There's not much correlation between rarity and value. Desirability comes
first, and then you add rarity--especially rarity caused by the item being
expensive in the first place, though even that doesn't always help. Consider
the DeLorean. Expensive, rare, and still no one wants one because they
sucked.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-fot@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-fot@autox.team.net] On Behalf
Of J M Wagner
Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2004 12:22 PM
To: Group44TR7@aol.com
Cc: fot@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: TR8 Value vs Low Production Numbers
I briefly owned a TR8. One of the big negatives for me was the cost of some
of the parts... not to mention availability of some of the uniquely
TR8 parts... Next to that was just the fact that it was a modern
car and with that came the increased difficulty in working on the car (while
maintaining smog-equipment for California). I generally could diagnose any
problem on my TR4A within a few minutes, but that TR8 was like working on my
Taurus station wagon.
Secondly, although the car is "rare", it's not like you can't have a car
that looks exactly like it for only a couple thousand dollars. Can you
say "TR7"? I owned a TR7 for years, and it was much easier to work on
than the TR8. (More room to work in the engine bay and less
complicated engine related smog/electrical components.) The TR7 wasn't
as easy as my TR4A, but it was one of my most reliable cars. So you can buy
a TR8, spend more to buy it and spend more to maintain it, but it will still
look like your neighbor's TR7.
This all said... I know that eventually one learns all the in-and-outs of a
car, modern or not... and with tools like the Triumph list, one could
probably find any part they needed, new or used, at a decent
price.... So I'm not saying it wouldn't be a great Triumph to own.
That V8 is fun! I just can see why they're not more valuable even
though they're so rare.
--Justin Wagner
Group44TR7@aol.com wrote:
> There is a very nice looking TR8 convertible on Ebay at the
>moment that is struggling to reach the $4,000 price. It is interesting
>that these cars which are really relatively rare (if everyone on the
>FOT list purchased one, we would own 10% of the total production) , yet
commedn such low prices.
>
>Cary
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