How do you value a kit car?
Discussion
How do you value a kit car?
I am thinking about swapping my Fisher Fury for something else. I quite fancy a VX220. But, I dont really know what its worth. It has a very well sorted engine that I have spent thousands on. Its a Cosworth with around 320bhp and I know these are quite valuable engines. The car is in very good condition mechanically, however its been used on track and has tired body work. Its also got 40k on the clock.
I am thinking about swapping my Fisher Fury for something else. I quite fancy a VX220. But, I dont really know what its worth. It has a very well sorted engine that I have spent thousands on. Its a Cosworth with around 320bhp and I know these are quite valuable engines. The car is in very good condition mechanically, however its been used on track and has tired body work. Its also got 40k on the clock.
Do you really want to ask that question on open forum and have us all chipping in opinions and estimated values on your car?!
If you reconsider, let me know and I'll delete my post.
You already know the basic principles, I'm sure: its based on average market value for the make/model vs. general condition vs. mechanical specification. Possible slight adjustment for race or magazine history (do I recognise your car as a former CCC 'clinic' participant?).
Sylvas/Fishers are well respected, but don't fetch megabucks simply because they're not that expensive to build in the first place. When their bodywork is tired, they really do start looking a bit down-at-heel and fibreglass is very time consuming/expensive to restore, so it would be a matter of getting the balance right between the value of a tired example with a 'normal' engine (say £3.5-£4K) and the extra desirability of your mechanical spec.
If I were you, I'd advertise it at, say, £8.5K to see if you get any bites, but be open to realistic offers.
If you reconsider, let me know and I'll delete my post.
You already know the basic principles, I'm sure: its based on average market value for the make/model vs. general condition vs. mechanical specification. Possible slight adjustment for race or magazine history (do I recognise your car as a former CCC 'clinic' participant?).
Sylvas/Fishers are well respected, but don't fetch megabucks simply because they're not that expensive to build in the first place. When their bodywork is tired, they really do start looking a bit down-at-heel and fibreglass is very time consuming/expensive to restore, so it would be a matter of getting the balance right between the value of a tired example with a 'normal' engine (say £3.5-£4K) and the extra desirability of your mechanical spec.
If I were you, I'd advertise it at, say, £8.5K to see if you get any bites, but be open to realistic offers.
Edited by TheLastPost on Saturday 16th February 00:26
Thanks for your reply.
You are right I dont particluarly want people to be too vocal in their opinions but I do respect the Kit car section on Pistonheads as I have found most people to be considerate and polite in their opinions and I have genuinely learnt alot from this forum.
However, I didnt build the car and I dont really know whats its worth. I have spent lots on it which I dont really expect to recover. If the opinion was that its probably good for £8 - £9 k then that is what I would expect to get for it and would probably look to realistically sell.
If opinion is that is likely to get only £6k then I will keep as its simply not worth selling at that.
Many Thanks
You are right I dont particluarly want people to be too vocal in their opinions but I do respect the Kit car section on Pistonheads as I have found most people to be considerate and polite in their opinions and I have genuinely learnt alot from this forum.
However, I didnt build the car and I dont really know whats its worth. I have spent lots on it which I dont really expect to recover. If the opinion was that its probably good for £8 - £9 k then that is what I would expect to get for it and would probably look to realistically sell.
If opinion is that is likely to get only £6k then I will keep as its simply not worth selling at that.
Many Thanks
Thing is with most kit cars is that the resale value is often less than the build cost - daft as it seems they can have 'negative synergy'. Which is me trying to say that it's possible you might get more by breaking the car (the Cosworth 'lump' might be worth more than the complete car!).
I presume it would be possible to sell the engine, after offering obviously a test in the car, and then pop in a more basic engine & sell the complete car - you might maximise your return in that way?
I presume it would be possible to sell the engine, after offering obviously a test in the car, and then pop in a more basic engine & sell the complete car - you might maximise your return in that way?
alfaspecial said:
Thing is with most kit cars is that the resale value is often less than the build cost - daft as it seems they can have 'negative synergy'. Which is me trying to say that it's possible you might get more by breaking the car (the Cosworth 'lump' might be worth more than the complete car!).
I presume it would be possible to sell the engine, after offering obviously a test in the car, and then pop in a more basic engine & sell the complete car - you might maximise your return in that way?
Good advice on Kit Car values currently. I would suggest it is very difficult to get the build costs back except possible with the decent Porsche RSK and 356 replicas. I think those could make a self builder break even.I presume it would be possible to sell the engine, after offering obviously a test in the car, and then pop in a more basic engine & sell the complete car - you might maximise your return in that way?
I regularly buy and sell kit cars have done for 50 years and permanently have around half a dozen because I am complusive/obssessive by nature. Being a retired accountant I can afford the losses. Generally I lose money on Kit Cars but I do buy cheap and sell inexpensively.
I would not expect your car to make what you are looking for and the break up return for the decent racing bits could well be a better route. The old chassis/body will find a buyer. Good Luck
Hi Ruari
Yes I have certainly had some good use out of the car. It runs really well now and I have spent alot on the car to get it right. It is great on track and can just stay out all day. The reason for thinking about selling is because the roads are so rough and the car feels like it is taking a reall beating on road and I thought something more road orientated might be good. However judging by the replies I have decided to keep the car and just enjoy more occasionally on road and do a few more track days.
Thanks for your replies everyone, they are pretty much as I suspected and have helped me to firm up my decision without sticking it up for sale and dealing with tyre kickers.
See you out and about
Yes I have certainly had some good use out of the car. It runs really well now and I have spent alot on the car to get it right. It is great on track and can just stay out all day. The reason for thinking about selling is because the roads are so rough and the car feels like it is taking a reall beating on road and I thought something more road orientated might be good. However judging by the replies I have decided to keep the car and just enjoy more occasionally on road and do a few more track days.
Thanks for your replies everyone, they are pretty much as I suspected and have helped me to firm up my decision without sticking it up for sale and dealing with tyre kickers.
See you out and about
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