ahero4all

Being a huge SC enthusiast having owned five one being a 1995 SC300 5 speed and currently owning a 98 SC400 I can't help but to wonder why the SC's value are so much less then a comparable sports car like the Corvette

MSRP 1998 Coupe Corvette $37,950..
MSRP 1998 SC400 $53,000

My 1998 SC400 in premium condition open market value $5,500
1998 Corvette in comparable condition $10,000

With only 2500 SC400 built from 1998-2000 and
31,000 Corvette built in 1998

How is it that the SC values are so low?

- V -

iTrader: (1)

for one thing you are comparing a Luxury Coupe to a Sports car. Secondly the Corvette has a very very rich history so there is a much larger market for them than the SC's. On top of that the SC does not handle as well or as fast as the corvette. This isnt a con mind you, the SC was never designed to be a fast cornering speed demon. Its a Luxury coupe meant to be a joy to drive. But add all of those reasons to the fact that the Corvette is an american muscle car and you get your answer. There are ALOT more people that value speed and handling over luxury and comfort or atleast the amount of luxury and comfort that the SC gives. Personally im ok with these cars staying low in value because that means i can always own one without insane costs. I have seen some SCs sell for in the 10k bracket though but those are the 99 and 2000 SC 400s with under 60k miles.

Edit: one last thought, When you compare the original pricing of these cars in 98, the average person would look at a corvette and look at the SC and ON PAPER the Corvette makes more sense. Its faster, more sporty, handles better and im sure looks better to some (not me ), and its all of that for almost $20k less.

jadu

iTrader: (42)

I'd be curious to know the blue book, black book and yellow book values...

As for the MSRP, luxury always came with a price tag. The 348ci LS1 is a beast

t2d2

iTrader: (8)

The more meaningful comparison would be to similarly priced luxury cars of the same year. Except for collectible stuff, luxury car prices tend to plummet like a boat anchor. A lot of that is probably due to perception about the cost of upkeep.

plex

iTrader: (11)

Odd comparison they were never in the same class even though they both had V8's if that's what you're looking at. Compare 98 Supras to the Corvette or 98 Buick Riveria's to the SC.

gerrb

iTrader: (34)

Supply and Demand drives the price higher or lower for any car . We all think there are very few SCs made compared to other cars. It maybe true but where is the demand for them ?

Look at the MKIVs, the demand is so great that some of these damn cars are now selling more than their original retail prices even at stock form.

jadu

iTrader: (42)

ya those USDM supras. demand is so high that they can't even wait for the 25 year import law to take effect. boggles my mind...

plex

iTrader: (11)

JDM Supra prices already going up in anticipation of the 25 year import law and not everyone wants a RHD Supra. Importers have been stockpiling and will price accordingly. The NA Auto's will probably be the cheapest option but they will still be low to mid teens.

MJG87

Luxury cars always take a huge hit on resale value. They depreciate super fast. This comparison is a bit apples vs oranges as others have said, but its good as a buyer. I just picked up an 08 GS460 for $25,000 AUD, it was over $165,000 on road new only 8 years ago.
The people who buy the cars for the badge don't often buy used luxury cars as they aren't fancy or exclusive if they are second hand. While they perform well they aren't exactly what people see as a performance car as the Corvette is considered. A lot of the price of a new luxury car (in Australia especially) is Taxes and Import costs from non local manufactures, similar to Corvettes being made at home, or nearby. People who can but $150,000+ cars don't usually hold them long or expect much on a trade in as typically, and I'm generalizing, money isn't much of an issue for them. At least the initial outlay for a Lexus isn't too vicious.
I was looking at aN 08' BMW 750LI before I settled on the Lexus, $270,000 AUD on road new, value now is roughly $25,000. That's a closer comparison to the GS460, and a much worse loss for the old owner.

This leaves them in a bit of a niche market, a lot of people don't know them, racer boys aren't particularly interested, they cant be heavily modified for performance, a lot of people would rather a homegrown car, and there is not a lot of appeal for people who want to be seen in a fancy luxury car to buy a used vehicle.

Bang for buck, you cant beat a well maintained, relatively new luxury performance car.

Supply is not a problem, demand is. It is a hard sell asking for much money for something with a small following. This is part of the reason I have never bought a brand new car, I can't stomach the thought of the depreciation and the horrible resale value.
On the flip side, I could never afford a new GS, unless I forego buying a house, the market has made it possible though for me and I assume many others, to buy a brilliantly built, sexy, fancy, fairly exclusive, reliable, low maintenance performance luxury car for the price of a new corolla hatchback.

Aron9000

Corvettes, for whatever reason, have always held their value, even garbage Vettes like the 80's C4(they weren't so bad once they put the new dash and LT1 V8 in them), late 70's/early 80's C3, still go for pretty good $$$ if they've been restored or are low mile original garage queens. Which might be another reason Vettes hold their value, the owners don't drive them and take very good care of them, thus there are a lot of very nice, original condition, less than 50k mile 1998 Corvettes out there. And of course nice stuff always brings a premium price. I doubt there are but maybe just a handful of nice 1998 SC400's with under 50k miles, I bet there are at least 5,000 1998 Corvettes out there with less than 50k miles on them.

mikef

iTrader: (3)

corvettes is just to common

ahero4all

I don't post much here on this site and maybe this wasn't the most well-thought through thread starter..I can clearly see no one here feels the Corvette and the SC400 are comparable vehicles, and I agree on many levels they are not..

Furthermore, I feel like an *** clown even bring up the Corvette, back in the late 90's into around 04 I bought and sold about 20 NSX's, I owned one of the first 91's that come off the production line..and I deeply disdained when people would compare the NSX to the Corvette, even going so far as to accuse Acura of replicating the design.. I have bought an sold literally thousands of cars, I sold a rare 53 Corvette, I driven and sold the holy grail of Corvettes, a big block 4271967 and most driven every year built...IMO Chevy didn't build a decent Corvette from 1967 until the first Z06..some may disagree..

All in all, I appreciate every one's feedback..and although it is difficult to compare today's technology to the technology in the 90's I strongly feel dollar for dollar bang for the buck some of best cars ever built came out of the mid to late 90's..The Toyota SuprA 300zx twin turbo, RX7, NSX, Viper, F40, F50, Z06, SC400 and my all time favorite and ultimate dream car the Mclaren F1

Aron9000

I'd list the C5 Corvette in there as well. Great chassis, great powertrain(LS1 FTW!!!), major leap forward in build quality vs the C4, IMO great styling(especially with the right wheels), the C5 is a great sports car.

The SC400 is what I'd call a great GT car, ie a really nice luxury car designed for interstate cruising that can handle a corner. The Corvette can't hold a candle to the SC in terms of luxury, ride, quietness, build quality, cost of ownership, reliability, and just overall build quality. Saying the same, the SC can't hold a candle to the Corvette in terms of acceleration, handling, ultimate grip, excitement, braking, any sort of performance measure. The SC is about lowering your heart rate while driving it, the Corvette is about raising it. The two cars really don't compare IMO.

- V -

iTrader: (1)

Just want to point out that when you consider inflation a car in the 90s that was 50k new is about the same as a car that is 80-90k now. Case in point would be the old LS400 and the new LS460. Personally there was a point from ~2001 to 2015 or so when there werent any visually appealing cars produced in the affordable market. Everything that looked remotely good was in the 60k+ bracket with the exception of a few cars like the FRS and the tc from scion and a few others. This is why i agree that cars wroth buying are either older cars pre 2002 ish or something newer than 2012ish.