Current depreciation rates?

[Heyrick]

Hi, after an impromptu ride and test drive from Wessex in his 3R I can't stop being tempted by getting one. I've tried to be sensible and say it isn't practical etc. but it's not working at the moment

Anyway, not having watched them before I was wondering what the prices were like at the moment - two questions really:

- Are prices still falling or starting to level out? How much more would I have had to have paid a year ago compared to now?

- Do you think a well looked after model will become an investment any time soon (where it holds it's value or goes up)?

[Gadgeroonie]

Cars withe the right mileage and modifications are holding money if not appreciating. Scruffy ones are false economy and cost more in the long run.

You will get a better deal over the winter months

[Hollowpockets]

I would say they've looked fairly stable over the last couple of years if not increased, there is the occasional bargain but people tend to be happy to pay for the right car, in my case I got a really good deal (about 8k less than the going rate) three years ago on a standard car but have spent that on the modifications to get it well sorted following a few problems. So as above make sure it's got the essentials.

As far as performance cars go you could do far worse for depreciation.

[Daisy Duke]

Gadgeroonie said:

Cars withe the right mileage and modifications are holding money if not appreciating. Scruffy ones are false economy and cost more in the long run.

You will get a better deal over the winter months

Yes the market does seem to be splitting into two - I know that some dealers don't want to deal with most of the cars that they are offered, and reckon that the supply of 'good' cars is ever diminishing.
I'm not sure you could really look on one as an investment though (as it'll never be like an F40), just a way to have some serious fun without losing too much. I'd also caution against trying to run a car such as this on a shoestring, as even good ones can need some money spent on them from time to time.

[Heyrick]

Daisy Duke said:

Yes the market does seem to be splitting into two - I know that some dealers don't want to deal with most of the cars that they are offered, and reckon that the supply of 'good' cars is ever diminishing.
I'm not sure you could really look on one as an investment though (as it'll never be like an F40), just a way to have some serious fun without losing too much. I'd also caution against trying to run a car such as this on a shoestring, as even good ones can need some money spent on them from time to time.

Thanks, for the replies. I probably used the wrong word when I said "investment" as I realise it won't make money including costs - I was rather getting at it holding its value and having the fun for the price of the running costs.

Btw you're not helping me be very practical at the moment...

[BobE]

From what I can see the spread in the market is getting larger. Really good low mileage cars that have a desirable specification are going up in price whilst those with high mileages, poor specifications and are scruffy are going down. I guess it`s what you`d expect with a finite number of cars with an enthusiastic following - the total of which is reducing every year as some are written off. I think it was EVO magazine that had the car as it`s tip for `free` motoring if you don`t pile on the miles and look after the car. Their view was that the track day market was making the car more desirable and hence maintaining -or increasing - prices.

[sjc]

BobE said:

From what I can see the spread in the market is getting larger. Really good low mileage cars that have a desirable specification are going up in price whilst those with high mileages, poor specifications and are scruffy are going down. I guess it`s what you`d expect with a finite number of cars with an enthusiastic following - the total of which is reducing every year as some are written off. I think it was EVO magazine that had the car as it`s tip for `free` motoring if you don`t pile on the miles and look after the car. Their view was that the track day market was making the car more desirable and hence maintaining -or increasing - prices.

Mileage is nothing to worry about,in fact ultra low mileage can easily lead to problems,as it can on TVRs,Fezzas and the like. Buy on condition and provenance, and don't let your heart rule your head.

[TuxMan]

It will be interesting to see what a heavily modified Noble will fetch although as yet we have not seen one for sale !!!
Also the faster we get on track will raise stock again, when you are quicker than cars costing 100k plus it's proves the pedigree of the car . Tux

[andygtt]

as long as you don't pay over the odds when you buy they seem to not depreciate... I paid 23k for mine 3 years ago and if it was std I could get that for the car now.

[Chapppers]

I like to think they're holding their prices, although with so few cars and people keeping them quite a long time it's hard to tell. I've had a big bill recently but I know for certain if I'd spent the same money on a Focus ST, for instance, I'd have lost 3x my maintenance costs before I'd driven it off the forecourt.

I love mine but I do keep wondering whether I should have a season racing something, which would definitely mean I'd have to sell the Noble

[BobE]

sjc said:

BobE said:

From what I can see the spread in the market is getting larger. Really good low mileage cars that have a desirable specification are going up in price whilst those with high mileages, poor specifications and are scruffy are going down. I guess it`s what you`d expect with a finite number of cars with an enthusiastic following - the total of which is reducing every year as some are written off. I think it was EVO magazine that had the car as it`s tip for `free` motoring if you don`t pile on the miles and look after the car. Their view was that the track day market was making the car more desirable and hence maintaining -or increasing - prices.

Mileage is nothing to worry about,in fact ultra low mileage can easily lead to problems,as it can on TVRs,Fezzas and the like. Buy on condition and provenance, and don't let your heart rule your head.

Well it`s true that you should buy on condition and not using the car on a regular basis can give some problems, but most of the potential issues on Nobles that end up being expensive are related to mileage - combined with how they are driven. Gearbox problems are related to fatigue failure of the gear teeth, manifolds cracks and standard exhaust system failures are heat cycle and corrosion/fatigue related, turbo oil seals are wear related etc. And that`s before you start to think about suspension and brake wear - and the potentially biggest problem of all: chassis corrosion. I agree low mileage doesn`t always mean a car is in better condition than one with a high mileage but like age, mileage does affect values.