Do 7's, Fury's, Stylus's etc hold there value over a 3-5 year period if looked after?
Reason for asking was that if i wouldn't loose money buying another 7 or whatever then i could get something for say 4-5K next year and then
still save up for my Cobra. Then when i have saved enough i can sell the toy and use that money towards the Cobra, bish bosh i get a car to use and
still get the Cobra before i get too old to drive at the same time as if i just saved!
What say you? (no cocky remarks please 
)
Andy, Andy - how likely is it that you would keep a car for 3-5 years?
(mind) floats like a butterfly...
Andy you would have more chance winning the lottery than keeping a 7 for 3-5 years!
[Edited on 13/2/08 by desyboy]
OK, with the cocky remarks out the way....
A well built car should hold it's value reasonably well provided you don't pile on the miles and let it get shabby. But look at the cost of
3 years tax, insurance, fuel, butties at Newlands etc and you're starting to eat into valuable Cobra funds.
Add in the fact that you'll inevitable want to make a few mods and changes to personalise the car to your taste = more £££.
Finally, who's to say what will change in 3-5 years? If the cost of living (especially fuel prices) keeps going up the market for
"toys" may take a down turn and you could lose more money.
I say save harder now and start building sooner 
It depends totally on the car.
My mate bought an 8 year old Caterham, with an x-flow in it, ran it for four years, and it's still worth the same now as when he bought it.
Compare that to a 8 year old badly finished Robin Hood, or locost / MK / MAC1 etc.
Most badly finished kits in odd colours with un-popular odd ball engines will drop like a stone. A well finished car with a popular engine choice and
in a good colour scheme will retain its value (IMHO).
Mike
I cant really add to the OPs question yet. However im also interested in the reply.
Half way though uni with maybe 3-4k i could use to buy a second car, possably a 750mc spec locost.
However it would be nice to know how much i might expect to loose.
- How much does millage affect them? Ive seem some that are 2-3years old anf bearly into a four-digit millage. I would have another car for
cold/wet/long? trips, but would be planning to use the car whenever i could for day to day geting about during the summer months.
- Also, in terms of 'geting shabby' how well do they age? Thoughts of hand painted mild steel and exposed aluminum riveted to each other
sends shudders down my spine. What does go 'shabby' with time?
Clearly costs of fuel/tax/maintainace/trackdays whatever will be total-loss, and maybe not negligable. But just thinking aloud and trying to add what
i can. (donut, if im highjacking/nothelping tell me to shutup)
Daniel
1st 3 replies... Oh you know me so well!!
it's just a thought at the moment!
Caterhams and to a lesser extent westfields hold their value much better than other brands. On the downside they will be more than your budget.
Thought you'd given up on 7's after the near miss?
Cars that are used regularly in all weathers or kept outside will deteriorate quite quickly. A car that's kept in a dry garage and only taken
out on sunny Sundays and the occasional trackday will last almost indefinitely.
quote:
Originally posted by Guinness
It depends totally on the car.
My mate bought an 8 year old Caterham, with an x-flow in it, ran it for four years, and it's still worth the same now as when he bought it.
Compare that to a 8 year old badly finished Robin Hood, or locost / MK / MAC1 etc.
Most badly finished kits in odd colours with un-popular odd ball engines will drop like a stone. A well finished car with a popular engine choice and in a good colour scheme will retain its value (IMHO).
Mike
I bought my F27 and paid 3250 for it, i kept it for 5 years and spent about £1000 on servicing, upgrading the brakes and harnesses, alloys new exhaust
etc and sold it for £3175.
So it cost me £1075 for 5 years of fun - do the maths you aint gonna get more giggles for the money are you.
Long shot - Find a 7 (or other car?) with a V8 you can use in the cobra, run it till then and part out the rest.
Normally seems on here that it is reconed that an indifferent car is worth more as parts than completed
cheers
Fred W B
Would rather have a Fury or similar especially if it had a V8!!!!!!
quote:
Originally posted by Guinness
un-popular odd ball engines will drop like a stone.
I bought my westfield in 2003 of 4.5k, sold it in 2004 for 5k, that covered the consumables it used and insurance. so Just fuel for the year 
I did spend a bit of time tidying it up mind.
See theres getting an OK one and making a profit by tidying it up!!
But by the time you've paid everyone else to do the work, you sure there's much money to be made? 
Probably not!!
Stainless Steel, that's the way to go.
Sh*g it for 3 years, park it on a beach at low tide, a quick going over with acid gel and 12 hours later its back to pristine condition.
What can go wrong?
Paul G