To Sell or Not to Sell

[cjulian]

First, I should say that I absolutely adore my ZHP and I feel the E46 was the last of the mainstream BMWs that were fairly simple, driving-focused machines. I also still get more compliments on my ZHP than I do on any other cars I’ve owned (past or current). I really don’t *want* to sell it but there’s always a price…

So, with that said, I also can’t help but observe the trends on sites like BringATrailer and it seems that our cars are shooting up in value as of late with some really clean, low mileage but mostly stock examples trading in the mid-high $20k range.

My question is this:

Do you think this is the start of the upward value swing of our cars that will continue due to limited numbers of cars combined with high demand?

OR

Do you think this is more related to the inflationary moment we’re in w/ the economic cycle?

[t.er]

Yeah I think relatively stock, low-mileage garage queens will keep steadily increasing in price. It's par for course with the older analogue BMWs.

Unfortunately mine will never be worth that much given its accident history and high mileage. But at least I don't have to care about hitting the occasional cone at autox or going into the grass on track lol

Oh, and long road trips that absolutely beat up the paint on the front end

[Galapolis]

If you wait long enough a clean ZHP will be worth much more than 20k. If you're after the money, I would wait. If not, just enjoy the car for what it is.

[05Imola]

I am on my third ZHP. I never sold them because of the money but I always come back because it's a great car. You will regret selling it, especially if it's really clean.

[Reasoned1]

I wouldn't consider taking less than $30k for my car but, even if I could get that, why would I? Nothing else even comes close to matching it, overall.

[cjulian]

This was exactly the convincing I needed. I love the car for the driving experience and I think that's worth more than the current market value.

I also just took the car into the dealer today to pick up a part and the gawking from employees was unreal, even when my ZHP was sitting next to brand new M cars. We've got something special with these cars!

[Quantico]

I have been shopping almost 2 years and prices keep going up and the cars sell fast enough I cant even get a PPI scheduled. I am not going to drop 30 grand on some unknown car on an auction website. Not worth the potential rusty car with bad engine and bad trans. I dont know where the future is going but I wont be paying someone 40 grand for a car worth 17 grand a year or 18 months ago.
I had wanted a porsche 996 and base models with 75 k miles and a new ims were selling for 18 grand about 18 months ago. Now they are up 60 percent or more and another year older being sold by someone with no majnt records that flips cars. I just dont have 30 or 40 grand to toss away for a car so someone can make a quick 20 grand profit.
I was looking at the bmw club magazine tonight and saw a couple E46 M3's in the 60 plus thousand range and a newer v8 version for 80 grand. I just cant do it.
I think this covid mess and cheap free money has dashed my finding a decent used car dreams. And I have been saving and have a pretty new garage with epoxy floors waiting for a summer car to love.

[az3579]

Just wait. Prices will come back down once more new cars are being produced and used car demand goes back down.

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[Reasoned1]

Between rampant inflation, in general, and the fact our cars are becoming rarer over time, I’m not optimistic prices will ever go down. I’m in the same boat… If I hadn’t picked up my car when I did, I doubt I’d pull the trigger now—too much money. If I was looking for a fun, relatively economical (if not practical) vehicle with manual tranny, I think I’d spring for a 4th (ND) or even 3rd (NC) generation Mazda Miata (assuming they’re still available). My son’s had both, and they’re terrific—not the equal of an E46, mind you. Another good used option might be a Corvette (again, lacking in practicality). If not hung up on getting a stick-shift, I still see lots of automatic E46’s for sale at decent prices. I have an automatic 330xi, and it’s great!

[Galapolis]

A SMG 330i might also be an option since everyone tends to avoid SMG.