Sold my 04 Z06 the other day,which leaves me with just my 85 at the moment.Im undecided what year/model vette to buy next,but I had the notion of buying a model that has leveled off in decreasing value or is possibly on the rise. I went to Rogers Corvettes in Orlando the other day,he has an interesting inventory. I was considering a 96 collector edition he has there with just 1950 miles on the clock,a virtual new car.When I told him what I was hoping to do,he said that 96 will continue to decrease in value because of its age,even if I were to buy it and store it with the low miles on it. I appreciated his honesty,but what do y'all think about that? I didnt agree. So anyway,what years would be holding on or on the upwing? I know things vary from state to state,but I would like some input on this,although it is not imperative to have one going up,it would be nice.Early models exclude of course,we know their gold.

 

Only models I'd hold onto for value purposes are the ZR1 and Grand Sport.

Only after those get up there will things like the 96 CE and 88 Anniversary cars really move up.

I dont see any of the others going anywhere the next 10-15 years.

 

I think its going to be a long time before C4s appreciate if they ever do...Clean examples will bring more as you know.

GS/Callaway seem to have their own following/cult status. ZR1s are in the toilet, God knows why.

If it were me Id stick to a C1/C2 for appreciation and all that .Even C3s are selling for dirt these days.

 

Go find something like this. My .02 cents.

 

"If it were me Id stick to a C1/C2 for appreciation and all that .Even C3s are selling for dirt these days."

Uhmm...Unless they have been ridden hard and are virtually junk, show me a chrome bumper C-3 selling for dirt please.
Mike

 

I think well cared for early C4's have probably reached the end of their depreciation. But I do not view C4's as anything other than a great car to drive that is still reasonably priced. The C1, C2 and early C3's are still appreciating or at least holding their value in a poor economy. Buy the car that you want because you are passionate about driving it and let the future value fall where it may. Look at it as an investment in pleasure

 

While I am sure the pair of mid-80s Vettes I saw go at Barrett-Jackson for upper teens, was the exception to the pricing game, I agree most C4s have long hit their bottom (except for maybe the absolute latest models).

The ones to watch are:

• Corvette Challenge cars
• Callaway Corvettes
• Grand Sports

The ZR1 is a very low mile example seems to still pull the money, as do some uniquely modded ones.

Most pace cars and some special editions like 88 and 40th anniv. and Konner 86 SEs will always be worth more than any ol' C4 if all esle is equal.

89 Six-Speeds are an interesting car and have more of a following than any other car in nearby years.

These are my thoughts, yours may vary

 

Plenty of very clean early C3s in the teens, even BBs if you look.
IMO the ones that really apreciate are already sky high. Dont expect to buy into the bargain-basement of Corvettes and watch values jump.

 

The older the Corvette, the more potential for appreciation, especially if you buy right. If you want an investment, go with the stock market-it's on sale right now. If you want to have fun, buy a good clean machine, DRIVE IT, take care of it, and you won't get hurt.

 

If I were going to buy a C4 with appreciation in mind I would look for a 40th anniversary ZR-1 A GS is a neat car, love the looks but they are already sky high compared to other C4s

 

I've never seen a chrome bumper C3 going for dirt, but some of the mid-late '70s do sometimes.

 

Ill have to clarify..Very very nice to mint C3s even big block cars can be had for under 20k.Out here they used to be well over that. Everything seems to take a nosedive with the economy. my .02

Im not a Vette expert but the C4s I bet will follow the path of the mid-late C3s, they will always be the "affordable vette" which isnt such a bad thing.
nobody wants them except someone wanting into the Vette game cheap.

 

The '95 pace car....they only made 527 of them, Grand Sports a thousand...The 35th anni just over 2 thousand made..And you all left out the B2K Callaway models..

 

Right now, Gran Sport, and then ZR1, and then the LT4's. I suspect that will reverse in a few years with the ZR1 back to being king. The collector or specialty editions,while interesting, will only be marginally more valuable. The thing with many corvette owners, is they can't just have a corvette, they have to have a "special" corvette (rare/low production number/option/edition) hence the Anniversary or Pace car or Z51, long term, this usuall doesn't translate into more money. The best evidence of this is look at the "special" edition C3's (pace car, collector edition etc.). The one constant in collector cars is super high performance. 63 Impala SS w/327 $25k- $40k, 63 Impala SSw/425-409, $80k-$125k. Hemi Cuda $100k, 318 Cuda- $15k, etc. You see that somewhat in the steel bumper C3's. 350-under $25k, BB engine $60k down. I've been in this business over 40 years, and I'm betting on ZR1's. JMO

 

Right now I haven't noticed Z51s commanding a premium - not all drivers like putting up with how stiff the suspension is. I don't mind it myself, but since there's no visual distinction and not everyone wants one, the Z51 option seems to sell for the same as the regular suspension Corvettes.

While I think the early C4s are close to the bottom of the curve, it's possible they may drop another thousand. But I can't see them routinely selling for $1,500 in good shape. The trouble with C4 collectability is that they don't have a big nostalgia factor, and they just kept getting faster...

 

Thanks for the input so far...some good suggestions have been made....Im leaning towards a nice low mileage ZR1,the Grandsports are skyhigh around here.I usually never consider resale when buying a vette,I just thought this time maybe "have my cake and eat it to",,but a ZR1 would be great to own regardless.......

 

I'd score a low-mile '94 ZR-1 - they're still reasonable and are as good as C4s get.
GSs and especially '95 Zs will hold their value the best, but have already gotten pricey.

BTW, I was shopping for a late C5 Z06, but bought a GS when I realized I could probably drive it for 5 to 10 years for free.

 

IMO You can not buy a car for what it may be worth in the future, you have to buy it because you want the car. Any car is a poor investment. Buy one you like drive it enjoy it and if it goes up in value awesome if not than at least you have a car you like.

 

Be it a $10,000 Corvette or a $150,000 Corvette that appreciating is far from a sure thing and can see significant rise and fall over a 10 year period. The good news in the past is that the general trend has been upward with the price of new cars in general. Now that we are seeing a push downward on this, future results are a guess!! Therefore I vote to do drive it and enjoy as long as possible

 

I understand what everyone is saying but I definitely think corvettes are a great investment. I more than doubled my value in the past 7 years with my cars. But I always look for the corvettes that are wanted. My collection has grown and I know that If I were to sell them I would do extremely well. I like stock but you can't drive stocks and when your said and done with capitol gains and etc, its real stressful.

1966 427 425hp fully documented
2 1996 Grandsports # 992, and 316. Both low miles 8800 and 12500
1995 ZR1
1998 Pace Car with 6 speed 1800 miles
1988 Anniversary with 6000 miles
3 1969 427 400hps Coupes. Blue, and two Riverside Gold
1968 350hp roadster
1969 350hp coupe.
1971 LT1 Coupe.

And a Few others

1985 Grand National
1966 GTO
1968 GTO 400 ho with 4 speed
1968 Cougar XR7
3 1960 Thunderbirds
1997 Camaro Anniversary Convertible with 6 speed.
1975 datsun 280Z
1968 Ghia VW.


The key to collecting in my eyes for an investment are a few things. Is original matching numbers, paperwork, paperwork, and More paperwork, and unique cars.

Sure you can get a C3 Vette for dirt. Without matching numbers and missing alot of originality but find a bigblock matching numbers with full paperwork and your talking over 6 figs in a few years.


Now is the time to buy. Economy sucks and people need some cash. I would keep my eyes out and take advantage of the situation.

I sell real estate and true the market is down but I am selling alot of homes right now if the deal is good and investors want to take advantage of the market in a few years.

Its knowing when to get in and when to sell.


Just MY Opinion.