long term z8 value... investment?

Paul S · 27th January 2002, 01:30

what is your belief of the long term value of this car? i've heard it really is a limited production vehicle. i really envy you z8 guys. i've actually seen a couple around town. unbelievable!

MEnthusiast · 27th January 2002, 01:54

I think the total volume will end up being around 6000 units world wide. Id imagine 50% will be sold here. In 20 years who knows? I am completely thrilled with the car and I drive it often. I have 13k miles in 20 months.

I guess Id say the long term appreciation (over 10 years from end of production) is likely to be pretty good.

IMHO- its too good a CAR to be purely an investment. If it appreciates, Im not selling- if it depreciates, Im not selling.

Need4Spd · 27th January 2002, 02:05

IMHO, no car should be purchased purely as an investment. They should be driven. If they appreciate or not lose much value, then it's a bonus. The Z8 in particular is a great car that can be driven every day. So is the Ferrari 360 Modena.

MAVERICK · 27th January 2002, 09:13

Absolutely! Cars are meant to be driven, not encased in depressive garages day after day. If you want good investments, buy prime real estate, gold, diamonds, etc.
Life is too short to admire a garage-queen when you should be blasting down the road with a wide, toothy grin.

Since the Z8 is completely hand-built and limited, it should be the most valuable of BMW's with the exception of the great M1.

JohnH · 27th January 2002, 12:47

Not sure about the rest of Europe but in the UK the Z8 has dropped from its OTR price of 80K pounds (114K USD) to now being available for 55K pounds (78K USD) for 1 yr old with 2K miles on the clock. Not sure if this is because it is LHD only or whether the shape is more popular in the US than over here. Anyone from the rest of Europe have an opinion?

MEnthusiast · 27th January 2002, 14:04

John,
Its interesting that many of the British magazine reviews I read about the Z8 are negative on the styling- and some commentators like the new BMW styling direction. This is consistent, if nothinng else, but its fair to say I disagree with their opinions.

I am not surprised to see a used Z8 depreciate. There are new ones to be had and the world economy has cooled off a little. But I am surprised to see it with relatively so few miles. That is very interesting.

I dont know if you had the kind of mania that we had here for the Z8- one or two reportedly sold for $500,000

I suspect it wasnt quite as heated in the UK. And then, as you say, its LHD.

The question is- what happens ~10 years after production ends? I would imagine you take your depreciated value and then it will begin to appreciate- but the degree of appreciation will be directly related to the long term general consensus on the car's shape and if there are any mechanical/structural problems that become evident on long term cars. My own guess for the USA is: the cars will have a slow, steady appreciation but it wont make one wish they bought a Z8 as an investment.

Maybe in 30 years or so the car will be worth that $500,000- but mine wont because it will have ~234,000 miles. The best investment is one that makes you smile- and in that department the dividends have been rolling in from day 1

DrRob · 27th January 2002, 15:37

Quote:

Originally posted by MEnthusiast
The best investment is one that makes you smile- and in that department the dividends have been rolling in from day 1

Right on, ME

When I purchased, the thought of "investment" came to mind. But to do that correctly, 99 percent of the time the car would be in mothballs and out of mind - rarely ever driven. As a pure monitary investment, I suppose (long term) one would make out better in the stock market. That said, I did hear one Z8 affectionado expect them to be worth $1,000,000 in time. Who knows???

I made my investment in driving pleasure over the next 25 years, Lord willing. The Z8 then may be an extra special hand-me-down inheritence to my children and hopefully my grandchildren someday.

I just hope BMW lives up to their commitment to supply parts and service for the next 50 years. Look what happened to some American legends of the past (Packard, Studebaker, etc) as well as the coming demise of last century's long-lived manufacturers, Plymouth and Oldsmobile.

I guess as the parts have been promised, they will be built with current molds and machines and will be stockpiled, so hopefully available in the long trrm future.

MEnthusiast · 27th January 2002, 18:39

Dr. Rob

youre right there is no guarantee on whether BMW will keep going for 50+ years but I believe them in their committment on the parts. A company is only as good as its people and there are some bad apples in any place but most of the people that work for BMW NA have been truly great.

bmw_maniac · 27th January 2002, 22:00

I thought that the Z8 was a limited production, because when I checked on BMW NZ's web-site, it wasn't there. Does anyone know when the production will stop if it hasn't already, because no matter what it takes, or how much it costs, if they are still being made when I've got the money, I will import one!

Thanks

Paul S · 27th January 2002, 23:08

i didn't say don't drive it. '64 1/2 mustangs ring a bell? yes there are better investments, but how many investments can you enjoy while they appreciate? i wouldn't buy a car without thinking about its long term value.