Reply to "PANTERA MARKET ?"

I see one major problem with the Panera market.

The problem is that other makes and models are easier to place a value on. Panteras are one of the few cars (and I really can't think of any others) that can be heavily modified and supposedly not lose value. Other cars are valued based not only on condition, but also on originality. For instance, an original K-code Mustang GT Fastback will have an established value. Anyone with any sense will leave it original or restore it to original. A Shelby, Ferrari or Corvette is the same. When any of these cars is modified, the value typically drops. How much of a drop depends on the degree of the modifications and how easy and expensive they are to reverse. Organizations have sprung up around certain models for the purpose of rating a vehicle, tracing its history and by extension establishing its value. NCRS Top Flight Corvettes, the Shelby Registry, The K-Code Registry, PHS for Pontiacs all spring to mind.

The market has a tougher time with Panteras because there is no established benchmark for value. The low value placed on originality probably hurts the overall value of the car. No one can say what makes a $30K Pantera a $30K Pantera and a $50K Pantera a $50K Pantera. The market errs on the side of conservatism.

There are other problems too, like the respectability of the company (low), the perceptions of low build quality and poor engineering (whether deserved or not) and the flaky (my opinion) vendor network.

I don't see anything in the offing that is going to change this.

Just one man's opinion.