Soft market?

[triple_green]

Looks like the higher end stuff is down about 20%. This is not uncommon for any collectable/commodity when the stock market tanks, people tend to pull back in other areas too.

Also to the degree that anyone borrows money to buy higher end cars, interest rates are higher and money is harder to come by.

If I didn't already have an expensive unfinished project, I'd be thinking about a daytona or superbird right now.

[ChargerST]

Just found this on epay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1970-Dodge-Challenger-R-T-440-SIX-PACK_W0QQitemZ320219655747QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item320219655747

a 70 Challenger real 440-6 for $43,500 - seems to be a really good deal

[moparstuart]

that cars very close to me , well 50 miles ?

[1969chargerrtse]

Realistically you can't really treat a car like a kids college fund.  You KNOW you aren't likely to sell it for even that.  I'll use the mortgage before i use my charger.  My charger predated my wife, and i started dating her when she was 15.  Kids aren't really interested in cars so they can't have it...  I prepaid college when the kids were 6 though, so it shouldn't be that big an expense for the uncovered parts.  Yes those hemi chargers are rolling gold mines, sighhhhh, i so regret passing up on the hemi challenger convertible for 1000.00 (new hemi, body was maybe a 5 out of 10), or the complete but disassembled hemi at a shop that was closing, (600...but i had a minor fender bender in the parents car the day before so couldn't cover it) but this was in the mid 80s, things were cheaper then. 

When owners think they see a slump, they are misreading the signs, now, while the cars are in the middle of an adjustment trough, is the time to buy the cars you want, not worry about why they are a little cheaper now.  If you have a 318, and can swing it get a decent r/t instead.  The prices will keep going up, especially for cars that may be uncommon, or limited in production.  I fully expect my survivor car, when its 90% done to what i want, will be worth over 60k one day.  (not there yet, slowly taking shape though) but it may take 20 years before then, either way the wife can sell it when i'm dead, its an insurance policy she never nagged me to get. 

With higher gas prices, cell phones, cable etc, it all eats away at pleasure budgets, and while there is a risk in the economy which many would claim recession, we've had next to no inflation for a decade, and we still enjoy mortgage rates at pre 1965 levels when compared to what they got to in the 80s, 17% mortgages were standard then, high inflation sucks.  Our stock market, while hopping around a bit lately still is at record levels when compared to even 4 years ago, salaries seem to be low, but new grads can make more than i can after 20 years (with my own degree) and afford cars and toys more than i can, I'm not going to complain about the economy.  Bankers got greedy with mortgages, and this shakeup is a much needed slap to the head and shake of the tree to get rid of deadwood and worms.  People will always need houses, and will always need a way to pay for them, so the mortgage industry is going to just have to adjust a little bit. 

I'll have to see what happens when college time rolls around, but I also always thought I wouldn't sell my charger for college funds.  I have 3 kids and what the charger would help with the total payments would be little compared to the whole cost  but we shall see. I'm lucky in that my wonderful wife (at home Mom at the moment ) is going to school to become a nurse, and they do well so her income will be helping in those college years for the kids.

[gtx6970]

one can analize it all they want, But NOTHING is selling for (or being bid up to ) what is was this time last year OR the year before
I seriously doubt gas prices has much if any effect on muscle car prices.

Potential market place changes with time, Buyers interests change. High Prices drives some buyers to look at other venues to invest any avail toy funds. Such as -
The new Challenger and/or  Charger SRT cars as well as Prowlers +  Vipers . All with the same (or better ) performance values but in a modern pkg with better amenities.

Not to mention the buyers are getting older, (and wiser to a degree ) thus are being more selective on potential purchases . As this crowd gets older,  mark my word Options will be in more demand as time goes on.

Are we seeing all hemi cars in the $100K price ranges today ? No
Will we ever see $30K Hemi car prices as commonplace  again ? Not likely

[69charger2002]

very well said bill. i completely agree
trav

[Mike DC]

 
I think "options" have already been growing in demand for a long time.  Decades. 



Look at a '68 Hemi/4spd Plymouth Roadrunner with no radio, crank windows, rubber floormats, front bench seat, etc. 

Compare that to a modern Saleen Mustang or Corvette. 

 


The difference is that the average modern sports car buyer is older, richer, and mainly just less pure in his speed lust than in decades past. 

[Troy]

I think Bill was talking about options on the older cars. As the buyers get smarter and more selective they'll hold out for (and pay for) a car that has rarer or more options. They already do to a certain extent but the price disparity isn't there.

Troy

[Lord Warlock]

Well, if options are good, my car will remain in demand a while longer.  While the market has likely slowed, I don't see the cars dropping in value much except for those needing to move them fast.  In 2008 it will have been 30 years in my possession, i'll wait it out another 5 and things will heat up again.  Our cars are eternal and getting rarer by the day. 

[68 CHARGER R/T]

i believe the market will change in due time. down here in canada alot of buisnesses got hurt in january, even the company i work for, we build mac trucks and volvo parts like main structures frames, bumpers  bumper supports and all kinds of other parts. now were in march and things are starting to pick up again slowly but surely. as for our cars i see it's hurting the value for us to sell  at the moment (if you have too) but i predict it will change soon enough. on the plus side it's always  nice to see people of all ages just stop and stare ( some drool   ) when you drive by then they usually give ya the    . always puts a smile on my face and that just tells me i ain't sellin her .     

[SFRT]

I dont care what my Charger is 'worth' because im never going to sell it.