Good value second hand cars - COVID times, Falcon/Commodore tax

[Citroënbender]

I’m noticing asking prices remain quite a bit higher than pre-Covid on some of the more modest Euros. Whether a lot of cars went to scrap, or sellers have revised their expectations, or people are hanging on rather than upgrade - I don’t know. But the formerly $1200 Peugeots are now asking north of $2K, the $700 Citroëns aren’t there, nor the $1200 E46 sedans or similar priced Alfas.

Interesting times as a person who’s wilfully disconnected from most social chatter - six months ago it was easy to see the gap between what people were saying about financial restraint vs what they were actually doing; now there’s a lot more bunkering down so the visual clues aren’t there. IOW, are these current sellers asking higher but still settling for the older prices…

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

I’m noticing asking prices remain quite a bit higher than pre-Covid on some of the more modest Euros. Whether a lot of cars went to scrap, or sellers have revised their expectations, or people are hanging on rather than upgrade - I don’t know. But the formerly $1200 Peugeots are now asking north of $2K, the $700 Citroëns aren’t there, nor the $1200 E46 sedans or similar priced Alfas.

Interesting times as a person who’s wilfully disconnected from most social chatter - six months ago it was easy to see the gap between what people were saying about financial restraint vs what they were actually doing; now there’s a lot more bunkering down so the visual clues aren’t there. IOW, are these current sellers asking higher but still settling for the older prices…

When I start seeing shipping container prices coming down to where they were, I'll believe we have achieved normalization.

[Citroënbender]

What do you see as keeping their prices high - simple hoarding, use for storage, accommodation/repurposing potential?

Single axle trailer prices seem a little softer lately.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

What do you see as keeping their prices high - simple hoarding, use for storage, accommodation/repurposing potential?

Single axle trailer prices seem a little softer lately.

Been wanting to buy another 22ft insulated pantec but while the container pricing is still really high, people looking for storage etc are buying up all the reasonably priced pantecs and sellers are charging a premium for anything else left over and to far away to be worth it.

[FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0]

Originally Posted by FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0

Prices are certainly starting to ease...and in some cases quite considerably.

I keep an eye out on FG X XR8 prices; just to ensure my agreed value for the insurance remains relevant.

At one stage, about 6 to 12 months ago, my XR8, with 65000kms on the odo, would have fetched around purchase price when new. Cars with less kms than mine are now asking about $5k to $10k less than that.

As an example, this car has had 7 price updates!
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...1045687/?Cr=29

And this one has had 4 pricing updates. Check out the sticker price compared to the current asking price. That's a $10k difference. And it still hasn't sold yet:
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...1005866/?Cr=24

Nearly six months to the day I posted the above, I thought I'd demonstrate how things are still easing in the Xr8 market.

My insurance is up for renewal and Shannon's offered me $55k agreed value. Looking at the asking price for similar km cars on carsales, that $55k seems reasonable. However, given I've got the sunroof and exhaust, I was able to agree on $60k for mine.

But, prices are certainly continuing to ease.

[Sprintey]

Here's a good read, from the US. Auto financing companies are placing their bets for post-covid used car prices, and it's interesting:

"During the crazy bubble spike from February 2020 through May 2022, the index had jumped by 63%, or by $8,842. The index has now worked off $3,336, or a little over one-third, of that bubble spike. The question on everyone’s mind is this: How much more will used vehicle prices drop before the price increases start all over again? And when will those price increases start all over again?

This question is crucial to the financing arms of automakers when they calculate lease payments for new vehicles. They have to predict what used-vehicle wholesale values will be in two to three years to determine the residual values in their leases. They don’t want to be $10,000 on the wrong side of reality three years from now on a gazillion vehicles when their leases end. And they’re now confronted with the worst turmoil in used-vehicle wholesale pricing ever, and they had to place their bets. More in a moment."

https://wolfstreet.com/2023/08/08/us...ed-their-bets/

[Sprintey]

Bump. I'm keeping my eye on the late common garden variety Falcons/Territories and Commodores, they seem to be coming off the most tiny amounts from the corona pricing, it really isn't much yet, still 22-25 asks for dealer 6cyl VF Calais wagons with around 100,000 on clock, V8 of same has come down a bit more with low to mid 30's in the ask at times. Territories seem a better value for money proposition (and more peace of mind with indirect injection...) with high teens/low 20s for the SZ2 petrols with asks depending on trim spec.

We've got to the stage where the unicorn near new original FGX XR6 is seen in the low to mid 30s, a couple of cheeky asks under 40. As a realistic long term ownership proposition, they'd be a pretty good buy going on how long their drivetrain holds up*, and the current entry price asks for medium SUVs being over 40K.

VF2 redlines seem to be a 50's to 90's ask depending on how much hopium is on behalf of the seller and kms. Future classic those, I reckon.

But overall I don't see too much difference from where they were over the last couple of years.

Other stuff like the Jag SUV's I keep an eye on have been falling and you can see the ask prices fall in real time.


*(is the final FGX gearbox as good as the 6HP26?)

[Sprintey]

OK, it seems the lower end of the Jag XE prices have collapsed - after breaching the 30 barrier a few months back, the lowest asks are now 21-22.

I remember that just before covid the cheapest ones had just got below 30, then there was a point in time where high 30s were the cheapest at the height of the stimulus mania. From there, it's a very large size fall to today.

[roKWiz]

I'm liking this



https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...tory_type=post

better but 5 times the price. engineered and regoed.



https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...tory_type=post

enjoy the pic while they are still up.

[DJM83]

Really digging that HJ

[Sprintey]

I'd actually take the HQ for the ground clearance

Rokwiz - noticed that XG/H vans are now silly money?

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

I'd actually take the HQ for the ground clearance

Rokwiz - noticed that XG/H vans are now silly money?

Saw someone locally advertising their XF panel van for $34K with a sign on the windscreen, I thought it was a bit ridiculous, the XF didn't even have an 8 cylinder option.

[Cav]

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

I'd actually take the HQ for the ground clearance

Rokwiz - noticed that XG/H vans are now silly money?

Sprintey. Wacky HJ is on airbags at least but do like the HQ.

Given first dibs on this one around the corner from my place but not keen on another car. $3 000 buys it. currently regoed, drivable, rust free ?? and straight-ish.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Sprintey. Wacky HJ is on airbags at least but do like the HQ.

Given first dibs on this one around the corner from my place but not keen on another car. $3 000 buys it. currently regoed, drivable, rust free ?? and straight-ish.

image

image

Been registered recently, has current plates on it - wonder why they're moving on so soon?

[Citroënbender]

Indeed. A natural reaction in a jaded market is to think it’s a “flipper”.

[Franco Cozzo]

When I bought the Thailux I couldn't get an XG or an XH under $10K at the time, now I've got a couple for sale locally for sub $7000 and manual one too.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Been registered recently, has current plates on it - wonder why they're moving on so soon?

Nah I think its a marriage split thing, he recently sold a decent VW Combi survivor. I'm eyeing off his 25ft frig pan in the yard.

[Sprintey]

Noticing more reduction in prices in the JLR stuff I watch, almost in real-time. 54K nope 52K nope 48K nope how about 46 - these are some dealer asks on Carsales for the F Pace. Early all-alloy RRS (2013 on) similar falls in asks.

Starting to see the VF1 Calais wagon 6's (why would I do it to myself?) go from high 20s to mid/low 20s for low km cars. V8s still above 30.

Rokwiz my young one admits he's missed the boat on mint original tradey XGs. Always liked them myself, drove one on the soft sand on Lancelin back beach with a mate back in the day, it did OK for a beach 4x4. There used to be a dealer on St Georges Tce in Perth up the east end of the CBD where my old man worked, William Wood motors and he'd have all these near-new XG/XH pannellys, it was all he seemed to sell, had a niche I guess. Dad suggested I get one back in the 90's, he reckoned it would be perfect for surfing all around Australia. I had a $2000 HJ Kinga wagon and thought $20,000 for one was a bit ostentatious! Kinda wish I did get one near new, I'd still have it. Column shift and bench seat and open into the back of a van is priceless, you just can't get anything that practical today unless you go the full van route and then have to solve Scooby Doo mysteries.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

Noticing more reduction in prices in the JLR stuff I watch, almost in real-time. 54K nope 52K nope 48K nope how about 46 - these are some dealer asks on Carsales for the F Pace. Early all-alloy RRS (2013 on) similar falls in asks.

Starting to see the VF1 Calais wagon 6's (why would I do it to myself?) go from high 20s to mid/low 20s for low km cars. V8s still above 30.

Rokwiz my young one admits he's missed the boat on mint original tradey XGs. Always liked them myself, drove one on the soft sand on Lancelin back beach with a mate back in the day, it did OK for a beach 4x4. There used to be a dealer on St Georges Tce in Perth up the east end of the CBD where my old man worked, William Wood motors and he'd have all these near-new XG/XH pannellys, it was all he seemed to sell, had a niche I guess. Dad suggested I get one back in the 90's, he reckoned it would be perfect for surfing all around Australia. I had a $2000 HJ Kinga wagon and thought $20,000 for one was a bit ostentatious! Kinda wish I did get one near new, I'd still have it. Column shift and bench seat and open into the back of a van is priceless, you just can't get anything that practical today.

To be honest I would rather that.

The boxy X series Falcon's are nice but the finish compared to a mid 70's Holden wagon or panel van, nah not in the same league. imo.

Patiently waiting for HQ-HZ vans to start falling.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

To be honest I would rather that.

The boxy X series Falcon's are nice but the finish compared to a mid 70's Holden wagon or panel van, nah not in the same league. imo.

Patiently waiting for HQ-HZ vans to start falling.

What are expected v realistic values of a decent HQ to HZ van?
Saw this listed, struggle to find a cooler car. 307 Chev, red interior. Fair price to me, although I’m not in touch with values.



As per thread title, two cars I’ve been keeping an eye on, Miami powered FG GTs and E36 BMW M3s, sellers of both still stuck in Covid era prices.
Around a dozen M3s on carsales at around $70k. Dreamers.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by smoo

What are expected v realistic values of a decent HQ to HZ van?
Saw this listed, struggle to find a cooler car. 307 Chev, red interior. Fair price to me, although I’m not in touch with values.

HJ $42 000 fully engineered. I like this one on air but would like a bog stock windowless one atm. link on post #339 Reckon I could pin a nice one down around $18 000 to 25 000.

[Citroënbender]

I’ve let go of aspirations to own another “classic” - realistically can’t see myself using it enough to justify the physical effort in upkeep, or the costs to hold. Maybe a Grey Fergie sometime, but that’s about it.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

I’ve let go of aspirations to own another “classic” - realistically can’t see myself using it enough to justify the physical effort in upkeep, or the costs to hold. Maybe a Grey Fergie sometime, but that’s about it.

Could imagine you going up to Macquarie Centre in the Fergie, no problems parking.

Been a few around for sale again here in the 2 000 - 2 500s.

[Rallye Sport]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Maybe a Grey Fergie sometime, but that’s about it.

And I thought I was the only weirdo toying with the idea of parking an old Massey Grey in the driveway

I'd put it on a permit, cruise it around the suburb and pick up the milk and paper from the shops in it. Best motoring fun I can think of for a couple of grand.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Rallye Sport

And I thought I was the only weirdo toying with the idea of parking an old Massey Grey in the driveway

I'd put it on a permit, cruise it around the suburb and pick up the milk and paper from the shops in it. Best motoring fun I can think of for a couple of grand.

Regular day around here on farm rego.

[Rob 351]

Without turning this into a tractor thread, I picked up a 1977 Ford 8700 tractor a few weeks back. Original 4,500 hours from original owner. Old man had a similar one when I was a young fella so for me it’s a bit of a flash back for this old fella…

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Rob 351

Without turning this into a tractor thread, I picked up a 1977 Ford 8700 tractor a few weeks back. Original 4,500 hours from original owner. Old man had a similar one when I was a young fella so for me it’s a bit of a flash back for this old fella…

Post a picture in the tractor thread so we can all see it.

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

To be honest I would rather that.

The boxy X series Falcon's are nice but the finish compared to a mid 70's Holden wagon or panel van, nah not in the same league. imo.

Patiently waiting for HQ-HZ vans to start falling.

You are right there on the fit and finish so I guess I did the right thing keeping the HJ. Eventually sold it as it was used as an armed hold up getaway vehicle (I was not the perp) and I didn't want the memory of it afterward. Sold it for a XW 302 Fairmont wagon in mint original condition. The Kinga was always better on sand, but the XW was magnificent in every way.

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

I’ve let go of aspirations to own another “classic” - realistically can’t see myself using it enough to justify the physical effort in upkeep, or the costs to hold. Maybe a Grey Fergie sometime, but that’s about it.

My MIL did the Tractor Trek - Chamberlain (6G's I think?) from the westernmost point in WA across the country to the easternmost point of Australia at Byron. Crossing deserts and stuff. Those tractors were pretty quick. We saw lots of footage of them taking on big dunes.