Are nice cars becoming harder to come by?
Discussion
Mine, "Beastly" doesn't go far and as a result has only 31,000 miles. It's in a very dry garage, undersealed and as a result in great condition. So question is, are nice cars becoming harder to come by because they are being used/wearing out or being held onto by loving owners who don't use them?
wormus said:
Mine, "Beastly" doesn't go far and as a result has only 31,000 miles. It's in a very dry garage, undersealed and as a result in great condition. So question is, are nice cars becoming harder to come by because they are being used/wearing out or being held onto by loving owners who don't use them?
Depends on your definition of "nice" I guess. It appears to involve low mileage and not using them. Mine is a daily that has done 88k but I would challenge anyone to look at it and identify that fact without looking at the odometer. Its undersealed, regularly detailed and maintained fastidiously so I would consider it a "nice" car. Its not available because of all of the above and the fact that I love it because it does everything that I want or need it to do and has been modded to exactly how I want it to be.I think that a lot of the problem is that people mod cars to their exact requirements and then hang on to them - if nothing else, the cost to change is huge if you have "invested" in some heavy duty changes. Not only that, as has been frequently debated, what do you upgrade to? Very little out there that ticks either the Monaro or VXR8 boxes as a replacement.
Another factor is price. "Nice" cars are invariably worth more in the minds of their existing owners than any prospective purchasers and that price gap can often be insurmountable unless its a forced sale - so people just hang on to them.
Just my 2pw - discuss :-)
I think usage, lack of underbody protection and the low value of these cars means that many are gradually getting run down.
The VT2 I picked up was a basket case. Everything has needed doing, as previous owners didn't bother. It goes in for structural repairs in the new year. I've spent a few grand and there's still work to do. Given what it's worth, I'd make more breaking it.
The 2004 VXR roller that I picked up is a very clean shell with just 40-odd thousand miles in the clock. I've collected most of the parts to rebuild it, but again the sum of the parts are worth more than the car.
I'm sure I'm wasting just as much money on the blue CV8 too.
I might enjoy scouring ebay and spending pointless sums on cars that aren't worth it, but many aren't. So, they'll get older, more worn out and rustier. And nice cars will only become available from my collection of restored cars
Well , once I've finished them, that is.
The VT2 I picked up was a basket case. Everything has needed doing, as previous owners didn't bother. It goes in for structural repairs in the new year. I've spent a few grand and there's still work to do. Given what it's worth, I'd make more breaking it.
The 2004 VXR roller that I picked up is a very clean shell with just 40-odd thousand miles in the clock. I've collected most of the parts to rebuild it, but again the sum of the parts are worth more than the car.
I'm sure I'm wasting just as much money on the blue CV8 too.
I might enjoy scouring ebay and spending pointless sums on cars that aren't worth it, but many aren't. So, they'll get older, more worn out and rustier. And nice cars will only become available from my collection of restored cars
Well , once I've finished them, that is.
Edited by ArnieVXR on Thursday 24th December 21:11
H5V VE said:
Depends on your definition of "nice" I guess. It appears to involve low mileage and not using them. Mine is a daily that has done 88k but I would challenge anyone to look at it and identify that fact without looking at the odometer. Its undersealed, regularly detailed and maintained fastidiously so I would consider it a "nice" car. Its not available because of all of the above and the fact that I love it because it does everything that I want or need it to do and has been modded to exactly how I want it to be.
I think that a lot of the problem is that people mod cars to their exact requirements and then hang on to them - if nothing else, the cost to change is huge if you have "invested" in some heavy duty changes. Not only that, as has been frequently debated, what do you upgrade to? Very little out there that ticks either the Monaro or VXR8 boxes as a replacement.
Another factor is price. "Nice" cars are invariably worth more in the minds of their existing owners than any prospective purchasers and that price gap can often be insurmountable unless its a forced sale - so people just hang on to them.
Just my 2pw - discuss :-)
Hope I never need to sell mine, which is likely.I think that a lot of the problem is that people mod cars to their exact requirements and then hang on to them - if nothing else, the cost to change is huge if you have "invested" in some heavy duty changes. Not only that, as has been frequently debated, what do you upgrade to? Very little out there that ticks either the Monaro or VXR8 boxes as a replacement.
Another factor is price. "Nice" cars are invariably worth more in the minds of their existing owners than any prospective purchasers and that price gap can often be insurmountable unless its a forced sale - so people just hang on to them.
Just my 2pw - discuss :-)
R8VXF said:
Just cracked 14k miles in my GTS this year. Getting Craig to detail it and advise on underside in the new year. I would always prefer a car that is used to a garage queen. Sitting about does them no favours.
if it's a dry heated garage not a problem.But absolutely sitting anywhere else really isnt nice to them.
R8VXF said:
Just cracked 14k miles in my GTS this year. Getting Craig to detail it and advise on underside in the new year. I would always prefer a car that is used to a garage queen. Sitting about does them no favours.
That's what separates collectables from high mileage, disposable Vauxhalls.It really does not matter how old your car is or how many miles are on the clock. If the car has been cared for it will speak for itself.
I have just worked out how much cash I will need to spend to get my car where I want it.The result was not good!.
Now considering the market value of a CV8, I would have to be mad to even consider spending any more money on it, but, I no doubt will.
I cant even think of another car I could afford as a realistic replacement, especially when you work out how much money you will lose in depreciation!
Don't forget, people do spend a fortune on classic cars, so an Australian muscle car is sure to become a classic..I think?
John
I have just worked out how much cash I will need to spend to get my car where I want it.The result was not good!.
Now considering the market value of a CV8, I would have to be mad to even consider spending any more money on it, but, I no doubt will.
I cant even think of another car I could afford as a realistic replacement, especially when you work out how much money you will lose in depreciation!
Don't forget, people do spend a fortune on classic cars, so an Australian muscle car is sure to become a classic..I think?
John
R8VXF said:
No Vauxhall will ever be a collectable. Not even the LC will command decent values ever again. And I am talking as a VX fanboy, but also a realist.
Spot onIt pains me to say it but that is spot on. Look at the values of LCs and things like a MK1 GTE - nothing like their equivalent Ford or other brands.
Personally, I think that an LC will be collectable, it just wont command anything like the prices that it deserves. As far as Monaros and VXR8s are concerned, aint never going to happen sadly. Just enjoy them now for what they are.
R8VXF said:
No Vauxhall will ever be a collectable. Not even the LC will command decent values ever again. And I am talking as a VX fanboy, but also a realist.
I hear what you are saying but these cars aren't technically Vauxhalls just branded as such for the UK market. In terms of supply numbers here you can argue they are relatively low and will only get rarer as they are either crashed / rusted out. Rare cars in the long run always seem to do ok price wise. bigunit00 said:
R8VXF said:
No Vauxhall will ever be a collectable. Not even the LC will command decent values ever again. And I am talking as a VX fanboy, but also a realist.
I hear what you are saying but these cars aren't technically Vauxhalls just branded as such for the UK market. In terms of supply numbers here you can argue they are relatively low and will only get rarer as they are either crashed / rusted out. Rare cars in the long run always seem to do ok price wise. I am just going to enjoy my car and learn to tune it myself
mfp4073 said:
It really does not matter how old your car is or how many miles are on the clock. If the car has been cared for it will speak for itself.
I have just worked out how much cash I will need to spend to get my car where I want it.The result was not good!.
Now considering the market value of a CV8, I would have to be mad to even consider spending any more money on it, but, I no doubt will.
I cant even think of another car I could afford as a realistic replacement, especially when you work out how much money you will lose in depreciation!
Don't forget, people do spend a fortune on classic cars, so an Australian muscle car is sure to become a classic..I think?
John
I like to think you're right. I have just worked out how much cash I will need to spend to get my car where I want it.The result was not good!.
Now considering the market value of a CV8, I would have to be mad to even consider spending any more money on it, but, I no doubt will.
I cant even think of another car I could afford as a realistic replacement, especially when you work out how much money you will lose in depreciation!
Don't forget, people do spend a fortune on classic cars, so an Australian muscle car is sure to become a classic..I think?
John
Mud_ said:
Erm, merry Christmas 
Merry Christmas to you too! R8VXF said:
The rarity will stop them going for shed money...
What stops them being shed money is the engine, gearbox and ECU. Last set sold for £5500 on ebay.For VXRs, maybe the wheels, seats and plastic body kit too.
Next time you see a £5K Ro, buy it and break it.
As for being worth retail, never. IIRC my GTS was £40-50k new (anyone know for sure?). I paid £3k for it.
ArnieVXR said:
R8VXF said:
The rarity will stop them going for shed money...
What stops them being shed money is the engine, gearbox and ECU. Last set sold for £5500 on ebay.For VXRs, maybe the wheels, seats and plastic body kit too.
Next time you see a £5K Ro, buy it and break it.
As for being worth retail, never. IIRC my GTS was £40-50k new (anyone know for sure?). I paid £3k for it.
Sadly these cars will dye in the uk due to parts prices and availability off parts
The gtsr when new was the fastest production 4 door saloon at the time and where over 50,000 new in the uk
Now there lucky make 5000 even though there was only 200 vt11 s made
In oz they fetch more !
Over here every one plents on about how good Audi bmw and merc are
That these very tuneable push rod v8s
Get over looked.
The gtsr when new was the fastest production 4 door saloon at the time and where over 50,000 new in the uk
Now there lucky make 5000 even though there was only 200 vt11 s made
In oz they fetch more !
Over here every one plents on about how good Audi bmw and merc are
That these very tuneable push rod v8s
Get over looked.
My Monaro is over 100k now, not by much but it was previously used as a daily by a very careful owner, then she was stored for a year or two. Now however she is driven only on the weekends, mileage is something that I feel, gets used to leverage deals when buying cars but in my opinion a well looked after car makes mileage irrelevant. My girl is regularly detailed and always serviced, always given good quality oils and products from Monkfish etc etc. To be honest I'm quiet precious about her ha ha.
I guess when I'm buying or selling a car I like to try and qualify the owner as well, it gives you a great insight into how a car has been treated/looked after. I have a 170k Vauxhall Cavalier Turbo sitting at home too and that beastie drove from Aberdeen to Ibiza and back in 2014, it's my pride and joy just as much as my Monaro is again I think that it's down to good ownership that makes these things possible.
Generally cars that haven't been looked after mechanically and structurally or have had owners that think they are Ken Block are such a dissapointment but those nice ones that are out there are either squirraled away or the owners won't part with them, not easily anyway
I guess when I'm buying or selling a car I like to try and qualify the owner as well, it gives you a great insight into how a car has been treated/looked after. I have a 170k Vauxhall Cavalier Turbo sitting at home too and that beastie drove from Aberdeen to Ibiza and back in 2014, it's my pride and joy just as much as my Monaro is again I think that it's down to good ownership that makes these things possible.
Generally cars that haven't been looked after mechanically and structurally or have had owners that think they are Ken Block are such a dissapointment but those nice ones that are out there are either squirraled away or the owners won't part with them, not easily anyway
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