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

[meat]

Originally Posted by jhv48

It's the basic laws of supply and demand.

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.

[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".

[meat]

Originally Posted by 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.

Naah. You're just more aware of Cobras now that you used to be. Sort of like you don't notice silver Honda Civics until you buy one. Then it's like everyone has one.

Your pal,
Meat.

[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

[meat]

Originally Posted by jwd

Take a course in basic economics.

No thank you. I took economics a long time ago. I doubt very much that what is taught has changed.

Originally Posted by jwd

Supply and demand is what runs the economy.

Cobras are immune to economic change.

Originally Posted by jwd

More Cobras are being built everyday.

And more are being removed from the roads every day as well.

Originally Posted by jwd

That my friend, causes the prices to drop.

Ah. I see. Okay, well, then let's take the two most mass-produced Cobras out for an economic spin then.

Superformance. A beautiful turnkey-minus vehicle. They've been building these cars steadily for a decade. Prices continue to rise.

Factory Five. Introduced as a sub-$10K kit, they've produced thousands of kits. Prices continue to rise.

Less-produced Cobras all follow those same trends. That, my friend, is fact, not half-baked internet-post "economic theory."

Originally Posted by jwd

People having less disposable income causes prices to drop as well.

Which - of course - explains why recreational vehicles, aircraft, and boat prices all continue to dro ... wait a minute, prices on all of those items continue to increase! It's almost as if people with disposable income continue to purchase these items.

Your theory continues to deteriorate. Let's continue...

Originally Posted by jwd

Fortunately, true collector cars (including original Cobras) are only subject to the latter unlike the other Cobras that are subject to both.

Patently untrue. Again. "true" collector cars include Cobras. ALL Cobras. Even that odd little Goben Cobra.

Originally Posted by jwd

As far as prices being stable, those are asking prices and the cars are not selling. Actual selling prices are ALOT lower.

You don't know that. You're making that up.

Furthermore, "asking price" and "selling price" are numbers that exist regardless of economy.

...aaaaand your theory completely unravels. Glad I was there to help you see the error of your ways.

I've been around Cobras for over three decades. I've watched the ebb and flow of the manufacturers. I've got terabytes of documentation on Cobras - original and replica - selling prices, asking prices, kit prices, auction prices, manufacturer prices, etc. - I know that of which I speak.

I've got just about every assembly manual, original owners manual, brochure, pricing list, parts list, book, magazine, article that is out there. I know that of which I speak.

I appreciate your attempts to change the Cobra marketplace, but it ain't gonna happen. But you did accomplish something today; you made it more important to me that I restart my website so that people can know the historical information about Cobras rather than read conjecture from someone who doesn't know.

Your pal,
Meat.

[SP01715]

Originally Posted by meat

Which - of course - explains why recreational vehicles, aircraft, and boat prices all continue to dro ... wait a minute, prices on all of those items continue to increase! It's almost as if people with disposable income continue to purchase these items.

Your pal,
Meat.

Recreational vehicles and boats are definitely not going up. I live in So Cal (like you) and have a vacation house in Lake Havasu City , and boats and recreational vehicle prices are dropping. Drive around havasu (which is a mecca for boating and offroading) and you will see tons of stuff for sale at reduced prices. Dealers that sell these items are also reducing prices and they are still not selling much. I also have a good friend that built custom choppers and he is looking for other work now.

[meat]

Originally Posted by SP01715

Recreational vehicles and boats are definitely not going up.

Interesting. Down here in Newport Beach the prices of boats change every model year ... and every price change is an increase. At the three largest RV dealership groupings, the prices of RVs go up every model year.

Not sure where you're living ... but if you can pick up a 2008 boat or RV for the same price a comparable model sold for in 1980 you should go out right now buy all you can and caravan them out of Fantasyland into the real world. You'll make a TON of money!

Your pal,
Meat.

[SP01715]

Originally Posted by meat

Interesting. Down here in Newport Beach the prices of boats change every model year ... and every price change is an increase. At the three largest RV dealership groupings, the prices of RVs go up every model year.

Not sure where you're living ... but if you can pick up a 2008 boat or RV for the same price a comparable model sold for in 1980 you should go out right now buy all you can and caravan them out of Fantasyland into the real world. You'll make a TON of money!

Your pal,
Meat.

One of our best friends works for Fleetwood and they are laying off people and downsizing from 5 to 2 buildings. They are also trying to sell off part of the 40 acres their complex is on. They are one of the big boys, so I don't know who you are reffering to with respect to RV's.

As far as boats, I have owned an Eliminator, two DCB's, a Cigarette and a Skater over the past 8 years. They ranged from 100-500k. I am very well connected in the high performance boating community (which includes a very wealthy guy in your neck of the woods that owns a large boat company) and the industry is not doing well right now. They made a killing the past 5 years with everone pulling money off their homes, and now that money has dried up.