F50; Federalized Euro Versus U.S.

The few F50 usa models that i have seen for sale seem to fall in the 900K+ category. The only euro F50 I saw four months ago on EBay was for sale for 650K. I have no idea what the difference between the two is. I doubt it is much. At this time, with the recession looming, I would hold off buying either one unless you get a very good deal. It won't appreciate at all in the forseeable future, in my opinion. But then, what do I know.

 

Go for it euro or no euro. I do not think that it makes a big difference.

 

Is it the German's car?

The euro-converted 1995 F50's don't seem to bring anywhere near the same value as a US spec car... bringing in a 'unfederalized' 95 F50, and actually being able to drive it once federalized can take up to a full year...

in 13 years, things will change significantly... and converted cars may drop in value again. (Just my sidelines point of view)

That said, I wouldn't expect them to drop in value at all, particularly with the weakening $.

 

This has been covered several times in fair detail. You should be able to find the information on differences in specification and federalization using the "search" facility.

Before you venture too far though, only the 1995 S/N numbered cars can be economically converted. If the car you are looking at is a later year, too hard and expensive to be viable.

 

There is no reason for it to devaluate more than a US car ,esp with a strong Euro , its a candidate for Euro export. As long as you pay less than a comparable US car , you will be fine .

 

Gustan,

Buy it for no more than $500K. You'll do all right....

 

Good luck!

 

Maybe not off by 80% but certainly off ... no chance to buy ANY F50 for $500k unless there is a STORY!

 

It's a joke Gus...

 

The current US economy is killing the prices of the super exotics.

 

No it's not, look at the current US F40 market, 288GTO market etc. F40s have gone tremendously in the 18 months. The asking prices for US spec F50s are ridiculously high, although those cars aren't moving at over 900k. A 3,400 mile Enzo just traded hands for 1.4 million! I have the documentation to show that the dollar's value hasn't hurt the market at all. Perhaps later but not right now.

 

No, it's not.

Why does every thread have to come down to "the current economy is killing prices on X car"

Gus asked a serious question about the potential risks and logistics of buying a Euro car vs a US. Gus, I don't know much about the process itself, other than what I have read, but from dealing with both Euro and US cars and their values, I can offer a little advice. If the car has ALREADY been federalized and has a US title and has been registered here.....no problem. Typical price differential is 10-20% between US and Euro cars. If it has NOT been titled, but is "ready to be titled"....that may pose a bit more of a logistical headache, although a search can give you more specific information on that.
However, again, given the strength of the dollar of the overseas collectors, this doesn't mean you will necessarily have a harder time selling it, you just may have a harder time getting it legal to drive here.

F50s in general are a rare find, and are becoming more desirable. They're my favorite of the fantastic 4......so if it's a good buy....jump on it!!!!

 

Do you have data on any F50s that have sold?
Just wondering ... THX

 

I doubt that you can point to even one US version F50 that has sold in the past year where its value has been impacted by the current economic climate. In fact I doubt if you can point to any US F50 being sold at all in the past year.
Your point regarding high prices for supercars however is accurate. These cars represent such a rarified sector of the market where are there are few buyers but even less sellers that the general economic conditions have absolutely no relevance at all.

 

I Believe if you look over my post you'll see I stated that the F50s aren't moving, at least the cars on the public market. There was however the sale of a questionable car late last year, a scruffy 7,500 mile US example for 750k. I believe the market isn't ready for the price points being presented IMVHO. For example the ex Norwood car for 935k. I was simply making an observation of the asking prices and the new game being played for this car. Although I think a great car will come along and change the market and people will have a good current benchmark. You yourself will obviously have a great idea of the current "market", (the microcosm that it is) when your car sells. I know personally the dollars fall, as I said hasn't hurt the Enzo, 288, and F40. I just think the out of 4 the current asking prices, on the F50 (public market cars) are too high and incorrect. Although things change everyday.

 

I actually think the F50 is the undervalued one of the set relative to the prices being achieved by the 288, F40 and Enzo currently. F50 values haven't moved up anywhere near as much as the other three in comparison. It doesn't particularly matter to me, I don't view cars as great investments.

 

I agree with you in terms of the cars being under valued, I just think they went up to quickly. Some dealers are trying hyper-inflate the market. The cars being offered do not deserve a 200k and greater premium over prices from 7 months ago. The black car that sold (1 of 3 US black cars) was a very low mileage clean example and it sold for 920K. The current market is chalked full incomplete cars and incorrect cars. If 410SAs car is a good clean and very complete example, its sale will reveal what the public cars really are, over priced.

 

Back to the original question. From the original post, I read that it has been through the EPA/DOT etc. process already (so I understood it to be ready to roll in the US). The OP was not asking how to do that but for input on the difference in value between a Euro and a US version.

 

Oh and by the way - if you are paying 80% more than $500K, that would be $900K, then my question is why not just buy a US version. There are 2 on the market that arent much more than that. Just curious.

 

Is there a DOT crash test issue with the Euro F50's?? Because if not, the Euro F50 1995 models should be golden.

OBD1 computers and cars without airbags were still U.S. legal in 1995 models, but 1996 and 1997 F50's would need to be U.S. updated to an OBD2 engine computer with 4 O2 exhaust sensors in front and behind the cats.

 

Gus,
Like any Euro model, paperwork is the key i.e. federalization paperwork. Get it ahead of time and review
it. Make sure that it's all legit. Hopefully you learned from the 512BBI purchase - gotta check the paperwork.
(who sold you that Boxer without paperwork by the way?).
Ron

 

The fact that no US F50s have sold in the past year shows that there are less buyers than there are sellers. Actually make that NO buyers... not at anything like the asked levels anyway.

Joe
www.joesackey.com