[vertigto]

What is driving the prices of some models in the open market these days?

Is it all sentimentality of the Gen X and Millennial generations that now have money?? I kinda understand the VW bus and Bronco trending, but the auctions below are a bit surprising to me, having grown up during this era.

Thoughts?


I understand the low miles and like new condition for both of these, but still...


16k-Mile 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe LT 4×4 - $41,069



38k-Mile 1991 Cadillac Brougham d’Elegance - $70,000



I guess I am clueless about the import market, even if this is an ultra-rare 1981 924 variant with @ 280hp...

1981 Porsche 924 Carrera GTS Clubsport - $261,000



And yet, a pristine, low mile (6K) / original owner 2005 GTO stored in a plastic bubble (see last pic of auction) taps out at $25K+ <sigh>...

Original-Owner 2005 Pontiac GTO 6-Speed - $25,500

[mgarblik]

The market trends you feature above are hard to fathom in many ways but there is no single factor that makes these auction results sensible, IMO. I think these are the contributing factors: 1. Cars and trucks like the ones pictured are no longer being made period 2. These cars stand out among a world of jelly bean, or white and gray SUV's. 3. Even at these crazy prices, they still cost less than an equivalent new one. (Such as the 41 K Tahoe that new would be touching the 75K mark new). 4. General distaste for everything needing a TV screen to operate, all having nanny controls, start/stop features and other annoying features. 5. Nostalgia is always a factor 6. Lack of manual transmission new cars in the case of the sports cars 7. Fear of being forced into electric vehicles I am sure there are many more I missed.

[Stuart]

Porsches are hot, and that particular one is an extremely rare and desirable model.

[Chris65LeMans]

I didn’t remember that the S2000 cost more than the RX7 - was that the last version of the 7?

I had the same reaction to the S2000, and I drove one at the earlier models that revved 1000 rpm higher. (It may have been 8,500). We made such a racket bombing down streets in my hometown that the police were called, and they just passed us by once we had eased off. (They didn’t think for a second that all that noise came from a Honda.).

I was disappointed by the low power, too - and I was a big Honda fan at the time. (After owning 3 Hondas and Acuras for a total of 650,000 miles, I’ll probably not buy another.). I thought “this car would be great if it only had more power.”

After going years without seeing any 240-300 Zs on the road, I do see them more frequently now. - they’re coming out of the garages.

[mgarblik]

Originally Posted by Chris65LeMans

I didn’t remember that the S2000 cost more than the RX7 - was that the last version of the 7?

I had the same reaction to the S2000, and I drove one at the earlier models that revved 1000 rpm higher. (It may have been 8,500). We made such a racket bombing down streets in my hometown that the police were called, and they just passed us by once we had eased off. (They didn’t think for a second that all that noise came from a Honda.).

I was disappointed by the low power, too - and I was a big Honda fan at the time. (After owning 3 Hondas and Acuras for a total of 650,000 miles, I’ll probably not buy another.). I thought “this car would be great if it only had more power.”

After going years without seeing any 240-300 Zs on the road, I do see them more frequently now. - they’re coming out of the garages.

Here are the specs. for the S2000 and you get a feel for what Chris and I were talking about : 237 HP @ 8300 RPM Peak Torque a very weak 153 ft. lbs@ 7500 RPM. Two weeks ago I dyno'd a Ford Model A engine, basically stock. It made 104 Ft. Lbs.@ 1600 RPM. 0-60 6.2 sec. 1/4 mile 14.40@ 94 MPH Top speed 149 . So good performance but not life changing. Base price well equipped in 1999 30,050.00. I misspoke in my above post comparing it to an RX 7 in performance and price. My comparison was to a Mazda Miata, which cost 20,300.00 at the time and was a little slower. Probably why the Honda Training director was so miffed with me. The RX7 of the day was the FD model which would run circles around a S2000 and is also hot on the used car market now. People in their 30's, 40's and early 50's just love these cars.

[tooski]

Originally Posted by mgarblik

Here are the specs. for the S2000 and you get a feel for what Chris and I were talking about : 237 HP @ 8300 RPM Peak Torque a very weak 153 ft. lbs@ 7500 RPM. Two weeks ago I dyno'd a Ford Model A engine, basically stock. It made 104 Ft. Lbs.@ 1600 RPM. 0-60 6.2 sec. 1/4 mile 14.40@ 94 MPH Top speed 149 . So good performance but not life changing. Base price well equipped in 1999 30,050.00. I misspoke in my above post comparing it to an RX 7 in performance and price. My comparison was to a Mazda Miata, which cost 20,300.00 at the time and was a little slower. Probably why the Honda Training director was so miffed with me. The RX7 of the day was the FD model which would run circles around a S2000 and is also hot on the used car market now. People in their 30's, 40's and early 50's just love these cars.

Can I assume that when you wrote the 0-60 and 1/4 times you reverted to writing about the S2000? Upon the first read it seems like the specs are that of the dyno'd model A.
( Two weeks ago I dyno'd a Ford Model A engine, basically stock. It made 104 Ft. Lbs.@ 1600 RPM. 0-60 6.2 sec. 1/4 mile 14.40@ 94 MPH Top speed 149.)

[mgarblik]

Originally Posted by tooski

Can I assume that when you wrote the 0-60 and 1/4 times you reverted to writing about the S2000? Upon the first read it seems like the specs are that of the dyno'd model A.
( Two weeks ago I dyno'd a Ford Model A engine, basically stock. It made 104 Ft. Lbs.@ 1600 RPM. 0-60 6.2 sec. 1/4 mile 14.40@ 94 MPH Top speed 149.)

Yes! Sometimes the text jumps on this keyboard and inserts itself in the wrong place. Made a mess out of that post. Can't fix it now. Sorry.

[TAKerry]

The z cars are definitely a beautiful car, especially the early ones. I had a buddy in hs that had a 240, his mom bought it new and it was a hand me down. That thing was awesome. I would love to have one or a 260. But alas one of the t/a's will have to go first. I can see how the styling is highly inspired by the Ferrari Daytona or was it the other way around. Seems for a long time the cars from the east were modeled after european designs. I think the the Z cars are still a bit undervalued at this time. I think it wont be long until prime examples are in the 6 digits, if there arent some that are there now.

[Mr Anonymous]

The 88-98 Tahoe and Suburban are very hot right now. Pristine examples are fetching crazy money. When I sold my 93 2500 suburban with 454 and 4wd a few years back, I thought I was above market. Now its worth double that, and has been sold twice more. I replaced it with a 2005 Dodge crew cab Cummins 2wd dually, and its now worth 8k more than I paid. Strange times indeed.

[68lemans462]

Originally Posted by Mr Anonymous

The 88-98 Tahoe and Suburban are very hot right now. Pristine examples are fetching crazy money. When I sold my 93 2500 suburban with 454 and 4wd a few years back, I thought I was above market. Now its worth double that, and has been sold twice more. I replaced it with a 2005 Dodge crew cab Cummins 2wd dually, and its now worth 8k more than I paid. Strange times indeed.

The 88-98 Tahoe/Subs are among the worst ever made IMHO, unfortunately I've owned several of them but never again!

[72projectbird]

Cars from the 80s and 90s are going crazy right now, and show no signs of slowing down.

[b-man]

My good friend just sold this 1962 23-window Deluxe Samba, private party sale.

It looks just as nice in person as it does in the pictures, immaculate and one of the best of the breed.


Sold for $160K

[60sstuff]

Originally Posted by b-man

My good friend just sold this 1962 23-window Deluxe Samba, private party sale.

It looks just as nice in person as it does in the pictures, immaculate and one of the best of the breed.


Sold for $160K

WHOA,

Those VW are way cool. You never ever see them, even back in the day.
Usually at the beach with surfer dudes back then.

Thanks for that rush.

[Half-Inch Stud]

Originally Posted by b-man

My good friend just sold this 1962 23-window Deluxe Samba, private party sale.

It looks just as nice in person as it does in the pictures, immaculate and one of the best of the breed. Sold for $160K

Coworker of mine has that exact color model in decent original condition. Think his is a 1968.

[b-man]

Originally Posted by Half-Inch Stud

Coworker of mine has that exact color model in decent original condition. Think his is a 1968.

Probably a ‘67 if it has the split windshield, it was last year for that identifying feature before the major redesign in 1968 that had a one piece curved windshield and roll-up side windows.

They’re bringing huge money, some very nice 23-window examples have gone for over $200K. The older the bus the more valuable, and of course the body style plays a big part as well.

Commercial vehicles bring considerably less in the same condition, my ‘66 single cab pickup pictured next to the Samba might bring $35K. Both were restored by my friend.

[ts3189]

35k sticker price on the anniversary z .the one on the showroom floor at the dealership i worked at sold for 37,500 . Killer stereo in those car’s!

[455Grandville]

Any old full size pickup right now fetches much more than it did 5 years ago. I used be able to buy fairly nice Ford IDI diesels for $3,000, now they’re asking $4,000 for rusty junk.

[Chris65LeMans]

That Porsche may be a special limited edition model of the 944. The rest of those sellers need to stop smoking that crack.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Chris65LeMans

That Porsche may be a special limited edition model of the 944.

It's a 924, the predecessor to the 944. According to the BAT information, it's one of only 15 built for road use, and only has 500 miles on it.

[NeighborsComplaint]

Many times rarity trumps desirability.