JCW a collectors car in the future?
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,334
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From: Vancouver Island, Canada
Neutral
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Seattle
From my experience the advice I give to people is if they are looking for appreciation then buy a T Bill. If you are a "car person" then buy the best condition cars that reach out to your heart.
I have a vehicle collection that I started in 1952 and it has grown to over 500 vehicles. While it has significant value, when I factor in the overhead of keeping and maintaining the collection and the staff needed to to do so, along with the fact that the total value of the collection can swing by 200% or more based on overall economic conditions, it is one of the worst investments around.
I have a vehicle collection that I started in 1952 and it has grown to over 500 vehicles. While it has significant value, when I factor in the overhead of keeping and maintaining the collection and the staff needed to to do so, along with the fact that the total value of the collection can swing by 200% or more based on overall economic conditions, it is one of the worst investments around.
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 129
Likes: 1
From: Boston
But with cars often the value and desirability is dependent on folk lore. The BMW E30 M3 is legendary yet I'll bet it's thoroughly outperformed by a Toyobaru BRZ. Or the old muscle cars, generally speaking they were all dreadful, fairly ugly/unstyled, built down to a price on a Union run line from a parts-bin platform, yet people will pay a fortune for a 'numbers matching' somethingsomething yet they would probably be outrun by a midrange modern German saloon car. These cars are worth money due to things that made them unique and masculine. A high cost of ownership (vintage Bugatti), bad manners on the road (911 turbo), defining a market segment (E30 M3) or being a poster car for youngsters (muscle cars) often help the used value.
Sadly the JCW and GP are just a bit too derivative and dare I say it, feminine, to hit the 'halo' car territory that sees people paying many times more than the purchase price for an old one.
Sadly the JCW and GP are just a bit too derivative and dare I say it, feminine, to hit the 'halo' car territory that sees people paying many times more than the purchase price for an old one.
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 699
Likes: 7
The E30 M3's S14 engine is by far one of the BMW engines that I admire the most. Had a chance to watch my instructor rebuild one for Spec racing and I clearly remember him saying that they were extremely durable and very well engineered for their time.. I don't know what you mean by parts bin, the S14 was developed using data and knowledge gained from BMW's engines in the short liver Group B rally. The S14 doesn't share any parts with any other BMW...
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 129
Likes: 1
From: Boston
The E30 M3's S14 engine is by far one of the BMW engines that I admire the most. Had a chance to watch my instructor rebuild one for Spec racing and I clearly remember him saying that they were extremely durable and very well engineered for their time.. I don't know what you mean by parts bin, the S14 was developed using data and knowledge gained from BMW's engines in the short liver Group B rally. The S14 doesn't share any parts with any other BMW...
The BRZ is incredibly slow.. My 04 R53 with light bolt ons is a lot quicker than the BRZ.
Our E30 M3 was putting down 215whp completely stock, a BRZ would take a pretty ugly beating by one. I also can't think of a muscle car that can outperform an E30 M3 around a circuit...
The BRZ is incredibly slow.. My 04 R53 with light bolt ons is a lot quicker than the BRZ.
Our E30 M3 was putting down 215whp completely stock, a BRZ would take a pretty ugly beating by one. I also can't think of a muscle car that can outperform an E30 M3 around a circuit...
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
From: Ancaster, ON
Apologies for chiming in on an old thread, but I used to think our 03 Cooper S was more funk than a barrel of monkeys, not the best performer by any means, but the total package brings a smile to your face every time you drive it (and occasionally rip it when plod isn't around). Then we acquired a 2005 JCW, in my opinion, the performance is streets ahead of the "stock" Cooper S. Again, the whole package is just way too much fun, even more fun than my 2005 Dodge Neon SRT-4 (not that the JCW is quicker in a straight line, but I am positive it will run rings around the SRT-4 on a road racing track)
Is it an investment? To be honest, I don't really care, I just enjoy the thrill of driving it.
Is it an investment? To be honest, I don't really care, I just enjoy the thrill of driving it.
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 703
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From: Gig Harbor WA
They will increase in value if you keep it in perfect condition and don't drive it. Low mile or like new cars always bring good dollars at auctions by collectors. That being said only one modern car I can think of has increased in value from new and has held its value even with miles. Ford GT
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 699
Likes: 7
Z8, Mclaren F1, Zonda, some Vipers; there are many cars that have gone up in value faster than the stuff that had to hit 40 years old before appreciating.
Having said that most any other kind of investment would have been more profitable over the same period with lower annual costs.
Cars are a terrible investment, so is cheese or fuel or DVDs. All however can be purchased and enjoyed in the short term, as they were supposed to.
Having said that most any other kind of investment would have been more profitable over the same period with lower annual costs.
Cars are a terrible investment, so is cheese or fuel or DVDs. All however can be purchased and enjoyed in the short term, as they were supposed to.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 60
Likes: 9
From: Ontario, Canada
I believe the early 2006 R53 factory JCW has begun to hold it's value albeit it low $$. The used prices appear to be stabilizing and I think it's a good time for the long term, original owners of these vehicles to turn them into Sunday drivers so they will last for a long time.
For these people ownership now becomes the cost of an oil change and a few other minor maintenance routines.
I think the Gen 1 R53 is the closest cousin to the "original" MINI so a good factory JCW worth $10,000 today should rise to $15 - $20,000 in the next ten years. ( so long as it's not a daily driver and everything is left in stock condition )
For these people ownership now becomes the cost of an oil change and a few other minor maintenance routines.
I think the Gen 1 R53 is the closest cousin to the "original" MINI so a good factory JCW worth $10,000 today should rise to $15 - $20,000 in the next ten years. ( so long as it's not a daily driver and everything is left in stock condition )
The E30 M3's S14 engine is by far one of the BMW engines that I admire the most. Had a chance to watch my instructor rebuild one for Spec racing and I clearly remember him saying that they were extremely durable and very well engineered for their time.. I don't know what you mean by parts bin, the S14 was developed using data and knowledge gained from BMW's engines in the short liver Group B rally. The S14 doesn't share any parts with any other BMW...
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Spokanistan, WA
Amen
As the owner of an R53 JCW I definitely agree - I looked at quite a few of these
before landing on this one - Mine is as new with under 50K miles - though I do
drive it during the good weather and leave in the garage a few months out of the
year
Steve
before landing on this one - Mine is as new with under 50K miles - though I do
drive it during the good weather and leave in the garage a few months out of the
year
Steve
LOL. They will be worth nothing, just like a Kiaa and including my GP
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2013 GP2 #295, 270whp/310wtq, KO4 47mm Turbo, 18" NM Wheels, Alta intake, Manic Stage III+, HFS-3 Meth, 30% E85 Blend, Forged IC, Alta Hot Pipe, P&P/Ceramic Exhaust Manifold, m3 Extreme Ceramic DP, Vibrant mid res, 4" Double walled Tips, WMW/KW V3 CO, Alta Rear CA, CREE Fogs, Black out F/R Rings and Gas Cap, M7 CF Front Splitter, and No Stickers. MORE TO COME!! Previous 04Triple Black 17% Alta, MM Air/H2O, CAI, OBX Header, FBT Head, Shrick Cam, 234whp
2013 GP2 #295, 270whp/310wtq, KO4 47mm Turbo, 18" NM Wheels, Alta intake, Manic Stage III+, HFS-3 Meth, 30% E85 Blend, Forged IC, Alta Hot Pipe, P&P/Ceramic Exhaust Manifold, m3 Extreme Ceramic DP, Vibrant mid res, 4" Double walled Tips, WMW/KW V3 CO, Alta Rear CA, CREE Fogs, Black out F/R Rings and Gas Cap, M7 CF Front Splitter, and No Stickers. MORE TO COME!! Previous 04Triple Black 17% Alta, MM Air/H2O, CAI, OBX Header, FBT Head, Shrick Cam, 234whp
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Spokanistan, WA
I never believed it would become a collectible - They will depreciate like all other things except for a rare few - I don't disagree with you though I suspect you're jesting
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 12
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From: SoCal
who cares if it will be a collectible or not. The way I see it, buy it, drive it like you stole it. By the time you are bore with it, decide to mod it, or sell it for something else you like. If you find that you miss it, buy it again LOL
