I have said before that I think there's some marketing psychology going on with pricing

It's gratifying to some to say/think that they drive a car costing /insert big silly number/

Especially when that's irrelevant to you because you're hiring it and the only issue is the monthly hire fee

I suppose the prices don't matter if we all rent

But I think it's a bit early to tell how this is all going to pan out over time

There is already some evidence that manufacturers are using leasing to control the supply (and pricing) of secondhand cars

And I suspect long lifespan is being designed out of cars now

 

What's more, Gad; RR are looking at an even more full-fat version to compete with the Bentgaya and Cuntillan...

There is a market for the 0.1%ers and its growing fast.

Nevertheless, the principle of controlling the market through rentals (and discounting by getting staff to drive them round the block so they are 'used cars') is how the 'premium' end of the market works.

I had one of those Escrote vans, Notts; zero roadholding, brilliant handling, crude as a tin of nails and it wouldn't start if someone even gobbed on the pavement near it.

There is another slight problem with Lotus in that they've exhausted spare part stocks to improve cash flow - it can be ages waiting for anything, ATM.

We'll all have to get TVRs, then: ludicrous performance for the money, an old Coyote V8 and minimal electrickery. WCPGW?

 

Having paid off all the vehicles i now own ... and not having a mortgage .... i am loathe to get into hock for another car, it ties you to needing a job for the duration of the loan period.

All that will be left at a reasonable price are turd brown Allegros and frosted green Marinas with the occasional half a billion mile Focus popping up.

Best get buying.

 

1978 Austin Allegro For Sale on Car And Classic UK [C911222]

 

See there's another one on there for £2250 that has been 'restored' ... restored to what? Full authentically awful condition as it was when it was new? I'd rather it was recycled into beer cans, at least it would be reliable.

 

Collector cars are like collector beer cans or stamps. Their only value is being collectible, not holding beer or mailing letters. They have no value other than what someone will pay for them.

I've seen a couple dozen Shelby Cobras on the road here in the US -- a definition of classic performance it there ever was one -- all were reproductions with Ford crate engines other than one with a Viper engine. Drive em all ya want. Have fun! The real cars, the actual collectibles, only show up at prestige car shows.

The guys with money will out bid us all for cars/beer cans/stamps they want. Million dollar cars?! Yeah some sell at auction at those prices but no one is driving them and professional mechanics are doing preventive maintenance on them all the time. My staff is too busy vacuuming my living room.

-- Chuck

 

We drove through Death Valley a few weeks ago Chuck, saw a procession of expensive classics, old Mercedes SL, a few old Porsches, any number of 70s Muscle cars, a couple of MGB / MGTC and one Delorean -all out for a thrash, doing what cars and their owners should be doing, not a miserable collectors face in sight

 

I don't think most people are too concerned about cars in the stratosphere - they have always existed and probably always will

Cars like the Allegro quoted illustrate better what I'm talking about

Too many ANY old cars now have a silly asking price

Not necessarily unaffordable, just silly

How about this 'investment'

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C897934

 

Was hoping this was a thread about the daytime TV game show, which I’m mildly addicted to.

Hope to contribute something useful shortly

 

Dealers usually go a bit silly if they find an almost unused example. And wonder why it sits there forever. There's a £100K NSX like that on Pissedupheads.

That doesn't seem too bad, compared to what they want for the average GTB or S these days.

Rather have that than a Sierra, TBH! Not that I would...