investing in a modern classic car (Mercedes 190E, W201)

[Nick1368]

Hello Silver Forum

I have been thinking of investing  in a modern classic car, the car that I have targeted is a Mercedes 190E W201.

The idea Is to  find one that has been well kept and looked after and in a good condition, buy it for under £3000, keep it for at least 5 years and take her for a ride once every weekend to keep her in good shape and do all the maintenance and then hopefully after 5 or 6 years when she becomes a  real classic car,  sell her  for a good profit.

 

what do you guys think about it ? has anyone here had any experience with classic cars ? old Mercedes or even 190E in particular ?

Any advice would be appreciated .

[ilovesilverireallydo]

I have owned a couple of 190es. The maintainance cost will wipe out any future profit unless you know how to maintain yourself. 

[Gildeon]

If you want to buy a classic car do it for your pleasure, not investment. If you sell it in the future without much loss, you should be happy! 😉

[MancunianStacker]

I agree do it for the pleasure not the investment. Anything extra when you sell is a bonus but cars are generally money pits (servicing, parts, breakdowns, insurance, space etc). 

[Martlet]

Classic car profit comes from finding an unloved specimen and fixing it up, maybe find one in good nick from someone who doesn't know the market value.  Best to expect is not losing money, which for a car where depreciation is standard is itself a small win.  So buy it because you want the car, not the profit motive. 

[Roy]

In my experience, classic car ownership is a love/hate experience.

What could be fun is this though:

A car that is over 40 years old is MOT and TAX exempt. This is a rolling rule so anything pre '79.

So if you picked up something from the late '70s or early '80s, (e.g. RS2000, Mexico, Golf GTi, BMW 323i etc. etc.) you would save money in the first instance and have an appreciating asset in the garage!

Maybe 😀

[ilovesilverireallydo]

3 minutes ago, Roy said:

In my experience, classic car ownership is a love/hate experience.

What could be fun is this though:

A car that is over 40 years old is MOT and TAX exempt. This is a rolling rule so anything pre '79.

So if you picked up something from the late '70s or early '80s, (e.g. RS2000, Mexico, Golf GTi, BMW 323i etc. etc.) you would save money in the first instance and have an appreciating asset in the garage!

Maybe 😀

I had a 73 cortina 2 door, mk 1 Corolla Datsun 120y. Money pit the lot lol

[Dexter]

From my experience and a close friends experience, classic coupes is where it's at the moment. Mercedes benz should be bought from the states, exchange the bumpers to normal euro spec ones and then re-sold or kept for 5 to 10 years.

For a quick flip, american muscle is the safest bet. I know a few importers and a few buyers in the states that work in that way. Import through Rotterdam and pay lesser tax on the historic  vehicle, register without emissions tax in NL/DE/BE and then sell on the UK+EU market.

I can provide you with some business names if you wish by PM.