7's in the US... less equals more?

[No_6]

I first became serious about buying a 7 two and a half years ago. Back then, the cars seemed, if not abundant, more available. Which also meant lower prices. I nearly bought a 99 Birkin for 16500. Turns out (for my personal finances at the time) to have been a good decision to pass. But at around the same time, there was also an original '67 S3 with the Lotus twin-cam motor, 95% complete frame-off restoration for-wait for it-$15000. Or was it the white S2 that was 15000? Anyhow, my point is that at any given time, you could find one for under 20K.

 

Nowadays, there seem to be far less around (none in the Seattle area at all), and MUCH more expensive (almost nothing under 20K).

 

In one way, it gives me a greater sense of security, as the car is definitely holding its value, but the lack of availability is a bit frustrating.

 

What gives? Anyone know why this is?

 

 

[slngsht]

It's only when you're actively looking that one can't be found. Stop looking, and they come out of the woodworks http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smile5.gif.

 

 

 

Then, as soon as you buy one, it'll rain for the whole first week. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/lol.gif

[No_6]

 

It's only when you're actively looking that one can't be found. Stop looking, and they come out of the woodworks http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smile5.gif.

 

 

 

Then, as soon as you buy one, it'll rain for the whole first week. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/lol.gif

 

Perish the thought... I live in Seattle. If it starts raining, I'd be lucky if it lasted one week.

 

[Al N.]

No. 6-It's funny because I think once you get out of the new range, things really open up. New Cats are disgustingly expensive (esp the new CSR), I only got mine because the builder/dealer sold at a price that I thought (and still think) could not be duplicated.

 

 

 

The used market scared me because I had never owned one before and was sure that any used one would have been wrung out by the previous owner (not unlike buying a Subie STi second-hand).   Also, the "almost new" cars seemed to be at a price point just a few clicks shy of a new one.

 

 

 

It really depends...I think nice used Cats and Loti can be had in the high teens to mid $20k range...however one MINT restoration on a Series 2 I saw last year was going for $32k!!!

 

 

 

It's funny because when strangers ask me how much my car cost (a very strange and slightly rude question...would I ask a Ferrari owner what they paid?), I say..."You can get a nice used one in the teens, but new ones can be over $60k depending on the spec."