Chris Harris's Column -- Burst Bubble;Massive Dump;Bargains
Discussion
What is the collective PH wisdom on Chris Harris's column in Feb 2019 Top Gear issue .
I lack the skill to copy and paste the whole , or parts , of the article , but I am sure that someone else here could do so (copyright permitting) .
So selected quotes :
''The bubble actually burst more than a year ago , but the fallout is just becoming visible . The used car market , especially the murky corner that deals in fast and older cars , is in the process of taking a massive dump. ….. But first we have to work through the usual sludge of denial, recriminations and a few lies ………..But the warnings have been there for years . Prices became way overheated and the disposals are just seeping into the marketplace, which means idiots like me will soon be snaffling bargains ……….It's going to be a fun year ''
A really hard hitting article from someone respected and in the know , who has previously has put his hand into his own pocket to taste some pretty tasty morsels .
And not an article that can be lightly dismissed simply by saying ''Its a car , just buy it and drive it '' , because you could possibly get onto the next rung up the car ladder for the same money if what Mr Harris says is true .
I lack the skill to copy and paste the whole , or parts , of the article , but I am sure that someone else here could do so (copyright permitting) .
So selected quotes :
''The bubble actually burst more than a year ago , but the fallout is just becoming visible . The used car market , especially the murky corner that deals in fast and older cars , is in the process of taking a massive dump. ….. But first we have to work through the usual sludge of denial, recriminations and a few lies ………..But the warnings have been there for years . Prices became way overheated and the disposals are just seeping into the marketplace, which means idiots like me will soon be snaffling bargains ……….It's going to be a fun year ''
A really hard hitting article from someone respected and in the know , who has previously has put his hand into his own pocket to taste some pretty tasty morsels .
And not an article that can be lightly dismissed simply by saying ''Its a car , just buy it and drive it '' , because you could possibly get onto the next rung up the car ladder for the same money if what Mr Harris says is true .
'' What is yet to drop properly is the lower bracket of early Gallardos, 360s, 430s etc which just seem to remain unsold but prices unchanged. It's meaning the bunching of vehicles is getting bizarre in that a 2016 Huracan isn't much more than a 2007 pre-LP Gallardo.''
Yes , this disconnect appears to be real .
The '' bargains '' appear to be higher up the food chain
I wonder why :
1) These are cars that have been bought on finance , and the monthly payments are no longer affordable ?
( But UK unemployment figures remain low )
2) People are doing well enough to be able to upgrade to the newest, and shiniest new car ?
(But aren't new car sales down )
3) More people can afford a car from the lower end of the supercar price range than from the upper end , so there is more demand , which in turn gives a floor to the price ?
Yes , this disconnect appears to be real .
The '' bargains '' appear to be higher up the food chain
I wonder why :
1) These are cars that have been bought on finance , and the monthly payments are no longer affordable ?
( But UK unemployment figures remain low )
2) People are doing well enough to be able to upgrade to the newest, and shiniest new car ?
(But aren't new car sales down )
3) More people can afford a car from the lower end of the supercar price range than from the upper end , so there is more demand , which in turn gives a floor to the price ?
Gassing Station | Supercar General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff