What's the MAXIMUM to have to pay to get a pristine spider

[Jimb]

Say completely restored or extremely low mileage?
Thanks,
Jim

[So Cal Mark]

I think you should have asked what the minimum required to get a pristine, low mileage Spider. Recently we've seen Spiders advertised in the $20,000 range and up. Extremely low mileage cars seem to be in the 10-12K area, but you can buy an excellent version in the $7k range most of the time

[baltobernie]

... but you can buy an excellent version in the $7k range most of the time

... in California ... for a late-model version.

[Danno]

Ditto on what Mark just said. It's really a matter of opinion and also a look at what's been out there recently. IMO, if you built a BRAND NEW spider from the ground up using NOS parts and replacement parts when necessary, and it had 0 miles on it, I'd think it should go for about 20,000-25,000 (which would be a stupid thing to build because it would probably cost you 2-3 times that amount to build in parts alone.) SO, a used one in PERFECT condition should (IMO) go for 12-14. a super nice one should be had for 7-10, and a great fun car that doesn't need anything to be safe and running should be 5-7, a car that needs a little, but gets around should be 3-5, One that doesn't run but could, or runs but needs simple cosmetic repairs 1-3, Doesn't run and needs severe work should be <1k. Parts car ~$500

As I look at this it's over-simplified, but you get the idea. The funny thing about these numbers as I look at them is that when I first got my Fiat those expectations would have been about HALF. Maybe that doesn't sound funny at all, but consider that I've been a Fiat owner for maybe 4 years!!!

[kristoj]

I numbers thrown out seem to be consistent with what I have seen in the market. Our Spiders have been appreciating at about 10 percent per year for a while. the near perfect cars have appreciated slightly more. Despite the rise in values, Fiat Spider still represent an exceptional value compared to any other car in it's class. Consider that average condition MGBs and TR6s regularly break the $20k mark. And Alfa Spiders, especially the earlier ones, can break $30k (and are far more expensive to own).

So we will have to see what impact, if any, the recent stock market meltdown and credit crisis will have on our car values. But the consensus among those who follow the collector car market is that values are headed down -- especially for the less expensive (sometimes referred to as "credit card cars") cars under $25k. The thinking is that the guys buying million dollar Ferraris aren't worried about whether or not they are going to lose their jobs (because they don't work anyway) and will continue to buy. The guys like us that have a family to support and are worried about our jobs are going to be more reluctant to spend $10k to $25k on a toy.

Car values are like any other commodity and subject to the laws of supply and demand. So my advice with any collector car is to find the most desirable model in the best possible condition that you can afford. The most desirable models will always generate the greatest demand, and the ones in best condition will always be in short supply.

[baltobernie]

got a survey from Hagerty Insurance the other day; one of the questions was value of my car. The lowest choice available was "under $25,000". Sheesh!