Vintage Speedster value

You're going to need to be more specific than that. A car is worth what the market will bear.

If a car has a lot of options, in a good-looking color combination, with a high-quality engine and transaxle, it's probably worth twice what a 15 year old, clapped out car with a 1600 and no options is.

Good point Stan. I'm looking at a VS that is about 15 years old and has a 1600. It is in average shape I would say. Paint in good condition with some minor issues. Has some options like electric ignition and heater. top is in good shape. Interested in getting some feedback.

I paid $18k for mine a year + ago (2004 build with a 1914cc Disc etc etc)

It was a $36k car when new (with all the bells, whistles, and ejection seat)

I'm also on Southern CA where these cars fetch the highest dollar IMO

Good condition used VS are going for 20-24k depending on options.

You can do a search on ebay to see past sales.

-=theron

Vintage makes a good looking product.  If you're looking for a car that looks like a Speedster at the most affordable price, you can't do better than VS.  In my opinion (and I'm a manufacturer so I AM biased), you shouldn't spend anything more than $20k on a used Vintage if it's more than 3 years old with more than 2000 miles.  I see them on resale market all over Southern Cal and Southern Florida.  There is a lot of confusion over "resale value" of Speedsters in general, and there are tons of posts on this site in previous forums on this point.  These vehicles are emotional and whimsical purchases, thus the monies invested in them when new does not necessarily stick with the car when resold.  With exception to Intermeccanica who is the gold standard in this industry, the Speedster resale market is pretty much set between $15k and $35K.  Vintage is on the lower end of that as they are VW pan based and very limited in power and performance.  

A used one should have had all the issues sorted out.  

I know you were speaking of Vintage Speedsters in pure stock form but my VS is in no way limited in power or performance. It's still a VS but on steroids.  It all depends on what you do with a VS to improve it.

I would absolutely agree with that Jack, based on what YOUR VS has powering it.  The mass of VS's I see on the market in addition to what most of the dealerships are buying are the 1600cc basic Speedster.  If all VS's were like your's, they would command a much higher price. (you have a beautiful ride, by the way)

I knew what you meant and agree that a 1600cc anything is not going to be quite as dependable or exciting as with a more powerful and reliable engine.  Thanks for your comment. I know I will never see anything close to what I've put into this car but I'm not in the hobby to make money---just to have the most fun with it that I can.

Kudos on the turn around too. Very impressive and great looking products.  Glad to see you on the forum---more mfg should participate.

@MisterAC - how does CCW register its Speedsters in California...any issues with smog related  problems?

good info to know...thanks 

I paid $11,500 for a VS that was a few years old- that was a good deal.

+1

Why more manufacturers do not participate on this forum (especially VS) is baffling to me.

This forum has the potential to be one of the BIGGEST advertising tools for replica Speedsters. If an owner came on here to answer basic questions for potential new owners, his sales figures would surely rise.

The internet isn't going anywhere and the owners of these manufacturers need to stop being stubborn and get with the times and LOG ON.  haha

Christian-

I've been in business for myself for 15 years in an unrelated industry. I can tell you with 100% certainty that I would not post on the forums if I were a builder. This has nothing to do with "getting with the times" or anything of the sort. It has everything to do with the fact that people have the ability to take everything out of context, and expect something for nothing in every-increasing numbers. There's not much to be gained in defending yourself in an online forum. The one or two times Tom McBurnie posted were a complete disaster.

There's nothing to be gained in it for an established builder. Cary started posting here before he started Special Edition. His continued posting here is pure customer service, as I doubt any sales at all are generated from it. MisterAC has the difficult task of turning around an operation known for horrible customer service-- his posting here is going a long way towards rebuilding his brand. Kirk and Henry have nothing to gain by posting here, as their respective places in the speedster cosmos are pretty firmly established by their product and long histories.

If a new VS is around 25K, I can't imagine a used one, more than a few years old,  costing 20K

or more...I can't imagine any VS costing 35K, "out the door" with all options, short of fuel injection....

I am willing to bet the 1915 has replaced the 1600 long ago as VS most ordered motor....

and, unless I'm really out of touch you should be able to pick up a good used VS tub for 15-18K...

these replica's DO NOT appeciate in value, but as they say "suckers are born every minute"

I hope I'm wrong, because I am considering selling mine and would love to get as much as possible

but in my case I chose to go somewhat radical with the wider body & bigger motor which reduces

my chances of a sale....which is OK, because I am also into this as a hobby and don't expect to make money....(as Jack so aptly put it)

As far as manufacturers posting, I defer to Stans post....

Vinny--sad but true about the prices. You nailed it concerning new vs used VS cars.

About the only plus that a "pre owned" VS might have is the time and money someone spent to get it really sorted and maybe even upgraded in some areas.  But new at $25k and used for that same car $18-20k sounds like what they are going for.

Most days I feel I have my "Speedster for life" but those suby powered coupes do look mighty appealing!

Are you serious about selling your VS?

Jack, I change cars like I change my underwear....often...

the main reason for the underwear change these days is due to the "shaking it 3 times" rule is now not enough....no, really.....

Not looking to sell the tub, but it is available if someone brings me cash....I see an Aston in my future at some point......

I think most replica owners know or should know that these are a labor of love, not 'collector" cars, so of course when they sell, the closer they get to their initial investment the better......

A VS is a great "entry level" tub, and kudo's to Kirk & Mary for building a product that just about any car guy can afford & provide quality support.....

I agree with Stan.  If I were a manufacturer of Speedster replicas, I would never participate in any online forum.  There is WAY too much downside risk.  We have all read the complaint stories of owners who didn't get what they thought they should have gotten.  I know nothing of the validity of their complaints, and am not even suggesting fault or assessing any blaime or responsibility.

What I do believe is that it would be a nightmare to try to solve a PR problem with a customer online.  It's hard enough to make a poor business situation right without doing it publicly.  I'm in business, as many of us are or have been.  When there's a problem, I try to make it right, but I'll only bend over so far.  I think I'm pretty average as a business owner in that respect.  I know that I can't please everyone even when I'm negotiating privately.  I would never even try to do it publicly.  That's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it.

Aston Martin is the bomb for certain.  A neighbor down the street just bought a brand new DB9 (!!!!!!!!) and it is gorgeous.  I have been lusting for his 4-5 year old red 911 for some time too but this Aston is rediculous.  I did a search on Google and the Aston is $160,000-$190,000.

Didn't James Bond, 007 drive a DB6?

The problem I see for venders like MisterAC on a forum, is that it can go either way for their credibility, especially when they don't respond to questions sent via private email, makes you wonder if it is all hype, and they are only participating as advertising.

For Special Editions Cary has really been helpful in answering technical questions or just helping folks find scarce parts, and not just for their Beck cars. His participation here has IMO helped generate confidence in their products as well as their customer service.

ill give u 5000 cash

What? For his skivvies?

I was thinking the same thing, Ed.  It is Gerd, after all.

I'll give you $5001 cash