quote:Originally posted by Joe6pack:
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.
Interesting points that you are making here, but what and who is there to stop us as Pantera owners from setting bench marks and values for the cars? I have a good friend that is into the old two seat Ford Thunderbirds and is also considered an expert (within their club) on the model. It seems that he has told me that in their group, not all upgrades to the car are considered bad and reduce the value.
I am sure that if we as owners continue to bash our own cars, then the automotive public will continue a dim view of the car, which in many cases they have. There are Pantera vendors that may be questionable as to the service and products that they provide us, but that is also true of other speciality vendors that deal with other makes of rare cars. There are also Pantera vendors that provide with good parts and service, so I don't think that everything is that bad. You can also still get a lot of the parts for these cars and that has to be a plus considering the age and limited production of the Pantera.
I am just as guilty as a lot of owners that have told people about the design problems with the Pantera and the upgrades that I have had to do to my car. Perhaps we are our own worst enemy when it comes to pointing out the problems with the Pantera.