'74 CSA at SF dealer

Saw that one on line While it looks decent, I wouldn't pay that much for an auto with Big Bumpers.
 
Dawydiak normally has pretty good cars. And they know it, and definitely charge a premium. Looked at a Z8 there a few years ago. If I get a chance I'll stop in and take a look, but that might not be for a few days.
 
For what I'm worth...

I just stopped by to check out the car - mostly because I've personally seen so few coupes in person it felt like a great way to look at my own investment.

The car is very solid from what one can see in a showroom. The body looks (again - from my eye) to be very straight and rust free. Looks like the car was owned by a pilot (always a good mark if you ask me) and the paint appears to be original. The interior wear combined with some loose odds and ends seem to match up with the mileage claim of original. I didn't get to open the hood or boot - but got to sit in the car. Wood has a few blemishes here and there. All exterior trim looked quite well maintained and complete. Again - little things could add up but I'd say it is in better shape than mine WAS when I bought it. Then again it is significantly more than what I paid for my Fjord CSi.

Having European bumpers I guess I don't understand the envy associated by those without and the fuss over American bumpers. I'd never drive want an automatic - but that's my taste.

Bottom line - always great to see these beautiful cars in the flesh...er...metal. I still prefer mine. Maybe it's because I already own it? Perhaps because I know how much money I've put into it. :)
 
That's a hefty price for a big-bumpered, heavily federalized, automatic. Shimbimmer,see above post, seems to indicate the interior is good +. But the plusses and minuses don't justify the price in my opinion.

I would keep looking. As my son said when he came home from Catholic grade school many years ago, "Patience is a virgin."

Steve ONeill
 
That's a hefty price for a big-bumpered, heavily federalized, automatic. Shimbimmer,see above post, seems to indicate the interior is good +. But the plusses and minuses don't justify the price in my opinion.

I would keep looking. As my son said when he came home from Catholic grade school many years ago, "Patience is a virgin."

Steve ONeill

Let's say that it is rust free (I personally don't know this), swapping a 5spd and some euro bumpers the new owner could be in it for around $30K which for a rust free "blue plate" California car which is not outrageous. I guess what I am saying is that the premium price is for the lack of rust (again, I don't know this personally), all other things are relatively easy fixes on an otherwise complete car. I see this asking price as a good thing for coupe owners; if a fairly stock CS with big bumpers and an auto sells at this price it kind of pushes up the bar for all e9s.
 
I have never! looked at my coupe as an investment. If the bar is raised for our e9s then people like me would have been and will be priced out of the market.

For 30 years many of us have been puzzled by the selling price of our coupes. But we considered it a good thing. The less they sell for and appreciate in value the more the "investors" will stay away.

I know I don't speak for all you. Please don't be offended.

Steve ONeill
 
Many E9s are left to rust or are crushed because they are not worth restoring!

Oneills,

Because our E9s have had such a low resale value many E9s that could have been easily saved are often abandoned and left to rust into oblivion! Even rust free cars that just need to be restored mechanically are being parted out!

I was forced with a tough decision last week... Ultimately I decided to sell a 1973 3.0CS that was very straight and a totally rust free Calif car with a Sunroof and a 4 Speed because the car was going to cost $20-25K to restore... I would have been into the car for over $30K plus a year of my time... Restoring the car made no sense to me because there are currently finished E9s offered for sale at less then $20K!

Even if you did not make a profit it would be nice if you could at least get most of your money back as opposed to losing $10K or more after all of ones time/effort...

If the car was a Porsche 911 or 356 or a MB 280SL there would be a Pot of Gold at the end of the Rainbow once the car was restored if one decided to sell...

But unfortunately this is not the case with the E9s so far... But SOOON very SOON this may change...
 
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Economics

Seems that the value is really simply basic supply and demand economics - if you ask me.

No doubt the supply is shrinking, not growing...correct? No doubt that there is no reproduction of the car down the line and even if so - I still think the original Mini Cooper is far cooler and more fun than the current mass produced. So where does that leave value?

Cars will continue to drop off. That's just how it works. Wrecks, rust, etc. diminish the supply. Then all of the sudden you see Daniel Craig driving an e9 in the new Bond 23. Guess what - demand! Not demand you'd find from collectors or enthusiasts like this board - but mainstream demand from investment bankers, media execs (like me) and rich kids with spoiling parents who look at the car as an accessory and see spending $50K like many see spending $500. (Note: I'm not that guy...just the media part).

So where does that leave value? Value always changes. It's an equation. My gut tells me value always will be going up on e9's given the change in supply and demand. Just how it works.
 
I have never! looked at my coupe as an investment. If the bar is raised for our e9s then people like me would have been and will be priced out of the market.

For 30 years many of us have been puzzled by the selling price of our coupes. But we considered it a good thing. The less they sell for and appreciate in value the more the "investors" will stay away.

I know I don't speak for all you. Please don't be offended.

Steve ONeill

Having owned three previous coupes and lost money selling each one, I am the last one to think of it as an investment. I think I have found a keeper in my fourth coupe and have no plans to sell it; however, given the way prices are starting to inch up for good and mediocre examples, I think it is reasonable to assume that I will not lose money on this one (if I had to sell). I bought my current coupe for $11.5K about two years ago; a blue plate, California from new, coupe that was checked by Carl Nelson's shop and found to be rust-free. The only drawback (for me) was that it was a big bumper auto. If I were to offer the car for sale today in the form I bought it (it's currently undergoing significant upgrades), I would ask $25K; with the work I am having done and have done already (3.5L, 5spd, Motronic, MS, Alpinas, sportier suspension, etc) I would ask $35K; once I get it repainted (the paint is starting to fade in areas) I would probably ask $50K+. If I were to get my asking price at each one of those levels, I would not lose any money, in fact, I would probably make some.
Maybe I am a dreamer (I'm sure some will tell me I am), but that is where I see our cars heading. Coupeking had a big bumper coupe for sale on his website that was Motronic, he was asking nearly $70K IIRC; he can charge a premium because he has a name and business reputation to back up his cars, but this, I think, is where coupe values are going. If you are already in a coupe, lean back and enjoy the ride and increasing value!
 
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