What do think, which direction is the market value of an S2000 headed?

 

With over 100,000 made, don't count on their value going up anytime soon..... or even in the long term. My guess is they might be worth $70k in 50 years so if you are thinking of them as investments - forget it. Drive them, enjoy them, and don't look at them as an investment.

 

I spoke with someone at this year's S2K Days that stated that his car is not worth more than he paid for it three years ago. I think that the ones that survive will appreciate. Once the older ones became affordable for twenty somethings (in the $12 K to $15K range) that grew up driving FWD vehicles, not a "tail happy" AP1 a lot of them got totaled.

 

I think that the original unmolested cars will be worth something someday I think the S is a rare and of course special car. Look at the prices of early Datsun Z's and even crx's. In addition the collector car market as a whole is nuts! People are like sheep once something becomes hot EVERYONE has to have one. Look at the muscle car craze a few years back. Right now the older European cars are going crazy. Early 930's are going for 5 figures as are some early 911's. I was planning on getting a 308 within the last year, no less than 2 years ago I could pick up a decent driver for low to mid 30's now less than 2 years later a beater is in the upper 40's. My point is all it takes is for people to decide a certain model is the it car and values pop. I will not be selling my S no matter what the value because I could never duplicate it as I bought it new and got it right off the truck and obviously couldn't do that again.

 

I think that they're going to behave exactly the same as MGAs and MGBs. For a while they'll stagnate in value and then slowly increase. One day they may, much like MGAs & MGBs, be worth considerably more than they cost when.

There were just enough made that there will always be some around, but not so many (like Miatas) that there will be an abundance.

 

I think it depends...cars like mine, which are in great condition with low miles, will be worth a lot IMO. What is a lot? Maybe mid 20s? It will be awhile before I sell, though. Basically when I can no longer drive a shift or just don't want to anymore.

 

I think in the U.S. population demographics [read baby boomers] will determine car prices over the next 10-15 years. Essentially, I think speciality car prices overall are currently in a bubble, that will eventually burst for the most part. Many baby boomers have disposable cash to splurge on the car of their choice, S2ks, Vettes, muscle cars, street rods, etc. Go to any car show and the vast majority of people showing cars are older vintage individuals, very few younger folks. The same with TV car auctions, majority of buyers are older. So, as the BB go off into the sunset so will the upward pressure on car prices. Just an uninformed opinion from an aging Boomer.

 

I agree. There will always be a nitch market for all the cars you list but it will be small. As for prices, to Rob's comment, I would say MG's have topped out. Here's why I say that. Years back there was no one in our club selling their car except for a couple that did it for profit. One was a Meadowbrook Concourse of Excellence show winner that went to Europe for $12k when the norm for the car was 1/3rd that price. Fast forward a few decades and it's a completely different story. Seven members have sold cars in the past two years and four more have For Sale signs on them now. Why - age of the drivers. Some say they can no longer work on them or they can no longer get in and out of them easily so they feel its time to pass them on. Supply and demand. The MGA was the S2000 of its day. They were the first sports car to sell 100k. I don't see S2000 being any different. Based on the poll I know that is not what people here want to hear. The OMG I Love Car's era was a great one to grow up in but its history for the most part for most of the young people. Today's youth still likes top down motoring - in a Jeep.

 

With comments about Baby Boomers, being the car crazy muscle car generation. I stopped watching the Barret Jackson Auctions a few years ago when a "work of art" 1936 Bugatti Saloon Car was pulled off of the block, because it did not meet the reserve. The next car up was a 1964 Pontiac GTO with "Tri-Power" that went for $256,000. With that stated: Us Baby Boomers are car crazy. The following generations, X,Y and Milennials that have NO interest in cars. I have the feeling that in the future what will be collectable to them will be Coffee makers, (Alla the Starbucks generation that will willing pay $6 for a cup of coffee), etc.

 

I see the Miata having future values that are inline with where MGB's are and I can see the S2000 being more inline with the MGA twin cam and MGC as they are rarer and more powerful. There obviously were a lot less MGC's and MGA twin cams made than S2000's but I think 50 or 60 years from now there will be very few all original unmolested no stories S2000's left.