That’s true for many of their models, mostly from Italian, German and British marks. American vintages of the 50s and 60s are especially attractive not only because they were built like tanks with powerful engines, but they bring with them nostalgia about the post-war lifestyle that centered on opulence, grandeur and excess.

Anyone seen driving an Oldsmobile or a Cadillac of the late 50s never fails to make a statement of pomposity down the road that only American vintage cars can elicit.

So what you are left with are Japanese cars of the 70s onwards.  That’s about the time they’ve started to produce quality efficient compacts but except for a few cars, mostly built by Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi, there are few original parts to have them restored.  You might not be able to command vintage prices for these.

Possessions of deceased rock stars and film legends have a way of creating market demand for them.   Even former cars that have been sold to others, once the market learns that they were once owned by this or that celebrity, you can be sure they can command at least 10 times their original price tags.  Lesson: be on the look out for celebrities selling their stuff.

Cars?  Yes and no.  Some car makes and models just fade away over time and don’t command any nostalgia, or price, from the market.  But in general, cars older than 30 years and in good condition, in and out, are considered vintage cars and can command respectable prices in the market.  Restoration is the key. But you have to restore the right car.  Not every vintage car is worth restoring.  Most vintage Germans and US cars are.  And most Japanese vintage cars are not.

But I like to think there’s a way around this.  That is, if you like to make heads turn, or at least have a good conversation piece when you get to a party or social event.  Get a fully restored vintage car.  That’s right, find a model that’s more than 30 years old, well maintained with a glossy body and the right chrome trims, and you are sure to make heads turn.   The young crowd of the 21st century seems to like retro things and retro looks.  Vintage cars are one of them.

But it’s amazing to hear that Audi, Benz, even Ferraris with their upscale pricing, seems immune to the crisis.  I think it’s safe to say that regardless of the financial straits the world is in, there will always be rich guys out there whose finances don’t get buffeted.  And for this upscale market, while the lower end of that might feel the pinch, it’s still life as usual for the really rich and famous.

Certainly, not in the city streets. You’d be lucky to get a straight 60mph on a busy day.  But when you hear word that a Mercedes Benz SLR with more than 500bhp on its V8 engine – totally an overkill in city driving and a highway cop magnet on the freeway , can still get boosted by another 24bhp for the cost of around $25,000, I just give up. There’s just no limit, is there?

So what’s really the best car for you?  I would think that the best car is the one you have that you have put so much to personalize.  It’s what you bought and it very well could be the result of years of saving up for it with the income you’re getting.  And having made it your home while on the road, that car you’re driving now is really the best car for you.

It looks very conventional in every way, with windshield wipers that create turbulence on the windshield at high speeds.  The fastest production car in the world is a Volkswagen.  And the name had trampled on the racing pedigrees like Ferrari and McLaren cars at their own game and sacred grounds.

Forget about the name Bugatti.  Yes, the car carries that marquee.  But it’s more of historic value than anything.  It’s now totally irrelevant in the business world as Volkswagen now owns 100% of that name.  It also owns Audi and Lamborghini.  Not to mention Bentley.   They are all Volkswagen now.