resale values

Is there a reference book or even rule of thumb that can be used to estimate values of used speedser replicas. Do some manufacturers hold value better than others. I want to spend 15-17K. How much car can I get for that? All comments are greatly appreciated.

Manufacturer, body styling, trim level. engine size as well as the builder, A/C, wheels & tires,interior,top, paint. They all play a valid role in determining the value of a Speedster.

I think that most will agree on the values herein"

My many years of experience in buying and selling used Speedsters as a hobby....
A ratted out Sunshine state manufactured Speedster from days gone by can be had for as little as $4,500 with much work to be done by the buyer.
A West coast manufactured quality used speedster seems to value within a $15k -$19k plus range.
A top of the line high end Speedster from up North, that can easily have a resale well into the $40k plus range.
There is also recent "newbie" manufactures but it is too early to be able to determine a resale vaklue on those.

Tom: for $15K-$17K you may have mine.

Thanks Alan. Since I live within 20 miles of VS I am leaning toward their car as I constantly hear mostly good things about their quality and rave reviews about the owner,and the service he provides. What would be the price range for a clean 5-8 year old, low mile VS car with 1600-1776 engine?

Hello Tom,
I will be listing mine shortly on this site and locally, followed by an ad on eBay if there are no takers. It is a black VS with the 1776 engine, about 5 years old with low miles...under 4000 if my memory isn't playing tricks. It has almost every option that was available. The paint is starting to look a little old, but other than that, no complaints. I still get thumbs up and feel like I'm driving the coolest car around. I'm asking $17,000, but am open to offers. You can contact me privately or watch for the ad to show up in the classifieds in the next week or so. I'm starting a new business and need to free up some cash.

Tom, weekend after next is the Paso Robles show, if you can make it, you will learn a wealth of information, and probably see a few that are for sale, a good clean used one can be had for 13-16K easy.....

Hey Tom,

Check this out, it might interest you! You have a nice car, Tom.

http://www.barrett-jackson.com/auctionresults/common/cardetail.asp?id=182161

By the way nice to see another speedster in the OC. I live in Placentia. I am trying to set up some local runs, soon.

Gabe

Yes I saw that Gabe. It is consistent with what goes on at that auction. People with way too much money get into a bidding frenzy and grossly overpay for the majority of the cars sold there. With the speedsters selling like that it works to all speedster owners advantage as it contributes to a higher resale value, but I also fear it may eventually encourage the builders to raise the prices that they charge for new ones. Barrett Jackson has pretty much been responsible for pricing everyone but the extremely wealthy out of the muscle car market. Hopefully they won't do it to the speedster replica market as well.

Nice photos Tom; like that color too! I don't think Kirk is installing Mexi-crate engines anymore after all the problems he went through with them.

My two cents on the resale values; this is the time of year when convertibles sell, and I'd have to think it's not the time of year when I'd want to buy.
I haven't exactly done a trend analysis, but I'm pretty sure a $20K car in May is a $15K car in December. A $10K car now will be an $8K car this winter, assuming that follows.
If I was looking around to buy one, I think I'd stay away from the chopper-gun fiberglass like my CMC body has (the difference in overall finish was pretty evident to me while I was asking questions at the show this weekend), and I think I'd be looking for one which has been professionally prepped and painted. The Gelcoat finish mine used to have faded out pretty badly and there are a thousand little ripples in the surface -- and mine WAS professionally painted.
This might be a contentious point, but I'd stay away from red Gelcoat at all costs.
Most of the bits and options seem to be either universal or at least available, so if you were to buy a good basic car for $10-15K now, you could do it up however you wanted on your own timetable over the summer and still drive and enjoy it until late in the autumn.
I'd be sure to check the pans and ask lots of questions here before you make a decision -- and given the widespread and far-flung membership here, maybe the car you'll ultimately consider buying is one someone here knows about.

Related -- Tom Jones -- You're not THAT frustrated, are you?

Hey Tom Williams!

Very cool color combo! Congrats on your newest addition to your fleet.
Looking forward to seeing you and your car at future SOC or cruise events (maybe even at Crystal Cove some Saturday morning - see 'Summer around the corner...' under the 'Events' forum ).

Here's wishing you open highways and safe and happy motoring!

Cory's right about seasonal resale values. On a convertible (especially one that's uhh, "drafty") or on a motorcycle, its a seller's market in the spring. A buyer's market in the fall.

A 4x4 is a seller's market in the winter. angela