Market Mental Model

fynbos

Newbie
Joined
Aug 19, 2025
Points
3
Location
Austin
It’s pretty wild as I look for a car…to be tempted by cars in the $6k range (1.9s with 100k+ miles) that look enticing, but then to see if you spend twice that you’re in a 3.0 with 60k miles. Wild. The differentiation when both are 25 year old cars seems dramatic.
(Oh and you Brits on here aren’t getting nearly as much for the same cars)

Wild! Confusing!

To Nikasil, Roll Hoop, fix the Yaw sensor,…etc, or not! Certainly don’t seem factored into price.

A model at the higher end may have the same issues! And vise versa.
 

Duncodin

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
Joined
Sep 8, 2021
Points
163
Location
Pontrhydyrun - in Crow Valley
Model of Z
M44 FrankenZed
Here in the UK convertibles (softtops) are very (VERY) common. We have more than anywhere else. Strange really because we are the wettest place in europe. But because there's so many convetibles they're not a novelty and most buyers are actually a bit suspicious of them (leaks, noise etc) so prices can be much lower than elsewhere.
 

Pond

Zorg Guru (III)
British Zeds
Joined
Dec 26, 2016
Points
144
Location
Spaldingski, Lincs
Model of Z
Z3 project
A decent 3 litre in the UK will cost much more than double that of a tired 1.9. The prices are relatively lower than the US, yes, but there could be many factors to that (average wages, general living costs, running costs etc, etc). Remember we pay more than double for our fuel than the US does for starters.

A 3.0 Z3 with 60k miles is worth around £6k in the UK. A 1.9 with 100k miles is worth around £2k.
 

Hwk-I-St8

Zorg Addict
American Zeds
Joined
May 9, 2022
Points
59
Model of Z
Z3 Roadster
In the US, the value of an '01 3.0i in 2017 when I bought mine was really low. I got mine for $7k which was book value. About a year later I saw an m-roadster with 30K miles for about $10k!!!!!! I almost bought it...wish I would have, but I had no place to store it and didn't want to sell my 3.0 because it's a family heirloom. At the time they were just used cars.

Now, the values have skyrocketed. I saw a 3.0i with about triple the miles of mine (like 30,000) sell for about $28k! I guess they've transitioned from used cars to collectible or antiques now.
 

Grumps

Always happy, apart from when I'm not 🤬
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Apr 27, 2014
Points
226
Location
Forest Town, Mansfield
Model of Z
Z4 e85 2.5i
Zeds here in the UK are incredibly good value compared to main land Europe and the US. It's about the only thing we have going for us!
 

Ade33

Zorg Addict
British Zeds
Joined
Aug 20, 2022
Points
59
Location
Stratford upon Avon
Model of Z
3.0 Sports Edition
Yes Z3s are currently as cheap as chips in the UK..That may change eventually who knows? Currently plenty being broken (parted out) which makes spares readily available which if you own one is a good thing..

A positive aspect of them being cheap is that they are affordable for many younger people to purchase to enter the classic car arena which may help generate longer term interest in these cars...
 
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