Collectability and Value
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 46
From: Severn Maryland
MD Events Coordinator
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Cruise-In X Veteran
CI-X Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 211
From: Marana, Arizona
My thoughts on "Collectability & Value" are this...You buy a C5 and store it, baby it, clean on it, take care of it, don't drive it for fear of putting miles on it, and etc.....Then one day 50 years from now, you die, the car is sold for what ever price, and some other guy drives the crap out of it, and really enjoys the car, even mod's it up!!!
So my question is this....What did all those years of "Collecting" get ya?
I say drive the wheels off it...then buy another one!!!
That's just my opinion....
So my question is this....What did all those years of "Collecting" get ya?
I say drive the wheels off it...then buy another one!!!
That's just my opinion....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,526
Likes: 99
From: Apache Junction, Arizona
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Collectability is based upon one of three things:
• Ability to find an emotional basket-case with more money than brains.
• Ability to locate an alcoholic with more money than brains (auctions are a great source to find these, they will even get them drunk for you since they get a commission).
• Ability to get approached by American Pickers - in which case the older and crappier the condition, the more it is worth.
As far as "color" it could go either way... a logical collector will buy based on rarity, the emotional buyer will buy based upon what his dead Daddy drove in 1932.
But don't be discouraged, there appears to be an almost limitless supply of people in the first two categories mentioned, but like Al Bundy said "Yard Sale success is based upon the "Bigger Idiot" Theory, the downside is that you eventually work your way down to the biggest idiot" - just make sure if you a buying collectibles that you can eventually locate a bigger idiot before you die!
• Ability to find an emotional basket-case with more money than brains.
• Ability to locate an alcoholic with more money than brains (auctions are a great source to find these, they will even get them drunk for you since they get a commission).
• Ability to get approached by American Pickers - in which case the older and crappier the condition, the more it is worth.
As far as "color" it could go either way... a logical collector will buy based on rarity, the emotional buyer will buy based upon what his dead Daddy drove in 1932.
But don't be discouraged, there appears to be an almost limitless supply of people in the first two categories mentioned, but like Al Bundy said "Yard Sale success is based upon the "Bigger Idiot" Theory, the downside is that you eventually work your way down to the biggest idiot" - just make sure if you a buying collectibles that you can eventually locate a bigger idiot before you die!
May I also add if the car has never been
DRIVEN IN THE RAIN!!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 3
From: Life moves pretty fast... if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it!
CI 6-8-9 Veteran
If you're getting a C5, get it for the grins that you'll get not the collectability. I was original owner of a 69 Big Block coupe, very collectable these days, but I would not go back. 
Zuti
Zuti
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,072
Likes: 197
From: Arizona
I agree with the others here -- it will take many years before collector status will be achieved, if ever. That said, I think a mint 2004 Z16-optioned Z06 (blue with special factory-installed stripes) will be highly desirable. Also, any truly cherry 2003 Anniversary Edition car will be at least somewhat collectible. (And when I say 'mint' and 'cherry' I mean low miles, pampered and absolutely unmolested -- pure stock with all the documentation possible.)
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,789
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville FL
That said, I think a mint 2004 Z16-optioned Z06 (blue with special factory-installed stripes) will be highly desirable. Also, any truly cherry 2003 Anniversary Edition car will be at least somewhat collectible. (And when I say 'mint' and 'cherry' I mean low miles, pampered and absolutely unmolested -- pure stock with all the documentation possible.)
That said, I think my point might have been somewhat mistaken from the first post. What I really mean is probably easier to sell and hold value a little more. There again, the above mentioned cars can't be a negative in that area.
Nonetheless, I think my question has been answered... which is not to worry about value of a C5. Treat it is a "now" car because a C5 in 2042 will not necessarily be what a C3 is today.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,789
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville FL
What I see with later model collector type cars, is the only ones bringing significantly more are really low mile or some special edition built in small numbers. Just check ebay to get an idea. C4 and C5s with say a few thousand miles get bid up considerably more. The downside to this (as far as I'm concerned) is what do you do with such a car? If you drive it and start adding miles, your "investment" just took a dump.
A friend of mine's son has a Firebird Formula he bought new. Not sure the year but I'd have to say late 90s cause it has the LT1. It was in the winter and he trailered it home from the dealership. He only starts it and runs it up and down the highway enough that the gas doesn't varnish. He kept all the documentation, plastic seat and carpet covers ect. He told the dealer not to touch it, he wanted it just as it came off the truck. Now there are people out there that get some sort of enjoyment from this sort of thing....a feel good cause I have it I suppose. Not me, I got to drive it!!
A friend of mine's son has a Firebird Formula he bought new. Not sure the year but I'd have to say late 90s cause it has the LT1. It was in the winter and he trailered it home from the dealership. He only starts it and runs it up and down the highway enough that the gas doesn't varnish. He kept all the documentation, plastic seat and carpet covers ect. He told the dealer not to touch it, he wanted it just as it came off the truck. Now there are people out there that get some sort of enjoyment from this sort of thing....a feel good cause I have it I suppose. Not me, I got to drive it!!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 22,727
Likes: 799
From: Hillsborough NC
NC Events Coordinator
Exactly. That would put me at age 86. My car might be worth something then if it was unique (it's not), mint (it's not), original (it's not), and low mileage (it won't be).
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 825
Likes: 66
From: Baltimore Md
One of the only "modern sports cars" I can see being valuable in the not so distant future is an unmolested 6 speed tt supra with super low miles...
Buy a c5 to drive, don't get your hopes up on it appreciating in value any time soon!
Buy a c5 to drive, don't get your hopes up on it appreciating in value any time soon!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,787
Likes: 2
From: Wildomar CA
My Z06 is a more rare year/color combo than Z16s. I see a ton of them for sale.
There are a few rare colors like aztec gold, that light purple color, and green that may bring more money than others. White Z06s will be desired.
Here is what it comes down to, supply and demand. The more of any particular model/color there are the less it will be worth. If I am the only Electron Blue Z06 selling when 3 reds, 3 blacks, and 3 silvers are all for sale, I am going to get more money. Period. Will it be a ton more, well time will tell.
The world's only FACTORY RPO Lemans Blue ZR1 sold for a million dollars, and I have to tell you, if I had millions of dollars and knew I could get the only factory color coded Lemans Blue ZR1 in the world I might just pay $1,000,000+ for it too. Money is all relative and it is hard to say what people will and won't want. Just my thoughts on it though. My local Salesman tried to argue with me when I said I hate silver cars. I said they hold their value the least. He said silver was the most popular color manufactured, and when I told him that you have a bigger pool of competition and therefore lower prices, he couldn't argue the point. Come to find out he had a C6 and guess what color it was? Silver.
Silver = great for a DD color, poor for resale value.
Put my Z06 up for sale against an identical Silver and I guarantee you mine sells first. All things being equal if nothing else it will help you sell your car faster.
There are a few rare colors like aztec gold, that light purple color, and green that may bring more money than others. White Z06s will be desired.
Here is what it comes down to, supply and demand. The more of any particular model/color there are the less it will be worth. If I am the only Electron Blue Z06 selling when 3 reds, 3 blacks, and 3 silvers are all for sale, I am going to get more money. Period. Will it be a ton more, well time will tell.
The world's only FACTORY RPO Lemans Blue ZR1 sold for a million dollars, and I have to tell you, if I had millions of dollars and knew I could get the only factory color coded Lemans Blue ZR1 in the world I might just pay $1,000,000+ for it too. Money is all relative and it is hard to say what people will and won't want. Just my thoughts on it though. My local Salesman tried to argue with me when I said I hate silver cars. I said they hold their value the least. He said silver was the most popular color manufactured, and when I told him that you have a bigger pool of competition and therefore lower prices, he couldn't argue the point. Come to find out he had a C6 and guess what color it was? Silver.
Silver = great for a DD color, poor for resale value.
Put my Z06 up for sale against an identical Silver and I guarantee you mine sells first. All things being equal if nothing else it will help you sell your car faster.
Last edited by Z06Electron; Dec 9, 2011 at 02:36 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 27,567
Likes: 99
From: San Diego
I could die tomorrow. In which case, my dad would be driving my '99 FRC. Or I could die in 50 years. In which case, I'll have 50 years of memories with that FRC. Only God knows how long any of us have. Buying a car to not enjoy, while life is so short, seems foolish to me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
Bought both of my vetoes for one reason,,,to have fun DRIVING them. 4 years and 30,000 miles in my FRC,,and my 69/70(a mix and match car)looks pretty good,runs pretty good,and when I get a little more time it will be spruced up and driven some more too!!Now the 69,since I didn't pay a lot for it,won't loose any money,,MIGHT make me a little IF I ever sell her,,but it's primary purpose is FUN first and foremost !! Unless I am REALLY fortunate,,my FRC won't reach collector status in my lifetime,,that's why I get her out and enjoy the heck out of it!!!
