Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

I like underdogs/bargains.

Yet, I think, when it comes to Datsun Roadsters, we, as a group, should not want to perpetuate that image, as we know better.

Instead, I think we should sing the praises AND THE VALUE of Datsun Roadsters, not to improve our resale value, but because we truly believe they are worth it and we know from experience that we are right.

The general public will never get the value if we as true believers do not make that point whenever we get the chance over time.

That is all I am saying.

I don't see anything controversial here at all.

But I do disagree with your premise that we neglect establishing value to the general public.

Bob wrote:I like underdogs/bargains.

Yet, I think, when it comes to Datsun Roadsters, we, as a group, should not want to perpetuate that image, as we know better.

Instead, I think we should sing the praises AND THE VALUE of Datsun Roadsters, not to improve our resale value, but because we truly believe they are worth it and we know from experience that we are right.

The general public will never get the value if we as true believers do not make that point whenever we get the chance over time.

That is all I am saying.

Hope you are right.

I would like to chime in with my 2 cents (cause thats all I can afford )

Let hold off on any appreciation (of the monetary kind) until I finish my project ....it shouldn't take long...just 10 or so years

Matthew

Bob wrote:Hope you are right.

He is right.

charlee0620 wrote:I would like to chime in with my 2 cents (cause thats all I can afford )

Let hold off on any appreciation (of the monetary kind) until I finish my project ....it shouldn't take long...just 10 or so years

Matthew

Dude, I love your avitar... It makes me smile every time I see it! My friend Steve and I will occasionally do our best Shatner impressions while dinking around the shop... The long drawn out words, followed by rolling, rapid sucatto verbiage full of "passion"...

"Steve...., I.... Can't seem to get this figured out HELP ME, Steve, it's..... Driving me, insane!! (all accompanied by wild hand gestures and rapid body movements... Yes, I'm easily entertained...).

Bob wrote:I like underdogs/bargains.

Yet, I think, when it comes to Datsun Roadsters, we, as a group, should not want to perpetuate that image, as we know better.

Instead, I think we should sing the praises AND THE VALUE of Datsun Roadsters, not to improve our resale value, but because we truly believe they are worth it and we know from experience that we are right.

The general public will never get the value if we as true believers do not make that point whenever we get the chance over time.

That is all I am saying.

I see what you're saying, but fail to see why it matters to us as owners. Granted, I may be totally missing the concept here, but as long as the resale value is stable or rising with inflation, it seems irrelevant. There is also the case where sale prices spike, then correct downward. Whole bunch of people out there with Mopars and other muscle cars which are worth half of what they bought them for at the top of the market.

The real value is exemplified by Fish. People who don't have one are astounded he drove a nearly 50 year old car tens of thousands of miles with no special prep and had no problems while we, the enlightened few, smile smugly and aren't surprised in the least. I get a huge amount of satisfaction in the fact that I bought my car and drove it home 1100 miles for less than other people spend on basket case AH 3000, Twin Cam MGA or other prestige cars. Having the car appreciate in monetary value is nice, but if I sell it, the next one just costs more, so it's a wash. If I wanted to sell it and get a 3000 or MGA, then it might be good, but I don't want one. I also don't want to pay 3 times as much to insure it every year I own it.


I value the car for what it is, not what it cost or what I can sell it for. I value it for what it's used for, which is to enjoy myself and as Zogster said, you meet a unique type of people while driving it, and a unique group of owners, many who wouldn't be here if the resale value was 2 or 3 times what it is.

I am not promoting this information as highly accurate but as general indication of relative value appreciation of a several commodities and a few sports cars contemporary of our roadsters. I could be wrong here but I think it suggests we should temper any expectation of year after year, double digit value appreciation.



I am not an investor nor analyst but I say that purchasing a "collector car" as an investment is not for the faint of heart and success demands specialist knowledge as would investing in anything with a big intangible factor, i.e., artwork, rare wine, or or even comic books.

The present value of many popular, innovative, successful sports cars, 20-25 years old is less than one third of their original cost. Most will depreciate further. A very small fraction will appreciate. For example, the present fair value of a 1990 Nissan 300ZX is $7-11k, its' MSRP was $28k. I, like most people don't have the inclination nor energy to research and analyze cars as potential investments. I think I am typical of the average person who buys a "fun" car because of some emotional whim or dream and doesn't not let value worries detract from their enjoyment.

Appreciate the car and the drive.

Lame, I know, but mine steadily appreciates (and is appreciated) every day to me. Never bought as an investment, never restored or maintained as an investment. Never a (recent) thought of selling. Anything I do get when and if the time comes to sell is simply a bonus.

Cars should be purchased to drive, not to invest. That's what they were made for. I could care less about the market value of my car. All I care about is the enjoyment myself and others gain from this car. It puts a smile on everyone's faces. THAT is gold.

Ask the guy sitting in his Lexus behind you at the stop light with his camera phone out taking a picture of your car what he thinks its worth.

Skyman wrote:Cars should be purchased to drive, not to invest. That's what they were made for. I could care less about the market value of my car. All I care about is the enjoyment myself and others gain from this car. It puts a smile on everyone's faces. THAT is gold.

I found a couple of pennies on the ground so...here's two more cents...

I have to agree and disagree. We are all car loves here (or else we are all in the wrong place )
I have to agree that cars should be driven and enjoyed . But at the same time I also believe that cars should also be preserved for posterity. And if that means some one with more dollars than scence buys a car and stores it and the make a profit on it so be it!! That just means I get to lose money on mine driving the sh!t out of it and fixing what I break!

So please don't be a hater , just respect that people have different ways of showing their appreciation for cars. Again some, like you and me, like to drive em; others "save" them for the future to see.

Well maybe that was a hay pennies worth

Matthew

I had a hilarious discussion with a self described "car guy" in a Starbucks parking lot the other day.. He lost no time in letting me know that having my car a non stock color and driving it was destroying the value of the car.. Thank god I didn't open the hood, or he might have fainted..

I literally started laughing when he said how surprised he was I was driving my collectible on a weekday..

PS: Your $50k number sounds just about right if someone wants my car.. Otherwise I will have to drive it and destroy the value myself..

Bob wrote: The general public will never get the value if we as true believers do not make that point whenever we get the chance over time.

I think I get it now...Ted still hasn't adopted you has he?

Ya know Dave and Matthew and others are right on point IMO. I have (3) roadsters, not because they are investments, not because I can drive more than one at a time, not because of status...I have three because I love the marque, I love working on vintage cars and I love driving them when the work is done. It's my hobby, my passion, my obsession (to the casual observer).

I would love it if the value appreciated but won't be disappointed if it doesn't. The most valuable part of my cars is that I got them all back on the road where they belong. Very satisfying and one ton of fun to drive, maintain and shoot the shit about