These 5 Japanese Sports Cars Could Make You Richer in the Future
Whether you buy a car new or used, depreciation will start to rear its ugly head over time. But what if you could buy a car that appreciates in value over time? No, we’re not talking about investing in a classic car that’s more of a showroom piece than a daily driver. We’re talking about these five older Japanese sports cars that actually could make you richer in the future.
The Honda S2000 offers top-down fun and a hefty return on investment
Introduced in 1999 for the 2000 model year, the Honda S2000 was the successor to the S600 of the 1960s. True to the original driver-centric form that Honda originally intended, the S2000 offered buyers a thrilling driving experience that wasn’t hindered by modern electronics and driver-assist aids. That’s right, its high-revving 2.0-liter engine produced 237 hp and could spin up to 8,800 rpm, making the S2000 one of the most engaging driver’s cars to date. What’s even better is that it was rear-wheel-drive and only came with a six-speed manual transmission.
According to Albon, you could pick up an S2000 in the early 2010s for around $10,000. But nowadays, their value has doubled as many S2000s are now selling for around $20,000 to $30,000 regularly. If you’re able to pick one up now, you could be sitting on a gold mine in the future.
The Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 was an under-the-radar icon
It might be really hard to find a Mitsubishi 3000GT nowadays, let alone a VR-4 model, but it’s worth the effort. The 3000GT VR-4 was powered by a twin-turbo V6 engine that made 300 hp and 308 lb-ft of torque. To supplement this monstrous engine, the 3000GT VR-4 was equipped with all-wheel drive and all-wheel steering for better handling. According to Motor Trend, this beast of a car was able to go from 0-60 mph in just 4.8 seconds, which was respectable at the time.
You can currently find Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 models selling for anywhere between $25,000 to $40,000. However, those prices have been trending upward as only 16,000 VR-4 models ever made.
The Toyota MR2 Turbo offers some twitchy rear-end fun
The second-generation Toyota MR2 Turbo still turns head to this day, despite being 30 years old. You can blame its aggressive, low-slung look for that. But what makes it more attractive is its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that produces 200 hp and is mated to a slick-shifting five-speed manual transmission. Add a rear-drive, mid-engine configuration in the mix and you have a Japanese pocket rocket that’s as fun to drive forward as it is to drive sideways.
About 10 years ago, you could find clean MR2 Turbos for sale for around $10,000. Nowadays, you can expect to pay around $15,000 to $25,000 for a clean model. It’s a steep price to pay, but you might be able to make it all back in the future.
The Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 has comfort and power
The Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 was only produced for the 1991 and 1992 model years, so it’s exceptionally rare. What made the Galant VR-4 so special was that it was a family sedan with a Lancer Evolution drivetrain. That’s right, this special Galant made 240 hp, thanks to its 4G63 2.0-liter engine, and it only came in an all-wheel-drive configuration.
Only 3,009 of these models were ever made in the U.S., so finding one can be tough. But if you do find one, then you can expect to pay around $10,000. That doesn’t sound like a lot for a rare car, however, that could be in your favor considering it will be rarer in the future.
The Mazda RX-7 is tough to find, but worth it
Lastly, who can forget the Mazda RX-7? While it can be hard to find a highly-coveted, third-generation RX-7, is still worth the time and effort to do so. The third-generation RX-7 was a sleek-looking, rear-drive coupe powered by a twin-turbo rotary engine that produced 255 hp and 217 lb-ft of torque, according to Automobile.
Right now, you can expect to pay around $25,000 for a 93-95 Mazda RX-7 and up to $40,000 for one in near-showroom condition. Yes, it’s a lot to pay, but you can only imagine how much an RX-7 will be worth in the near future.
RELATED: Are Japanese Cars Really More Reliable?
The post These 5 Japanese Sports Cars Could Make You Richer in the Future appeared first on MotorBiscuit.
