good investment or not

[foothills gary]

Casaleenie,that is the best laugh I have had this week!I will stay on for that eruption,it's probably due real soon!

[decooney]

A few more words on "Good Investment or Not".

Including myself, I have several friends that have bailed out on totally original cars of various types for replicas or non-numbers match 60s cars, just to be able to ...

- Drive them and not worry about original mileage!
- Cost less and quality of the parts in use are the same or better
- Can customize them an not hurt value too much.
- If they get a chip or dent, oh well, just fix it...
- They don't have to just sit in the garage and take space...
- Not paying insurance on something that just sits...
- Color doesn't matter, paint it whatever you want...
- Much more enjoyment with actual use vs. sit, talk, show/shine
- Not worried about having good money invested in something I'm afraid to or can't use...no more...

I don't think I'll ever buy a numbers matched original car ever again unless its a third or fourth car. Been there, done that over a few times. Much less personal value there in my mind... I look at original numbers cars as investment cars only for future sale.

To me, value from an investment in a car is when you can drive it an enjoy it as much as you want, whenever you want. I just look at it this way. Shelby bolted on parts... we can do the same with better parts on any car we want. Plus, I'd rather bolt the parts on myself.

Nice replicas are the way to go... Faster, Better, Cheaper!

[Venm-s1]

Enjoyed all of your posts, you have it on the mark. Buy it or build it, doesn't really matter, just enjoy it! I haven't got mine off the blocks yet (2.5 years in labor) but every minute is a joy. Driving will be ecstasy, who cares about the cash-it's about something much deeper...

[Excaliber]

Someone quoted Jay Leno as saying:

"I like to buy cars that 8's or 9's and turn them into 6's or 7's."

Man I love that quote, whether the source is accurate or not, it says a LOT about having fun with them!

Ernie

[decooney]

Excaliber,

What a neat quote. He sure drives his cars, steam powered and all! During a quick photo op I asked him about his Cobra once, and he said he loves it, that its one of his favorite cars. Pretty much sums it up from a guy that can buy any kind of car he wants. His being a hand-made replica too, right?

[CowtownCobra]

Seems like quite a few of the used cobras for sale have incredibly low mileage on them. Like a car built in 1999 with 200 miles on it, or something like that. It makes me wonder if the car is even drivable, or if the speedo just finally got hooked up a couple of months ago...

[decooney]

CowtownCobra,
An observation on "some" replica Cobras.... I've driven some (lower-quality or not well-built) used cars for friends that were looking to buy one for less. It seems if they shake, rattle, or feel unsafe this is at least one reason people won't drive them far... Then you get people that feel they have too much money in the car, and just wont drive it for fear of damaging it, or too afraid they might chip the paint, blow the 427 motor, etc - whatever; just scared. Seen others that are uncomfortable not knowing much about the mechanics of their car, or how it went together... then they encounter a problem or failure, ... freak out and sell it to buy a vette, porsche, Viper or something. I had to sell my last car with low miles due to a bad market/job contract situation at the time, but later recovered and built the second. But 200 miles, yeah, thats low...hardly enough to shake down the car and break it in. Hard to say... so many reasons people sell.

[SL]

Backdraft doesn't have a long term resale record, so it's all speculation.. but with the amount of kit Cobra's that are being made, that will surely drive prices down for resale in the future..

and RedCSX, I understand you made a nice profit from that 67 500 I found for you...

Steve

[RaceDeck]

My $.02-

If you want an investment, buy realestate or stocks....not a car. I think that there are a few exceptions to this, but they are far and few between. I think that you can be smart and come out ok if you bought the car right, you don't finance it, and it is a qaulity car. One exception would be a car with some history, like notorous race winner in its era.

I own several cars that would be considered "collectable" and may one day turn out to be a great investment due to their mark in automotive history and/or rareity. But it is more likely the money I have in these cars would do much better in 5-10-20 years in the market or realestate. As much as I would like to think my Kirkham is an investment, I plan on driving the #@*& out of it and that will be "priceless. On a side note, I do think that the Kirkham family is producing a car that has made a mark in the automotive world ( At SEMA Ford recognized them and it was their car on display) who know what mark the Kirkham will have made or is making 20 years from now?.

In other words....Buy the replica you want and can by for the right price....Get in it and drive the $#&@ out it, enjoy it.....

[427 S/O]

Had a dream the other night I sold my cobra, woke up with a very empty feeling.

[Jackal]

I Just got a backdraft, the car is very nice for the money I pay 25,900 plus engine-trans., I don't care if is not the best or real! is a fun car to drive on weekends and the best part is that is all pay for, If you are looking for a car to go to the tracks or weekend driving this is it, Take a look at my pic's of my backdraft, Just click on the camera,

Of course, that's just my opinion...

[SPOOKY]

UNLESS YOU ARE SPENDING 250K OR MORE ...NO CAR ON PLANET EARTH IS A GOOD INVESTMENT IT'S LIKE THE DEFINITION OF A BOAT "IT IS A HOLE IN THE WATER SURROUNDED BY WOOD IN WHICH YOU POUR MONEY INTO ... JUST HAVE A GOOD TIME AND FAGETABOUTIT!!!!