I have to say this is all very interesting - recently I was considering buying a 1930's Derby Bentley for £40k with some of the kids money, partially as place to dump the cash but mainly as something to share with them and to pass on. Ultimately I didn't do it because I was really set to thinking what the future of classic cars is given the current disposible 'I want new' generations.
I've done the PCP thing and didn't like it, I've also once bought a new car with cash and didn't like it - both felt like chucking money away even if I could afford it. I have plenty of mates burning £600 a month on something uninspiring but they look down their noses at me with our bangernomics fleet at home and my 45p a mile for business mileage.
2007 Subaru Legacy - worth £1,500 on a good day - owes me nothing
2009 E Class - worth maybe £3,000 - owes me maybe a grand but we've only had it 3 months!
2002 Golf 1.4 - worth £400 max - owes us nothing
2008 Maserati GranTurismo - worth £20k ish - owes me £15k - but with a V8 plate it could be a 2017?!
1972 MGB GT - worth £4,000 - owes me nothing - and zero road tax
I've been looking at loads of late 90's early 2000's stuff but just don't have the storage.
Being 50, I certainly get the hot hatch thing and do miss my Capri 2.8i but lets face it, mine was rusting when I had it and most had been crashed or trashed whereas a 10yr old luxo barge won't rust and is still a nice place to be.
Yes, I get the comments about running 'bangers' but I'm too old and self confident to care now - also, I like a bit of spannering and I do most of the servicing myself.
I'm trying to convert the kids (13 & 11) but my son just isn't interested - seem to have more success with my daughter, she loves the MGB and wants it when she is old enough to drive.
Even if I didn't have to worry about money I'd still be doing the same - although I do quite fancy a CLS Shooting Brake as a daily - if I wait a few more years I can have one for naff all.
So, what I'm trying to say I guess, is forget the 'investment' and just buy what you want as long as you can handle the loss. You can get 6% a year from a peer to peer lending ISA if that's what you want.