I have a 98 GS 400, and I estimate this car cost me at least $8,000 in depreciation this year alone. For now, nothing comes close to the GS so I am going to keep it, but considering the car is worth $24,000 now, what do you guys think it will be worth in 1,2,3,4 years from now. I'm hoping it will hold its value like some other modern day classics like the M3 and the Vette.
In other words, I hope the car won't be worth $10,000 in 3 or 4 years from now.

 

from what i see, usually car drops price a lot during the first year, than a bit more stable 2nd, 3rd, and 4th yr. then on 5th or 6th yr it drop quite a bit again, and after that it starts to level out.

 

Er, in 4 years your '98 GS (if made in '97) will be 10 years old! I wouldn't be surprised if it's worth 10K, especially if it has a ton of miles on it. But I expect it may be more like 15K. But there's a lot to factor in, like what goodies come on the market in the next 4 years. Our GS's could seem very 'old' 4 years from now.

 

Thats sad. Kinda makes me think twice about dumping money into it for mods

 

hahhaa, my theory is, car is never an investment, you are pouring money out for no returns. and mods is definitely a hobby, you always forget about returns

if i didn't have that mindset to begin with, i would either me killing myself now, or i will be driving the corolla

 

hehe, straight out

I will keep my gs for like 6-8months more, sell it stock, chop the pieces and hope to even out somewhat,

move on to something better ( RS4)

its all about fun, once u say to yourself, hey i don't enjoy my car no more, that's when u know...

i was like that with my gs300 and i sold it and got the 400 and now i'm almost the same again

never happy

 

!!!!! and you still thinking about the ap racing brakes on the gs4? i am pretty sure i will be happy with my gs4 for quite some time. my acura is another story though

 

I will first try the rotors, i'm pretty sure i won't need the ap6,

no loss their, i'm paying for something i'm going to use,

I have to think it all through.....

 

yup, i'd say wait and invest on the new car

 

high end autos go down in value quickly when newer and VERY slowly when older...consider the 1993 SC400, a $55k sports car new, that now, 10 years later, is still a solid by at $10-15k, depending on miles...point being a 1998 gs4....in 2008, bout the same. so, we have a ways to go. and a good time to get there!

 

Yeah, guys... don't forget that $10-15K today is not the same amount of money it will be 4 years from now...

 

Very true...

But don't forget anything new will depreciate at a much greater rate then his current GS will.

At some point, guys will be upgrading from whatever to the GS 4 so there should be a demand for the car. More demand means higher resale value especially if the car looks like it was well taken care of.

 

1998 GS4's are still selling for quite high around the Midwest. Somwhere between 29-32K with 50-60,000 miles. My credit union said it is still worth 28K to a bank, when looking at financing options. His comment was, that Lexus is the only car that appears to hold its value, and is the best automobile investment, in his opinion. He drives a ford, FYI.

 

In the last 5 years, I have bought most of my cars used with low miles and than sell in 2-3 years.

For example.

bought 95 honda prelude 4wheel steering with 18k miles on it in 1998. Paid 12k for it, and sold it in 2000 with 80k on it for $11,900

Bought 1995 Lexus ES300 in 2000, paid $12,000 with 55k miles and sold in 2002 with 115k miles for $9000.

Recently aquired 1997 Acura 3.5 RL with 60k miles for $12,500, plan on reaching 100k miles in the next year and hope to sell for 9-10k

Bad example is 1999 I boughta brand NEW 1999 Acura 3.2 TL, NAV, ground kit, loaded at MSRP cause it was a very hot car when it first came out for $34k. Still have car and have about 58k miles on it and lucky if I can get $18k for it.

 

I totally agree with you rom, a car is never an investment, espedcially if you pour money into mods. I bought the lex thinking to keep for a while, not really worried about the resale value right now. I am hoping down the road that it will become just another beater car for me to drive to and from work. Thats why I bought lex, hopefully it will last a long time.