Special Edition cars don't hold their value well

[altiain]

Interesting little article from CNN: Not-so-special Editions

Ironic that only one Mazda made the list, considering the brand's penchant for "paint and badging" specials...

[Miatamoto]

Good article, but I think the numbers are often skewed by impatient people that are always in a rush to get a new car.

I have a friend that had a '05 Shinka (man that's a pretty car) and he managed to get $25k for it from an out of town buyer when most GTs were going for $20k and lower.

If you stay firm on your price and take your time when selling a car you'll find the right buyer (one that can appreciate what it is). I even made a profit on my low mileage RX-7, but it took 6 months to sell.

[TurboDuane]

If you stay firm on your price and take your time when selling a car you'll find the right buyer

How's that house sell going?

[Miatamoto]

How's that house sell going?

Takin my time!

[CosmosMpower]

I think it depends on the substance of the special edition package and how limited the production is. If it's just badging and a different color then people probably won't pay extra.

In my case I paid a little extra for a 93LE since it had some features that I wanted in a daily driver all bundled together such as ABS, power everything, leather, better stereo.

The Shinka RX-8 only got a few small cosmetic/interior changes over the Grand Touring and the production #'s aren't incredibly low (like 50-100) so I didn't think it warranted the extra price.

[XM_Rocks]

One of the best low price special edition cars that I can think of was the 2003 VW 20th Anniversary GTI.

Sold new for $21,800... today pricing to move the car for a 60K mile example is $13,500. 61% retention over 5 years!

It cost about $1,400 more than a 1.8T GTI, what a bargain!

Main Features:

• 4,000 units total in the U.S.
• Cars numbered via a dash plaque
• 1.8t turbocharged 180 bhp @ 5500 rpm with 173 lb-ft torque @ 1950 rpm
• 6-speed MQ350/O2M350 manual transmission
• 12.3 inch front rotors, 10 inch rear vented rotors, red powder-coated calipers (all from Audi TT)
• Eibach springs that are 20% stiffer than stock, 23mm RSB, 21 FSB, gas charged Monroe shocks, metal/rubber rear bushings, 30mm drop
• Colors: Black Magic Pearl, Jazz Blue & Imola Yellow
• 18" R32 Wheels (Produced by OZ)
• Michelin Pilot Sport 225/40-ZR18 tires
• Votex body kit with front valence, side skirts, rear valence and hatch spoiler
• Side mirrors painted gloss black
• Darkened headlamp housings
• Red retro GTI logo on front grill and retro rabbit badge along with red retro GTI logo on rear
• Chrome 2.25" exhaust tip with full chrome underbody piping
• Black interior with black headliner
• Recaro seats silver/grey and black
• Red-lined seat belts
• European instrument cluster with aluminum trim bezels
• Brushed aluminum interior trim (complete kit)
• Leather-wrapped 3-point steering wheel
• Silver/grey stitching on steering wheel, shift boot and handbrake knob
• Special golf ball shift knob similar to original GTI shift knob
• Silver/grey trimmed floor mats
• Aluminum pedals with rubber inserts

I loved mine:

[Treibenschnell]

I miss that car!!



I know, I know... off topic...

[XM_Rocks]

So clean!




I know, I know... off topic...

[Nails]

I read that CNN article and I think trade-in is unfair to base that on.
Should be auction value to me. After all, if something is a limited edition, auction will show it's true value better than an ignorant dealer.

I just had fun bidding this morning on this little beauty:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=160263184030

Has 5k less miles than my 06. I didn't win it though.