Why do Sevens Hold Their Value so Well?

[Keep it stiff]

As the title really!

[Eric Mc]

Relatively low mileages.

Relatively rare cars.

Cherished (in a lot of cases) by their owners.

Most Seven owners know their cars well and look after them well.

[pikeyboy]

Also I guess they haven't changed much in years and the factory not offering discounts I imagine also helps keep prices up.

Edited to add I think they are a bit like rolexs, if you buy a used one you'll never really loose money on one.

[Eric Mc]

I think you will find that they have actually changed a lot - but remain true to the original concept and styling.

[downsman]

One word- demand. If no one wanted to buy one they'd be worth nothing!

[pikeyboy]

Eric Mc said:

I think you will find that they have actually changed a lot - but remain true to the original concept and styling.

So they haven't changed a lot then or may be significantly would have been a better choice of word?

[pipnjones]

There is a lot of talk about "Brand DNA" in the press. Porsche, BMW, Mercedes talk a lot about what "makes" a car and a car brand. Porsche's 911 timeline is an excellent example.

Caterham is a better example, though, when you see the "add lightness" mantra in every pore of the car's being.

The Caterham technology has changed enormously, but the underlying concept is as strong as ever.

But demand and differentiation are probably the reason for high resale prices.

[one eyed mick]

A certain Mr Chapman coined the phrase add lightness !! nothing to do with Caterham who basicly use a1950's design !!!!!!!!

[pipnjones]

Yes, I know it came from Colin Chapman. Caterham bought the rights from Lotus, and the DNA was not extracted at the contractual handover point, so it is tied up in Caterham's very being. Perhaps more than in the future product pipeline of Lotus...

The interconnnectedness of Lotus and Caterham cannot be ignored here.

To suggest that the current Caterham is a 1950's product or concept is disingenuous. The beauty is that it has kept the essence of those first cars, and kept what makes it special, whilst also adding technology andimproving the design over the years.

Or should we also say that a Porsche 911 is old-fashioned to?. It is just early 1960's technology, repackaged, isn't it?

And don't get me started on lightbulbs...

[Noger]

pipnjones said:

To suggest that the current Caterham is a 1950's product or concept is disingenuous.

But true. Mutton dressed up as lamb Under all that carbon fibre....the chassis is much the same.

Not sure they do hold their value, at least not new. An R500 depreciates. A well looked after Supersprint probably doesn't now.