From what I’m seeing there’s a lot of ratty cars out there and very few cream puffs. I think I checked out about 15 or so last summer before buying my one owner slightly cosmetically ratty. There was a never-ending surplus of salvage titles, rot and tasteless mods when I was looking.

I don't really see these cars becoming like New Beetles where there's a $1500-$2500 one found on every corner.

1. The running costs
2. They didn't make nearly as many.

 

I don't see that happening, but the value may drop at a slower rate than most other used cars.

 

People said the same thing about E30's, AE86's, and EFs ten years ago.

 

I definitely think so, if you have a jcw or gp. The regular cooper S will probably be scooped up by teenagers and get crap mods and ebay exhausts.

 

Most teens guys these days are only interested in wearing their sisters jeans, phones and sheepbook

 

The old axiom states that history repeats itself. So using present day values for the classic Mini as an example may add to the equation.

 

Not so sure about the R53 but the R52 will skyrocket...no doubt about it!

 

If wishes were horses beggars would ride.

 

If beggars were horses we'd all ride but there's the rub, the R52 would be out of the reach of all. They're just that special!

 

Well, if that's the timescale you're talking about then I can imagine that in the year 2030 an R53 in good condition might have collectible value. I just hope you won't be thinking of your car as an "investment", because you'll likely be disappointed.

 

It's the next e30. rkw is right, it shouldn't be thought of as an investment but something we should all just enjoy owning! So far for me, the fun hasn't waned a bit since day 1.

 

I definetly think the R53 will be of good value in probabbly 10 years. its the first of the new lineage of minis and will become a classic, yes a JCW or GP will be worth a hell of a lot more, but a well maintained R53 will be the car to have by then. and heck in another 10 years there will be a 4th gen out. and so far i think its the best generation of the three. smaller lighter better looking...

that being said. i hope value goes up, i would like to think i will hang onto my mini forever, but i dont know.

 

I'm interested to know on how you came to that claim.
I might scope a convertible if your stats are solid and believable.

 

I think it is safe to say...
If you modded your R53....
Drive the SNOT out of it.. have headers, and other hacked up stuff and E-bay parts that are junk that fail in a few miles...(a car with QUALITY parts..the BEST of the BEST might do OK....)
and it is NOT a near perfect car NOW..it WILL not got up in valve...
But...
a lightly modded car....in good shape might hold it value...might even start to go u in 10 years if the car is a "survivor"...and not a basket case....but Up in value does not mean REAL $$, just more than SCRAP value/Hoopty money on craigs list!!

 

Statistically speaking the demand for them will go out the roof because they are so much more fun. Those that have them will never let them go so the market will rise to the sky in an attempt to tempt them out of the hands of their owners.

 

You'll be lucky to beat inflation. I think only the low mileage cars will bring any money.

 

I cant tell if you are serious or not

 

After my 03 r53 was totaled in 2011, I bought the lowest mile example I could find. It had 10800 miles on it and I was happy to pay a lot for it.

I think those types of cars will always demand a premium.

 

That is a major malfunction inherent in this type of communication which can be a good thing or a bad thing.

 

I have an excellent R52 s, and hope what you told will realize someday maybe in 2050.

 

Amazing. This is an old thread yet the subject matter is still relevant. I'll not be around in 31 years but if whoever acquires my li'l guy is as attentive to his care and feeding as I have been, they should have as much fun as we have had exploring the back roads and villages...if gasoline fired veeehikles (thank you Sgt. Rizzo) are then allowed on the road. If he were to survive 31 more years in nearly the same condition he is in now and considering model attrition across the country, he should be worth a small fortune, a concours show stopper top up or down. Let your imagination run wild.

 

As these cars get older, I think well maintained very low mileage 2005-2006 R53s will become rarer and more desirable and their values will go up some.
The rest probably won't.

 

I would say low mileage GP1's will show higher gains, and then any year R53 JCW after that with S to follow..
As parts were replaced on the 2002-2004's, due to OEM updates, face lift parts were only avail.

 

As stated by many other here, the rode hard and put away wet R53/52s will never go up in value I am sure they will continue to go down, that being said the value is already rising on sub 70k mileage cars in excellent shape. All you have to do is look at something like BaT or other private listing site to see lower mileage R53s getting 8k$. These are not GPs but usually are JCW or other desirably equipped examples.

At the end of the day are you buying one as an investment? If so I think you are making a poor choice, there are better ways to invest, but if you want something fun with the hopes that it holds its value then buy yourself a unmolested JCW, drive it and have fun.

I think the e30 is a great example, they are great cars, they were at one point super cheap, that is not the case anymore, They are super ease to restore, amazing to drive and have well stood the test of time. Lets not even talk about an e30 M3 (oh how I dream of one of these).

 

Folks should subscribe to the daily emails from www.bringatrailer.com
I get one every morning by 9AM.
They have some really nice unmolested, low to mid mileage; R53's and GP1's for sale/auction on a bi-weekly basis.....