124 selling value

[samthedog]

I would think most of us that own these cars have done some level of restoration.
I am doing more than necessary, and doubt I could sell the car for what I have invested in it.
At least not for several years. One day this is going to be a very rare car. Rare cars bring money
at some point.
I plan to keep and enjoy this car, so I don't mind knowing I can't sell this car when it's completed this spring.
I am building it to be a sporty, car to drive to work to enjoy a spirited drive.

Considering we have all invested money bringing these great little cars back to life, my question is;
Does anyone have a spider that they could sell today, and get even or make a buck?

[narfire]

Not me. But take a look at craigslist Toronto and you might see, what I regard anyway, some optimistic prices.
I do have a 80FI I picked up last year and did a couple of small things to get it sorted and if or when I sell it,I'm hoping to actually make a few bucks
We'll see in the spring
Chris

[maytag]

One day this is going to be a very rare car. Rare cars bring money
at some point.

This isn't necessarily true. There are plenty of "rare" cars that have little value, becase they have little following.

I think that other, more "collectible" cars will need tro become much more rare before we see these really apprciate.... if ever.

Just enjoy it. throw as much mo ney at it as the enjoyment is worth to you.

[LStevens]

I think it really boils down to what someone is willing to pay for it. I think most of us have put into these cars more that 5x+ what the they're actually worth. Yes, there are people out there willing to pay the high dollars for them, but those are usually the ones who don't know any better or have the money to shell out without blinking an eye. Like someone once told me... "You either put in the money a little at a time or all at once. Either way it comes out the same..."

Besides, these cars are 30+ years old and wern't originally built for longevity. These cars were throw away cars and were only meant to last 100k. Some of us got our cars with much less miles than that. I for one got mine with just 48K, but it looked like it had more miles on it than that. Though mine sat in storage for 10 years, time alone had worn and will wear into the car even if it's not driven. I'd say most of our cars had already begun to rust before they even hit the show rooms floor.

These cars are hobby cars. Play with them, have fun with them and enjoy yourselves, but remember... It comes at a price!

[baltobernie]

Look at your Spider and ask, "What else could I have built or bought for this amount of money'? If you can't think of another car you'd rather have, then you've got good value in your investment.

[majicwrench]

Do I have a Spider I could sell and make a buck??

Yes, but mine is not restored. My 72 runs and drives wonderfully, has poor paint and a ratty top, is basicly rust free.
I probably have a $1000 into it, and I suspect it is worth a little more than that.
Keith

[spidernut]

Hard to say - I have about $5,500 into it including everything (even tires and misc. normal maintenance items). I have 40,000 original miles. I might be able to profit.

[divace73]

G'Day All
you will balk on how much spiders are worth down here, I paid AUD$15,000 about 13-15 years and I think at the time your dollar to our dollar meant it might have been about USD$8,000.
I have put much more into it and realistically (unless I'm in a day dream) I will never get that money back, however every time I look at her, I think even for the money we pay, nothing looks better. And the stats speak for themselves, designed and built by Pininfarina, engine designed by Lampredi (A Ferrari engine designer), good old Italian quirks and they all have character. Nobody could ever call these cars boring.
Just my 2c (we are almost on par now) worth

[ga.spyder]

People who buy these cars as an investment had better be very,very patient.They arent that rare and dont seem to have the following of say,even MG'S.We know they are a superior car in many ways ,but they suffered from a poor reputation even when new.There are few cars out there that can equal them in the ''fun per dollar'' quotient,though.Put the money in and dont worry about getting money out.

[mdrburchette]

I was just thinking the other day on how I was going to pay for my new Fiat 500 and had a fleeting thought about what the dealer might give me on a trade for my burgandy 72. Then I thought even if I could trade even for the $19,500, I couldn't do it. My 72 is a part of me and may not be worth much to someone else, but it's worth more than just money to me.

[TX82FIAT]

Agree with all the comments above. Will still need to put another 4K into my car to have it the way I want it. The engine, suspension, transmission have $10K in parts. Really can't wait to get the Fuel injection squared away. Below is a pic of the engine right before going back into the car. Still need to paint. Maroon & Black interior so I'm thinking Nimbus Grey, White, Black or yellow. Engine bay is now a flat black. I'll never get this money back. I will enjoy the car for a long time to come. On a positive note. I did pick up a 1983 1/2 spider over 15 years ago with 44K for $4,200. A very long and detailed cleaning/waxing with basic maintenance and replacement of parts. Less than $2K into car over the nine years I owned her. Sold her in 2004 for $10,500.00. If you buy one of very well maintained cars at a low price. Then hold for a few years while servicing... I think you can make money. not if you get carried away and get into a restoration or even improvement over stock.



Ray

[mdrburchette]

Nice looking engine you got there!

[TX82FIAT]

Thanks, I should be in the 130 - 140 HP range once the megasquirt is installed an mapped. I have a circuit board issue currenlty. Should give the Miata crowd something to think about on a ride in the Texas Hill country. Figure I'll be into this for about $18K when all is said and done. Crazy.... yes. I can't rationally explain to a Ford or Chevy guy. One of the earlier folks wrote "What else could I have built or bought for this amount of money'? If you can't think of another car you'd rather have, then you've got good value in your investment." Love the Spider. I do have to admit that my original budget for partial restoration was about $9K. When I picked up this 82' all systems were go. Shortly after that the transmission started routinely popping out of gear. That with various other worn items and odd sounds brought to the point of an overhaul. Once you swim halfway across the pool you can't just stop. Had I know the depth of repair... I might have picked up a 1967 Camero convertible from a friend and put a new LS1 crate motor in it with other mods and been at $18K.

And still.... I enjoy this car more than many other i have owned. It's an insane investment that keeps my sanity.

Ray

[samthedog]

Conisdering the number of 124's that have survived, and it's an Itialian built Pinnanfarina designed sports car, it should
have a consideralbe following in the years to come.
It may not be a Ferrari, however it's a sharp looking little car. The lines are great,and it sits so low to the ground.
very connected to the road, which is all but gone with most cars today.
Doubt mine can be sold for what is being invested now, but one day it is sure to be worth it,and then some.

Appreciate all the help on this forum.
Knew nothing about this car until I purchaed this one,and then found Jon at Midwest-124.
It's a fun project.

[Zippy]

I think the biggest issue with the value of these cars is still the rust. They are famous for it. My 69 sport coupe developed rust bubbles by 1972 under the paint along the wheel arches and on the left rear window post. And this was in California. My 72, which I bought in 78 also had some small rust bubbles under the paint. My 78, which was completely stripped in 98 and repainted with new primer and paint developed a spot on the wheel arch, and it has always been garaged and never driven in the rain. The only water it sees is when I wash it and I always dry it too. I think they added rust to the steel as it was made.

That's right, I live in the Great Pacific Northwest and don't drive in the rain. Some years I drive a lot, some not so much. I can't take an overnight trip cause you never know when the sky is going to open up. I tried to take a trip to Oregon one summer but a storm moved in and they were predicting 10 days of rain. I did go to Eastern Washington once but just for the day.