Super car prices 2003
Discussion
Great that you have kept your 355 all these years.
I sold my 2.7 GTB in 2014 after about 9 years and 25,000 miles - that was a big mistake !
Just routine servicing on that car until the last 3 months.
That advert is interesting.
Countach’s, Diablos, 355s and Testarossas have all appreciated significantly , but Murcielago prices remain stubbornly unchanged.
Why?
They have all the ingredients for greatness - the Bizzarrini V12, the spaceframe chassis, the carbon fibre bodywork , the true scissor doors, Audi quality control , the movable flank air inlets.
I think the Murcies are now getting some love in the US and mainland Europe, but strangely dont appear to be appreciated much in the UK.
Or maybe I,m just out of touch ?
During a factory visit last year Polo Storico told me that they will start offering their services on the early Murcies in 2026 or thereabouts which means that keeping these old ( read classic N/A V12 monsters - but definitely not dinosaurs ) cars going should be less of an issue.
I sold my 2.7 GTB in 2014 after about 9 years and 25,000 miles - that was a big mistake !
Just routine servicing on that car until the last 3 months.
That advert is interesting.
Countach’s, Diablos, 355s and Testarossas have all appreciated significantly , but Murcielago prices remain stubbornly unchanged.
Why?
They have all the ingredients for greatness - the Bizzarrini V12, the spaceframe chassis, the carbon fibre bodywork , the true scissor doors, Audi quality control , the movable flank air inlets.
I think the Murcies are now getting some love in the US and mainland Europe, but strangely dont appear to be appreciated much in the UK.
Or maybe I,m just out of touch ?
During a factory visit last year Polo Storico told me that they will start offering their services on the early Murcies in 2026 or thereabouts which means that keeping these old ( read classic N/A V12 monsters - but definitely not dinosaurs ) cars going should be less of an issue.
According to https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy/in...
£36,995 in 2003 would be worth £66,664.43 in March 2025
£36,995 in 2003 would be worth £66,664.43 in March 2025
I could write a book on buying them and selling them prior to the huge price increases. A Countach was available in the 40s for a long time, I bought one in 95 and it sat at the same price level for 8 years. In fact I just about got my money back when I sold it on. I had a Diablo SV next which I struggled to sell 8 years later, I’m sure I lost money on that, then a Murcie SV came in 2013 and its price started with a 2 and that’s not so long ago. If only my crystal ball had worked!
chris_gilmartin said:
According to https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy/in...
£36,995 in 2003 would be worth £66,664.43 in March 2025
You saved me a job. £36,995 in 2003 would be worth £66,664.43 in March 2025
Even inflation adjusted, in today's terms, those old Ferraris and Lambos were bargains.
Car prices have gone bad! Hard to see them ever going back to reasonable values.
On a sidepoint, I was look at Aston DB9s last night; one of the few areas where there is still great value in performance cars.
Those 3 Ferrari 456s are about the same number of £s now as they were then. If you're looking for an Italian V12 bargain, here you go.
We are off to the South of France in our Blue/Crema/manual 456 again soon. Relatively simple cars with beautiful interiors and a wonderful Ferrari V12.
We are off to the South of France in our Blue/Crema/manual 456 again soon. Relatively simple cars with beautiful interiors and a wonderful Ferrari V12.
I also bought my 355 in 2003 and I have also still have it and kept the Top Marques magazine with the add from then!
What is even more stunning than the price appreciation when you see these old magazines is how the mileages have dropped over that time. I had done an exercise a few years ago that I took the average mileages of all the 308s and 355s advertised 20 years before and the average mileage was lower!
What is even more stunning than the price appreciation when you see these old magazines is how the mileages have dropped over that time. I had done an exercise a few years ago that I took the average mileages of all the 308s and 355s advertised 20 years before and the average mileage was lower!
Edited by 355fiorano on Friday 16th May 17:53
BenB91 said:
chris_gilmartin said:
According to https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy/in...
£36,995 in 2003 would be worth £66,664.43 in March 2025
You saved me a job. £36,995 in 2003 would be worth £66,664.43 in March 2025
Even inflation adjusted, in today's terms, those old Ferraris and Lambos were bargains.
Car prices have gone bad! Hard to see them ever going back to reasonable values.
On a sidepoint, I was look at Aston DB9s last night; one of the few areas where there is still great value in performance cars.
Look at 575s currently in the adds…£50/60/70k. This is bargain territory. 360s at £50k.
DB9s, V8Vs at £20,30k. V8VS tend to start around £35k. The MK1 Vanquish start from £40ishK, the S from 50ishK. The MK2 Vanquish can be had from £60ishK.
There are some complete “bargains” out there, much like it ever was. Loads of R8s from 30ishK, V10s from £10k more.
And arguably the cars are much better. £30k in 2003 would have got you a Ferrari with stunning looks but poor build quality and the potential to throw huge bills regularly (I've been there). Even the 1999 360 Modena that I bought for £85k in 2001 had a fair few problems initially.
The equivalent £60-£70k in 2025 gets you a Vanquish with full carbon body, reliable ZF gearbox, a pretty much bulletproof engine and very reasonable running costs of £2-£3k a year in comparison.
Oh and my house is worth 5 times what it was in 2003!
The equivalent £60-£70k in 2025 gets you a Vanquish with full carbon body, reliable ZF gearbox, a pretty much bulletproof engine and very reasonable running costs of £2-£3k a year in comparison.
Oh and my house is worth 5 times what it was in 2003!
Edited by cgt2 on Saturday 17th May 09:45
Wow what a fantastic historical document !
I remember coveting that silver Diablo SV SA Classics had for sale - but by the time I was ready to buy in 2005 SA Classics had vanished ..
And those Countach prices - just totally & utterly inconceivable at the time that they would appreciate so much in 20 years ..
Thanks for posting !
I remember coveting that silver Diablo SV SA Classics had for sale - but by the time I was ready to buy in 2005 SA Classics had vanished ..
And those Countach prices - just totally & utterly inconceivable at the time that they would appreciate so much in 20 years ..
Thanks for posting !
Mate of mine bought a Muira at auction in 2003… £53k. I think it had been up with a dealer for ages at £70k plus.
I still remember the very excited phone call when he bought it…he still has it ! I’m sure he’s spent more than that on it since then though…I know he had a £30k bill for a gearbox repair which could very easily have been a lot more as the damage could have very easily ended up with the gearbox seizing.
I still remember the very excited phone call when he bought it…he still has it ! I’m sure he’s spent more than that on it since then though…I know he had a £30k bill for a gearbox repair which could very easily have been a lot more as the damage could have very easily ended up with the gearbox seizing.
MDL111 said:
the Murcielago was basically new then. Prices decreased into the double-digits before they started appreciating again.
it was one of the most desirable cars on the planet at the time, top gear was at peak popularity etc and the mainstream were more aware of supercars in generalI've never seen a car turn as many heads before as the first one I saw on the roads
- I feel like this era was peak supercar times
WCZ said:
MDL111 said:
the Murcielago was basically new then. Prices decreased into the double-digits before they started appreciating again.
it was one of the most desirable cars on the planet at the time, top gear was at peak popularity etc and the mainstream were more aware of supercars in generalI've never seen a car turn as many heads before as the first one I saw on the roads
- I feel like this era was peak supercar times
Am trying to find the money to buy a Roadster to finally get to experience one.
TwoMinds said:
There were far fewer supercars on the road then so seeing one was an event. I live in London and most just don't get that much attention these days from what I've seen. F12 driving through Kilburn last week - barely a glance.
I think London is the key word there, across the rest of the UK (with some notable exceptions) they are still a fairly rare sight. I am willing to bet than at F12 would turn more heads in Carmarthen or Bognor Regis than it would in Kilburn. I've no doubt Lamborghinis are far, far more common than they were in 2003, but still a reasonably rare sighting. (At least lamborghini supercars are, i see loads of those tarted up Audi SQ8 things, but we're not talking SUVs here are we?)Edited by murphyaj on Monday 19th May 15:00
WCZ said:
it was one of the most desirable cars on the planet at the time, top gear was at peak popularity etc and the mainstream were more aware of supercars in general
I've never seen a car turn as many heads before as the first one I saw on the roads
- I feel like this era was peak supercar times
I had one in 2003 and they seemed to feature on the front cover of an awful lot of magazines at the time. But it wasn't an easy car for country lanes and nor was it the type of car for a rural pub or Sainsbury's. As a result mine stayed in the garage for most of the time - but it was a beautiful thing. A manual one too.I've never seen a car turn as many heads before as the first one I saw on the roads
- I feel like this era was peak supercar times
WCZ - I agree WOW ! And so too it was at the factory launch of the Murcielago back in September 2001.Rumours were flowing all around the starched white cloth draped dinner tables that the Diablo’s replacement had something ‘ special ‘ , but those in the know had been sworn to secrecy and wouldn’t tell the proles.
It of course was the Murcie’s VACS - its party trick whereby it could elevate its huge flank air intakes at the touch of a button on the central console.
The Murcie was stunning at launch, and because of its relatively toned-down appearance ( at least in comparison to its successor cars ) it has aged well. Luc Donkerwolke wanted a Bauhaus approach to the Murcie,s styling , and he succeeded. The later versions were facelifted by Donckerwolke,s successor and these have ‘embellishments’ - whether necessary or unnecessary embellishments is a matter of personal taste.
NDA - you,re right.. The Murcie , and indeed all the V12,s are wide making them a difficult steer on country lanes. You have to concentrate so hard with any oncoming traffic. Both hands on the steering wheel at all times, and a ready prayer on the lips if you see a bus, lorry or large SUV in the distance. Not much fun on the motorway either - an E class Merc would do the job more easily and in greater comfort.
The Murcie thrives on wide curvy B roads in the early hours when there is not much traffic around - then it is mechanised bliss. It really needs to be back in the garage by 6.30 AM.
It of course was the Murcie’s VACS - its party trick whereby it could elevate its huge flank air intakes at the touch of a button on the central console.
The Murcie was stunning at launch, and because of its relatively toned-down appearance ( at least in comparison to its successor cars ) it has aged well. Luc Donkerwolke wanted a Bauhaus approach to the Murcie,s styling , and he succeeded. The later versions were facelifted by Donckerwolke,s successor and these have ‘embellishments’ - whether necessary or unnecessary embellishments is a matter of personal taste.
NDA - you,re right.. The Murcie , and indeed all the V12,s are wide making them a difficult steer on country lanes. You have to concentrate so hard with any oncoming traffic. Both hands on the steering wheel at all times, and a ready prayer on the lips if you see a bus, lorry or large SUV in the distance. Not much fun on the motorway either - an E class Merc would do the job more easily and in greater comfort.
The Murcie thrives on wide curvy B roads in the early hours when there is not much traffic around - then it is mechanised bliss. It really needs to be back in the garage by 6.30 AM.
Edited by carspath on Monday 19th May 17:41
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