Discussion about the actual resale value of a Pro-touring car

[ironworks]

First off everyone knows that it costs more to build these cars then it does to just purchase one from some one else done. I see alot of guys sell pretty nice cars from 60k to 100k. That cost 2 - 4 times the amount they recoup. But my questions is what are the elements people look for at different price ranges?

With a 30-45K camaro, it would be pretty stock suspension, older paint but still nice, But very reliable, probably small block, or big block or LS1 but not done super nice under hood with an LS.

45-60K camaro would have and LS engine modern billet wheels, probably an LS engine, with possibly aftermarket suspension, Nice new paint but not show stopping perfect.

60-100k - Definitely after market suspension, probably LS7 or higher, mini tubbed, high end detailed interior. Possibly lots of professional quality work.

My questions, Does one suspension MFG command more resale value over another? Does the high resale value make it worth the added cost and possibly labor to install?

How much more money is a car worth that has great stance?

Do mini tubbed cars command enough money to pay for the additional labor expense on a street car? Or does the matter more when the car has bigger horsepower?

Does say an LS9 command alot more money then say an LSA? Or even more if it was a high end builder like Kurt Urban, Mast, Wegner?

What is the ideal platform to make money on in the Gas Monkey Garage kinda builds that are built for resale? Camaro..... Obviously rust free is an obvious first start.

Just wondering.

[ArisESQ]

If you're just looking to build a car to sell, the main goal should be investing money in features and attributes that are attractive to the broadest group of people possible.

Features like a well engineered suspension, and heavily modified interior or exterior may be worth a lot of money to the right people. However, the added cost of those elements will probably deter the vast majority of people who are just looking for a cool car.

So I think if you distill a pro-touring car down to it's essential pieces, you would end up with the following:

• RELIABILITY
• minitubs
• "nice" wheels and tires
• a decent set of disc brakes
• "finished" engine bay
• proper stance
• LS motor (I'd say for highest profit margin a stock LS2 with a mild cam)
• stock interior
• stock exterior

[DBasher]

I'd price out a full RideTech set up, bigger brakes, a set of Rushforths with tires and a fuel injected crate motor with OD trans. and see what I had left. Let's say that all comes to around 30k.

Can you find a nice Camaro with good paint and nice interior for 15-20k? Then, could you sell if for more than 60k?

Making 10-15k on a build sounds good but if the bills are getting paid and you were making 2-5k is that enough?

I know lots of people have money but I think the realistic magic number for a guy getting into the "look" is 45-50k. Let's face it, most guys want the look and will never track the car.

Great topic

Dan

[Swain]

Lol. Better post pics of that thing on a trailer tomorrow.

Originally Posted by ironworks

First off everyone knows that it costs more to build these cars then it does to just purchase one from some one else done. I see alot of guys sell pretty nice cars from 60k to 100k. That cost 2 - 4 times the amount they recoup. But my questions is what are the elements people look for at different price ranges?

With a 30-45K camaro, it would be pretty stock suspension, older paint but still nice, But very reliable, probably small block, or big block or LS1 but not done super nice under hood with an LS.

45-60K camaro would have and LS engine modern billet wheels, probably an LS engine, with possibly aftermarket suspension, Nice new paint but not show stopping perfect.

60-100k - Definitely after market suspension, probably LS7 or higher, mini tubbed, high end detailed interior. Possibly lots of professional quality work.

My questions, Does one suspension MFG command more resale value over another? Does the high resale value make it worth the added cost and possibly labor to install?

How much more money is a car worth that has great stance?

Do mini tubbed cars command enough money to pay for the additional labor expense on a street car? Or does the matter more when the car has bigger horsepower?

Does say an LS9 command alot more money then say an LSA? Or even more if it was a high end builder like Kurt Urban, Mast, Wegner?

What is the ideal platform to make money on in the Gas Monkey Garage kinda builds that are built for resale? Camaro..... Obviously rust free is an obvious first start.

Just wondering.

[GregWeld]

JCG should be able to build that for you no problem.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Sometimes the things that sell the car are the little details that in the greater picture didn't really cost much to do.

Hose and harness placement.
The way the car sits.
No funky noises when driving.
Isn't a pain to drive.
Over all fitment and cleanliness.

neat and tidy sell.

As far as resale? I'd rather build and sell 10 $30K cars than 1 @ $90-100K build car. Its easier to over deliver on a camaro in the $30K range

[markss28]

This is a great topic and I'm very glad someone brought this up. I have what I consider a budget build. (Nice paint, good interior, sbc 500+ hp, overdrive, big brakes, Boze wheels, hotchkis suspension, AC and stereo system). I have seen cars like mine go for like 75k and I think that's just nuts. Personally I think something like this should be 30-50 depending on the finish.

Not to bring anyone up but there was a sweet blue camaro, minitubbed, nice wide wheels, Ls high hp, nice interior going for 55k. I think it was priced right for any buyer.

[Ketzer]

I think the name on the parts helps sell the car but not always at a higher price.
Sorta like having a pool in your backyard doesn't add value to your house but might help it sell to the right buyer over another similar house in the neighborhood. (talking about regular pools, not Rodger pools...)




Jeff-

[MaxHarvard]

Originally Posted by markss28

This is a great topic and I'm very glad someone brought this up. I have what I consider a budget build. (Nice paint, good interior, sbc 500+ hp, overdrive, big brakes, Boze wheels, hotchkis suspension, AC and stereo system). I have seen cars like mine go for like 75k and I think that's just nuts. Personally I think something like this should be 30-50 depending on the finish.

Not to bring anyone up but there was a sweet blue camaro, minitubbed, nice wide wheels, Ls high hp, nice interior going for 55k. I think it was priced right for any buyer.

And the new owner was pretty happy with the car

I priced it accordingly to what I thought the market would bare for that type of car in that condition with those parts...etc...etc... As I'm sure you know, asking price isn't what you always end up with.

[onevoice]

Originally Posted by ironworks

First off everyone knows that it costs more to build these cars then it does to just purchase one from some one else done. I see alot of guys sell pretty nice cars from 60k to 100k. That cost 2 - 4 times the amount they recoup. But my questions is what are the elements people look for at different price ranges?

With a 30-45K camaro, it would be pretty stock suspension, older paint but still nice, But very reliable, probably small block, or big block or LS1 but not done super nice under hood with an LS.

45-60K camaro would have and LS engine modern billet wheels, probably an LS engine, with possibly aftermarket suspension, Nice new paint but not show stopping perfect.

60-100k - Definitely after market suspension, probably LS7 or higher, mini tubbed, high end detailed interior. Possibly lots of professional quality work.

My questions, Does one suspension MFG command more resale value over another? Does the high resale value make it worth the added cost and possibly labor to install?

How much more money is a car worth that has great stance?

Do mini tubbed cars command enough money to pay for the additional labor expense on a street car? Or does the matter more when the car has bigger horsepower?

Does say an LS9 command alot more money then say an LSA? Or even more if it was a high end builder like Kurt Urban, Mast, Wegner?

What is the ideal platform to make money on in the Gas Monkey Garage kinda builds that are built for resale? Camaro..... Obviously rust free is an obvious first start.

Just wondering.

Thats a lot of questions, but a couple of obvious points stick out. I think your prices are on the high end. A mostly stock suspension nice good small block car isn't in the $30k-$45k range. I listed my 67 about a year ago, and it was a helluva lot nicer than that description and got real offers in the high-mid twenties. I decided to keep it for now.

You are a shop so I assume you are looking primarily at how to make money from your last question, ie the GMG type builds for resale. My opinion from watching the for sale ads for a while and trying to sell my car is that the money is ALL in negotiating a cheap buy, and working the advertising on the sale. Not to mention you can't believe anything you see on TV, especially buy /sell amounts. The car in the craigslist ad a couple of posts up is a perfect example. Probably a 20 footer, 4wheel drum, with a little rust hiding. Selling a personal car is a huge pain in the ass, and the money is in watching it for a while, pointing out the flaws and then lowballing. People get so tired of dealing with crackpots, they often take the money to end the misery.

Your problem as a shop is that the your reputation rides on every sale, unless you want GMG's hack reputation .