Times are bad - a classic at a bargain price

In September one of our topics was the generation change in old sheet metal and the end of the Uptrends the prices of the Saab 900 Cabriolet. Times are bad. The seemingly never-ending pandemic hits the mind. It's no wonder that against this backdrop, prices for classics are falling.

Saab 900S 1994
Saab 900S 1994

The best story won't help

The readers may remember. July was a nice one Saab 900S convertible Subject on the blog. In principle, a good story with a few kilometers, consistent equipment and good condition. The price seemed fair and there was indeed feedback from the readership.

Nobody bought the Saab, although the price was okay. Doubts arose as to whether 20.930 miles (approx. 33.684 km) is the real mileage or 32.000 miles (approx. 51.499 km). Perhaps it was also due to the fact that only a naturally aspirated engine works under the hood and that the convertible is not yet 30 years old. Then the import into the EU would have been privileged.

Beige leather in the 900 is rare and actually wanted
Beige leather in the 900 is rare and actually wanted

The Saab is now being advertised on Ebay again. The price has fallen to a new low of $8.700 (€7.360). You have to remember that the mileage is very low either way, and the 900 is the last, usually sought-after model year.

Bad time to sell cars

In general, it is the buyer's time, not the seller's time. 127 prospective buyers watch the sales advertisement, nobody has pressed the button to buy. Presumably, the majority are betting on a further falling price and hope that the provider will show nerves.

The time is bad to sell cars. Especially when it comes to vehicles for the hobby. The mood is not exactly such that you would get the idea to put an open classic in the carport. Those who keep their nerves can currently get a bargain.

A Swedish classic at a bargain price
A Swedish classic at a bargain price

The web is full of exciting opportunities. A Saab 9-5 NG was advertised in Switzerland at the weekend. Aero equipment, all-wheel drive, 2 liter engine and only 43.000 kilometers. The price was so attractive that the ad disappeared within a short time. Buying countercyclical is the order of the day. If you have money at your disposal that you don't necessarily need and enough space, you can now bring your dreams home.

For those who want to sell, however, it is important to keep calm. At some point, times will get better, prices will recover. It is uncertain whether they will reach the pre-crisis level.

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Ebasli
Ebasli
3 years earlier

Well, tires can be swapped and are not so expensive that they should be so important in a car that is not offered at a low price. And when the car has stood still for the last decade, it is also clear that then you won't put on new tires. That probably leads to completely different problems than replacing a tire.

Well recognized by Schneeweiß and on the other hand: The 16 years before that either. That could say something about the state of care, but it doesn't have to be. In this respect, I agree with Johann that you should only buy the car with a viewing, which is currently not possible. After all, the front tires seem to be more recent than 26 years. So what? 😉

Volvoab Driver
Volvoab Driver
3 years earlier

@ Snow white, nice catch! ! !

Snow white
Snow white
3 years earlier

In short, 20900 miles plus 16900 km = 32000 miles. So the mileage could be correct.
@Johann: You write: The tires are usually almost as old as the vehicle. The provider writes: What I can tell you about the car is it is in excellent condition and has the original rear tires with 50% tread left.
Original rear tires. 26 year old tires. So much for that.

Volvoab Driver
Volvoab Driver
3 years earlier

General uncertainty

Hopefully at some point Corona will no longer be an issue. But then politicians are increasingly discussing driving bans again ...

And they are no longer discussing the diesel, but the combustion engine as a whole. For Berlin there were 2025 and 2030 for the inner city and the entire state of Berlin under discussion or in the space of thinking aloud.

It's disturbingly timely and I don't think it will happen that way either. But I'm always insecure.

Who buys a new car under such conditions if it shouldn't be an EV? Who still hopes for value stability or even growth in classics?

My personal consumption mood is a latent depression. And if I'm in line with this trend, then it's not just the market for classics that has a problem, but our economy as a whole. And it would have little to do with Corona. At the same time, politics and many resorts are in the luxurious situation of declaring every wrong accent as a corona effect since spring and for an indefinite period of time.

Gosh
Gosh
3 years earlier

I immediately noticed the front left headlight and the incorrect “collar” on the left rear. And the fact that the seller doesn't even bother to fix it. In addition a second speedometer disc? What for? I think the photo with the floor mats is more of a view of the condition of the car.
So much for my opinion on this vehicle.
But Tom is absolutely right to point out that a time now begins when the prices are normal or even a bargain. Personally, I would rather look around the European market.

Freising86
Freising86
3 years earlier

Just because of the strange headlights, I wouldn't conclude that the car was bad. Actually more on an unmotivated seller. Spachtel und Pfusch is not a US domain, it also exists in Germany. And especially in the 900 range, overconfidence gallops when it comes to the condition of the vehicles.

Gerald
Gerald
3 years earlier

Sorry, don't be angry .. But just looking at the first ebay photo, where a tunnel entrance literally opens up between the left headlight and the radiator grille, is reason enough not to buy the car. And from America, the land of PU foam and spatula artists (own experience - my sonnet comes from the USA).
Additionally transport, taxation, approval ...
Then only the - realistic one remains on the credit side? - mileage. And every serious Saab fan knows that the mileage is definitely the least of the problem with a well-maintained Saab.
In my opinion, the non-sale of this car has nothing to do with Corona- This is a lucky bag for the intrepid.

EF-moose
EF-moose
3 years earlier

@Black Saab - I'm fully with you - prices were partly from another galaxy

Black Saab
Black Saab
3 years earlier

You have to say that the prices were sometimes completely excessive. A Saab friend looked at several copies (before COVID). Prices of up to 30k that couldn't be justified.

He has not bought and is waiting. I suspect he'll strike at some point when prices get down to earth. Oh yes, winter is a good time to buy a convertible anyway!

Johann Taubenberger
Johann Taubenberger
3 years earlier

I wouldn't see the situation as dramatic after all. There are various reasons why a US import is no longer attractive. Even a phone call with the owner cannot help:

“No rust” means in the USA that you cannot see rust at a distance of 5m and with the naked eye.

You buy “as seen” - without any guarantee. Not privately anyway.

Florida Cars seats and plastics are often porous due to exposure to sunlight. Sometimes this also applies to the convertible top.

The tires are usually almost as old as the vehicle.

The checkbooks are often well-kept, the cars sometimes not.

The condition of the manual transmission often shows why Americans drive mostly automatic.

You have to invest a lot: Customs, import sales tax, transport, data sheet, headlights, rear fog lights, ... That is certainly not for everyone and quite difficult without professional support.

The list could be continued a little longer.

The price also reflects the US market. In the current crisis, the dollars there are no longer so loose. I think it is rather questionable that one can draw conclusions from this about the price development in Europe. Although that might not be that bad at all. A little common sense and normalcy wouldn't hurt here either.