You know what GT-Rs, Supras, and some key cars have in common? They will earn you money over time! And that got me thinking, Which German-flavor cars can do the same? Maybe something M-tastic that you buy today, rip on, and sell once you get bored? Or a little pocket rocket that’s an extreme screamer! Sound too good to be true? Well, believe it!
Buy these cars today before the secret gets out! And you can make money enjoying them! It’s backed by science!
Volkswagen R32 – Not That R32
Let’s first chat about that little future classic VW! R32! No, not Godzilla. Nissan isn’t German! But Volkswagen is and they do make a pretty killer R32. Now, this ain’t no standard Golf! In fact, the R32 isn’t even badged as a Golf. But it’s badass! Sure, it looks similar to a Golf, but that’s where the similarities end!
The R32 has a bigger engine, all-wheel drive, and a limited production run. That bigger engine comes thanks to its VR6 powerplant, put in both the earlier generation of R32 and even the later ones. The difference comes in the styling. Earlier models are much more blocky and the later version is much more rounded.
But, probably the biggest difference comes in what transmission each car uses. The earlier 2004 model uses a manual transmission, while the ’08 models all use a DSG transmission for those glorious farts. No matter which one you get, there were only 5,000 cars produced, so we know values will be going up, especially for clean, low-mileage examples.
But, with just over $10,000 you can get yourself a 2008 model with just over 100,000 miles! Keep it clean and maintain it. And, in a couple of months or years, sell it for a profit! The same can be said about any manual E82 BMW 1 Series.
BMW E82 1 Series Manual – Pocket Rocket
From the badass 1M all the way to the 128i, most of the E82 lineup was offered in a manual transmission, but it was an option that not many owners opted for. As sad as that is for us enthusiasts, the few cars that rolled off the factory with the silky-smooth manual transmission were amazing.
The balanced chassis and small architecture make these cars fun to throw around curves, push through autocrosses, and downright daily drive. Whatever you do with your ride, you’ll come out on top. The mack-daddy 1M will set you back around $85,000! Luckily, you can pick some lesser models up for cheaper, much cheaper, like the 128i we found with under 100,000 miles for just over $10,000. From these two to anything in between, the E82 BMW 1 Series with a manual transmission won’t depreciate.
In fact, they’re currently appreciating faster than some stocks. But, if you want to learn about how to pick stocks, check out the Ideal Money YouTube channel. Now, if you want another car on a bull run and one for cheap, let’s check out an Audi TT.
Audi TT – Quattro Roots
The Audi TT started out as a concept at the 1995 Frankfurt Motor Show and the crowd absolutely loved the unique styling of the TT, so much so that they decided to throw it into production. Not only was the TT very different from its competition, but it had a ton of different configurations: automatic or manual, coupe or convertible, 1.8 or 2 liters of power, front- or all-wheel drive.
Each combination was offered with a short wheelbase and a low center of gravity to make the car handle like it’s on rails. No matter which combo you choose, the light curb weight really aided a sporty driving experience in all conditions. And, considering that you can pick one of these up for less than $9,000 with less than 100,000 miles might just make this the best bargain on this list.
But, if you are more of a BMW fanboy, being caught in an Audi just won’t do. But what about a BMW M Roadster?
BMW M Roadster – Buff Miata
The BMW M Roadster is based on the beautifully balanced Z3 platform. But, the main problem with the Z3 was its power, or lack of it (139 horsepower in the base 1.9-liter engine). Sure, it was like a Miata, but both need more power.
So, what did BMW do? They put the 3.2-liter inline-six-cylinder motor under the hood, fitted it with wider rear arches that fit bigger tires, and threw the power through a manual transmission to a limited-slip differential. This put the new M Roadster in a higher class, now punching at the likes of the Mercedes SLK and Porsche Boxster.
But, one thing it’s got on the other two is how quick the M Roadster is appreciating. A few years ago, you could pick these up for around or even under $10,000! But, today, you can pick up a clean one with relatively low miles for $17,500! But, if you look at its brother the M Coupe, which is the same car just in the coupe version, prices are easily double or triple that of the Roadster, so chances are that they won’t be going down in value anytime soon!
The same can be said about this next car. But, we’ve covered Audi and now BMW. So, what about Mercedes? If you’ve got the cash, you’ve got to look into the Mercedes CLK 63 AMG Black Series.
Mercedes CLK 63 AMG Black Series – The Best German Muscle
Black Series is a name only used for the absolute performance beast. And, when Mercedes announced that they would be doing a CLK version of the Black Series, people were excited. The SLK 55 AMG Black Series was a brute, but the bigger, badder, CLK 63 AMG Black Series promised to be more brutal! And, man, did it deliver!
The CLK63 gave us a brutish 500 horsepower and plenty of torque on tap to shred the rear tires in mere seconds. Not only were they great driving cars, they had a limited production run of only 700 cars too! So, what does that mean for you? Prices are going to skyrocket!
From new, they cost customers $135,000. But, today, you can pick them up for just over $95,000 for one. Keep an eye out; these are about to go to the Moon! But it’s also true that Porsches are following this trend too, especially the 996 911.
996 Porsche 911 – Perfectly Fried Egg
The 996 911 shares design cues with the 987 Porsche Boxster. Many Porsche purists wrote off the entire generation of 996 911 for the longest time. Prices plummeted and, to this day, it’s still the cheapest generation of 911 for sale. But, only recently, people have rekindled their love for the 996 as it still drives like a 911. And do you want to know why? Because it is a 911!
But, the 996 911 can be had for the price of a used Camry. So, you tell me: if you had just over $17,000, would you buy a 52,000-mile manual 996 Carrera Cabriolet or would you rather spend about $2,000 more and get a Camry with nearly 35,000 miles more? I’d take the Porsche, especially with the rate that they are appreciating. They’re appreciating nearly as fast as an E36 BMW M3.
BMW E36 M3 – The Ultimate Driving Machine
Of course, we all know and love many generations of BMW’s infamous M3s, and a testament to that is the E30 M3. Only a few years ago, they were trading hands for less than $10,000, and now look at them! While the E30 has been hit the hardest with appreciation, other, newer models are seeing the start of similar trends. And there’s no better example of that than the E36 M3.
These are the cheapest and probably least loved of the M3s at the time, but the same was said about the E30 M3s just a few years ago before they skyrocketed in value. From their well-balanced chassis to the gutsy inline-six-cylinder, matched with stellar reliability, the E36 M3 doesn’t disappoint! And, for that reason, I truly believe that they’re worth all of what they are trading hands for today.
We found one with 137,000 miles for just under $12,000! Give it a few years and it’ll be worth double. But, get them while you can before prices reach supercar territory. If you truly want a supercar with a timeless design, unparalleled luxury, a big naturally-aspirated V8, all in one appreciating package, I’d steer you towards a Mercedes SLS AMG.
Mercedes SLS AMG – Modern Muscle Grandpa
If you get the coupe, not only do you get one of the best-looking GT supercars of all time, you can get one for a bargain too! While the SLS Roadster is a great car too, you’d buy the coupe for those gullwing doors! Let’s name other cars with gullwing doors: Mercedes 300 SL, Pagani Huayra, and Gumpert Apollo, which are all very high-dollar cars. But, luckily for the SLS AMG, it can sit in your garage for just pennies in comparison to these cars.
While it takes inspired design from the 300 SL, the SLS AMG takes cues from the past and the future and melds it into one of the best GT supercars to this day. The replacement of the SLS, the AMG GT, ditched the naturally aspirated V8 for a Biturbo V8. And it also ditched the doors, which gave the SLS its character.
Examples of SLS AMG coupes are going for over $150,000 today, but most are selling for under $200,000! In a few years’ time, this car will be worth way more and people will start to realize what a machine that they have sitting in their garage.
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