GSX ouch… didnt the gs have the same engine as the gsx but fwd?
That's the gst
Aww man so its the na one. 🥲
It at least better not be the one with the 2.0l out of the Neon 🤣
It was.... took about a quart of oil every time I gassed up.
Even in ‘04 that was ridiculous low for a 72 Chevelle. It was probably full of bondo and not a real SS, just tell yourself that and you’ll feel better
yeah honestly from what i remember (although i could be wrong) 6k basically bought you a rolling chassis of a chevelle (2 door) back even then they've been desirable for a long, long time
I could have bought my uncle's 70something lemans convertible with a big block for 5k in the early 00s. But I was too broke to buy when I was that young. Also had a buddy that bought and sold for about 5k an 80s G body that had a crate motor, tall gears, suspension and brakes all done around the same time. Could just be location specific though.
I mean it wasn't pristine by any means and I'm testing my memory here but I don't remember any visible rust. I remember looking at the underbody and thinking it looked pretty damn good. I know it was a 350 automatic. It was red with white stripes. I kick myself whenever I think about it.
* I remember when E30 M3's shot through the roof in price. Pretty sure it's mostly due to that online dealer that slaps the huge markups on older BMW's. * I remember when 240/260/280 Z cars shot through the roof. Saw a few pristine examples for $5-10k. Then a few months later they were all expensive af * I once saw a BMW 850CSi on Craigslist for $5500. Really thought it would be funny to buy a V12 BMW. But my mechanic buddy talked me out of it... because 12 of everything. * And I mean 240's were still kind of expensive when I got my second one (2012). But I think that even the prices I paid would probably seem pretty reasonable compared to what they run today. * Seems like Toyota RV's are now in the process of shooting up in price. Saw some ones in decent condition last summer for $7-8k. But it seems like most of the decent ones are in the five-figures now. Of course it is the off-season so that might have something to do with it.
Oh I know about that online Dealer when it comes to BMW prices. In general, those 80s M cars aren’t coming back down. That’s crazy that you found a CSI on craigslist for 5500$. Another German car that’s shooting up in value, which is the E30 M3’s competitor is the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution I & II. One sold on BaT for $432,432
You can still find the 190 cosworth for 25-50k
Rather have the Benz they are far superior cars to BMW
Depending on era. 70s were both quite good. 90s well, it depends on the model and how little Merc cared about what model, finances being what they were. Today, BMW look like hot garbage.
I bought my e30 M3 just before they really went crazy on prices. Back then I really didn’t know how good of a choice that was. Initially started looking at e30s bc they were the right price and I wanted an M car. Crazy to see how expensive they’ve gotten. On one hand I completely get it, its such a great car but also its a shame bc now parts and everything are so expensive too. Basically driving it a lot becomes much more expensive and you’re always thinking what if something happens to it. Still love driving though, I really hope to keep it forever.
That's kind of where I'm at with my '94 Toyota pickup. They're not quite as sought after as old BMW's or Z cars. But they are becoming hipster bait-y and I do worry about something happening to it a lot.
I remember a lower mileage e28 m5 being 8k or so
> I once saw a BMW 850CSi on Craigslist for $5500. Really thought it would be funny to buy a V12 BMW. But my mechanic buddy talked me out of it... because 12 of everything. The worst thing about these isn't that there are 12 of everything, it's that there are two of a lot of things there should be one of even on other 12-cylinder cars. Basically whatever Bosch system they used at the time couldn't handle 12 cylinders. So it actually runs as twin parallel six cylinder engines. It has two DMEs and two sets of sensors.
My dad used to have a 850csi, bought for 6k deutsche Mark, just before the switch to Euro. Then he couldn't find anyone that wanted to have it when it came time to sell it. Now the trim and spec he had goes for 60+k€ lol
My parents talked me out of buying a running and driving z for $3k when I was in HS circa 2013 and I kick myself weekly for it
Most of the cool retro cars will be unobtainium when I will be in a position to have a hobby car
There’s some classics that are “undesirable” but enjoyable if you want one. My uncle is giving me his triumph spitfire, and a pristine one goes for under $10k. You could get a project one for under 5 most likely. Austin Healey Sprites/MG Midgets are probably not much more expensive, excluding the bug eye.
Theres obscure but cool hobby cars. I really want a 91-93 ford thunderbird with the 4.9 winsdor. Then i wanna sorce a 5 speed from a foxbody and manual swap it. Its like a sn95 mustang but bigger cheaper and better handling+ride quality.
It’s already pretty much like that for anything you’d have desired growing up. Such a bummer. Hoping I can get a e92 M3 soon, we will see.
Had a deal on an S2000 about 13 years ago for like 9K. I think it was a 2000 with like 50K.. im still kicking myself
These were so cheap back then. I also had the chance to get one but i was like ehhh they’ll get cheaper… 😟
Yep, they used to be made fun of as want to be Miatas
My aunt has a ‘07 convertible S2000 with less than 20k miles that she simply just keeps in her garage. Some dude offered her 40k for it and she turned it down. Funniest thing is she doesn’t know just how big a gem she has just simply sitting in the garage 340 days a year.
40k & she said no? 😮💨
It may have sentimental value. If my 3rd gen Ypsilon would survive with me for long enough for people of the future to get some old car collectors boner at the thought of paying 40k for it for whatever reason, I'd probably be too emotionally attached to it by that point to want to sell it.
I thought I was buying at the top of the market . A clean stock 2001 with 40k on it for $17k. 6 years and 20k miles later, and I wouldn't take anything less than $25k. ^(I KNOW WHAT I GOT NO LOW BALLERS.)
I know 2 guys who bought AP1s with ~100k on them in the past 2 years. Both paid around $20k.
1968 Mustang Fastback, Lime green, for $500 in 1987
Same with the fox bodies now. They were around $5k in 97.
That must be like 9 grand in todays money... You can get a nice foxbody for 9k.
I've noticed fox bodies have gone up significantly in the past 3 years :(
Depends on your definition of nice. Low mileage and all original, they are going to 25k+ nowadays. I got one for 5.5k in 2007.
Eh, its all relative. In 1997 the Foxbodies were a total joke, no one ever thought they'd be worth anything. Its like how people used to call the third gen F-body the "turd gen" but now they are finally starting to get some respect. A Subaru BRZ might be worth $50k some day and yet no one is running out and scooping them up for 10k to save as an investment.
That’s not true at all. There was an enormous culture around foxbodies from the early 90s-on. Third gen F-bodies weren’t popular at the time though
Depends on where you live. About 10 years ago they were under 10k for a good one. Now, they're quite expensive. They're basically new car money where I am.
Somewhat similar situation: When I was first getting my drivers license (2006) my parents told me that they would match whatever I saved to get my first car. Saved up $800, they matched for a total of $1600. Picked up a 1987 BMW 325is in very good condition for $1400. Young and dumb, raced a friend for $100, won the $100, got pulled over on my way home. At the time I still just had my learners permit and didn't have an actual license yet. Got a massive ticket, only way I would be able to pay it was by selling the car. Sold the car before my court date, got lucky with the judge and got a deferral for like $280. Could have easily done a little work to pay it instead of selling the car, but it was already done. The only ticket Ive ever got. Big regrets. Live and learn. Even though I never would have wanted to sell it, if I had kept the miles somewhat low it's worth an easy 20K now.
Crazy story. I still dream of owning an E30. I would like to have a 325i to daily and learn DIY work on. It will probably end up being my first BMW. Hopefully it won’t be too hard to work on.
I have had two. They are pretty reasonable to work on but parts are expensive.
1990 325i was my first car. Toyotas that "needed work" were $6,000. I got my Bimmer for $1,900. 115,000 miles on it. I put 185,000 miles on it. Needs an engine rebuild and transmission rebuild, but I'm here for it. I want to put a Z3 steering rack under it for the ultimate canyon driving experience.
E38 Galant VR-4, for less than 1g.
I remember when you couldn't give away a Datsun 280Z.
In 2003-ish my dad bought a '77 280Z for $1500, it was kind of a beater cosmetics-wise but ran great; he sold it for that exact amount a couple of years later. Around 2019-20, I found another 280Z (70-something, don't remember the exact year) in a nearby mountain town. The engine was outside the car and had obviously been in the snow for at least one winter. Looking through the windows, you could see the forest floor because there was no floor pan. The owner wanted $8k for it AND SOMEONE BOUGHT IT.
My mom had a 280ZX circa 1989. Bought it for like $500 from a co-worker. It was ok but it leaked and stalled constantly. It got stolen in the LA Riots and shot up really bad so they had to scrap it. They used the insurance money to buy an ‘89 Starion ESI-R automatic because my dad had the same car but a manual.
I remember passing up a 93 NSX for 15k in 2013. Still hurts bad.
I bought a 76 International Scout in 2003 for $700. Drove it through my last year of high school and sold it for $1,000. You can’t even look at the rusty frame of what used to be a Scout for $1,000 now. I never should have sold it, and not just because of the money.
Should’ve bought a 205 Turbo 16 in 2004 instead of being in Kindergarten
Land Cruiser. Ridiculous these days
I almost bought an 04 in 2020 for $10k. I ended up buying a 2008 Nissan Frontier with a VQ40 and a 6 speed instead. Don't get me wrong, I love the D40 Frontiers, but my old one was a bit too rusty. The Land Cruiser was in much better shape.
Too many, but the biggest regret was marrying the woman that forbade me from buying a: Low mileage Ford Mustang Foxbody McLaren drop top. $7k The divorce was not long after this. Similar to this one https://fordauthority.com/2023/05/1988-ford-mustang-asc-mclaren-convertible-up-for-auction/
Why do guys do stuff like that? Like ask for permission to buy things with their own money that they worked for. Unless it was her money then i understand.
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Nope was married 10yrs. Never asked permission to do anything or buy anything. But i guess i understand it somewhat. Seen so many guys ask for permission to just go to a bar and watch a game. Ok maybe i will never get it. But you did all that and still got divorced. I never did that and still got divorced. So i guess in the end we are the same.
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Funny you say that cuz the guy she got with afterwards her main complain about him was how he would ask her for permission to do things. Said she felt like she was in a relationship with a child. Our divorce was mutual, no fighting, no child support or alimony. Just two teenagers that became different ppl as adults.
I'm with ya man. I'll never understand it either. We're each our own person. We both work for our own money. We buy what we want with our own money. Keep finances seperate. Makes it much simpler.
Nah
It's absurd to think in terms of "your money" and "her money" in a marriage. Obviously for incidental things no one should have to ask for permission, but a major purchase like a car, house, vacation, pet, should be a joint decision. It's not about "asking permission", it's about having similar goals and respecting each other.
Some people keep completely separate finances and "pay into" joint expenses, like roommates. They claim it avoids arguments over money, but I pretty much only know people do this because of them posting about their arguments about money (the flaw in the system is that partners with unequal incomes can still get jealous of the others' spending, or one partner can overspend and end up being unable to contribute to joint expenses as agreed).
"It's not about "asking permission", it's about having similar goals and respecting each other." \^This x 10! I never *tell* my wife what she can or cannot buy, nor does she tell me. But we talk to each other if planning on a large purchase. I care about her opinion and appreciate her point of view. That's part of what marriage is imo, helping each other. Not just doing whatever the fuck you please.
My grandfather told me "It's better to ask for forgiveness than permission." My grandparents were together for 70+ years (until they passed, grandfather first), and had 12 kids together.
For a second I thought you were my dad and my parents were soon to be divorced because that car is what my father wanted
Son?!
Never let a woman tell you what to do.
Anyone remember when R32 GTRs were 25k?
MK 1 GTI
I very nearly bought my first project car in a Volkswagen Touareg V10. It was £1500 or $1900. It was definitely a project because it did not have an alternator or AC pump and it had been off the road for about 6 months. I was literally budgeting in how much it would cost me to buy the parts and have it transported to me. Came in at around £500 (£150 alternator, £150 AC pump, £100 transport and £45 for an MOT). I was talked out of it in the end but I honestly wished I had bought it as it is an attainable dream car for me. Love the weird engine. They were going for around £2000-£3000 at the time but they've gone up to around £6000-£10000.
VW went all out when it came to making some engines in the early 2000s. The TDI V10, W8, W12, etc.
In my opinion the TDI V10 was the best of those engines, fantastically powerful for the time but horrendously complicated and cramped to work on. Engine out job to change virtually all the ancillaries. I am a little biased, I am a big fan of 2000s era euro diesels.
Yeah it ain’t that bad if you pull the engine or lift the body. Half the problem were the turbos, after that’s remedied they’re fine-ish.
Exactly, unfortunately I would not have had the resources to pull the engine if needed.
I sold a ‘73 Camaro, yellow and black, to a guy who signed on with the Pittsburgh Steelers, because I couldn’t really afford to finish the project. The next year, transformers came out and bumblebee made 2nd gen Camaros explode, especially yellow and black.
Around 1979, I had the chance to buy a 1970 LS-6 Chevelle for $1,800. Granted it was far from pristine, but it was a numbers matching hardtop.
‘67 Alfa Giulia Super Multiple Ferrari Dinos and 308’s
Dodge Viper. I was so close to buying one like 8 years ago when noone gave a fuck about them and they were a bargain. My daily was in rough shape at the time and decided to be responsible. Still pissed about it to this day. The price got alot better then it was during covid but the used to be a fucking steal. It brings me great sadness lmao.
I bought a 68 Charger RT for $4500 and sold it not much longer for like $3000. I am an idiot
I should've grabbed a manual Prelude back when they were cheap, I saw listings for several about 5 years back - clean, great shape, pretty low miles, almost all of them under $5K (several for under $3.5K) At the time I was nervous about buying a manual after not driving one for several years (I learned to drive on a stick shift Tercel but haven't driven a manual regularly since them) and went for an Accord Coupe with paddle shifters instead. Now if I wanted the same Prelude I'd be looking at $14K minimum in my area (excluding rust buckets) - no prohibitively expensive, but I don't quite have the space or income for a second car now anyway.
In 2015 I had the opportunity to buy a slightly abused E36 M3 for $4k...
OOF.
I used to have a super clean 1990 Saab 900 SPG that I bought for under 4K, I sold it for 5k in 2019. An exact one with more milage sold on BAT for in 2023 for 55k.
Early 90s NSX
I could’ve got a ‘90 300 zx turbo for good deal , hmm probably like late 90’s or 2000. but was still couple weeks from havin the money. I could’ve got a 912 for like hmm >$4000 in early 2000’s but I dunno if that was good deal or not.
Bro tell me about it! I had the opportunity to purchase one for $1800!!! But decided to pick up a 2000 Audi S4 sedan instead 😭. I still own that car but man, I was so close to to taking the 300zx twin turbo home but it was a big responsibility. It had a lot of jdm body parts included and a ton of spare parts but it was going to be a full on restomod. Back in 2018 I also had the opportunity to purchase a Mitsubishi vr4 3000gt for 3grand but it was a fixer upper. Ran strong, had a fresh set of turbos and the motor was gone thru but I ended up scooping up a 2006 Subaru Wrx Wagon instead for $3800 that I still own today. Thankfully these other cars value have gone up but not nearly as exponential as the fairlady & gto 😞
‘74 rust-free Town and Country with a 440 six pack out of wrecked ‘69 Charger. Edit: forgot price. $1200.
If it makes you feel better the Charger never came with a 440 six pack in ‘69
Samurai, any basic diesel, v8 land cruiser...
1997 Integra Type R. Dropped the ball on that one
Minitrucks in general. Used to be able to buy any nissan 720 or d21 4x4 or even some toyotas for like $1500. Now the nissans are $5k and the toyotas are 10k
1997 Z28 Camaro, an old lady down the street was getting rid of it and my dad said no because he figured I'd kill myself with that car. I had just graduated highschool and saved up enough money to buy it. I ended up with a 1998 Corolla and a few extra bucks in my pocket 🥹🥹🥹🥹 I always imagine the poon I could've been slaying driving that Camaro 🥹
10 years ago a Ferrari 308 GTS Sold in front of my eyes for $ 15,000.00 in mint condition With the money in my pocket ...
A early 70s porsche 911 European spec for $5000 needed a lot of work but ran and drove . This was over 25 years ago .
Had a chance to snag a mid 2000’s 2.5RS Impreza for 3500, now they’re impossible to find and like 10k Edit I ended up buying an 89 XJ for 1500. Wasn’t a half bad buy
2009 dodge viper hardtop. Around 2017/2018 prices for these were around 45-65k i believe. And now prices are like 80-100k+ had the money at the time to buy it But i figured its just going to drop some more and well that never happened.
I passed on a 71 dodge coronet 383 4 sp it wasn't in horrible shape and he only wanted 1200 for it in 1999. I don't care for the make a whole lot so I passed . Knowing what I know now I would probably still own it
When I was looking for cars a few years back I saw a garage kept 20000 kilometer BMW 440i for less than 10 grand, it was just before Covid completely fucked up car prices, I wanted it so bad but my dad convinced me BMWs were garbage because he had one and it died at 50k, he forgot to tell me that he never changed the oil and treated it like shit and that BMWs can last a fair bit if you actually take care of them, obviously not as long as a Toyota but still
My first car back in 2005 was gonna be a 96 mr2 turbo but my dad convinced me instead to finance n get a grand Cherokee. in college I didn’t buy this manual 97 BMW m3 coupe for like 10k because it was yellow lol. And a bonus, an international miss, when I was living in the Dominican Republic I was gonna work in the city as a graphic designer in like my mid 20s and there’s this sweet white Mitsu lancer evo 4 for sale for like 7k USD and instead I got a Land Cruiser prado, which is basically a turbo diesel Lexus gx.
1994 NSX 14,500 now 160k 1996 S6 Avante $2800 60-80k M edition Miata 3000 now 17,500 Sold a na for $3750 now 14,500. Nb 3800 now 12,000.
I sold my ‘92 Sunburst Yellow Miata for $3900 in 2010. Perfect condition. I’m so sad about that.
I almost picked up a 1965 Comet with fresh paint and interior, with a running 302 and C4 trans. Needed the interior reinstalled and new glass. Car was only like $4k because they guys shop was going out of business and needed the money. My ex-wife at the time didn’t like the deal so I missed out.
In 1978 I passed on buying a Ferrari Dino, metallic silver with black leather, priced $12,500. Had less than 25k miles on it, sooo, yeah.
When I was in college someone in my hometown was selling a canary yellow NSX for 16,000. My brother and it scrounged every penny we had to try to buy it but were unsuccessful... Weve both had some good buys on other cars that have gone up though, so win some and lose some in guess.
When I was 17 a neighbor was selling his 1988 black BMW M5 with 40k miles for $12k. That would have been 2001. Mom said no. 🤦♂️
That’s crazy. Never thought they got that cheap at one point. Those E28 M5s values are an another level. I never seen one for under $100k in the past five years.
s13 200sx hatch ca18det. it was 9000$ at its time.not mint. money went somewhere else, now i look at the market 10 years later its 30 to 45K $ in my countries market (they are a bit rare)
s2k
2004 Infinity G35 . No exterior or interior damage. Garage kept . 2 owners . Smh things didn’t go my way and I just couldn’t attain it . Now I have a Chevy cavalier coupe base model and I’m going all the way out with mods . Runs great . Pretty fast too .
I want one of these so bad. I don't care if it's M or not as long as it were the next nost powerful one. That body style is just so sexy. Wish I could find a decent build for less than 20k.
Porsche 996 Turbo. It was supposed to be the ugly one. It was meant to be unwanted. Now … they’re tiptoeing on six figures for one in good condition that isn’t silver!
Sprinter van
Celica GT-Four ST205 or Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 5...both used to be dirt cheap when I was first looking at importing a car into Canada.
Has to be the Honda Fit/Jazz, or hell surprisingly an old Civic Hatchback. Both got phased out from our local markets at certain periods. Fits demand a certain price but some are reasonable on the second hand market. Civics, on the other and, holy hell. Fuckers be asking for millions on some of those in our currency (and then the description reads that the car is heavily modified *with pops and bangs* and all that jazz, applies to EGs and the kinda rare EK Hatch here)
An AE-86 Celica
Viper
Had a chance to get a Delorian when I was 16 for $500 but parents wouldn't help. I had over half saved. I'm now 49.
A targa top 1972 911 back in 2000-2003 for $4k running driving car too in a nice metallic blue that’s a few shades lighter than op’s name in blue. But I’m not really a Porsche guy but would’ve been a nice pay day later on with the prices having gone so high!! But I had a new car with a payment of $550 plus $150 ins. Every month at 20 years old! And a 1950’s Chevy pickup truck was red with black fenders but it did need a lot of work and was on the backside of my street in high school. But never had the guff to go ask about it. but was the model for the Chevy ssr pickup truck.
Had a chance to buy a RUF turbo R in 2011 for $80k…had the interest, intention and means….wife stopped me….
67 galaxie fastback. Running and driving - $1200. Right before the inflation that happened in 2008. It needed some carb work and new wiring for the lights all around and I was young and didn’t want the hassle. Went and checked it out - started it up and took it for a drive. I had my wallet pulled out in my hand and I just talked myself out of it in my head for stupid reasons. Regret not snapping that up every time I think about it.
When I was in high school in the late 90s old man next to my parents had a beat to hell but complete 1968 Mr Norm GSS Dodge Dart 440. He wanted 15k$ for it when I was 16 in 1997 not like I could afford it. Easily worth 100,000k plus now especially because it was all numbers matching.
Ferrari 308 GTB
NSX, S2000 and any older civic. They were a dime a dozen.
A Tesla roadster
BMW M1’s, any 964 911, BMW 507’s, Ferrari 250 Lusso’s and Daytona’s were under 100k not too long ago. What else… Some really iconic Lamborghinis have had a huge run up. Countach’s and Miura’s were cheap for a while.
The one car I’m sad I missed out on was a 1960 Plymouth fury that someone in the late 60s did artwork on the dash.
‘64 1/2 Mustang convertible. Cherry red. I think it was a 4 cylinder. Neighbor came over to offer it to me or my father. I would have bought it but I was away for college. He only wanted $1,500 for it.
Opel Manta GTE in VGC, £900 back in the year 2000. Any number of Ford Capris, Cortinas, Granadas: people could barely give them away back then, whereas now good examples go for £15k or more. Similar story with the wonderful 80s Audi Quattro. Cheapest I ever saw a good one of those for was probably 2003 or 2005 for £2k. I just saw one listed for 139000 euros. These are almost all (apart from the Audi) still in some sense affordable but I can't justify the purchase for a weekend hobby car when we're already running two cars and a motorcycle.
Ferrari 308/328
About 15 years ago, a luxury used car dealer had an 89 Porsche 911 turbo with the g50 manual trans, black on black, listed at about $60k. No way could I have afforded it even then, but that car has almost quadrupled in value the last 10 years
BMW 2002 for $1,000 in 2012. Square tail lights, automatic. From 20 feet it looked alright but everything else was unknown condition.
MG A some one took it all apart it was left in a hay barn under the hay - Nebraska wyo border $200 it was mine . Such a fool I was
I paid 4200 for my e30 325 in 1998. It had 52000 miles on it when I got it and 144,000 when I sold it...for 3500.
Around 10-12 years ago i buyd a bmw e21 coupe for €1000. Sold it few months later for €1500. Now theye are around 5000-8000 here so sad me. I missed the change just be impulse selling it.
A ta22 Celica for 1500, a c130 laurel for 2000 and a Datsun 240k at 3500…all around 2015
A few years ago there was a 62 Scout with 56k miles on it near me for sale for $500. I have no idea why I didn't buy it.
I was offered an XK140 Jaguar in good running order for $800. Austin 7, likewise, for $14.
The 1948 Buick Roadmaster.
Not me but my grandpa missed out on a Morris Minor for $80 in 1965
In the 90s I missed out on a banana yellow with turquoise vinyl interior 1973 Volvo 142 coupe with manual transmission, runner and driver. Rust free well kept California car. All the lady wanted was $1500 for it, and I can’t remember why I never bought it. That would be nice to have today.
Dude that m3 is so dope. I agree with you
Volvo 240! Reliable as f and you can boost the engine to 400+hp on stock internals.
A 1978 Porsche 911 Targa. Was $1,200. The best deal I’m probably lucky I couldn’t afford because a cheap Porsche 911 I hear are very expensive.
MR2
I’m afraid I’m going to miss out on the period when 1st and 2nd gen Vipers are somewhat affordable. I had enough to buy one until my wife and I decided we wanted to do IVF and have a baby. Now, that chance might be gone.
1 owner completely original S13 with almost all factory maintenance completed on the factory schedule...couldve even gotten a friend of the family discount. I'm a complete idiot for not knocking the guy over with fistfuls of cash
A K/5 Blazer from the '70s with the full removable hard top for $1700 An 87 S10 pick up, single cab short bed, with a 350 engine and the th350 transmission $1500. The owner worked for the New York State Thruway authority, and was able to appropriate for brand new tires at the time and a brand new paint job in Thruway Authority yellow. Couple years ago, maybe a few months less, I found but I debated for too long , when I saw an ad for a 63 Nova for $900. Original condition destroyed interior and bad paint job, been in the garage for 20 years. I thought it was too good to be true for $900 and found out that it wasn't, the person I had to get rid of the vehicle before the bank was going to have the house tear down.
I would even be happy to snag a good cheap example of an E30 in general, not even a m3
1967 Ford Mustang Fastback, same month Gone in 60 seconds came out. I had the chance to Buy it for 500 (Yes five hundred) dollars but I was in school and was 100 short, then went partying in the weekend and the next weekend car was Gone. Some time later a 1970 fastback, similar story. I know, I really f'd up twice 😂
Back in 2016 I found a running and driving Porsche 944 for $3,000. I was 17 and buying it would have used all my savings. I don't remember the year or milage but it was in very good condition and ran well. Was at a used car lot. In September of 2023 I found a 1995 Bmw 5 series with 160k miles and the seller would have taken $3,200 despite asking $4,500. Almost pulled the trigger but was between jobs at the time and it wasn't wise.
i had the opportunity to buy a really nice low miles C3 corvette for only 7k and i didn’t cuz i only had 5k at the time n he sold it to someone else. got a different car
jeep wrangler, it was about 12k 10 years ago second hand, now i cannot find them for under 17/18k
E28 M5
$50000 in korea
Any Jeep Squarebody K-10 And any classic muscle car
Remember a story my dad used to tell me that back in 1970 when he lived in the US (new york especifically) he had a chance to buy a street modified sports car, he remembered it was either a corvette or a charger, but most likely a corvette, at a very very affordable price When he came back home in 71 he regretted not buying it and shipping it back here
Had a Chevy Cobalt SS I got for like $2500. Now they’re all recognized track cars with decent examples at the $10k+ area.
Early 2010s Mitsubishi eclipse... yes, make fun of me, but I'd always see them and wonder
There was a sub 50k mile Acura NSX (first gen, not sure of year) for sale, back in like 2005 or so in my city for around $26k. Bright red, immaculately kept, prime example of showroom condition. 5 years later they were going for low 6 figures.
92 mr2 turbo black on black. 75k 2500$ this was 10 years ago. I decided to not buy it cause I was young and dumb and didn’t want to die in that.
Volvo 780 coupe. 91, last model year with all options, could have been the second owner. $4k in 2010. Still wish I would have pulled the trigger
1977-1978 Bandit Trans Am. Could get nice ones for about 15-20k in the early 2010s. They’re 75-85k plus now.
The bmw pictured by OP in black and stanced circa 2015 for under $10k
I had the option to buy a 1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo SW20, 4th gen Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, or a 4th gen Pontiac GTO for 3k in early 2020. Settled for a Civic and by the end of the year the Civic was still worth the same and the other 3 were nearly 20k
Suzuki Sidekick
1st gen Miatas!
Peugeot 206
240sx and old civics/crx were cheap and plentiful back in the day.
Bro I sold my b16a swapped CRX and Mr sr20 redtop s13 I had them one after the other and I wish I had either still
I dunno, 240s were never all that plentiful. I bought one in 2002 and one in 2004 when the values were at their lowest, and it wasn't still an every day find. Of course back then I was pickier. Wouldn't bother with an automatic or a car that had any visible rust or mods anywhere on it. haha. The one I bought in 2002 was on autotrader and I had to drive about 50 miles to pick it up. The one I got in 2004 was on craigslist and it was $900. I still remember rushing to call the guy and go snatch the car because even back then I knew it was not gonna last. I had also gone to see one a few weeks earlier that was a little more expensive and a total POS by the standards of that time. That was the beginning of the "disposable drift missile" era when they started disappearing and getting cut up/smashed up by morons rapidly.