Anti-collector cars

"Patrick Frawley" (geistkoenig)
08/07/2014 at 09:15 • Filed to: None

Okay, so apparently yesterday's SoM post (relentless pimping: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ) was a bit of a lead balloon. Not sure if no one got the joke of the MarketMotion list of hopeless cases and took it too seriously, or if it was just one of those jokes that wasn't. (C'mon, recommending a Renault Alliance as a collector car?)

Anyway, kind of wondering off of that: Given that we're in another ridiculous phase for the collector-car market where everyone is kind of scrabbling to get their share, what car is absolutely never ever ever going to be a collector item?

Stuff that is hopeless. Stuff that is the epitome of dismissable. Worse than Azteks (Azteks are at least sort of like latter-day Edsels, and those are perfectly respectable collector machines now).

What car is never going to show up in a collection - or will destroy the integrity of any collection that it joins?

DISCUSSION (22)

Crocket Bernet > Patrick Frawley
08/07/2014 at 09:17

Cavalier.

Kinja'd!!!

Nibbles > Patrick Frawley
08/07/2014 at 09:18

Basically anything Buick branded 1998-2005.

IHopeMyNameTastesLikeSardinesToTheseBitches > Crocket Bernet
08/07/2014 at 09:23

I can't wait to see one of these - spotless, and with a super proud owner - at car shows in 15-20 years.

crowmolly > Patrick Frawley
08/07/2014 at 09:24

Anything old will have some type of token value.

You can decide to have a collection of shitboxes and in 20 years it will have some type of value.

But if I had to guess it would have to be some type of early 80's econobox that had very high production numbers.

(No performance and odd styling + still out there in large numbers) * probably a weak aftermarket = weak "value".

Thunderbee - Has the engine that kids like > Patrick Frawley
08/07/2014 at 09:31

Strange Euro creatures like the Vauxhall/Opel Meriva. Not quite cool enough for the younger crowds, and of no value or interest to collectors.

Fiat Multipla also applies here, ain't no one collecting that weirdo.

Pixel > Patrick Frawley
08/07/2014 at 09:33

The Hyundai Excel. FWD, uninspired engine, uninspired handling, uninspired looks, uninspired interior. Korean from when that was shorthand for "mediocre, but cheap".

Kinja'd!!!

If it tells you something, This pic of one with mismatched tires & missing trim is from the Wikipedia page for the Excel.

thebigbossyboss > IHopeMyNameTastesLikeSardinesToTheseBitches
08/07/2014 at 09:34

That will probably be me.

When the new car comes, I don't think I should part with mine. Track car maybe. very slow track car.

crowmolly > Nibbles
08/07/2014 at 09:34

Regal GS. GSX if you want to include SLP.

Damn, that's a lot of letters.

jariten1781 > Patrick Frawley
08/07/2014 at 09:39

All of the cars that looked like this, which pretty much every brand had. Styling didn't really exist in these models. Only value will be in period movies.

Kinja'd!!!

Nibbles > crowmolly
08/07/2014 at 09:42

Regal GS maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaybe but that's a hell of a stretch. Most of those have grenaded because their owners didn't realize superchargers need oil too

(Not to say I wouldn't rock one, always kinda wanted a Joseph Abboud edition)

Patrick Frawley > Pixel
08/07/2014 at 09:48

Useful maybe as a memento of the first Korean push into the US market, so make sure it's not an '86.

crowmolly > Nibbles
08/07/2014 at 09:56

It's easy to forget about S/C oil when GM doesn't list a service interval and their techs say it's a lifetime fill.

GS is in with the GTP. It will make it the same way the Skylark did with the Chevelle.

Nibbles > crowmolly
08/07/2014 at 10:02

I respect your opinion but humbly disagree. The GS and GTP are such longshots - they were produced in massive numbers and are generally indistinguishable from their lower-trim-level siblings.

If I were to choose any specific W-body vehicle to be something of a collectors' item in the future, it would be Lumina Z34 coupé 1991-1994 and Grand Prix G X P 2005-2008

crowmolly > Nibbles
08/07/2014 at 10:11

I don't think they will be super valuable but there will be something there. Much like a Nova vs. a Corvette. The strong aftermarket alone is a bit of a testament to their desirability.