Advertised as an ERA, but is it?

[DanEC]

Of the 4 makes you listed I would say your best odds of finding a FE car (BB) are an ERA, a Unique, and a Superformance in that order. There are probably a couple BB Backdrafts around but they would be scarce. For an ERA or Superformance you may need to work to raise your budget a little. I would say most Uniques - which are a very good car - are a little closer to your current budget. Occasionally you might see a BB FFR with IRS or a Hurricane FE with IRS come along that might appeal to you - if IRS is important. Contemporary is also another manufacturer that were usually built with FEs and also have an IRS suspension. But they have been out of production for quite awhile now. Just about any FE/BB is going to sound mean through sidepipes. If it isn't quite hairy enough for you, just install larger diameter sidepipes.

As far as holding value - my own experience is you can't build any of these for what they will re-sell for after the first owner. But that first drop from builder investment to first re-sell is pretty much it for depreciation as long as the car is well maintained. Basically you will just be dealing more with market fluctuation and economy factors rather than depreciation. Just my opinion and observation.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by BassPlayah

Good advice. I'm in the market for a BB car, but I'm in no hurry really and I don't car if it takes me a year to find what I want. And what I want for around $45K is:

1. a car that, if I needed to sell for whatever reasons, I can get out of it what I paid. In other words, I want to buy right.

2. I am picky about what color the car is, stance, and even how it sounds. I want a car that, even when it's not in motion, makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. (I want that lumpity-lumpity sound that a big cam makes.)

3. I have been researching other manufacturers: Unique, Backdraft, SPF... but my preference is ERA for all the reasons mentioned on this forum.

While I shop and wait for a Z06 Vette I'm selling to clear a space in my garage, I'm learning a ton about these cars on this forum. Wow, what a tremendous resource this forum has been. So. Much. To. Learn.