Buying a future classic?

gfwd

As a change from buying something British or German, I'm seriously considering moving on to a Jap classic. The problems are a) there aren't too many around in the 30+ year age bracket and b) what is out there is getting quite pricey.

I quite like the late 80s/early 90s Honda Prelude and think it may well become a popular choice among the Jap tin collectors in the future, if it isn't already. My first choice would be a Suzuki Swift, a c'86 SA310 like the one I had years ago. If I could find a cheap but decent example of either I'd be tempted to buy and store it for a few years until it reaches 30 and perhaps becomes that bit rarer. Money isn't exactly flowing at the mo so this may be the way to go.

Do you think this is a good idea and, if so, what would your choice of car be if you were to do the same?

peasant

I think storing something for 8 - 10 years is a bigger problem than most people realise.

If you're really just going to tuck it away and not drive it, there is quite a bit you have to do in order not to kill the car by just storing it.

The storage has to be dry and well ventilated, any old shed won't do

A lot of parts and bits (hoses, rubber) will perish/deteriorate while not in use; spares will have to be bought and stored properly while they still can be got

Cavity conservation (waxoyl or similar) will have to be applied

The car will have to be meticulously cleaned and prepared before storage. All sorts of bits and bobs will have to be dismantled/taken off/protected/oiled, etc

All of that costs a lot of money and time, in the case of a cheap "future classic" probably just as much, if not more than the car itself.

If you just buy something for a grand and chuck it in a shed, you might as well not bother.

gfwd

I hear what you're saying and it's a fair point. I was thinking more along the lines of keeping it regularly maintained, ie in good running order, maybe even NCT'd. The Prelude I had in mind would be from the mid-eighties so would already qualify for classic insurance. I just don't think they're quite classics yet.

There's a nice one on Gumtree but it's an auto and it's on NI plates. Import tax would probably match the price!

tc20

as you say yourself, there's not too many 30y/o + Japanese cars on our roads in any case. Early to mid 80s japs are a pretty rare sight - would this not qualify them as 'classic' already?
Without going down the whole "what defines a classic" route, anything that is a rare sight on the road, due to either a limited production, or at the other end of the scale - mass produced tin that rotted to hell, becomes a 'rarity' in my book (tho' not necessarily a classic)
Classic insurance is available on cars that are 20y/o, in some cases even younger. I dont think the tax on Preludes would be that prohibitive so as to keep one off the road until it reaches 30 - ditto the NCT.
Always liked the Prelude, right up until the last gen model - they ruined it with that one.

gfwd

Early to mid 80s japs are a pretty rare sight - would this not qualify them as 'classic' already?

Maybe, I just think of them as still fairly modern. Having said that, I'm not sure when I last saw one! Late 70s and early 80s Corollas, Starlets etc are considered classics now by many so why not the Prelude? Buying one now would make sense as they'll eventually go up in value, probably taking it out of my reach financially. The tax won't be that cheap. I think they're a 2 litre?

I've never actually driven one, though I did have a Civic a few years back of similar vintage. Great car.

tc20

gfwd wrote: »

The tax won't be that cheap. I think they're a 2 litre?

tax on a 2 litre is approx €600, and around €800 for a 2.2 - not cheap i know, and compared to the €50 or so for a 30y/o it does seem a lot. I feel your pain

milod

The Mazda MX-5 is set to be the MG of the future. Loads about and easy to maintain. If you want rarity value from Japan buy a mitsubishi evo - most of them will be in hedges in 30 years... ;-)