Asking prices for these are insane... Marshall Goldman Motor Sales | BMW Z8 ALPINA | Warrensville Heights, Ohio Must be the low mileage, but wow.
And these weren't even $150K a couple of years ago. First time I've ever thought this way, but a new 458, with all its depreciation in front of it, still seems like a more enjoyable car at this price level than an automatic BMW boulevardier. I can kind of wrap my head around a $350K+ Dino 246 GTS, because that's a classic car, but these and the $689K 599 GTB make it seem like the universe is out of whack... I absolutely don't see the price being anywhere close to being in line with the inherent value of the car (which got uniformly bad reviews even when launched...)
And the early 911's that are bringing stupid money. People paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for a number plate. It's all getting a bit rediculous.
z8 also sold poorly when new. It does kinda point to the fact that thye dont make acar like this anymore, so there is demand, just like the ford GT. Of course once could argue the Ftype is a very similar thing to the z8. Dealers are selling cars as art. What is needed is limited prod, a reckognised premium brand name or halo name, good looks and limited supply or avaliability. Is this so different to some rare option code vette?
Agreed. I think there will be a correction to prices in the future. There are a lot of cars that have doubled or tripled in value in the last couple of years. I just don't buy it that it is sustainable.
Z8 = modern day classic. Much like the 507. However; the SL Mercedes (formally the 300 SL of the day), is worthless- mass production
+1 IMO it's idiots buying into a huge bubble and I hope it bursts soon. 690K for a manual 599...A good 599 is around 150, swap manual parts in (give or take 20K, don't know on installation cost but if you go to someone that isn't Ferrari it shouldn't be bad) and presto, manual 599.
That's insane! I have always loved the Z8 and drove one (moved one) and loved it when I was at Sphere but wow $370K? America was built on the barter system so....
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.......and the Z8 doesnt catch my eye. The GT40 I get, Dinos sure, but this thing was a pet project that should have been put down.
Well we can argue a manual front engined V12 ferrari is a classic formula and amodern one(550 excpeted) so rare soemone just hadda have one. In reality its a sign thta those who do not know cars are gettign into the market as investments, know a few people who are in that camp, thye read about 400% appreciation and are tryign their hand. So they buy ferrari and they buy rarity, plus of course other factors, but if you know little about cars and are tickign boxes, this one ticks a few.
Agree, although I'm not saying it's an ugly car. It's not bad. But as you say it's just a parts-bin project with retro-styling. Not a significant car in design, performance or manufacture. This is full-on, overloaded-with-detergent washing machine floods the house-style bubble territory.
One sale, or even a proposed asking price, does not make the market. If a few were to sell at that price then that's a whole other story. I see this stuff all the time with classic cars, even more so than exotics or rare cars.
Note this is the more rare and end-of-production Alpina. I suspect you will find that those in the know prefer the earlier cars with the proper powerplant from the M5 and manual transmission. This screams bubble to me, where the rarity alone, not the intrinsic nature of the car, is driving prices. I think you can find earlier Z8s all day long for way less than half that price.
yep the alpina was made becauise sales were so slow they wnated to make an auto version. Lets see if it sells for any type of big price, tells me that the non enthusiast investor is stepping in.
Like the ford Gt it was high end retro done right. Unlike the Gt its pastiche of retro cues so somewhat origional. The non alpina ones had what has to be one of the best BMw motors and one of the greatest v8's. Its rare astheticaly desireable, and in non alpina form great to drive. Yes its alsoa sign of a bubble, or at elast a dealer trying bubble prices. If there are more non car people starting to buy, they will be guided by dealers, so rare nice looking iconic badges, well the price could be anything if you odnt know cars, and are checking boxes.. Lets see if a new money source is enterign the market. I have to say when i loot at acution prices I just shake my head and say I understand nothing. Can anyone explain 964 Rs america prices, how are 993 turbos suddenly 250K, and TurboS 400K. How are all chrome bumper 911's suddenly well over 100k and closing in on 200k for a 2.4s.these are iconic but not really that rare, is it related to restoration prices. Do prics flatten here like with etypes or do they keep chugging. Boxer prices I follow, each month I recalibrate, median prices were 125 a few years back then 250 last year, this year 300 then 350 now 400 seems easily just round the corner for a normal decent car.
I never understood the alure of the Alpina Z8. Less power and an automatic. I do like the wheels more than a standard Z8, but still... I've been watching the Z8 prices for a few years now and it's getting out of hand imo. I expect some pull back (much more specifically on those posted) in the next few years. I think it's all due to people trying to find another place/asset to put their money rather than cash or stocks.
Z8s are modern classics and will continue to appreciate. The last time BMW made a car like that was the 507. And since? Exactly.
Although I wouldn't call an M1 a modern classic, it is a far more important car imo than the Z8 has been or ever will be. It will be regarded much higher in BMW history post-507 than the Z8. I'd even go as far as saying the Z8 doesn't even come to mind in most peoples mind when you mention BMW...probably a dozen+ different M cars will come to mind first before the Z8 crosses. An M1 going for big $$$ makes a lot more sense than a rebodied E39 M5 with a chassis that bends if you don't do the recall work to it. I'd understand the price if the M powerplant was unique to the car rather than an S62.
If this happens, will prices drop? The Euro Could Fall Below $1, Perhaps as Low as 82 Cents Barron's-Mar 13, 2015