When are the 'birds going to start appreciating???

[AZTB]

Re: When are the 'birds going to start appreciating???

You may be right, Leroy...my only objection to the whole issue of 'appreciation' or 'increased value' is I've NEVER purchased a car for it to sit in a garage just to keep the mileage low - just so someone else can now enjoy what I originally paid for???

...if I paid the $$, I'm gonna drive it. Why leave the best a car has to offer to someone else? ...and IMO, who cares about the mileage except the party that's gonna buy it down the road.

...I'd MUCH rather buy a used car that was driven and driven well rather that one that's sat in a garage and gone 'stale.' A friend of my dad's came across and old '71 Buick in a barn last year...had a tarp covering it and had only 2000 miles on it...he bought it only to have to tear it down as engine was full of varnish.

...DRIVE THE DAMN CAR!! (but again, just my opinion!)
(sorry for the rant...coffee just kicked in!)

[EllisonCal]

Re: When are the 'birds going to start appreciating???

If you drive your car until you die, your heirs will appreciate what ever they get for it. In the meantime drive it and enjoy it. It's a little like home appreciation, when your heirs get it, they sell it and spend the money, so don't worry about it. Both homes and cars are consumption items not really income creating investments.
Cal Ellison (retired CFP)

[007Cruiser]

Re: When are the 'birds going to start appreciating???

when Congress balances the budget...

I think Alexander Hamilton was Secretary of the Treasury the last time that happened.

[Borla Babe]

Re: When are the 'birds going to start appreciating???

You may be right, Leroy...my only objection to the whole issue of 'appreciation' or 'increased value' is I've NEVER purchased a car for it to sit in a garage just to keep the mileage low - just so someone else can now enjoy what I originally paid for???

...if I paid the $$, I'm gonna drive it. Why leave the best a car has to offer to someone else? ...and IMO, who cares about the mileage except the party that's gonna buy it down the road.

...I'd MUCH rather buy a used car that was driven and driven well rather that one that's sat in a garage and gone 'stale.' A friend of my dad's came across and old '71 Buick in a barn last year...had a tarp covering it and had only 2000 miles on it...he bought it only to have to tear it down as engine was full of varnish.

...DRIVE THE DAMN CAR!! (but again, just my opinion!)
(sorry for the rant...coffee just kicked in!)

Amen, ditto that Jim!!!

[FUN X 3]

Re: When are the 'birds going to start appreciating???

I Purchased my 1960 convert Bird in Oct of that year. Sticker was $5000. I put it away except for hobby driving in 1970 when it had about 20,000 miles and though it has always looked and driven like a new car it did not really appreciate until a few years ago when it was 40 years old. Today it is probably worth about $40,000 especially since I am original owner and mileage still low. to keep it looking like new I have probably spent $25,000 on it so it certainly was not a good investment but the enjoyment of owning it for 48 years was worth every cent and now my son now has it and continuing to spend money on its upkeep and he loves it too. He has a 2002 yellow bird and I have a 2004 black bird and depreciation seems to have ceased but at 84 I will never live to see any appreciation but once again ITS WORTH IT Tom Tabor Sr.

Tom, thanks for your interesting perspective. When I bought my retro Bird in 2002, long-term appreciation was the last thing on my mind. Will hit 78,000 miles in a few days, I don't care what the car is worth, I'm driving it.

[jimvit1]

Re: When are the 'birds going to start appreciating???

I got appreciation at the KFC when I pulled up to the window to pay for the takeout. The girl leaned out the window said that she just loved the car, and then the next day while at the supermarket the young man who was gathering the shopping carts out side came up to me and said the my car was just beautiful and asked what year it was. Very nice young man and very polite

[00mustng]

Re: When are the 'birds going to start appreciating???

....not going to happen in my lifetime!...not that I really care....I'm more concerned about the lack of parts manufacture and continuation for our NewBirds as already, some parts are not available or discontinued. Ford really swept this car under the mat!...the other concern, of course, is who is going to work on them in terms of mechanical and restoration?...I have yet to meet a tech. with any grasp of this car and my bodywork experience was a nightmare!...

[FritsB]

Re: When are the 'birds going to start appreciating???

You may be right, Leroy...my only objection to the whole issue of 'appreciation' or 'increased value' is I've NEVER purchased a car for it to sit in a garage just to keep the mileage low - just so someone else can now enjoy what I originally paid for???
...if I paid the $$, I'm gonna drive it. Why leave the best a car has to offer to someone else? ...and IMO, who cares about the mileage except the party that's gonna buy it down the road.
...I'd MUCH rather buy a used car that was driven and driven well rather that one that's sat in a garage and gone 'stale.' A friend of my dad's came across and old '71 Buick in a barn last year...had a tarp covering it and had only 2000 miles on it...he bought it only to have to tear it down as engine was full of varnish.
...DRIVE THE DAMN CAR!! (but again, just my opinion!)
(sorry for the rant...coffee just kicked in!)

My opinion too Jim. Besides that my Bird is always outside, never inside. Sometimes people ask why... Yep...that's why...

[Daktari]

Re: When are the 'birds going to start appreciating???

Hi there,

I'm not really going to add anything different here. To buy this car as an investment is really not the right reason to own one.

Most folks on this web-site bought one because it's kind of different from anything else and it's nice that you don't see that many of them around.

If someone advised you to buy this car with the aim of getting your money back, then you were badly advised.

I was lucky and bought a used one and therfore got it for around half price of a new one. Nearly any new car is a loss as soon as you become the new owner. From that point on, - it's a used car and in most cases, worth thousands of dollars less even before it arrives at it's new home.

My advice would be to really enjoy owning and driving it and be glad that someone else had already soaked up the main loss.

Enjoy, Gordon.

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: When are the 'birds going to start appreciating???

....not going to happen in my lifetime!...not that I really care....I'm more concerned about the lack of parts manufacture and continuation for our NewBirds as already, some parts are not available or discontinued. Ford really swept this car under the mat!...the other concern, of course, is who is going to work on them in terms of mechanical and restoration?...I have yet to meet a tech. with any grasp of this car and my bodywork experience was a nightmare!...

Martin, you've definitely brought up some valid issues and concerns. I've already bought a few small extra items like some emblems, hubcap centers, etc. for that very reason.

[NEW_BYRD]

Re: When are the 'birds going to start appreciating???

You may be right, Leroy...my only objection to the whole issue of 'appreciation' or 'increased value' is I've NEVER purchased a car for it to sit in a garage just to keep the mileage low - just so someone else can now enjoy what I originally paid for???

...if I paid the $$, I'm gonna drive it. Why leave the best a car has to offer to someone else? ...and IMO, who cares about the mileage except the party that's gonna buy it down the road.

...I'd MUCH rather buy a used car that was driven and driven well rather that one that's sat in a garage and gone 'stale.' A friend of my dad's came across and old '71 Buick in a barn last year...had a tarp covering it and had only 2000 miles on it...he bought it only to have to tear it down as engine was full of varnish.

...DRIVE THE DAMN CAR!! (but again, just my opinion!)
(sorry for the rant...coffee just kicked in!)

VOTED BEST ANSWER!

[NEW_BYRD]

Re: When are the 'birds going to start appreciating???

Will hit 78,000 miles in a few days, I don't care what the car is worth, I'm driving it.

I realize the rarity and specialness of our tbirds is worth way more than anything...

[NEW_BYRD]

Re: When are the 'birds going to start appreciating???

....not going to happen in my lifetime!...not that I really care....I'm more concerned about the lack of parts manufacture and continuation for our NewBirds as already, some parts are not available or discontinued. Ford really swept this car under the mat!...the other concern, of course, is who is going to work on them in terms of mechanical and restoration?...I have yet to meet a tech. with any grasp of this car and my bodywork experience was a nightmare!...

Your comment reminds me of something. I recently went to a car show and the owner of a 1955 t-bird came over to see my car. The way he talked about the car made it sound like he was disappointed with how it was made. He actually said that they could have put a better engine in it. I WAS OFFENDED. C'mon, it's got a V-8, what more do you want?! I'm proud of having a V-8!!! He made it sound like Ford should have made the new birds more of a racing car (which they already are) like a ferrari or something!

[Leroy]

Re: When are the 'birds going to start appreciating???

Ever since I was a kid I wanted a Hot Rod, a Black roadster with Red and Black seats and a V-8 with loud pipes. Well my dream has come true. The only thing missing is a rumble seat. And I don't think I'll ever sell this car even if I get so old I can't drive it. It was built to be a Classic Car, and always will be. Leroy

[Tony007]

Re: When are the 'birds going to start appreciating???

HEY GUYS...MY CAR APPRECIATED IN VALUE....TO ME ANYWAY...IF SOMEONE OFFERED ME $80,000 I WOULD HAVE TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER SELLING IT AS MUCH AS I LOVE IT....GOT ABOUT 16,500K ON IT, SO YEA, ANY BUYERS....$80K OTHERWISE I JUST CONTINUE TO LOVE IT....