future classics?

zagatoes30

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20,759
Its often something that is hard to pinpoint, my SZ is only a V6, its not very fast, its not well built, its extremely quirky, parts are impossible to find and its often a ***** to drive especially when its hot.

But, I lusted adfter one when it first came out, I can never see me selling it, I don't care what its worth, I don't care what it cost me (although up until this year is has been super cheap), I don't care what other people think - I just love it to bits in fact I am hating it being in the bodyshop but it will be worth it when its finished
 

Corranga

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1,219
It's not always about outright speed though, is it? More about how it does it, and how it makes you feel.

This in spades. Electric cars are heavy. High torque motors make loose your licence fast, and win at pub top trumps, but you're in the pub because your car is dull to drive...
 

Corranga

Member
Messages
1,219
Its often something that is hard to pinpoint, my SZ is only a V6, its not very fast, its not well built, its extremely quirky, parts are impossible to find and its often a ***** to drive especially when its hot.

But, I lusted adfter one when it first came out, I can never see me selling it, I don't care what its worth, I don't care what it cost me (although up until this year is has been super cheap), I don't care what other people think - I just love it to bits in fact I am hating it being in the bodyshop but it will be worth it when its finished

I'm not convinced it's THAT hard to pinpount. The SZ is a very rare car with crazy Zagato styling and a V6 that people love under the bonnet.
I had a little Matchbox one when I was a kid (in fact I still have it somewhere) and loved it. I can still remember seeing one for the first time, years later, and they just look crazy, even in a field of other Italian cars. Love it, and can easily see why it's valuable - similarly the old stepnose GTs aren't that fast etc, but simply gorgeous.

The 3200, 4200, Gransport... The press have made sure the 4200 will be the last of the 3 to be a classic, despite being, well, basically the same car.

Each car has points in its favoure:
The 3200 has the boomerang lights and the last evolution of the classic Maserati bi-turbo.
The GranSport does all the things the 4200 should have done according to the magazines, and has the more aggressive stance.
The 4200 has the 'Ferrari engine', will always be that bit cheaper for those willing to compromise on the surf boards, and (most probably) the last manual (mainstream?) Maserati make.

They were never poster cars, but they sound great, have decent performance, and are fairly practical.
The problem is, they are the opposite of the SZ. They blend in subtly in car parks, they don't scream look at me, they never really had the exposure of their more common contemporaries. To a large extent, they were always overshadowed by the more common 911, but there will always be people who don't want to follow like sheep, or who don't get on with the squashed beetle.

It's all crystal ball stuff..
 

safrane

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16,748
When I turn my blender up from 1 to 3 it does nothing for me emotionally...

But if I drop a couple of cogs in the GS and hear the bark and roar as it picks up its heals... it's a different story.

I guess the same is true of watching F1 or Fe
 

FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
As others have said there are a few things at play here, numbers, rarity, community (supply and demand), perception of the brand and car - the M138 cars have struggled because of negative press back in the era when they were released because in my opinion the cars were perhaps a little ahead of their time in some senses; i.e. switchable suspension, F1 gear box, heavily assisted steering... however some of these things are "normal" now and I think the car is very appealing to those who want an entry level Ferrari engineered Italian V8. In the next 5-10 years we will see a modest increase and long term I think they will be as valuable as any classic Maserati (which is one or two thirds less than a classic Ferrari)

Also did I see someone state they they might ban carbon fuel vehicles by 2040? What about the carbon waste implications of scrapping the millions of petrol/diesel cars on the road in order to implicate that let alone the people who might not be able to afford it? I doubt there will be an outright ban as that will be approaching fascism (although who knows what the political scenario in Europe will look like by then if we carry on like this) but what I can see is petrol/diesel cars becoming obsolete like the horse drawn cart which is not illegal to drive on the road. All the feasibility for these things aside I am pretty sure there will be lots of fuel suppliers out there buying wholesale and supplying to car clubs - we will be group buying 99 octane fuel as a community lol
 

GeoffCapes

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14,000
Also did I see someone state they they might ban carbon fuel vehicles by 2040?

I believe that is new vehicles. However, that gives us 22 years to find a suitable energy source for them (surely electric isn't going to be it).
Get all of the infrastructure in place.
Get everyone on board to want to buy them.

Can't see it myself.
Even if it did happen, as you said, there are millions and millions of internal combustion engined vehicles out there. They will still be used.
I mean, you can still buy leaded petrol at a petrol station near me if you need it for your classic! And how many years ago was that 'banned'?
 

wifedrivestheclio

Junior Member
Messages
105
As others have said there are a few things at play here, numbers, rarity, community (supply and demand), perception of the brand and car - the M138 cars have struggled because of negative press back in the era when they were released because in my opinion the cars were perhaps a little ahead of their time in some senses; i.e. switchable suspension, F1 gear box, heavily assisted steering... however some of these things are "normal" now and I think the car is very appealing to those who want an entry level Ferrari engineered Italian V8. In the next 5-10 years we will see a modest increase and long term I think they will be as valuable as any classic Maserati (which is one or two thirds less than a classic Ferrari)

This pretty much sums up my purchase decision. When stepping out of 911, the Gransport appealed because it gave me access to a proper Italian GT/sports car (and in particular a Maranello V8) for the fraction of cost of anything with a prancing horse on the front. I've had the car for over two years now and although periodically I toy with moving on, I struggle to make the price of change stack up against anything comparable (let alone to step-up).
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,748
My comment on a ban at 2040ish is more to do with local towns and city banning fossil fuel power entry... resulting in fewer people wanting a classic.

We are already seeing 'dity' cars being moved in in London due to their ultra low emissions regs and cost.

Hope this is just gossip/rumours etc.
 

Contigo

Sponsor
Messages
18,376
Someone talk me out of this. Had a 95 Saloon back in the day and loved it. This is a modern classic for sure and has to be a great investment for the next 10 years or so...

2002-Saab-95-aero-estate-for-sale-rear-quarters.jpg


http://stonecoldclassics.com/2002-saab-9-5-aero-estate/
 

zagatoes30

Member
Messages
20,759
Someone talk me out of this. Had a 95 Saloon back in the day and loved it. This is a modern classic for sure and has to be a great investment for the next 10 years or so...

2002-Saab-95-aero-estate-for-sale-rear-quarters.jpg


http://stonecoldclassics.com/2002-saab-9-5-aero-estate/

Why awesome bits of kit. low mileage and manual box. Stick an Abbott handling kit on it and you will be surprised how fast you can get about. We had one and the wife would have another tomorrow.

Buy it before someone else, like me, gets tempted.
 

tan55555

Member
Messages
177
Someone talk me out of this. Had a 95 Saloon back in the day and loved it. This is a modern classic for sure and has to be a great investment for the next 10 years or so...

2002-Saab-95-aero-estate-for-sale-rear-quarters.jpg


http://stonecoldclassics.com/2002-saab-9-5-aero-estate/
That looks like a great example, looks like previous owner really cherished it. I'm sure you could run this for a year then get all your money back even if you changed your mind about a long term investment.
 

Contigo

Sponsor
Messages
18,376
Ok, I will................I hear that all these era Saabs are worthless now as parts are dwindling fast as are specialist for this make; and it's Fugly!!..............Convinced??!!
No not at all. Going on the other three comments it's a goer! :D
 

GeoffCapes

Member
Messages
14,000
Someone talk me out of this. Had a 95 Saloon back in the day and loved it. This is a modern classic for sure and has to be a great investment for the next 10 years or so...

2002-Saab-95-aero-estate-for-sale-rear-quarters.jpg


http://stonecoldclassics.com/2002-saab-9-5-aero-estate/

Saab's have always had the most comfortable seats of any car manufacturer. Nearly bought one myself a little while ago.
Not sure they will be collectors items, but they are very good cars.