Right,
I'm building a Hicost at the minute lol, but I've just started thinking, what sort of return will I get on it? I'm not asking for major profit, But in the build I'm reluctant to scrimp anywhere, Eg. I just priced a real nice set of gauges up at £600. And I also plan to use samco / sfs hosing etc, but just wondered what sort of money a seriously professionally built locost would be worth, and through your experience, do you think I should perhaps try and turn the spending down a notch???
Cheers
Matt

I think you'd be incredibly lucky to get what you spent back.

There are just so many to choose from in what is a buyers market.

Build it to enjoy, you'll never get rich building them.

Have a look on Ebay. That'll give you a good idea as there are always several seven types built to a range of specs. A locost, whatever the spec is always going to sell for much less money (£2-3k?) than an equivalent spec Westfield.

You'll never get back what you spend and, as with all cars, the more you spend, the more you are likely to lose.

Those £600 gauges will make it no more valuable than a set of £300 gauges. It's like fitting new kitchen units in your house. It doesn't make the house more valuable, but may make it more saleable.

Whatever you spend on it, it'll still be great fun.

David

[Edited on 30/12/06 by DavidM]

Turn down the spending... you will see little or no return. IMHO


Steve

mine was pretty hi spec youll never get your money back

especially with home built parts even if your a genius its still not a NAMED CHASSIS

youll be luck to get anything over 4k-5k depending on the actual spec of the car

I am currently building the same kind of car as my old one but using a lot more sourced bits and second hand but good condition parts

If Im on target and dont get obsessed with playing with myself to the word zzr1400

Ill build for 5/8 cost of the last one

wouldnt waste your money to much IMHO
if your going to you may aswell get a westfield chassis

have to agree, the profit will be none !
there are too many for sale,

most of people build to enjoy it and enjoy driving it and the build it some more !

Don't expect to make much/any profit at all. There's far to many out there to buy at the mo. I only paid £5k for my Indy Bird, there's no way you could build it for that! Or even close to that! It's partly why I decided to buy rather than build. Most build for the pleasure of doing so, rather than any financial advantage.

Yup I concur with the thoughts above..

You will never make a profit especially if you buy lots of new parts.

Sorry its a hard fact of life.

I built mine to the spec I wanted, ie V8, and plenty of polished stainless. I dont expect to get my money back...

However, I have already had loads of fun driving it, and even a few Chavs winding down their windows and shouting "Nice Moter Mait"

That makes it worthwhile!! As does leaving them in the dust, despite the sporty sounds from their engines

I'm building my car for me. I will spend what it takes to make me happy with it...

Going to post a pic of my new tyres tonight, oh I'm going to get a slagging

I bought cheaply and am now getting my enjoyment out of upgrading and improving. Oh!!! That's after the enjoyment I have already had in 5000 miles.
I may actually not lose much if I ever decide to sell based on what t currently owes me.
That might all change next year though when a modified Zetec will be on the cards.

You will be highly unlikely to find a buyer that values your pride & joy like you! I'll be lucky to get back half of what I've poured in when the time comes [sniff]

But then none of us do it for it's investment opportunities

To paraphrase a Land Rover magazine:

"Fancy bits may make it easier to sell your vehicle, but they will not make it fetch a better price"