What shape will the car industry be in after all this?

alfatwo

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5,517
Ok, crazy times but lets say dealers/ manufacturers decide its better to sell at some price, and keep the prod. lines going, and offer something like 50% off, what would you buy?
Your dead on there, company's like Vauxhall and VW are going to more or less pay the customer to buy one of there cars!
There's so much unsold stock around that nobody wants..

Dave
 

alfatwo

Member
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5,517
The retro stuff appears to be booming here too in France greatly since I got here 18 months ago.
Not uncommon to see a MK1 Golf GTI for €30,000 and the same for Renault 5 Gordinis and Alpines even my 4 GTL has gone up in value.
I happened to come across a very nicely restored 1985 Mk1 Uno Turbo the other day.
It was absolutely mint, totally original.. everything made from unobtainium!
I'm still tempted.

Dave
 

Mancserati

Member
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118
I happened to come across a very nicely restored 1985 Mk1 Uno Turbo the other day.
It was absolutely mint, totally original.. everything made from unobtainium!
I'm still tempted.

Dave
I had one of these when I was 19, it had the rare digital dashboard. Brilliant car, had 2 of the 2nd generation ones too.
 

philw696

Member
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25,114
The grale is still the Ford Sierra Cosworth!

Dave
Had a Sapphire Cosworth 4x4 Rally Car for awhile not my favorite to be honest.
The one really getting me excited again is an early MK1 Golf GTi if I'm honest but not at what people value them for.
 

alfatwo

Member
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5,517
I had one of these when I was 19, it had the rare digital dashboard. Brilliant car, had 2 of the 2nd generation ones too.
With only 840 kilos to drag around and with more or less one bar boost you got 160hp+they were giant killers of there time!
Its near impossible to find a nice rhd one now

Dave
 

alfatwo

Member
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5,517
Had a Sapphire Cosworth 4x4 Rally Car for awhile not my favorite to be honest.
The one really getting me excited again is an early MK1 Golf GTi if I'm honest but not at what people value them for.
Far too heavy mate those Sapphire's. Mk1 Golfs GTi's are ok but they made far too many of them
Back in the old days a 10 year old Alfa 1600 GT Junior would still give them a hard time
There not that good!

Dave
 

Ewan

Member
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6,757
Has anyone got views or experience of the Ferrari 599?

They're becoming relatively good value. I'm also keen on the 360, 430 (manual if possible) or the 550.

Another car that tempts me is the Aston V12V (had the V8 and enjoyed it, but the GTS has a better engine and no rattles).
I have a friend looking to sell his immaculate 599. It’s low mileage and high spec, so more at the high-end level of 599 ownership and price, rather than the £90k starting end of the market. But if anyone is interested in buying the best, I can put you in touch.
 

Wattie

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8,640
I have resisted replying to this thread until I had some real data rather than just anecdotal comment.

I cannot comment on new car sales but there is a fair bit of sentiment around about not to keep chasing the latest and greatest and to get off the PCP treadmill, which may have a short term impact but we humans have short memories and incentives and scrappage schemes and such may well tempt some into new cars they otherwise thought not possible. This is not a given though as demand may outstrip supply as manufacturers ramp back up. There, having said I would not comment I just did :) But we don't know.

Now to my area, specifically 'Modern Classics' - in the last two weeks we have sold 5 cars and had many disappointed callers late to the party on those cars. Not only that, each and every one of them have paid FULL asking price. We have had enquiries from Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, Singapore and USA including of course England. All eager to engage in whatever way they were personally comfortable. This is real, see here for shameless plug :


Our biggest challenge now is finding stock that fits our profile and policy and is still affordable. I think @dickygrace was saying much the same throughout this period. For sure we could have sold a couple more cars if buyers not yet comfortable withe remote dealings were willing/able to travel. They will do so as soon as they can and they will buy I am sure.

My point is, those of you waiting for a post-COVID crash where you will sail in and offer half the asking price to a dealer who will rip your arm off and thank you profusely may be waiting a long time. As usual it will be about supply and demand and for sure there will be some bargains (but that may cost you more in the long run if poor examples) and some corrections on cars that were over-hyped anyway. But in general, really good cars from trusted sources will be in demand it seems even if we are still in the not sure this is the new normal before the real new normal phase.
It's very possible that unique, niche "car providers" like yourself/Dicky (lets hope so) that provide a specialist service will not see much of a downturn due to the supply/ demand aspect of your limited stock and the fact that your client bases are quite distinct.
I suspect any impact will be dependent upon those that require credit and future bank lending constraints- you may see more cash buyers in future.
I stick by my comments for the rest of the industry- it is about to get absolutely battered and bargains will be had. Many will be in possession of a vehicle they will be desperately relying on selling.
 

alfatwo

Member
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5,517
It's very possible that unique, niche "car providers" like yourself/Dicky (lets hope so) that provide a specialist service will not see much of a downturn due to the supply/ demand aspect of your limited stock and the fact that your client bases are quite distinct.
I suspect any impact will be dependent upon those that require credit and future bank lending constraints- you may see more cash buyers in future.
I stick by my comments for the rest of the industry- it is about to get absolutely battered and bargains will be had. Many will be in possession of a vehicle they will be desperately relying on selling.
Remember what your dad said, never buy a car on the knock you cant afford!

Dave
 

dickygrace

www.richardgracecars.co.uk
Messages
7,309
I happened to come across a very nicely restored 1985 Mk1 Uno Turbo the other day.
It was absolutely mint, totally original.. everything made from unobtainium!
I'm still tempted.

Dave

Is that an ie Turbo? Death trap, remember them back in the day. Made of wafer thin metal, lightweight and pretty quick.
 

philw696

Member
Messages
25,114
They were really that good..

Suppose many on here were far too young to remember hooligan driving in the early 80's!

Dave
This was one of my favorites an 82 4 speed box sold in the mid 90s for £650 no one wanted them then :(
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