What's the best way to sell a Cobra now?

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by meat

Cobras are worth a certain amount, and someone will pay that certain amount - bull market or bear market.

Your pal,
Meat.

And that would be supply and demand.

[jhv48]

Don't know about you, but I'm seeing a larger number of cars for sale and it is taking them longer to sell than in the past few years.

The asking prices have remained stable, but that is only the starting point in the negotiation. I haven't heard of many people getting their asking prices unless they had something unique about their car that made it worth the extra money.

We may want to think our cars are worth more, but once again, they are worth only what someone is willing to pay us for it.

So who gives a s--t what they are worth. We built/bought them because we love them. They are worth the price to US. And that's all that matters.

And by the way, supply and demand does effect the price/value of an item. And with more and more Cobras being built every year, the market is getting more and more saturated with product. We may be approaching the saturation point. Once again, supply and demand!

If you HAVE to sell it for any reason in this market, you will be fair game for bargain hunters. Only you can decide at what point the value of "cash in hand" exceeds "car in hand".

[jwd]

Originally Posted by meat

Supply and demand is a model - like the imaginary global warming nonsense - not a law.

And that model doesn't really apply to Cobras. Never has, never will. Cobras are generally pretty immune to market and economy issues. Cobras are worth a certain amount, and someone will pay that certain amount - bull market or bear market.

Your pal,
Meat.

Take a course in basic economics. Supply and demand is what runs the economy. More Cobras are being built everyday. That my friend, causes the prices to drop. People having less disposable income causes prices to drop as well. Fortunately, true collector cars (including original Cobras) are only subject to the latter unlike the other Cobras that are subject to both.
As far as prices being stable, those are asking prices and the cars are not selling. Actual selling prices are ALOT lower.

Jim

[dbaker08723]

Thanks for all the info... This isn't a distress sale, it's a "Too many toys sale" so I think I'll give Cobra country a try..

[Fitz]

Aren't all our cars for sale for the right price? Mine certainly is.

[CHANMADD]

We consign cars at Cardiff Classics in Encinitas.We have been in business here for 20 years. We have sold Replica and real Cobras over the years and would gladly consign Cobra's Coupes and
GT40's for sale. Our job is marketing and selling cars'
www.Cardiffclassics.com
(760)632-5555

[Danr55]

Funny. I'm looking for a car to replace mine. I don't see any drop in prices.. Where can I find these? (Please pardon the sarcasm. It's getting real discouraging out here in "I don't have a Cobra anymore" country)

[jhv48]

Dan, you're not looking very hard.

[HIQ]

Dan - I am with you. When I go to Cobra Country I see:
#1. Contemporary Street Car with 289 small block - $44K
#2. Superformance w Rousch 402R $53,900
#3. Cobra Autoworks w/ 302 Automatic $37,500
#4. ERA w/ 427 Side Oilder $59,900
#5. Integrity Coachworks w/ 429 $55K
#6. Superformance w/ 514 $55,500
#7. Superformance w/ 393 $57,500
#8. ERA w/ 427 $59,900
#9. Clasisic Roadsters w/ 302 $39,500
#10. Unique w/ 351 $48,900

Lots of nice cars to choose from but none of them are cheap. The market for used replicas is suprisingly stable in my eyes. Don't believe me, have a dumb *(*&^% run into yours with an SUV and try to replace it.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by HIQ

Dan - I am with you. When I go to Cobra Country I see:
#1. Contemporary Street Car with 289 small block - $44K
#2. Superformance w Rousch 402R $53,900
#3. Cobra Autoworks w/ 302 Automatic $37,500
#4. ERA w/ 427 Side Oilder $59,900
#5. Integrity Coachworks w/ 429 $55K
#6. Superformance w/ 514 $55,500
#7. Superformance w/ 393 $57,500
#8. ERA w/ 427 $59,900
#9. Clasisic Roadsters w/ 302 $39,500
#10. Unique w/ 351 $48,900

Lots of nice cars to choose from but none of them are cheap. The market for used replicas is suprisingly stable in my eyes. Don't believe me, have a dumb *(*&^% run into yours with an SUV and try to replace it.

Hey, I noticed you left out any CSX's and Kirkhams. Not fair!

It appears xl8or's Kirkham is still available for $86,500. Nice car.

If you're not in a hurry, as the thread starter has indicated, then CobraCountry is the place. I subscribe to and read Hemmings each month, but I think that source is mainly for older non-specially-constructed (or kit)car crowd.

[Ronbo]

I dunno, seen a lot of cars on Cobracountry with reduced prices...

The ones that sell, well you don't know what they sold for.

Granted summer months are here so there will be more interest now. I've seen Kieth C's latest build on ebay and CC plus his site and no interest in it yet. For some reason I see German and English buyers jumping on the aluminum cars.

BDP just sold a new, full optioned Kirkham w/ Shelby FE and IDA stacks for $100k... (someone got a great deal here)

[Danr55]

JHV, I'm looking very hard, but I'm looking for a special car.. not just a cobra but a COBRA.. if you know what I mean. Not meaning to belittle any of the cars out there, there are some beautiful cars for sale, but the one I'm looking for just hasn't popped up yet.. I don't think.. There is a light in the tunnel, but I'm not sure if it's the other end or just a train coming.

[tkb289]

Originally Posted by Danr55

JHV, I'm looking very hard, but I'm looking for a special car.. not just a cobra but a COBRA.. if you know what I mean. Not meaning to belittle any of the cars out there, there are some beautiful cars for sale, but the one I'm looking for just hasn't popped up yet.. I don't think.. There is a light in the tunnel, but I'm not sure if it's the other end or just a train coming.

I agree with Danr55, in some ways it's hard to find just the 'right' Cobra. Like a lot of us, I always have wanted a Cobra since I was a kid, and now am just about in a financial position where I can make it happen.

So ... from a Buyer's perspective, do you go for a car that's close to what you want and just buy it ... or do you pay a premium to order a roller, add a motor & trans and get it closer to the way you really want it.

Either way you wind up with an awesome car, the question is how close do you get to 'your' vision of the 'right' Cobra and how much is that worth.

My guess is that when the Buyer finds the car that's closest to his 'dream car', you've got a quick sale. I have been looking here and at Cobra Country for months and seen lots of great cars ... but so far, not THE car for me.

One other consideration for a Buyer in California, is SB-100. Unless the car already has SB-100, it may be a cleaner deal to buy a roller from vendor A, motor/trans from vendor B and put it together yourself. Once you then successfully go through the SB-100 paper mill, you should be set.

Tim B.

[meat]

Originally Posted by tkb289

So ... from a Buyer's perspective, do you go for a car that's close to what you want and just buy it ... or do you pay a premium to order a roller, add a motor & trans and get it closer to the way you really want it.

The ONLY person who will ever lose money on a Cobra is the builder.

And even that's relative.

The issue isn't necessarily whether it's the 'right' Cobra, but whether the buyer is looking at it correctly. These cars are - unlike a current production car that has to meet certain regulations - highly modifiable. It'll be that way when you get it, it'll be that way when you sell it.

Generally the most expensive things to do to a Cobra are to switch out drivetrains or change paint. Want to change the dash? It's around $100 for a blank. Want to change wheels? Lots of places do that. What you've got to look for is right bodystyle, right suspension for the type of driving you're going to do with the car. Everything else can be changed. And - if you're smart about it and don't get bit by the 'Chrome-it" bug, you'll have a car that won't ruin your marriage, cost you lots of money in clothes, jewelry, remodeled kitchens or women's shoes.

When buying a built Cobra ... remember that you can always upgrade later. Cobras cost a certain amount to build. When looking at resale, it's way easier to sell a Cobra that only cost you $10K in labor than one that cost you $50K in labor. And I mean easier on your wallet; if the car can be built for $10K, that's what the labor is worth. Period.

Originally Posted by tkb289

One other consideration for a Buyer in California, is SB-100. Unless the car already has SB-100, it may be a cleaner deal to buy a roller from vendor A, motor/trans from vendor B and put it together yourself. Once you then successfully go through the SB-100 paper mill, you should be set.

Meh. Not necessarily. Unless the car has been run through Titles Unlimited or is coming from a state like Florida or Alabama, it's not all that difficult to get a car registered in California; you show up with your paperwork, you get your SB100 number, you get your car on the road. Badda bing, badda boom.

Having an SB100 number is a good selling point - if you're selling to a California buyer - but not having one probably isn't going to make the Cobra any more difficult to register, it's just time consuming.

Your pal,
Meat.

[Got the Bug]

There are FAR more cars for sale now than when I was looking in January of 2007. I've got to believe that we're in a buyers market right now. Asking prices may appear to be stable, but it's hard to gauge how motivated a seller really is until you make an offer.

[Ronbo]

Again, yes those are the prices but except for the Superformance (which is priced rather low) they are all followed by "obo" as are most of the typically high asking prices you see on CC.

I've been watching the site for some time, about a year ago half the cars sold within a week. This is no longer the case, and lots of red "reduced" type is showing up lately.

[madmaxx]

The only one I would have any interest is #2 and depending on the mileage it may be a very good deal

[CHANMADD]

Over the years I have come to realize that a Cobra is worth what the new buyer is prepared to pay. So find the car you like and if the seller is really a seller they should be willing to negotiate.

[madmaxx]

I retract #2 as a good deal way to many miles.

[xlr8or]

Rodney you are correct.