Topic: value in 2012
in Forum: C4 General Discussion
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!
I received a e-mail from hagerty insurance news letter today, there was an article about the collectors cars value going up in 2012. I went to the validation tool on there sight and check out my 84 corvette. they had condition 1, 2, 3 and 4 being the worse ever like a very high mileage rough almost ready for the junk yard. a number 3 just a car that can be restored. a number 2 a very nice low mileage driver. a number 1 show room condition. well a number 4 goes for around 2,000 to 4,000.00 0r far less. a number 3 car 4,000 to 7,000.00 or more. a number 2 car anywhere from 9,000.00 to 14,000 a number 1 car 18,000 to 20,000 or more. grant you this only a insurance company opinion by looking at actions and recent sales. I would put my 84 at a number 2 car because of mileage and condition. by looking at this valuable tool that hagerty has on values on the collector car market, I would say the c4 is coming up in its value. what are your opinions about the c4's value?.
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C4VR)
jonneyone said:what are your opinions about the c4's value?.
I can give you a 100% correct assessment of what your 84 was worth at a specific point in time: What you paid for it, on the day you bought it. I'm sure that number is quite a ways below "#2 value" above, even though you consider that to be the condition-point. Market value = "The price a willing buyer and a willing seller agree to, without either the buyer being forced to buy, or the seller being forced to sell". There's a sneaky way to gauge interest at a certain price. List it on CL with a price. See what kind of hits you get. You don't have to sell it, or even reply to inquires. Just gauge interest at a certain price level.
To most purchasers, I don't feel the 84's have much value at all, as there's almost zero interest in them, at least when compared to other years of Corvettes. Current and recent "collector car" prices are driven by the ability of the car to "store value" as a hedge against inflation, or debasement of currency. The primary goal when selecting a "store of value" is to not loose principal. Gauging future value of an 84 is damn near impossible, so that makes it a poor choice as a hedge. Gauging future value of a midyear is much easier. There isn't enough demand for 84's to give them any value above what would be considered for any other "used car" of similar age. Because that's what they are. Used cars. Not "collectibles" being purchased as a store of value like gold. Or Hemi Cuda's.
To me personally, I wouldn't want most non ZR-1 C4's for free. Living in California, my cars need to pass the Room of Doom (smog inspection and testing) and most C4's need 1,000 of dollars spent on them to pass this requirement. This alone is why most cars available for purchase aren't of any interest to me at any price, even free, because the cost of compliance exceeds the value of enjoyment I'd receive from ownership..
The only C4's that are going to possibly keep pace with debasement of the currency over the next 5-10 years will be ZR-1's. And even then, that's a stretch.
|UPDATED|1/2/2013 5:01:27 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Dave; this is a mighty well thought out response to the question of value. And you are right, the C4 is just a used car. The value of them is in driving them. The cost of owning a C4 is what ever a buyer and seller can agree upon.
The trouble with this generation is the high production numbers. A lot of cars out there. Not really old enough to be collectible and not new enough to be viewed as a must own car. This is also the reason for the "Rodney Dangerfield" respect we all have encountered.
To really get your money out of the C4's, take em' out of the garage and drive em'
I caught some of last year's B-J where a 1996 Grand Sport went for $40k which I thought was outrageous. C-4's are following the trend, lose $5K a year and stabilize at a bottom end of $5,000 to $7500.
Once you accept that ECM's are designed to improve overall performance and stop trying to rip all the stuff off, you find that's the reason late model SBC are putting out power BBC "muscle cars" did not make and get twice the gas mileage doing it. Hot rodding makes emissions a bigger "challenge" and is the source of most of my own problems. Calif seems to be hot rodding's number one opponent but OEM should not be an issue. The days of driving it if it starts are done, get over it! Driving an oil burner is no longer acceptable.
C5's have joined the ugly sister club with the C4's as will the C6's before long. Frankly, C4's are a performance bargain, they're just not "investments".
Standard Member
Moderator
Send PM
Moderator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 3/18/2009
Posts: 2246
Vette(s): 1985 Coupe-L98/Auto,Bright Red/Carmine.
1974 Coupe-L48/4speed, Medium Red Metallic/Black Deluxe.
396c4 said
Frankly, C4's are a performance bargain, they're just not "investments".
And there ya have it, pure and simple. With a few exceptions, the '84-'96 Corvettes are not now, nor will they ever be good investments. At least not in our lifetime...maybe not even after...
Buy one ya like, and drive it as much as you can, and don't worry about what it's worth....
Joel Adams 
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Just my two cents worth.I bought my vette because I have allways wanted one. And now that I have one to me it is Priceless. so it's all in what your truly after. Mine may not be worth anything to anyone else but it would take a small fortune for me to part with her. Save the Wave!
Standard Member
Moderator
Send PM
Moderator
lanoka harbor, NJ - USA
Joined: 3/22/2009
Posts: 1363
Vette(s): 1990 L-98 white/ red/black leather interior targa top auto
1975 L48 blue/black leather interior t tops auto
martone_1 said: Just my two cents worth.I bought my vette because I have allways wanted one. And now that I have one to me it is Priceless. so it's all in what your truly after. Mine may not be worth anything to anyone else but it would take a small fortune for me to part with her. Save the Wave!
another perfectly phrased post. i have a c3 and a c4 and both are great because i love them. i didnt buy for investment, i bought for the enjoyment of driving them. and i still turn a lot of heads and get a lot of compliments from people.
the dynamic duo
c3vr life member #97
I fully agree with the comments that the C4 is not an investment. One of the most stylish corvettes ever made. I have always wanted a C4 and when I finally reached that time in my life where I could spend a bit on me well guess what! The 1995 coupe I bought was at a great price and was just what I was looking for. Have never once looked at her as an investment but a fun car that I can drive add some "chrome" here and there and just enjoy. Even during these dreary months of winter she sits in my garage, covered...no way!! I enjoy just looking at her when I enter the garage and oh yes I still dust her off. The C4 was made to drive and enjoy and that is just what I do. One day it will be time to sell buit I won't be looking for a collector price. Just fair market value so for now, just drive and enjoy!
The value of my C4s (I have two, an 86 and a 93) is in driving them. The 86 was a warehouse find, that was going to get sold off for parts if I didn't buy the whole car - then and there. So I did, and realizing there was no way to make it into a shining example of a Corvette, it became a racecar. So, I drive it vigourously on weekends and get to occasionally see speeds into the 140 range before slamming down on the brakes (upgraded). what a rush....the 93 is our weekend roller, and we take it out shopping and enjoy time together with my wife (very supportive of my Corvette hobby).
My girls drive the old 79 C3 on weekends - and so for me the value of owning a Corvette (or any specialty car) is the enjoyment and memories that they help create...time with family, wife, friends, and competitors. None of this would happen on its own without the focal point of an old, used car, called a Corvette.
Enjoy - drive it like you stole it....and don't lift until you see the amulance lights!!!
There is no problem a little horsepower can't fix!
C4s: 1993 LT-1 coupe, 6-Speed, White w/black
1986 L-98 Coupe, 4+3 Trans, Satin Black w/red-black interior - SCCA Time Trial racecar.
C3: 1979 L-48 couple, auto, Red w/doeskin interior.
WOW, I just learned that my 1990 C-4 is worth a Million Dollars.......To Me!
Allan Brenneis Nashville Tn. 1990 Polo Green Coupe Saddle Interior Chrome ZR-1 Rims http://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/14501_14600/14572/image2014329104347r.jpg
in Forum: C4 General Discussion
SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C4VR)