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Top Ten Resale Values -- What's Their Secret? - READ ONLY

58 messages,  Last post on Jan 11, 2010 at 9:10 AM

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What is this discussion about? Car Buying, Car Comparisons, Car Values, Coupe, Convertible, Truck

Messages Page 5 of 6

#39 of 58 Re: Kelley Blue Book [Mr_Shiftright] by anythngbutgm

Jan 06, 2010 (10:49 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 06, 2010 10:24 am)
Meh, I've driven Vettes before and their performance can be described IMO as "squirmy". Too much power and not enough control. I would trust a Ferrari or an Aston at the limits, I wouldn't feel safe in a Vette doing the same thing. Feels too fragile.

#40 of 58 Re: Kelley Blue Book [anythngbutgm] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 06, 2010 (11:20 am)

Replying to: anythngbutgm (Jan 06, 2010 10:49 am)
I have heard that from hi-performance drivers but I've never pushed one that hard. But judging from all the heavily damaged Dodge Vipers I see advertised in Hemmings, I would suspect that the car is beyond the skill of most owners.

#41 of 58 Re: Kelley Blue Book [Mr_Shiftright] by vcheng

Jan 06, 2010 (11:42 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 06, 2010 11:20 am)
The most critical component is a high powered car (indeed any car) is the nut behind the wheel!
 
Even a Corvette, which might be more squirmy at the limit compared to a Ferrari, will still have limits that far exceed the ability of most drivers that it is a moot point, I think.
 
A good analogy would be drivers that argue that a jet fighter that pulls 9.5G is better at the limit than another one pulling 9G, when people not trained to be fighter pilots would all black out at 6G.
 
Me personally, I'd be happy with either one!

#42 of 58 Re: Kelley Blue Book [Mr_Shiftright] by anythngbutgm

Jan 06, 2010 (12:41 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 06, 2010 11:20 am)
Oh trust me, I've never even come close to explorign the limits of the vettes I drove, but what I did find out the hard way was it was tail-happy. I remember punching one on the highway and doing a lane change at the same time and the felt the rear end try to side step on me. Scared the bejeezus out of me. Same thing exiting a road, too much power, back end wanted to leave before the front... On top of that, the seating position is terrible (sitting on the floor basically), rear visibility was atrocious and the thing felt like navigation a canoe, both of them.
 
Now, I've never had the pleasure or displeasure of driving a Ferrari, Lambo or Aston so maybe that's just the going rate for long slung road rockets. but I will never own a modern Vette no matter how much of a bargain they are. I like cars that I can ring out 100% of their potential instead of feeling like I can use 60% only before I get into trouble.

#43 of 58 Re: Kelley Blue Book [anythngbutgm] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 06, 2010 (1:01 pm)

Replying to: anythngbutgm (Jan 06, 2010 12:41 pm)
AT least a Corvette has the advantage of being a perfectly comfortable, and dare we say, even economical (!!) everyday driver. But a Viper owner often tires of the car if it's not being tracked. It beats you up.
 
Judging from the damage photos I see, I suspect what happens on a high powered RWD car without VSC is that someone charges too hard into a turn, panics, let's off the gas, and then you are rear-end-first into a tree.
 

#44 of 58 Re: Kelley Blue Book [anythngbutgm] by steve_ HOST

Jan 06, 2010 (1:04 pm)

Replying to: anythngbutgm (Jan 06, 2010 12:41 pm)
the thing felt like navigation a canoe, both of them.
 
In North America, that would be called a kayak. No visibility and you're sitting on the floor.
 
When I need a better look in my open canoe, I just stand up.
 
I'm still scratching my head over the VW resale values.

#45 of 58 Re: Kelley Blue Book [steve_] by tlong

Jan 06, 2010 (2:31 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Jan 06, 2010 1:04 pm)
I'm still scratching my head over the VW resale values.
 
Just as the Corvette is a cheap interior with good looks, handling, and power (a value proposition vs. Ferarri), VW is a less reliable vehicle with poor service experience that has Audi or Benz-like interior and European handling. Also a value proposition.

#46 of 58 Re: Kelley Blue Book [tlong] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 06, 2010 (3:07 pm)

Replying to: tlong (Jan 06, 2010 2:31 pm)
Yeah but VWs business model is slipping. A bad reliability rep will eventually give the advantage to your competitors.

#47 of 58 Re: Kelley Blue Book [Mr_Shiftright] by tlong

Jan 06, 2010 (4:58 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 06, 2010 3:07 pm)
Yeah but VWs business model is slipping. A bad reliability rep will eventually give the advantage to your competitors.
 
VWs sales are way down from 10 years ago. I think the bad rep is out there.
The people buying are those who love the cars so much they are willing to put up with the repair issues.
 
Just like those with Corvettes are willing to put up with the junky interior for the good looks and high power.
 
My theory is that a vehicle doesn't have to be perfect at everything to sell well. It just has to be really good at some thing. If you're not great at at least one thing you are toast:
 
1 - Looks
2 - Refinement
3 - Power (less important since most vehicles now have this in spades)
4 - Interior quality
5 - Utility
6 - Cost
7 - Reliability
8 - Handling
 
So Toyota is usually great in #2,7; poorest in #1,8, decent in others.
Honda is like Toyota - great in #7; a little less #2 but more #8.
VW is great in #4, #8, usually good in #1, 2, poorest in #7
Whereas much (not all) of GM vehicles were decent to very good in #6, but lousy in #s 2,4,7,8. Chrysler (at least their cars) don't excel in much of anything.
 
So there is your low resale - the the brands don't excel or stand for anything great.

#48 of 58 Re: Kelley Blue Book [tlong] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 06, 2010 (11:11 pm)

Replying to: tlong (Jan 06, 2010 4:58 pm)
There was a time maybe 20 years ago when GM struck out on all 8---now that's not easy to accomplish!
 
VW made its mark by marketing to young drivers---they did a great job of that.

Messages Page 5 of 6

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