will prices drop?

[crankbait09]

Not that the current prices of the classic beetles will stop me from purchasing one........but does anyone see the selling prices for the classic beetles ever dropping? Sure if we have an economy implosion again, they may. But I can only imagine they will keep going up and up as each year goes by.

[EverettB]

Short version of my opinion:
- Nice cars will increase
- Crap will always be crap and may not go up, apart from inflation-related increases

A couple similar threads
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=675359
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=662574
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[my59]

VW's were inexpensive rides, well engineered for the price point, and only attained the status because of iconic body shape and fan base. As the fan base ages out, the support will wane

Agreed, nice cars, in original or close to it condition will maintain or increase, as they become more of a collectible item. Drivers and modified rides will maintain value, but not the same trajectory, as they will become more cobbled together as the part support dries up and changes are made

Please note the time frame I am referring to is generational.
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my59: Well son, my grandfather died before I got to drive it, so does that answer your question?
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[vwinnovator]

super beetles
late squarebacks
fastbacks
411's
412's

will probably continue to decline..

[ach60]

[wcfvw69]

I think there is still plenty of room for prices to continue to rise for bugs and bay window buses. I think we've seen the split window buses level out and in some cases decline a bit.

I've noticed the bay bus pricing really accelerate upward in the last 3-5 years. Especially the original, unmolested campers. Convertible bugs pricing as sucked for years and I've really seen no increases in the pricing of them. As an owner of one, It would be nice to see some upward movement in their pricing.

I'm also firmly in the camp that original, unmolested, rust free VW's are going to be leading the pack in rising prices. With the extraordinary costs of body work/paint and other restoration costs, these VW's will continue to demand the highest price point.
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As the owner of a 73Thing, in great shape, those prices have been going up in the last few years. When I bought mine 6 years ago, the most American Collectors Ins. would allow was 16K, called recently, the lady on the phone was surprised and said I could get 25K. I always wanted a 70's Porsche, I think that watching those these last few years, it ain't gonna happen.

[skills@eurocarsplus]

Its the model T syndrome.....as the guys that like them died off, so did the following. You can buy a numbers matching perfect one for less than the cost of building one. I suspect vw's will follow the same fate.

I think bus value will always be stronger as the public uses them for camping etc...

Moving forward I think the tide pod eating generation will have little to no interest in them as we get pushed into "green" technology and the idea of a "pleasure" car will be far from thought.

Look at housing....many will pay 12-1800+ for renting an apartment rather than own...the thought is no ties to 1 area and be able to move on a moments notice. Can't usually have 2-3 cars in an apartment setting.
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[Tom K.]

I don't think you can save money by waiting to purchase one. You might save 500 to 1000 by waiting for the next deep recession. But if the perfect one emerges for sale, then jump on it now.

Assuming you have basic mechanical interest and ability, I still think the beetle is the most economical way to travel regularly by auto.
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[HippyTom]

I think the recent thread on "raised up 58 bronze" is a perfect example of a once rat rod slammed Bug that was raised up, and the newer patina' style paint removed to expose the original paint. This car in my view will retain and gain more value in its now new state than the way it was.

Original unmolested cars are getting harder to find every day. They will always command a premium and increase in value more than customs / modified / rat rods / and even restored (depending on the condition of the original and the caliber of the restoration). Preservation of a nice original car will be the future trend. Hopefully they've not all been rat rodded by then.

[wcfvw69]

[raygreenwood]

[Helfen]

Prices reflect the economy period. Houses, cars, value of currency. How well we do always depends on markets and currency value. Everything is tied together. Controlling the economy is a delicate balance. A mistake is costly. For now in the immediate future things are good.
As far as your collector car goes there are things to consider in the LONG Term Future with things happening in Europe in general, UK and now California joining in with the ban of Diesel and gasoline cars starting in 2040 and once the demand for fuel goes down fuel supply will go down making gasoline a expensive commodity. Everyone knows where this will go. Just the rich and well connected will be able to afford the luxuries the middle class once had.
As far as new cars go, the middle and lower class cars will, like the middle class go away. We've already seen this happening with the deletion middle class cars like Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Mercury, Saturn etc.

[jeffrey8164]

I guess I was really born at the right time.
In 2040 I’ll be 86 years old.
If I’m still alive and able I’ll drive the Ghia, but something tells me otherwise

[andk5591]

I am not and expert, but have been following classic car prices for some time. Here's my take..(and just get any recent issues of Hemmings to verify). The serious muscle cars, Vettes, etc have gotten too expensive for most. What you are seeing are folks in their 40s or so wanting to get into the hobby and many want what they grew up with. You are seeing stuff like 70s and 80s station wagons and generally non-descript cars coming up in value for that reason.

EVERYONE had a VW in their family or watched the Love bug movies. The cars are becoming more popular with the new hobbyists and the value is reflecting that. But they are still relatively cheap and easy to work on.

So spending upper teens - mid 20s for a nice VW is still way cheaper than a Mustang or Camaro. They will peak in the next few years, but will still remain pretty stable in pricing. They will not be any cheaper than they are today...
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There's more, but not keeping them...

[hitest]

Bet on White.

If you're looking at which VWs will drop, stabilize or at most not appreciate anywhere near the rate of others- it's the white cars. No, lotus white deluxe buses don't count here.

I'm talking white '71 beetles, white '79 convertibles and '78 wannabe a cool convertible too beetle. White type 3s and 4s- forget it! Put a white '66 beetle on the corner and it will stay there longer than any java green or ruby red car. White early bays sell at much slower a rate than mustard yellow or red campers. White Things never sell for as much as orange or yellow. They're a fun car, so why have one colorless.

Now don't go pulling the race card either. Race vehicles always sell better when they're a color too.
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[Zeen]

[andk5591]

[EverettB]

[marklaken]