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Panoz Esperante market

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by djs308, May 26, 2013.

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  1. djs308

    djs308 Formula 3
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    #1 djs308, May 26, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Anybody familiar with Panoz Esperante's? There is an acquaintance I know from work who has one and is considering selling. His is a 2002 convertible with 16k miles. The car is in very good condition and has really good power.

    So I did a little research on these cars and there does not seem to be a whole lot of interest out there for the Esperante. Not sure I understand why as they are all hand-made with big Ford V8's and there are maybe 250 of them out there.

    I offered my assistance to him in trying to find an interested buyer but now I'm wondering just how difficult this might turn out to be. Before he goes ahead and starts advertising, is there even a market for these cars and if so, what kind of money could he get for it? Obviously, he'd rather hold on to it than let it go for peanuts.

    Any advice on how best to sell his car?
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  2. S Brake

    S Brake F1 World Champ

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    #2 S Brake, May 26, 2013
    I would imagine its a very niche market so I'd check a panoz forum to see what the market is like.
     
  3. djs308

    djs308 Formula 3
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    #3 djs308, May 26, 2013
    Niche market is right! Much smaller than I originally thought.

    Actually, I took a brief look on one of the Panoz-specific forums and there's just not a lot of folks on there. Not very many threads - at least when compared with Ferrarichat, which is huge by comparison.

    One interesting factoid I picked up from the forum is that the Panoz company will be looking to get back to producing street cars soon, in addition to their racing efforts. Apparently they had stopped making cars a few years ago due to very strict government regulations.

    But, anyway, I was given a ride in the Esperante and the car seems like a lot of fun with lots of torque. Just surprised that it didn't catch on back when they were made.
     
  4. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #4 Wade, May 27, 2013
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    I think the front end styling is what keeps it there (niche). Not unlike this:
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  5. damian in nj

    damian in nj Formula 3
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    #5 damian in nj, May 27, 2013
    Miata on mega steroids, probably a hoot and a half.
     
  6. tritone

    tritone F1 Veteran
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    #6 tritone, May 27, 2013
    - Orphan car from a service standpoint (I know, I know , Ford V8.....)
    - Not as good looking as a Miata, even....
    - Your friends have never heard of it....
    - Build quality was 'variable'.....
    - Do you think the styling is.....not memorable?
    - Just never had any 'pizazz', less now....
    - Sunbeam Tiger is more exciting....
    - As you noted, there is no 'Esperante-Chat'.....;-)

    I wanted to like it, but came away not thrilled.....
     
  7. sca037

    sca037 Formula Junior

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    #7 sca037, May 27, 2013
    I think they are very cool cars, and since Don Panoz sold his ALMS holdings to Nascar there might be a chance that he and his son could focus on building street cars once again (?)
    The Panoz LMP900 ALMS cars sounded magnificent with their rumbling Ford V8's, people that appreciated that would likely be the potential market for the Esperante.

    FWIW, I've only ever seen ONE in the wild.......
    Brian
     
  8. David_S

    David_S F1 World Champ
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    #8 David_S, May 28, 2013
    I'd probably put interest levels somewhere along the lines of the Qvale Mangusta from the same time period - both hand built, both have a Ford V8, and both have interesting/unique styling.

    Qvale Mangusta - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    Me? I'd probably give preference to the Qvale, as it is just a little bit "weirder," and has Italian origins.
     
  9. weimar97

    weimar97 Karting

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    #9 weimar97, May 28, 2013
    Just curious - what was the name given to your buddy's car? (by the factory)
     
  10. xs10shl

    xs10shl Formula 3

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    #10 xs10shl, May 28, 2013
    A friend of mine worked at a local dealership that sold them, perhaps 10-15 years ago. By his reports, they were quite fast, and if you weren't careful in applying the power, you could easily swap ends.

    Id venture a guess that a nice one would change hands somewhere in the 20-30K range, but that is just based on my own speculation.
     
  11. anunakki

    anunakki Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #11 anunakki, May 29, 2013
    Someone near me owns one as I see it all the time. i think they are cool if you can get it for the right price.
     
  12. open roads

    open roads F1 Rookie

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    #12 open roads, May 29, 2013
    I've been following these for a while as I'm a fan. I think of it as a modern Cobra type of car in some respects. Put it up against some of the semi quircky stuff I like such as a Healy or a Triumph and the Panoz is going to kill it on a lot of counts. It would lose out to those other marques in that the Brits will be older and mor uncomfortable, but with a more recognizable sense of panache.

    These are in the $30K asking range. People can and will ask for more. But I see them on the market a loooong time. There was a car in Miami recently that presented well in photos, blue/tan, low miles, supercharged, the poor owner reduced to 30 and still languished.

    If thats the sort of fun your into, I don't think you'd be disappointed. Limited market for sure. Better really want it for a long time as that's likely to happen.

    I also just love Panoz and wish them all the best. I have previously thought of their build quality as outstanding. I've heard little disaproval of that. They are a racing team also, and can get things right.

    It was such a pleasure to have them around. I saw an AIV two day ago and gave the driver a big point and thumbs up. :)
     
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  13. djs308

    djs308 Formula 3
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    #13 djs308, May 31, 2013
    Last edited: May 31, 2013
    The owner told me he wanted to have the nameplate changed from the one it came with. They complied and made a new plate for him. The original name was Renee.

    Also, I heard via another fchat member with factory connections that Panoz is planning to resume street car production within the next 18 months.
     
  14. 19633500GT

    19633500GT F1 World Champ
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    #14 19633500GT, Nov 20, 2024
    11 year thread bump... :)

    Researching a car right now, that is a Magnusson edition Esperante

    The numbers the owner is thinking, coincide with 2021-2022 car market time frame though...

    Anyone with a pulse on this market?
     
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  15. buddyg

    buddyg F1 Veteran
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    #15 buddyg, Nov 20, 2024

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