What might have been – Auto Trader listings 25 years ago
Words: Kyle Cassidy
After stumbling upon a couple of old Auto Trader magazines over the Christmas break, we ponder on what your old car might be worth now, had you held on to it over the years.
“Should never have sold that one.” It’s a common tale of despair as folk look back on what might have been had they held on to a car they once owned. The value of a vehicle, particularly those sporty numbers, can take a rollercoaster ride as it typically suffers a hit of depreciation in the first three years. Prices can sink further as the market forces of supply and demand determine the ultimate value. As time marches on, the numbers available for sale start to decline as life takes its toll. Performance models in particular can take a flogging, reducing numbers at an alarming rate. Accidents, thefts and a generally hard life after being modified to the extreme all have an effect on volumes. And so what was once a popular model suddenly becomes scarce. And then values can start to rise again.
It can be hard to pick which model might ascend in value, and looking back over the past few years, not many would have predicted such a sharp uptick in classic car prices as a result of the Covid years. Things got crazy and speculation took hold, forcing prices ever higher.
Rummaging around in the attic to find where all the Christmas decorations had hidden themselves, we stumbled upon a couple of old Auto Trader magazines, saved for prosperity. Dating from 2001, the 1000th issue of Auto Trader was a big deal. According to Auto Trader’s editor at the time, the enterprise began in 1981 with Ed Lamont creating the magazine as a unique way of selling and buying cars in New Zealand. It continued to grow and in 1993 was sold to Australian Consolidated Press. In the mid 90s to mid 2000s, editorial content grew considerably covering new cars and motor racing. Auto Trader made its online debut in 2003. Late in 2012 it was sold to Bauer Media Group, and in 2019, Auto Trader returned to New Zealand ownership under Auto Trader Media Group.
With our recent announcement of our partnership with Auto Trader, it seemed timely to have a look back.
It’s interesting thumbing through the pages of the old copies, reminding us of the days of a seemingly endless supply of performance machinery, especially from Japan, all at reasonable prices too.
Though we guess it is always worth bearing in mind the context of the times. The median income was around $27,800, so there wasn’t a lot of purchasing power for the average punter. Those that did enjoy the golden age of cheap horsepower may regret the decision to sell, but hindsight and all. And perhaps a sale provided funds for a business venture or house purchase, another ‘commodity’ to rise sharply over the past 25 years. In 2000, the median house price in New Zealand was $170,000; now it’s just over $800,000. Very few cars have enjoyed such a meteoric rise in value.
It’s interesting looking at the mix of vehicles offered up for sale too. Commodores and Falcons featured prominently, as they were among the top sellers in those days, back when you could get a V8-powered, rear-drive wagon. The majority of cars for sale were actual cars. And they were a heap of two- and three-door models as well; Preludes, Skylines, CR-X, Civic and Mirage. And many more wagons than you find now. SUVs were of the old fashioned kind; proper body on frame set ups like the Pajero, Patrol/Safari, Cruiser and Surf. The only soft roader back then was the RAV4. How things have changed.
Anyway, with our rose tinted glasses firmly affixed, we flipped through a 2001 and 2006 edition, pulling a few highlights for you to enjoy. While many of those selected have gone north in value, we’ve included a few that are now at their low point, waiting for their price to rise again.
‘98 Subaru STi 22b
Back in 2001, Subaru’s technical statement, the 22B, had suffered a touch of deprecation from its initial circa $120k ask when new. Still that looks like a bargain now, with prices in the $300k plus zone.
‘71 Datsun 240Z
A 240Z for chump change. And a restored example at that. The 240Z has long been under-appreciated, but has been on the rise in the past twenty years, good ones now fetching over $80k.
‘96 Porsche 911 turbo
The Turbo asked plenty back in 2001, the equivalent of a nice house in Hamilton. Son of the 959, like many 993-era models, its price has rocketed and is now worth as much as a house in Hamilton.
‘74 Ford Falcon GT 351
Aussie muscle has really experienced an upswing in value, fueled by one upmanship across the ditch. While not nearly as valuable as the earlier GTs, a nice XA GT can now command $100k.
‘91 Nissan Skyline GTS-T
These were everywhere twenty years ago. Much more affordable than the GT-R, and more slideable too with power going to the rears. Lots met early ends into walls and lamp posts as a result. Now worth around $40k.
‘64 Ford Cortina
This Cortina was all but worthless in 2001. And this one is still on the road according to carjam. Though the mileage hasn’t increased much over the years. But the price has, even four door Tinas are worth over $30k.
‘96 Mazda Familia
Mazda’s Familia AWD rally rocket was in great supply in the mid 1990s, but were getting long in the tooth by the turn of the millennium, hence the bargain basement price. Trying to find a good one is the hard part now, as is paying $30k for it.
‘92 Mitsubishi EVO 1
The Auto Trader was full of Evos in 2001. First launched in 1992, it was an unknown quantity when new (arriving here via private imports at first) but the homologation special was a favourite on the import scene in 2000s. A nice one asks $50k now.
‘92 Nissan Pulsar GTI-R
The mini Godzilla was no Skyline, but it was much cheaper than its bigger brother. This is another car that was once popular but now rarely seen thanks to thefts and death by modification. A good one now wants for $50k.
‘89 Nissan GT-R
The R32 GT-R was a tuner’s dream as the poured money into them to realise massive power and dyno day bragging rights. They are still one of the more common JDM legends, thanks to some 44,000 of them being made. Still, they want $100k today.
‘72 Holden Monaro GTS
Another car with a connection to Bathurst, this Monaro looks like a real steal at that price. The SS Cragar mags added value back then, but hopefully they saved the factory wheels, with a well presented 350 GTS now asking north of $150k.
‘65 Holden Premier
Much like the unloved Cortina, this HD Prem sunk to its lowest ebb as we entered the 2000s. While it would have been a bit slow with its six cylinder and Powerglide trans, it looks tidy. And one in such condition now fetches $30k.
‘88 Mitsubishi Galant VR4
Another car to suffer at the hands of modifiers, the Galant VR4 preceded the Lancer as Mitsubishi’s rally weapon. While the engine was strong and made good power, the rest fell apart under the strain. But then look how cheap they were. Now worth $30k, more for an ‘Evo Zero’.
‘01 Ford Mustang Cobra
A car that is now at its low point, a 2001 Ford Mustang might have seemed like a good idea at the time, especially with the wheel on the right side thanks to local conversions. But now this Stang is only worth about $10k.
‘00 Porsche Boxster S
A near new Boxster was still expensive at the time, costing not a lot less than the aforementioned 911 Turbo. These first gen Boxster now represent good buying, if it’s been well maintained, and can be had for around $20k. But it has to be a manual of course.
‘99 Mitsubishi EV0 6.5
One Mitsubishi model to make a real gain is the Makinen edition. Thanks to a few factory mods and Tommi’s name, the 6.5 is the Evo to own, and a good one fetches $100k now.
‘99 Honda Civic Type R
Twenty kay was a lot for a Civic in 2006, but it’s a unique car. A screaming engine and a chuckable chassis make them a real experience. Many were stolen and disappeared to America. Those that survive can command $50k plus.
‘02 Renault Clio V6
A genuine rarity, especially being New Zealand new. They didn’t make many of these, and the Mk I version is the one to have. A handful to drive properly, but it looks cool and would be worth double that asking price now.
‘98 Subaru STI 22b
What, another 22B? Well this shows the dip the car took, this ad from 2006 as poor old Shawn looks to make a regrettable sale. $46k for a 22B is a definite steal. Hopefully he invested the proceeds into property and enjoyed the free capital gains.
‘05 Porsche Cayenne turbo
Another not so good idea, while the 993 Turbo has ballooned in value, this 2005 Cayenne Turbo was peak SUV madness at the time. Now sadly, it’s worth nothing, around $9k, and would be a whole heap of mechanical trouble.
‘96 Mazda RX-7
The third iteration of the RX-7 was a real dynamic gem with styling that was so nineties. It still looks good now, but you’ll be forking out between $60k to $90k for the privilege.
‘74 VW Kombi Camper
While not as desirable as the original Type 2, the second generation still has that care free vibe. And it was a cheap way to get around the country, this camper just $5k in 2001. While most rusted away, a nice survivor now could fetch around $50k.
‘85 Audi quattro
The car that changed rallying, Audi’s original quattro set the formula for all those Japanese AWD weapons that would follow. Despite being in production for 11 years, they only made 11,500 of them. And so a UR quattro is hard to come by and now asks $120k plus.
‘67 Ford Ranchero
While Ford’s Ranchero is not as popular as Chevrolet’s El Camino of the same era, it’s still a pretty cool looking ride. It would be a good cruiser at the Beach Hop, with a tray full of beverages. A nice one could command $50k today.
‘70 Ford Fairmont XW
It was just another thirsty old Ford back in 2001. As the more desirable GTs of the era have risen to astronomical values, mundane versions have gone up in price too. A V8 Fairmont like this could ask ten times as much today.
‘91 Subaru Legacy
Subaru’s answer to Mitsubishi’s VR4, the Legacy RS was a bargain sports sedan in 2001. There were still plenty of them around, hence the low asking price, most with a big bore to let that boxer burble out. An unmolested example might ask $35k now.
‘67 Chevrolet Camaro
While the Mustang is popular here, Chevrolet’s Camaro is perhaps more desirable as a result. The original 1967 is still the best looking too. A manual car with the 350 engine would now be worth about four times as much as it did in 2001.
