Depreciation

Hey Guys,

I'm sure this topic is covered somewhere here, but I haven't been able to find it.

What kind of depreciation do these cars have? I'm thinking of buying a JPS or Vintage. Let's say 2 or 3 years out - how big of a hit do you take?

I'd be buying it for the love of the car, not the monetary value down the road, but I'm just curious.

Thanks.

-Chet

Because these cars are realtively inexpensive (compared to a Porsche Speedster in fully restored condition), say less than $28k (in most cases), their value as used cars takes a pretty good hit in the first year. The reason is simple: why pay $25k for a used replica when you can get a brand new one built to your own specs for just a little more?
However, not everyone wants to have one built. And not everyone is rational when it comes to these cars. So, depending on the condition and mileage, plus the area of the country you live in, used prices can vary significantly.
How's that for an evasive, non-answer?
Reasonably, if you pay $25k+ for a new one, take excellent care of it, drive it for a couple of years, you could probably sell it for $18k - maybe more...in the Spring...in the Sunbelt. And that opinion comes strictly from having watched the replica market for a couple of years before I actually bought (a new) one. It's not scientific fact.

I sold my first Vintage when it was 3 years old. It was always garaged and in almost perfect condition with 11k on the engine. The IRS needed the money more than I needed the car. It went for $17,5 and the original price should have been around $20-21

That has got to be the lowest depreciation you will ever get on a car. In fact I wouldn't really call it depreciation, that was "wear and tear". Any new car, (Honda, GM, Porsche) is going to lose a lot more than that over 3 years. Sadly, some of the used car dealers have our cars, going for more than the manufacturer charged new.

-=theron

I feel the resale values for Porsche replica cars is excellent when compared to some new cars.
For example, I bought a 2000 Dodge Caravan for ~$23,000, the current Kelly Blue Book value is only ~$10,300.

Personally I think it depends on where you live, out here in California there are quite a bit more speedsters running around then in other areas of the country and as such they bring less money.

I know that when I bought my car used it had 610 miles and was 4 months old, the value of the car had dropped about 10K based of the full optioned out price from vintage. But then again there were four speedster kits in the paper that week, and three dealers in town. Two vintage and one beck.

My opinion. Pay 22 to 23 for a new one. Sell it for 17.5 after three years. Not a bad deal for you, or the buyer. Keep it nice and stay above that 17 k figure.