When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I don't think so, but something happened recently that makes me believe some people are trying to reach for this. I've mentioned previously that my mom gave me her 1992 SC400 about 8 months ago. I'm loving the car, but my mom makes comments to me here and there that she wishes she would have driven it more when she had it. About a month ago, I saw a beautiful Garnet Pearl 1992 SC400 come up here in LA on Craigslist with about 60,000 miles. It was a one owner car and stated that a lot of the common SC400 issues had been addressed. The owner was asking around $6,000. I was going to go check it out and surprise my mom with it if everything checked out. Well I emailed the owner 2 days after the ad was posted. They responded the car had sold... I was bummed/shocked that it went so quick. Well, about a week later, I was looking on eBay motors and sure enough here is the same SC400 with a $12,000 asking price. I was kind of shocked to see that someone thought they could flip an SC400 for that kind of profit. Once I saw the higher quality pictures on eBay, I realized it wasn't in the amazing condition that the owner described on the CL ad, although it is in great shape for the age.
Anyone have opinions on the classic status of the SC and if/when it will become one?
Last edited by COOLIS; 08-14-15 at 11:58 AM.
Reason: no outside FS links
Someone saw a steal, and is trying to make big profit, no surprise there. As far as classic status, I don't think the SC is there yet. If they stopped making it in say 95-97 I would probably agree, but they stopped making them in 2000. I think we got at least another 5-7 years before it's considered a classic.
This doesn't surprise me one bit. These cars are being flipped left and right. I am currently in the market for a decent condition SC. The scenario you mentioned originally is exactly what I'm looking for; however, on the east coast the dealers are quicker and buying these cars to flip.
I've been watching and the cars are just sitting based on the prices. So it is unusual to me that the prices are so extremely high. They are not selling fast at all.
I would like to hear from others that are searching because I keep reading about all these steals and deals, but I'm not coming across any at all. LOL.
They are technically classics now or are about to be if you go by the 25-year "classic" designation most DMVs use. Popular and widely notable classics... not so sure on that one at present time but we'll see. Yes, it will be interesting to see what happens to the market once Z30 Soarers become legal for import.
I agree with you, mikef. It goes up and goes down.
Funny, there was a thread exactly like this a couple years back. And another one a couple more years back before that.
I think what makes one a classic car is, when people start paying a higher than market value because of how much it means to them personally to have one in possession. And yes, these cars has been a classic in quite some time now, just low key, and probably not by what the majority considers what a classic is.
The only thing I notice is that they are plenty of them for sale, prices are very affordable
Insurance rates seems to increase from people crashing them
And getting smog profile of high modification car that every smog test they select sc to test only
I think what makes one a classic car is, when people start paying a higher than market value
Technical definitions aside, I would agree. Until you see a SC highlighted on the auction block of a televised event, don't kid yourself about it being a mainstream classic. Cult classic, maybe, but that's an entirely different ballgame.
A true classic evokes: "Man, I love those cars."
The SC without fail evokes: "I've always liked those cars." Anyone and everyone I've talked to with familiarity of the SC has phrased it the exact same way. It's appreciation but not lust.
Insurance rates seems to increase from people crashing them
And getting smog profile of high modification car that every smog test they select sc to test only
In my experience the insurance rates haven't changed much, but since the market is depressed for these cars it does make it more difficult or at least tedious to make sure you're covered for the amount it would actually take to replace your particular car with something identical.
The second issue (for Californians) is extremely annoying but we aren't the only ones so affected.
As much as most of us love the first gen SC models, they will never reach the true status of a classic similar to the US muscle cars or European exotics.
The stock versions are fine but what really has set these cars apart is the various modifications made to the engines and suspensions some of which are just total monsters.
Arguably, the most attractive cosmetic change made is the jump from 15/16 inch wheels to the 18s and 19s and 20s depicted on the numerous photos shared on this forum. By far, the most attention and comments I get are about the wheels.
Enjoy these while we can and with prices low on a "starter" and mods reasonably available and affordable there will be many years ahead to debate this again.....
08-14-15, 11:40 AM
Is the SC reaching classic car status?
