Official Countach Value Thread

Hard to argue that logic. Again time will tell...

 

My head hurts thinking about this.

 

Pete, I'd say on most variants, 20 years is too long a timeline, as we were still coming off the peak, so the anniversary cars, for example, are 0%, or even negative. Should we start from the basement, say, 12 years ago? Is that accurate?

Should be noted, that Roy's blue 88 DD, was up for sale for 225 in 1991/2. Value today roughly equivalent, or possibly 10% less.

 

Your idea is good, but Id say 15 years ago was the bottom (1997).

 

This proves that statistics can tell you anything you want to hear.

15 sounds good to me.

How about this for a question;
When will anniversary cars get back to their selling prices at the peak (I do recall north of $350k, and possibly $400k?)? Unlimited timeline available. I'll give the almost obligatory, "leave the possibility of hyperinflation out of it" qualifier.

Go.

 

This is getting interesting.
How much did the 25th Anniversaries actually sell for back then when everything was peaking?
Any copies of old ads out there? Maybe I should dig up my old Hemmings Classifieds...

 

I would say 1992/93.

 

Yep, I have all the DuPonts laying around from 1989 to 1994, and some scattered for the next decade after that. I can go through a few at a time, snap a pic, and post. Will take time though, I have little kids.

 

Peter,
Brokers don't pay what sellers ask. It's the wholesale model.
If I buy a car from a dealer and trade in my Countach plus cash. Even though I was told I'm getting x$ for the car, the broker puts it down for x-%. That money comes from profit of the car I bought. The broker then sells the car for x+% and has made his profit on the spread of that car. The brokers car should be more expensive than a private sellers.
In numbers:
Market price for car is 115k
Trade in value given 100k
Broker only values the trade at 80k (taking 20 from the new car sale)
Broker sells the car for 120k
On the books he makes 40k
However on the new car he sold for the trade, he likely made a smaller profit to accommodate the trade in.

So when you look at a broker, you cant look at his one car, you have to see the whole picture.

Hope that made some sense.
Look at blue book prices retail bra wholesale to understand the spread.

 

I know many a private seller that has done very well on their cars. Not sure what you mean by this?

 

Yes indeed, but it stayed at the bottom for 3-4 years whilst all the fallout took place...

 

I made an offer on it (The Bob car) awhile back. Since he wouldn't say a price, I made a reasonable first offer (55k) considering all of the modifications, not running, possible serious engine problems etc. No counter offer ever came back.

Peter, you have to trust your gut instinct.

 

I've got a great publication from 1989 called the Tower Report. Sept 89 might have been the peak, I don't know, but here are the countach numbers from that issue:

lp400 $120,000-165,000 YTD +50%
lp400s $130,000-160,000 YTD +75.7%
lp5000s $135,000-170,000 YTD +79.4%
lp5000qv $140,000-210,000 YTD +71%
Anniversary $325,000-425,000 --

I guess Aniversarys were new at the time so no YTD

But anything that goes up 80% in 9 months...that's probably a bubble.

Fred

 

Thanks for posting. It is quite interesting that you can almost reverse this list today.
Seeing those amazing numbers for the 25th Anniversary you understand why many cars have just stayed parked in collections all those years.
If you went in at these figures you will need to take a tremendous loss the moment you sell.

 

I remember that time. F-cars were going crazy thru the roof with prices. Then anything Italian was getting stupid expensive. I am glad I couldnt afford to be part of the craziness back then. Many did get burned back then

 

Just to interject, As a Countach consumer, one that does not have one yet, and to differentiate between those that have one already, I am totally frustrated with the current market, whats available, and whole process of buying. As many people out here in the market place that have been helpful, this is a complete pain in the ass.

 

Same car. The body mods bothered me most (89 air scoops, ugh!!!). I thought 55k was a little high, but my thinking (at the time) was I would rather sit on it for a decade than let it sit in the market. My guess is they want something in the 6 figure range.

 

I feel your pain. I went thru the same deal while shopping for mine. Most cars are represented as beautiful, pristine, excellent etc, etc, etc. You spend lots of time & $$$ to go look, and it is a POS. I think one of the big problems right now is the market is getting artificially inflated by people asking unrealistic prices. Be patient (easy for me to say )

 

I believe your timing on this purchase is working against you as well as the market is going into the prime time to sell, the early spring. You may find yourself in a better buying position in the late fall on into the winter as I do believe seasonality plays a part in the market.

 

Great advice Peter. I was in the same situation. I wanted a truly pristine original example like the other vehicles I have. I felt that if the Countach was going to be the flagship of my collection, then its condition should reflect that. After a few months of looking, I realized that car was not available. So I did like Peter recommends. I bought the nicest one that was available at the time, and correct the items that I was not happy with. I have no regrets what so ever and really enjoy the car

 

That advice is gold, and will forever stand you in good stead.

With one proviso.

It must be market-correct, within reason. Paying a little extra is ok as the market will generally catch up with a good car.