Is The Svx Collectible?

[ensteele]

I searched for the article and found this link to the thread, but no article. I think Chike had it scanned.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...rts+Exotic+Car

[newsvx]

I hope the portion of the Hemmings article is attached - I THINK I did it correctly. If not, I'll try again.

But anyway, I have always been told that the average guy should never buy a car with the hope that it will increase in value and become a classic. Now someone with plenty of money, I would think this would be a bit different. Buy a new car that is "projected" to be a classic (and they are usually very expensive to start with) and park it in a garage. But a lot of folks have been burned by that too - the old 1990 SS 454 Chevy truck, as an example. They (GM) were SUPPOSED to only build them one year, but it turned out to be SEVERAL years. As a result, they did not increase in value like they could have. But the average guy (Earl excluded) cannot afford to buy cars and store them. Most every car I have had, I had to use as my daily driver.

So the comment about getting what you like, maintain it well, and DRIVE it and ENJOY it is right on! Never expect to make money on a car you buy!

That said, I STILL look in old garages if I see an old car parked in it
Harry

[newsvx]

Sorry, can't seem to get an attachment in the post - or my locker. Are the lockers "locked out" at this point?

Harry

[ensteele]

The lockers are still not working. If you want to send it to me in an email, I can try to post it. Just click on Earl in my signature for my email address.

[dcarrb]

I drove a 1968 Mustang for many years and attended occasional swap-meets, where more than once I heard voiced the opinion, "These cars will never really be worth anything, 'cos too many of 'em were made."

Anybody priced a clean, stock 1965-70 Mustang lately?

dcb

Could you imagine how even rarer our cars would be, had they changed cosmetically from year to year?
I know a guy, (my brother in law actually) that inherited a lot of money and is an absolute car nut. He has several barns FULL of rare classic cars! Trouble is, they are just average at best examples. I don't think he did/does it hoping to make money some day, as much he just wants to capture some of his youth...and put it in one place. Makes me sick to see them covered in Barn Swallow crap and dirt. Some off the top of my head: '47 Cadillac, '50 Nash, '67? Buick Riviera, '72? 440 Duster?, some car JUST like the Munsters,
?440 Interceptor Police car?, '72 Corvette, '69 Camaro, etc.

[svxistentialist]

Originally Posted by PDSides

We still haven't addressed the initial question: Is the SVX Collectible? It is difficult for us to be objective on this topic, but I'll give it a shot. Anything is collectible if you like collecting things. People collect old bottle tops, shoe laces, and rubber bands. You name it and somebody collects it. It is the same with cars; somebody out there collects Yugos. Don't ask me why, but they do. So, YES, the SVX is collectible. The real question is whether or not the SVX is an appreciating collectible. Is it increasing in value as a collector item? NO, I'm afraid it is not, not yet anyway. The Hemmings article says that the SVX may become more valuable in the future, so, if you want to put a few bucks at risk, then now might be a good time to buy one, or a few if you have a place to store them. I believe the SVX will appreciate in price as years go by. Nearly every car does, but whether or not it will become a hot collector item is anyone's guess. Given the number of interesting cars made during the same time period, I'd say the SVX has as good a chance as any to become a collector car. If you could buy a pristine stock SVX today, and if you could store it without paying storage fees, I believe you could make a few bucks off it ten years from now. Could you, however, make as much as you might by simply investing your money in the stock market? My gut feeling is that you are better off buying and driving your SVX, keeping it in good shape and enjoying it. That is your reward. Enjoy it now and let the future take care of itself.
Preston

In the past, I have written posts almost word for word as Preston puts the case here. Most people have in their minds the word appreciating when they ask is the SVX collectible?, is the SVX a classic?

They were not rare, like say a Ferrari in numbers. Also they were not leading edge in technology. So, like Preston says, drive them and enjoy them.

They are also fairly rust-proof and robust, tranny aside, so a good number of those sold survive. The only way to keep one of these is to buy a low mileage "minter", keep it as a garage queen, only do shows with it, etc. When the SVX starts to come up in profile with collectors, such a well cared for car will be worth something. I just happen to think they will not start to rise in value until about 40 years have passed. Maybe 50.

I intend to enjoy mine now. The only collector getting his hands on mine, is ME!

Joe

[svxcess]

Originally Posted by WGJ

In the Jan issue of a relatively new publication, Hemmings Sports and Exotic Car, you will find a picture on p.29 of an SVX. The article title is "25 Japanese Collectibles You Should Buy Now". The paragraph discussing the SVX is quite complimentary and describes the SVX as "a highly interesting car" which is interesting to us SVX owners. It does not mention the 4eat (I'm still a little bitter after handing my tranny tech $3000 for my rebuilt transmission yesterday...driving my SVX home made me feel a lot better but there's still a large hole in my bank account).
Author shows an SVX price range of $2500-$9500...
Have a happy and safe holiday,
WGJ

This is what the article said:

"Permanent all-wheel drive, dramatic looks, excellent road manners, a fully legitimate 2+2 GT coupe, genuinely luxurious. Why did the Subaru SVX struggle to sell? It was simply to radical a departure to attract Subaru's core audience, and because it wore a Subaru badge, the purists that might otherwise have found it satisfying refused to take the car seriously— it was like Swanson suddenly offering beef Wellington as a frozen TV dinner. Too bad, since the SVX was a highly interesting car with a 3.3-liter, 230hp six-cylinder version of Subaru's signature horizontally-opposed engine architecture. In the end, about 14,000 were sold here before Subaru pulled the plug."

What to pay: $2,500-$9,500


They also mentioned other cars like the 71-73 and 76-77 Toyota Celica, 87 Isuzu Impulse Turbo, 86-89 Mitsubishi Starion/Chrysler Conquest, 86-91 Subaru XT6, and the early Z's. Also on the list (but I don't know why) are the78-80 Plymouth Fire Arrow, (whose 108hp inline four powering a 2200 lb coupe makes it about as quick as an SVX) and 1he 1999 Honda Civic Si.

Buy the mag while you can. It is the January 2006 issue of "Hemmings Sports & Exotic Cars", with an orange Datsun 240Z on the cover.

m

[WGJ]

is actually an interesting issue. I agree w/svxistentialist's comments with respect to rarity and technology. However, one thing the SVX has going for it is an unusual combination of Ital(ian) style, awd, a lovely flat six, excellent handeling, a quiet, fairly spacious cabin and good build quality. So, tranny problems and weak wheel bearings aside they still represent superior value in the used car market place. You're getting a hell of a lot of car for the money. (I know, I'm preaching to the choir again.)
What I'm seeing is an appreciation in price of ALL low mileage SVX's NOW. Check the Auto Trader. You may be able to get a good deal on a low mileage SVX but sellers (private and dealers) are at least asking for pretty high prices. I check car prices regularly and that's what I'm seeing. That should tend to bring up the value of higher mileage, well cared for SVXs. Generally cars are a depreciating asset. So it appears that at least ours are not depreciating nearly as rapidly as most of they're peers. Could be a lot worse.
What do you guys think?
WGJ

[seasvx]

Originally Posted by Rotorflyr

They also mentioned other cars like the 71-73 and 76-77 Toyota Celica, 87 Isuzu Impulse Turbo, 86-89 Mitsubishi Starion/Chrysler Conquest, 86-91 Subaru XT6, and the early Z's. Also on the list (but I don't know why) are the78-80 Plymouth Fire Arrow, (whose 108hp inline four powering a 2200 lb coupe makes it about as quick as an SVX) and 1he 1999 Honda Civic Si.m

of the "25 Japanese Collectibles" mentioned in the article, it would be a stretch to imagine more than one or two appreciating and becoming collectable; perhaps the 240Z, Datsun 2000 Roadster, Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 Spyder hardtop convertible (...never seen one, so must be rare), MX-5 Miata (will always have a strong following despite huge production numbers; will probably follow the same pattern as MGB's).

Originally Posted by Rotorflyr

Hemmings has been doing Sports and Exotic issues for a long time though in the past they were "Special Additions" that weren't published at any specific time. Sounds like they are now being published at least quarterly, not bad for $18 I guess..

nope, it's a monthly: http://www.hemmings.com/index.cfm/fu...n/articles.hsx

[PDSides]

WGJ says that really clean, low mileage SVXs are appreciating in value, and I agree. Don't, however, let that in itself lead you to believe that general SVX values are on the rise. What is happening is that there are so few pristine, low mileage SVXs out there for sale that those who have recently discovered the car, or those wanting another are willing to pay a premium for a really good one. Average SVXs, those which were well cared for but with average mileage and condition remain static in value. As time goes on we will see this trend continue. Now and then a pristine car will come on the market and will bring a much higher than normal price. We see this with Volkswagens today, and consider how many were made. To gauge the collectible status of the SVX a great deal more time must pass. When the '92s are a quarter-century in age, we might get a clue as to their value as a collector car. Give it time. Who would have thought that a Buick Riviera that looks like a Chris Craft out of water would ever become a collectible?
Preston

[svxistentialist]

Originally Posted by PDSides

WGJ says that really clean, low mileage SVXs are appreciating in value, and I agree. Don't, however, let that in itself lead you to believe that general SVX values are on the rise. What is happening is that there are so few pristine, low mileage SVXs out there for sale that those who have recently discovered the car, or those wanting another are willing to pay a premium for a really good one. Average SVXs, those which were well cared for but with average mileage and condition remain static in value. As time goes on we will see this trend continue. Now and then a pristine car will come on the market and will bring a much higher than normal price. We see this with Volkswagens today, and consider how many were made. To gauge the collectible status of the SVX a great deal more time must pass. When the '92s are a quarter-century in age, we might get a clue as to their value as a collector car. Give it time. Who would have thought that a Buick Riviera that looks like a Chris Craft out of water would ever become a collectible?
Preston

I reckon you are correct here, Preston.

I'm amused you mention Buick Rivieras. I don't know which one you mean, but I totally love the late sixties one, I think it was designed by Bill Mitchell. This car is guaranteed cult and classic status because of how elegantly it is proportioned. And I also like the following model, the one with the pointed glass rear window, a bit like the split window Corvette. Not in the same league for proportion, mind, but an interesting and likeable shape just the same.

I don't think it would be possible to find a genuine ultra low mileage SVX over here. If one came on the market, I would be immediately in the queue to buy. It goes against the grain, but I would store that car. For myself, mind, not to sell to some fool collector in years to come.

Joe

[svxxx26]

I suspect taht when most people hear the term "collectible", it brings to mind visions of $30,000 Barracudas or '57 Chevies. Those kind of cars were popular car icons in their day to start off with. The SVX was and is even more so a car that people look at and say, "what's that?"
Now, I do think that as time passes, as in around 25 years as Preston mentioned, it will be a genuine car of interest for collectors. Can't see it fetching huge bucks though.

BTW, those old Rivieras are nice...

those old Rivieras are nice...

BTW, that one I mentioned in an old barn getting pooped on as we speak,
is (now that I think of it) a rare "grey ghost" or something like that...'63
maybe?

the closest thing to grey ghost i can find is an old schwin bicycle, a harley motorcycle from a few years ago, and an old firetruck (grey ghost is its nickname). Do you mean a silver ghost? Which would place it in the Rolls-Royce crowd of high end luxury autos.