Are prices headed up?

[zachmac]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Fiat-_W0 ... 0624767959

I'm suprised this car is at $7500.

I'm looking at this ebay ad and can only surmise that:
1) okay condition cars are appreciating nicley, or
2) the general public is willing to pay more than the cars are worth, or
3) adding an aftermatker stereo returns 5 times the investment, or
4) re-painting my car a "rare" boring color will increase its value (but only of I slather a dab or two of body putty somewhere on the surface?

I'm not bashing the seller, more power to him/her. I just think that based on BID PRICES (versus asking) that maybe we are finally seeing some upward price movement?

[Jimb]

I think what holds prices on these cars down to be honest is the attitude of many of the owners.
How often do you read a post asking about how to make repairs or enhancements as cheap as possible. Certainly there are a lot of folks on here who really go out of their way to do a top notch job, and their cars or builds are beautiful machines, but there are also many who would rather save a few dollars to scrounge a used part somewhere rather than buy it new. I really don't mean to offend, but from someone who is a casual participant here, I'm often left wondering why to many of the posts.
If you want these cars to get a strong reputation, put quality into them like they really do deserve.
Just my 2 cents.
Jim

[azygoustoyou]

I can see what your saying. I don't think that should hold prices down on any certain vehicle though. Just as in any type of car owners there are most people that would rather fix their vehicle as cheaply as possible. Most people including myself don't have the money to say, do what it takes to make it right. I have to work on my car myself because I can't afford the labor charges shops are charging and parts themselves are high especially if it's OEM. The only reason I call the dealer is to see how much I'm saving getting the part from NAPA. I think a lot of people formed an opinion about Fiats years ago. It's great the 500 is taking off like it is. I love the spider 124 and can't understand anyone who loves cars and talks bad about it can't see the fine lines of the car. It's the people who don't maintain their vehicle and wonder why it keeps breaking down that get me laughing.

[Danno]

High prices mean the rest of the world "gets it"... I can't afford expensive cars, so I hope the rest of the world never really understands what great cars these can be. Unless, of course, I'm selling mine, lol.

[maytag]

We've got a few listings locally that seem to be way out. I look at their condition compared to mine (for which I paid $1300) and I wonder why would ANYONE pay $8500 in one case or $7999 in the other? Of course these listings are aging nicely.. just like the cars.

HOWEVER: have noticed that the car seems to be experiencing some additional local popularity very recently, that seems to conincide with the arrival of the new 500. I think people are recognizing the brand again. I think a younger generation of kids are looking at this car the same way I looked at my '41 Ford or my '48 Chevy when I was a kid in the '80s.

I dunno. It's funny though: I would personally rather keep it our little secret and NOT see values on them go up. I like that parts can be found "relatively" inexpensively. I like that I can pick-up a rust-free rolling shell for $250. Try that with a lesser car that is more popular, like the MG or even the Alfa?

I don't need others to recognize my car as 'smart' or 'rare' or 'valuable'. The guys at work laugh at me when I drive my "gay little car" on fridays. I laugh along with them, because they don't understand, and that's okay. I own these cars for me. I'd love to keep 'em cheap.

[Daniel]

in 2006 - 2007 Spiders like this were going for 10 to 12 k, in 2008 i got 6k for mine which might of been
worth more back in 2006 on ebay . There will always be good deals on cars that need some TLC but if
anyone of us re painted, Rebuilt the engine, replaced all the parts needed to make the car worthy
of a long road trip and back I'm sure your going to want a good sum to part with that car !

[launieg]

If you want these cars to get a strong reputation, put quality into them like they really do deserve.

Jim, I'm afraid I might be embarassed to show you my driver. I think that there are a lot of levels of interest in these cars, and the good thing is that the marque caters to everyone. Some people want a perfect car or have the money and interest to restore one. Others do not, and want to do it all on the cheap. So be it (either way). Your car is unique, and I first want to state that it would be a travesty to not maintain it properly. You do, of course, and good for you.

I have three Spiders (only one is running) but I could never afford to own even one of any other type of classic sports car, as far as I can see. I'm thrilled that these are cheap and that I can fool around with them cheaply, and I think it is fine that so many owners have the opportunity to have one and fuss around with it on the cheap. After all, there are still a tremendous number of them around, and we who keep them priced low and do repairs cheaply or without regard to originality are doing no diservice whatsoever to the marque as a whole, as I see it.

The question about pricing going up or down is perennial (or maybe bi-annual!). Right now, I look at local pricing (including Vancouver, BC) and the range in pricing is amazing. Even locally, there is someone asking $15, and another I recall recently was $25K. Many are around $4k to $6k, and then there is one here and there for under $1500 or even $500 or so! That wide range pretty much makes the statement that there is something for everyone. So let's allow the beauties keep climbing in price, but also let us have our cheap ones. Otherwise I'd not be here, but on some VW forum or whatever.

I'm hoping that they stay low in price, in general.

[Baz]

C'mon guys...they are simply the most beautiful small sports car made.

Baz

[Jimb]

C'mon guys...they are simply the most beautiful small sports car made.

Baz

Can't disagree that they are beautiful...but in my opinion not the most beautiful; that title goes to the 1962 Ferrari 250 GT California Spider.

[spidernut]

I have also seen prices edging up on the Spiders. For the money, I still think they're a bargain compared to other vehicles in the same price range.

As a side note, I also recently read that ALL used car prices are up due in part to the high price of new cars and the problems with manufacturing in Japan following the earthquake.

[124JOE]

say what you will.my fiat was free and i still have spent arond 10k on it. and she glows in my eyes.
the real reason i work on it myself is i paid and paid to make it RIGHT.so much
i leared how it do it myself.after i see the mecanic do it wrong 3 times(to get it right)
i think to myself(i can do it wrong)and then my tranz case was cracked and spreading
if i had the cash i would have bought one remaned.$1800 later bad case.

[Baz]

Yesterday I caught a 30 sec blurb on Turbo Max Tv (Foxtel) on the Spider. Nice cameo... "very little to go wrong" "good performance".."Easy top down"....."easy to park"....and best of all.... "Very easy on the eye" I managed to vhs it but not sure if the blurb can be accessed anywhere.

Baz

[DUCeditor]

Cars like our Spiders -- that is cars that are owned generally for something other than "transportation" -- are worth whatever people are willing to pay for them. If a Toyota Corolla is too pricey there a re dozens more available and if that doesn't do it for you you can switch to a Honda, a Nissan or whatever.

But want a sexy little sports convertible where you gonna go? Triumph? MG? or... Fiat.

Fiat didn't have the name of the others because 1) the company was mostly known for its little economy cars and 2) Fiat had a bad name for quality.

Notice I said "bad name." In fact Fiats were (and are) generally far less troublesome than either of the British makes.

Today primo brit sportscars are fairly expensive. Old coots want them and will pay. But at the same time a younger generation is seeing these cars afresh and judging them by what they see, not an old reputation. Looked at that way the Fiat stands tall and the dollars naturally follow.

I see and hear this difference. Younger and middle age'd guys see my Spider and don't say (or show) a "oh, its only a Fiat" attitude. No the ogle the car for its intrinsic beauty and its now very classic look.

Think about it. These cars were designed in the mid-sixties. Their design is 45 years old. That IS classic. And while they are not Ferrari Daytonas they have the same design cues and it is real, not wannabe.

Thus in my opinion the price of these cars has to go up. The value is already there.

Or put it another way... Lets say someone offered you 8 or 10 grand for yours. What could you get to replace it for that money? Another Spider or... zilch.

-Don

[fiat218]

i have a 69 spider
and thru the years i been wanting to rebuild the one that i have had in my garage for 17 years, well it i bought a few things for it
i never got to do it but i found a 69 same as which i have and i paid 8 grand for it . there was no way in hell that i could have restored the car in the garage for that price
car in the garage was not that bad of shape but if u look at the whole picture and the people on this site rebuilding there fiat, i bet u have more then money in that little cute car then u realize AND LABOR

i just purchasing another fiat out of vegas, u seen it in the car for sale section.
very nice car and it a 72, , i got it for a great price. when that car is on it way i trashing that 69 body to the junk dealers, it junk to me just sitting there. any one can have it for free, THAT is all i got to say .