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Sum of parts more valuable than the whole

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by Voda, May 22, 2014.

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  1. Voda

    Voda Formula 3

    Oct 10, 2013
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    #1 Voda, May 22, 2014
    Having recently read about the convertible top issues on the California with reports of a $50K cost to replace started me thinking about what the sum of the parts would be for a modern F-car ... the 458 or California specifically. I've read that a transmission in a 458 is $92K, brakes $26K+, etc.
    (I don't claim accuracy on the #'s mentioned as they are from posts and haven't been verified, and didn't check for previous threads on the topic so I apologize if this topic has already been explored)

    So maybe one should purchase a 458, part it out on ebay and double your money :)
     
  2. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
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    #2 rob lay, May 22, 2014
    I'm sure up there, 10+ years ago I was at a regular car dealer and in the parts department they had a poster for what a car would cost if bought per part. $35k car or so was like $250k.
     
  3. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 GuyIncognito, May 22, 2014
    yep, pretty much true for all cars.

    that's why parts cars become so popular once depreciation fully sets in :)
     
  4. SonomaRik

    SonomaRik F1 Veteran

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    #4 SonomaRik, May 22, 2014
    Problem is, getting rid of some parts which can last years.

    return on investment is only for the long stretch in most cases.

    for every quick sale there are the 10 extra carried in inventory.
     
  5. Voda

    Voda Formula 3

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    #5 Voda, May 22, 2014
    So if it's $250K for a $35K car, one could in theory part out a $40K car and upgrade to a 458:)

    Along these same lines, one could extrapolate using the same ratio that a $250K car would cost about $1,785,000 to build if bought per part???
     
  6. Devilsolsi

    Devilsolsi F1 Veteran
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    #6 Devilsolsi, May 22, 2014
    The problem is there are a bunch of parts that would be nearly impossible to sell. Any consumable item will be nearly impossible to sell. Who would buy used brakes or hoses for example?

    The other problem with your theory is cutting up a perfectly good Ferrari...
     
  7. Voda

    Voda Formula 3

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    #7 Voda, May 22, 2014
    Last edited: May 22, 2014
    Even if you could sell 50% of the parts the ROI is over the top. Cutting up a new F-car....oh, well..... a vintage one..."No soup for you"

    Really if you were to sell the engine (approx. $100K), transmission ($94K), headlights (something like $5K), exhaust ($15K), wheels ($7K), then all the rest of what you sell is gravy! Use the leftovers for paper weights, etc.

    (I'm not actually considering parting out a new F-car, just more or less being facetious and providing food for thought)
     
  8. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #8 Rifledriver, May 22, 2014
    I know someone who has done it many times. An OK condition 308 can be bought and parted out profitably.
     
  9. Devilsolsi

    Devilsolsi F1 Veteran
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    #9 Devilsolsi, May 22, 2014
    I was talking more about newer cars. The OP used a 458 as an example. I understand as cars get older, some of these parts become much harder to find and more likely to be broken. I can see there being much more demand for a 308 rear view mirror, than one from a 458.

    If I were interested in getting into the parts business, I would be more tempted to look at salvage vehicles at gov't and insurance auctions.
     
  10. Voda

    Voda Formula 3

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    #10 Voda, May 22, 2014
    I'm not considering getting into the parts business. No chance or interest at all in that. I don't want this thread to take that kind of turn. IMO it would be more interesting to proceed with the exercise of breaking down a modern F-car in terms of price-per-part to compare the sum of the parts to the whole.
    (I know it will only serve to verify how we get raked-over-the-coals, but an interesting exercise none the less)
     
  11. Nospinzone

    Nospinzone F1 Veteran

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    #11 Nospinzone, May 22, 2014
    I've had some firsthand experience with this. I had a 1995 Infiniti Q45a. By 2011 the car had just seen too many Northeast winters and the accompanying salted roads took their toll. I loved the car and hated to give it up. There was no real market to sell the whole car (maybe I could get $400-$500), but I found many people who wanted to preserve their Q45's.

    One guy in Arizona (I'm in Mass.) needed the inside driver's door panel. Aside from paying me $400 for the door panel, he reimbursed me $100 to pay an auto body guy to remove the panel, the cost of two large boxes from U-Haul, and UPS shipping of around $150. I sold parts off that car that I never imagined people would want, such as the sun visors, ashtrays, arm rests, you name it. I remember one guy wanted some part under the engine. I tried as hard as I could but I just couldn't get the damn thing out. One thing I will say, you have to factor your time to remove these parts, and shipping may also be a factor.

    I actually could have sold more, but my wife insisted I get that hulk out of the garage!
     
  12. SonomaRik

    SonomaRik F1 Veteran

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    #12 SonomaRik, May 22, 2014
    I get that hulk out of the garage!


    you or the car
     

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