Aston Martin speculators are losing out
Whenever a hot new vehicle is announced, potential buyers flock to dealerships to put down deposits and add their name to waiting lists. Most are motivated by the joy of being first, while others are motivated by the almighty dollar. In our minds, the jury is still out on these prospect buyers and the morality of their motivations, but whatever the market will endure is fine by us.
However, this automotive crapshoot is not without its risks, as evidenced by the over abundance of Aston Martin V8 Vantages flooding the used car market across the pond. The supposed 911-fighter was expected to have a two- to three-year waiting list, but according to 4Car, Autotrader is listing over 50 Vantages, with prices ranging from £80-90k depending on what marks were checked off in the options menu. This, coupled with a quicker-than-expected production schedule for new vehicles, is causing speculation buyers to sit on their vehicles for longer periods of time.
As this same trend has played itself out numerous times before (the first Miata and the Cayman come to mind), what's your take on prospect buying? Your opinions can find a voice in 'comments.'
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dana 11:02AM (8/19/2006)
The only time prospect buying would make sense is if the car is a limited production model that will hold its value (for example, the Enzo).
For a mass produced car, the only "benefit" to prospect buying is to say that you had it first. But in a matter of months, your Miata/Cayman/Thunderbird will look exactly like all the others on the road.
Another thing to consider is that manufacturers are constantly correcting problems as they find them. Buying the first vehicle off the line opens you up to the risk of problems that will be sorted out in later vehicles. I say let someone else be the guinea pig.
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lwcarson 11:35AM (8/19/2006)
I made money on the new Thunderbirds when they came out, years ago when the Mercedes Benz SLK came out, and the Monte Carlo came out with the "turn out seat" was introduced.....just to mention a few!
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xavior66 11:38AM (8/19/2006)
"For a mass produced car, the only "benefit" to prospect buying is to say that you had it first. But in a matter of months, your Miata/Cayman/Thunderbird will look exactly like all the others on the road.
Another thing to consider is that manufacturers are constantly correcting problems as they find them. Buying the first vehicle off the line opens you up to the risk of problems that will be sorted out in later vehicles. I say let someone else be the guinea pig."
Good points, and I totally agree.
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Stoneman 11:49AM (8/19/2006)
The V8 Vantage is an exceptional car, a sweet looking and
exciting vehicle. No one would call you boring if you ever showed up in one.
Stoneman
http://www.stonemanautoreview.com
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mr.ed 1:40PM (8/19/2006)
Speculators screwed? Awwwwwwwwwww!
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WillDaThrill 3:01PM (8/19/2006)
The term "making more than you can sell" comes to mind. I think car companies should set a limit on producing models. Say for instance first production is a 100k. If the model sells well or gets down to 50k, produce another 50k. By that time you should know how the vehicle does on the market. If it still sells well, produce another 25k and so on. By the time you get to those numbers (say 3-4 years) you're probably at the point of releasing the redesigned model and can drop it.
Flooding the market with your vehicle returns these kind of results. Regardless of popularity there should be a set limit. That in turn helps the retro-ness/popularity of the car when it becomes 25+ years old.
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