Car values

[dave1]

Hi all,
I've been noticing for a while now that car values must be in decline as a number of cars across the VW board are not selling for there prices & have been on the forum for a time.
Is this due to the world economic problems or just value corrections
Thanks Dave

[johnshenry]

Not sure, but my parts and restoration business dealings have definately been REALLY slow for well over a year now.
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John Henry

'57 Deluxe
'56 Single Cab

[KTPhil]

Hard to generalize, but I would guess that inflation and interest rate worries (even worse outside of the USA, which is whining and politicizing it...) are making people hesitate to buy big ticket "lifestyle" items these days.
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Current Fleet:
'71 Fastback
'69 Westfalia
Retired:
'67 Beetle
'65 Beetle (x2)
'65 Bus
'71 Squareback

[my3bugs]

here in california a fast food burger today is almost 10 clams . sometimes we gota eat first its not just in this hobby IMHO

[KTPhil]

[theastronaut]

The parts I sell have been extremely slow this year, even now with people getting their tax returns. Restaurants we frequent have been less and less busy. Tons of cheap projects and tools on Marketplace, finished cars are down. We have a '74 C10 that we're thinking might only sell for half of what they were going for about a year ago; partially due to market correction and partially due to the overall economy.
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Strive for perfection in everything. Take the best that exist and make it better. If it doesn't exist, create it. Accept nothing nearly right or good enough."
-Sir Henry Royce, co-founder of Rolls-Royce

'64 Beetle Sunroof OG Bahama Blue
'63 Beetle Vert
'66 Beetle
'88 Festiva L
'89 Festiva L
'64 Chevy C10
'66 Chevy C10

[Martin Southwell]

[BruceFD]

[EverettB]

[chicagovw]

One positive is that the Volkswagen hobby has continued to draw in young enthusiasts, which is certainly not the case for many other cars of the same eras. When I go to VW events, yes there are older folks there that have been into the scene since well before I was born, but there are younger people that are very much into them too.

When I go to muscle car events, that youth is just not there-with little exception it is a sea of grey and white hair.

I also own a couple of Model A Fords, and this is an interesting one-I bought my first ten years ago when I was 40, and I was MUCH younger than most of the other guys at the club meetings and events. What I have noticed is that is seems that this hobby has skipped a generation: the same 60, 70, and 80 something year old crowd seems to be the vast majority, but then there are folks much younger than me that are into them and own cars-even a couple of high school and college age kids are in our local club and they have cars. Its like grandpa was into them, dad could care less, but now the grandkids are starting to appreciate them.

But yes while it does appear that VW values are overall down, good examples are still bringing very good money. There are a LOT of cobbled together, poorly done Volkswagens out there, and in my opinion, those should not bring good money. But nice examples are still commanding high prices-and it is nice to see good examples of late model VWs, including Super Beetles and Type 3s, getting money that no one ever dreamed they would. Glad to see people start to appreciate these cars too.

So values may rise and fall, but I think that there will always be people willing to spend good money on good Volkswagens, and that the scene, while it will never be as large as its heyday, will continue to be strong. VWs are still seen as cool by the younger generations, not to mention that they are still practical as actual cars. You still see them in ads for clothing, travel, etc., they are readily available at all different price points so it is not impossible for a person on a tight budget to get into.

[markendee]

Interesting conversation.

As soon as interest rates shot up collectable car prices plummeted here in Australia.

It indicates to me that perhaps buyers were financing these purchases with borrowed money and in fact perhaps increasing their house mortgages to do so. To some it felt like free money and with such low interest rates you can see how they could be coerced by unscrupulous lenders.

We had 1971 GT Falcons going for a million dollars. Good luck servicing that debt now.

And as previously stated the younger people are simply not into cars like we were. Very few are interested in the trades and even fewer can swing a hammer or spanner.

Imagine living at home until 35 trying to get a house deposit together and spending 70k on a 54 Beetle purchase or resto - I think not.
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Member # 145244

[Jimone]

also we broke af. more than 1/3 of my friends are in their 30s and 40s with college degrees, working in those fields and unable to afford homes. i live in a low cost of living state. nobody is buying a project car if they live in an apartment.

boomers had so much excess that they consider having something like the space to keep an extra car to be normal. i have friends working advanced degree careers whose entire apartments are smaller than my garage.

[Martin Southwell]

What you are describing in the latter part of your piece above, is what is known as 'The Hierachy Of Needs'.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs

[azmodela]

[Jacks]

Is this starting to sound like a “General/Chat” topic?
_________________
Jack Staggs
Actual name

[markendee]

[L21pearlgrey]

Something I’ve definitely noticed within the UK market. There are also very few early cars coming up for sale, I feel this has been the case for the past few years now. I’m not sure whether it’s the case well known cars are sold amongst those who know rather than coming to market. The Historic Volkswagen Club (UK) would always have a few cars in the classifieds but have not had anything of note for a long time.

[olo]

I think the element of hybrid and electric cars pays a huge role nowadays, market expectations are changing and people are getting more comfortable and don’t see a value in driving older cars. But when electric conversions for classic cars become more affordable this may change focus back onto them, purists may not disagree but I think generational expectations will change thiings around a bit

[chicagovw]

I own Model A’s too, and am slightly younger than you. Let’s not forget, you’re 50 now. That 60 year old person in your club today was 50, 10 years ago.

Where in AZ are you? I have a '30 Fordor that I drove from Chicago to my house in Chandler last summer with my then 13 year old son. And yes that is very true.

[azmodela]