Brands/builds most likely to hold value

[Midcont]

I'd say you want a car with quality components in a classic color combo and of a later production. To me that would be a backdraft, spf or era after their respective body and chassis changes were made, with a 427 big or small block, from a known builder, with recognized drivetrain parts. At least that's what I was looking for in an spf when I looked. I didn't see an era come up that fit my requirements for a long period of time that was in a price range I was looking.

This is not to say there is anything wrong with any chassis number or engine combo...I'm just talking for easiest resale.

[LMH]

In general terms, cars that are closer to original will hold their resale value better. They also tend to be more expensive in the beginning as well and the closer to original in replication, the cost goes up fast. There are some variables of course but I'm speaking in general terms.
Larry

[BAsque1]

I am sorry for being bias but I also think that the West Coast Cobras (former Kellison) also hold their value as well in the mid $40 and up. Especially for the huskier clientele who are looking for a more spacious cockpit. Unfortunately, the customer support has suffered due to shake up at the top. Here is a nice looking example
http://www.cobracountry.com/cobra4sa...rohland-bc.jpg..

[Large Arbor]

I think the market tends to go up and down on these. Several factors tend to drive costs up including Kirkham, ERA, Superformance hold values well. Big blocks seem to be more expensive than the small block stroker motors.

The one thing for sure is they are getting more and more expensive to build as parts, engines and labor are all pushing higher. It would take close to $90k to build what I bought for much less today. I don't necessarily agree you can find big block 427's that are low mileage in the $40k range. I watch Cobra Country and just don't see them anywhere close to that. Educate if I am wrong on that, but it's just my opninion.

Phil

[Antny]

Originally Posted by Large Arbor

I think the market tends to go up and down on these. Several factors tend to drive costs up including Kirkham, ERA, Superformance hold values well. Big blocks seem to be more expensive than the small block stroker motors.

The one thing for sure is they are getting more and more expensive to build as parts, engines and labor are all pushing higher. It would take close to $90k to build what I bought for much less today. I don't necessarily agree you can find big block 427's that are low mileage in the $40k range. I watch Cobra Country and just don't see them anywhere close to that. Educate if I am wrong on that, but it's just my opninion.

Phil

Asking prices are one thing, actual sale prices aren't a whole different thing.

[Tim7139]

Originally Posted by Large Arbor

I think the market tends to go up and down on these. Several factors tend to drive costs up including Kirkham, ERA, Superformance hold values well. Big blocks seem to be more expensive than the small block stroker motors.

The one thing for sure is they are getting more and more expensive to build as parts, engines and labor are all pushing higher. It would take close to $90k to build what I bought for much less today. I don't necessarily agree you can find big block 427's that are low mileage in the $40k range. I watch Cobra Country and just don't see them anywhere close to that. Educate if I am wrong on that, but it's just my opninion.

Phil

Well at the end of the day I suspect your second paragraph is likely as big if not the biggest driver of quality used prices over time.
I followed these prices from the beginning and over many years came close to buliding Contemporary, ERA, and Kirkham, as well as early GT40. I had a shot at Oem Nascar side oilers, new halibrand wheels to aid, assist, drive possible projects which never got off the ground, usually do to other car projects or restorations, or investment considerations(real or percieved) in the hobby. Actually, I ended up with what I have as much as anything a case of right situation/ right time as well a a reminder of time and energy researching the whole cobra thing that never got off the ground 25 years ago.
One thing has run true and accurate over the span the of time is that while the supply of options has never been finite although somewhat limited, quality componants and cost of building , especially accurate replicas is going only one way, dragging well preserved, low milage, used examples along with them.

[txcobra]

Originally Posted by chrisd0729

Back in the market for a Cobra and trying to decide if I'm best suited in my current budget range of 30-40k or, if I'm safer jumping into the 40-50k range to preserve resale value. I'd likely keep the car for a few years (3-5 or so as I get bored and swap out toys every few years) and would like to at least break even when I sell, if not make a few bucks. At my current range, I'm looking at home builds and seeing Backdrafts for mid to high 40k range. If the Backdraft holds its value beter, I'm ok spending the extra cash. Would love to go Superformance or Kirkham but, just can't hit that price range unless I sold my other toys and went with a single toy car.

What are your thoughts on brand if I wan to preserve resale value?

Thanks

Well in my opinion your thought process needs re-adjusting. Don't buy a car (toy) for resale purpose of hoping to break even or make a few bucks in 3-5 years. For example you may buy a cobra now for a decent deal of 40k but who is to say in 3-5 years that the cobra market may crash and you end up selling it for 30-35k. I have read allot on here and elsewhere to know that each manufacturer has their pros and cons of their cobra. Some are longer, some are wider, some handle better and so on. Lets say you do buy a cobra that holds it value because of its name but you don't like that particular manufactures car because it is not comfortable to drive, or handles not to your liking. Wouldn't you rather drive a car because it will give you 3-5 years of happiness and the love of driving it or because you will be able to sell it and break even.

What you should do is first join a cobra club or go to a cobra show and sit in each of the different makes of cobras to see which one you like the feel and fit of and maybe even drive a manual, automatic, big block, small block. Then once you figure out which car you feel great driving that is the one you should try and buy at the best price you can find and enjoy it and don't worry about the resale.

Just my opinion, and trust me i hate losing money on cars but i have owned enough in my life to realize that comfort and the enjoyment of driving are worth more than the resale potential.

[Large Arbor]

Yes, while "asking vs. selling" price are different, when they are priced $10-$20k above $50k, I doubt you will find them for under $50k. Look at the big blocks on Cobra Country now. None are close to $50k....

Phil

[Dimis]

Yes you can vs No you can't...

Well while you squabble, here are some examples that can be had for a low price.
These all found with in the first dozen adverts here on ClubCobra. You don't have to look hard, but imagine if you did?


PhotoPost Classifieds - Superformance 1720 with Webers - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds
Start your offer at $30k Any advert without a price, or listed "best offer" is waiting, nay deserves to be insulted with low ball offers.


PhotoPost Classifieds - 2005 Superformance Cobra Mark III - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds
Here's another common theme I've noticed: Seemingly can find SPFs for mid $40s


And one more likely to fit the criteria outlined by our OP. ie: small block, with in porice range and likely to maintain its value.
PhotoPost Classifieds - Contemporary Cobra CCX 3012 - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds
Again no price, so insult away with low ball offers.


....and last but not least MY personal favourite Mid (possibly even low) $40s:
http://www.clubcobra.com/classifieds...uct=6599&cat=2


PS: As for those kiboshing the OPs plan of buy hold use sell for no loss, I say THANK YOU! Its because of attitudes like yours that I get the opportunity to enjoy the same as the OP. buy, hold, use sell for no real loss.

[Antny]

Originally Posted by Dimis

Yes you can vs No you can't...

Well while you squabble, here are some examples that can be had for a low price.
These all found with in the first dozen adverts here on ClubCobra. You don't have to look hard, but imagine if you did?


PhotoPost Classifieds - Superformance 1720 with Webers - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds
Start your offer at $30k Any advert without a price, or listed "best offer" is waiting, nay deserves to be insulted with low ball offers.


PhotoPost Classifieds - 2005 Superformance Cobra Mark III - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds
Here's another common theme I've noticed: Seemingly can find SPFs for mid $40s


And one more likely to fit the criteria outlined by our OP. ie: small block, with in porice range and likely to maintain its value.
PhotoPost Classifieds - Contemporary Cobra CCX 3012 - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds
Again no price, so insult away with low ball offers.


....and last but not least MY personal favourite Mid (possibly even low) $40s:
PhotoPost Classifieds - FIA ERA SHELBY COBRA - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds


PS: As for those kiboshing the OPs plan of buy hold use sell for no loss, I say THANK YOU! Its because of attitudes like yours that I get the opportunity to enjoy the same as the OP. buy, hold, use sell for no real loss.

It's not "us"....it's the result of supply vs. demand. Quite simply, there is more supply than there is demand. Why do you think that REAL Cobras continue to CLIMB in value? Yep; supply vs. demand.

[RodKnock]

Here's a couple SPF's under $50,000 on eBay right now and they're local to me.

SPF w/392/Tremec, 18,568 miles and SB100 asking $49,995:
Other Makes Cobra Roadster | eBay

SPF w/392, 6,782 miles, asking $49,999:
Shelby Superformance mkiii Superformance | eBay

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Here's a couple...]

Naaah, you have to have an FE in it else it don't count.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Naaah, you have to have an FE in it else it don't count.

To be more specific, if they don't have a 427 FE, then they don't count.

Just doing a few minutes of Hemmings, eBay, Cobra Country and here on Club Cobra(by Dimis), you can see that there are dozens of SPF's available. In fact, Hillbank probably has one, maybe two, DOZEN rollers and finished MKIII's available too.

Making a deal on a used SPF in the mid-40's right now doesn't seem to be all that difficult to me. I'd even call it "common."

[RodKnock]

These are eBay "completed" listings:

SPF 1889 Pearl Orange (I like, but I'm sure you can paint it too). $50,000 no bids:

Shelby Cobra Mkiii | eBay

SPF 2739 sold for $47,000:

Shelby MKLLL Cobra | eBay

SPF sold for $44,000, 460, 8,370 miles:

Shelby Cobra | eBay

Seriously, there are plenty of other SPF's listed, but not sold in the 50's and above. IMO, mid-$40's SPF is definitely possible, if not highly probable.

[Dimis]

In fact the more I look, the more mid $40 SPFs I see.
I've found 6 in under 10 mins with a simple search.
I'm thinking it wouldn't be beyond the realms of picking on up for $40K

[Dimis]

Bang here it is.
PhotoPost Classifieds - Superformance cobra -351w 5spd - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds

....and I've been looking for 20mins.


Sorry.... not trying to piss anyone's parade.

[RodKnock]

Heck, there's even one (SPF1449) asking $52,900 at a local dealer here:
1965 Superformance MK III 427 Cobra

Another local asking $56,000 with an FE:
Superfomance Ford Shelby Cobra

Sitting on the market in Gold Country for a while now at $59,000 with a 408:
Superfomance Ford Shelby Cobra

Cash talks.

[patrickt]

That $56k FE car didn't look half bad, from what you can tell from the ad.

[Tim7139]

Originally Posted by patrickt

That $56k FE car didn't look half bad, from what you can tell from the ad.

Have Rod make a call for you, using his logic should get it for $41,500.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by Tim7139

Have Rod make a call for you, using his logic should get it for $41,500.

Bazinga!