Post
by Mad Professor » Sat Jan 31, 2015 6:32 pm
NDL wrote:Mad Professor wrote:I just don't get how dealers are managing to sell roadsters at what appear to premium prices for this time of year . I'd be interested to know if a similar phenomenon is going on for other desirable low volume convertibles at the peak of winter ,eg TVRs
Yes, it is. I have owned TVR's for 15 years now, and over the past couple of years, if a good car comes up, even in the depth of winter, they get snapped up almost immediately. Models such as the Tamora, where there was only approx 450 made, with only 5 currently forsale in the classifieds are almost sold as soon as they get advertised.
I think it's the Same with the M's, with so few made and the good ones getting more difficult to find, there is normally someone lurking and prepared to snap one up if it is the right combo for them.
I have been personally looking for an Imola red one with black leather to include extended leather for several months now. If one came up, then i would be viewing the next day for sure.
I currently find myself looking at the intergralos one with black extended leather with blue inserts at 4 Star Classics. Looks very nice, but not Imola red
so, do I wait or make a compromise
Is that the case for just the M or all Zed convertibles in terms of being sold by dealers -ie do the decent Z 3.0 roadsters get snapped up as readily at this time of year
I can appreciate how the coupes hold their money at this time of year because most of them are used as dailys in contrast to the convertibles ,so there won't be the same seasonal variation in demand .
You say the ZMR is rare but it is really just a Z with a different engine [albeit an epic S54 ] and a few wee tweaks - the average punter would not know the difference between a plane jone Z and an M -ie it's not like Zs in general are not particularly rare in the same way like a Tamora or a Griff is rare per se .
I still hanker after a pre-cat 4.3 big valve Griff -I just think this will come to be seen as an ultimate classic TVR in the same way that say an E type is now . It's such a stunning car to look at and the V8 makes a fabulous noise through a SS exhaust .i had such grief with my TVR owenrship experience that i dont think i could go back again -bit like dating an old girl friend -never a good idea .
What's the market like for S54 Z3M's -I had one many years ago [Phoenix yellow ] and while it was very quick and looked great the ride and handling were to say the least disappointing -ie the engine was seriously let down by the chassis and the engine .In fact at the time i recall testing a new 2.5 Z4 and was amazed how much better it was than my Z3 as an all round roadster . I assume its the same S4 unit in the Z4 as in the Z3 -so in theory i would expect the older and more rarer S54 Z3M to hold its value very well nowadays as a lot were written off for obvious reasons . I always thought the allure of the Z3M was diluted by the shoddy reputation and image perception of the Z3 in general -ie it was never seen as a serious roadster in its time .SWMBO loved the Z3M but then it was dare i say it in many ways more of a girls car .She is however pleased that i got rid of the 7 and bought the Z4M as she hated the whole concept of the Caterham in terms of its rawness and lack of safety . I have t admit i always felt rather exposed in the 7 but that was probably a function of being of a cautious old man -it kind of happens as you get older i guess .
Present : 987 Box
Past history : ,Z4MR ,Cat HPC evo , XKR , Eunos VR , Eunos VS, Westie S8 ,TVR S2 , S54 Z3MR, SL500 , TVR Wedge 4.6 , Cat Xflow , Saab 900 Turbo ,Cat VXE ,Cat BDR, Cat Twincam , Elan S3 , Haldane Healey, Lancia HF turbo