NEW or USED, that is the question...

[dtmaso]

Back in 1997 I sold my beloved 1972 GT5 Pantera and have been driving un-reasonable facsimiles ever since. I pondered getting another Pantera, but realized that I’d only be chasing what I already built. Friend and Pantera and Shelby Club member Mike Drew owns a Pantera, a 66 Shelby Mustang clone and a Contemporary 427 S/O. I always loved that little beast, especially once I got to drive it. A BIG BLOCK for me, please!

So, the wife and I checked out Kassabian’s Showroom in Dublin and I discovered Superformance. Sitting there was SPF #507 – with a 460 built by Craig Hill. After rushing home, making some quick phone calls and surfing some websites, I’m certain that SPF is for me. The attention to detail is phenomenal. I spent about $100k on my Pantera before bidding it farewell, so I’ve developed (or at least paid for) the ability to recognize near perfection. SPF sent me their packet and video tape which I tore into like a child with a birthday gift. I actually forgot the name of the man I spoke to at Dynamic MotorSports in Reno. After telling him of #507 and its $55K price tag, he told me that I could get the same car, with all the newer updates, for 3k less (and to watch out for Alabama cars titled as 1965 Fords cause California DMV was scrutinizing them).

I’ve since attended the 2002 MiniNats and met some great folks with SPFs. They were extremely friendly and willing to tell me the ups and downs of owning these cars. So now I want one even MORE.

I did learn that buying/ordering a new one could have me waiting as much as twelve months. I failed to confirm if the purchase price included shipping from S. Africa. I also failed to ask about registration woes.

Obviously it’d be easier and faster for me to buy used, but would it be cheaper in the long run? Considering that Kassabian tagged a little profit onto the sale price of #507, what would a reasonable private-party asking price be for a like car with less than 3k miles on it?

So many questions.

Thanks

Steve