enforcer

My wifes new SUV is sitting at the dealer getting optioned up...its now only a matter of days away. Now we'll have two Harleys, and two cars and it dosen't make sense to pay 4 x regos, 4 x insurances now our chidren have flown the coup. I'm torn keeping it under wraps and taking it out for a good spin a couple of time a month. I get that with the Harley anyhow.

I spoke to my car broker, and the meltdown will impact pretty heavily on all luxury cars in the next 6 months. Our RX8s will drop $5K by then, and they won't recover. The thought of it depreciating day by day dosen't sit well with me. When you read stories like this.... http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/s...003402,00.html ...it reinforces my thinking.

For the purpose of the exercise, I floated a price with the dealer and to my surprise he's offered a counter offer which I think is reasonable money. Today is the day I have make up my mind or I'll lose the deal. We own our RX8 outright and we don't have to sell, and we love it as much now as the first day we bought it. Having said that the funds would be used towards the mortage.

I'm sure some of you have been in this position before...

rux

I would sell it and reconsolidate all other asset, it's a tough time and there are better things to spent money on.

thisllub

That will leave you with 3 SUVs.

enforcer

I'm pretty sure I'll end up liquidating the asset. As much at it hurts, I'll for ever have great memories of the car, and of course the great relationships I've built from this forum.

To put you in the picture, its a red '04 6 speed with red leather seats and trim, spolier, strakes etc with 61K on the clock and 6 months rego. I threw up $28 - 29K as a teaser and am offered $24,500 - cash. In light of the current market and it being a quick clean wholesale price, I don't think its too bad at all.

I could always put it up on ebay or carsales.com, but theres always that risk it would fall below the first offer or just sit there....

takahashi

Put it into assets and when the better times comes you can get a new one .

Wantarotory

Enforcer,
Without giving too much away, how much are you looking at selling it for? Because I'm still on the market for one myself! (i know you are in Brisbane, but i also know shipping costs are right down now as my girlfriend got her car couriered down from Cairns) So I can buy it off you (that way you will always know that your baby is in the care of a Rx8club.com member…and if you came down here, you could…sit in the back when I drive it =P

As to the selling Dilemma, I know I'm a newbie here, so my thoughts on the matter may not be as appreciated, but with tough decisions like this – you need to weigh up the Pros and Cons of both.

You obviously love driving it around –
It is a one off car that distinguishes you from the rest of the herd-
You always knew when you brought it that it would depreciate –
Your family always comes first so the money will need to be there, especially in times like this –

Will you miss it enough when it goes to not sell it?

Etc etc…

Good luck mate, I hope you make the right choice for the future.

enforcer

Wantarotary, thanks for your support. Privately I was looking for around $28K, but if I were sell it privately to you, it would be a lot less. Send me a PM if you're interested, otherwise I'll accept whats been offered on the table and walk away.

As you've correctly said, I don't think I would feel the same if I was in a position where I HAD to sell but couldn't....

enforcer

True Taka...however if you believe my car broker, when the new RX-8 comes out next year the **** end of ours will drop even more. Having said that, I doubt any future RX8 could ever be as attractive, or have better value as ours...

matt13b

Is there a new RX8 confirmed for next year is there?

enforcer

My broker who works with Toyota swears its coming out next year. Don't know where his rationale comes from, however with the amount of crap Mazda have given us in the past, I wouldn't be surprised. Time will tell....

takahashi

Well I am emtionally attached to my RX-8. I think I will drive that to work one in a while even I get a 135i

enforcer

It will be easy to get attached to a BMW, and in time that feeling will also wear off. It's easy being attached especially after its taken good care of you and had it a long time. At some point of time we have let it go, after all they are just a car....

mdr

Just a CAR??? That is blasphemy.
It is a 1.3 liter Rotary engine sitting in a damn nice body.

Tough decision and you have to do what is best for your situation.
Don't know that I could do it, I may try and hang on to mine until I die, then pass it down to one of the kids someday as a piece of automotive history.

I keep thinking of the 52 Indian motorcycle I sold for $700.00 bucks years ago, oh how I wish I had not done that.

takahashi

Yeah I wish I still have the DC2 Integra. It will be so cheap and fun to drive now. I do miss it and I can't get one back.

takahashi

There is one 1999 selling for $21000.... hmm too high.

enforcer

ARGHH...$700 for the Indian....now thats something I would find hard to live with!

Its nearly as bad as my chance to buy Dick Johnsons original XC 351GT Falcon he was flogging off in 1979 for $5K...it still haunts me.

matt13b

Sell or just give away the Harleys..

Wantarotory

:shocked:

Revolver

Hahaha, we all have mid-life crises Matt. Be thankful you're not there...yet.

Otherwise, agreed. Harleys are poor handling heaps of crap made popular by men with drug-addled reflexes who like playing black leather dressups on weekends...

Of course, I could tell you what I really think of them...

mdr

Now me wonders what kind of Harley Revolver has?? LOL

enforcer

Dave, generalisations will an argument hands down everytime, and William S. Harley would be turning in his grave right now. When you consider in his day (1920s) he held a mechancial degree and the bike was the largest motorcycle in the world, I can see where you're coming from.

One one point you're right, despite the fact that they are being used by hundreds of thousands around the world (including police departments), they are also unfortunately associated with the 1% of OMCG's. You could apply the same generalisation that all RX8 owners are rev heads.....a few ********* will always spoil it for the majority.

With 15% of owners being under 35, and the median being 46.7 with an income of +$83K, you could say I fit into the category. You never know mate, when you reach this age you could also become part of the sub-culture....I can picture you now...

thisllub

So maybe one of you government employees can explain how the Police manage to ride bikes wearing no safety gear other than a helmet and get away with that under OH&S?

Revolver

Both brothers have owned bikes for years but I never succumbed - nowhere to put a surf board!

Eldest bro owned a harley or two over the years and I took the **** out of him for that too. He did make some wise decisions though. His Laverda was to die for (at the time anyways) and his current Triumph isn't bad for a pommy bike. Other bro did some racing on Jap bikes but has since given up the road for the dirt and has done some Safari type events.

From time to time I toy with the idea of getting something to buzz around on but then I realise being a temporary citizen isn't that appealing. Have a soft spot for well sorted Ducati's though...

Revolver

Hook, line and sinker Trev. Nothing like baiting the hook with some rabid generalisations to start a good fight.

He had a mechanical degree? Really? Would be hard to guess that, lol. And I know you live near the Goldie but biggest isn't necessarily best. Size really only matters in one dept.

The yank police drive Crown Victorias too, so I'm not really convinced by that point. Indeed, looking at what police drive and ride around the world doesn't exactly inspire me...although the German bill have it pretty good.

I regard Harleys in the same way I see most yank cars. Over weight, under engineered, average quality and surviving on past glories - hence the median age. Why do you think the car mobs over there have done the retro thing with the Mustang, Camaro, Ford GT, etc, etc. Bereft of any real new ideas. When the baby boomers are through with them, they'll struggle. The current Corvette is an exception though I suppose.

If cruising around on a Harley or in a Mustang is your bag, great. Whatever floats your boat. I just think it's a lot of money for below par dynamics.

Revolver

Because everyone knows motorcycle cops aren't human.