Thank You Marquis!
That was the most informative explanation I've read on this forum.
I have an 88 Maclaren,
VIN 1 FABP40E8JF204167
White - Blue Rag Top - 58K miles
I'd say it a B on your list, I drive it a couple times a week. I'd like to sell it but don't want to go thru the E-baby BS and I'm in no big hurry. I live in Southern Oregon. Interested parties can E me or call 541-469-4380
Thanx,
Jim Klahr
>From: Marquis Grove
>Reply-To: ascmclaren@yahoogroups.com
>To: ascmclaren@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: Re: [ASC McLaren ] Looking for McLaren
>Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2002 04:02:30 -0800 (PST)
>
>Hi Eyes
>
>Let me take a shot at this...
>
>The McLaren is certainly a unique car, with limited production numbers and unique body styling to
>give it a plus feature in the visual category.
>
>The main strength of the McLaren Mustang is the fact that the vehicle is based on the 5.0 ( 302
>cubic inch ) high output Ford engine and transmissions. As such the vehicle has a guaranteed and
>ready supply of autoparts well into the future. Unlike for example a vehicle like a Jaguar
>convertible whose body parts and mechanical parts demand top dollar at present and for which the
>future availability of parts will diminish over the years.
>
>The McLaren Mustang can be taken to the local Pep Boys or the local Ford dealership for mechanical
>repairs. In short there will always be parts for this car and people who can readily and cheaply
>work on them.
>
>The weak point of the McLaren Mustang is that 'from the factory' they were designed for 'looks'
>rather then performance. The McLaren is a looker, as compared to a Saleen or Roush that have
>performance enhancements that give them more power over the stock McLaren or stock Mustang models
>of the same years.
>
>That having been said, the auctions on eBay are not necessarily an indicator of whether the market
>for McLaren's is soft or strong. On one hand the 'better' examples of McLaren's do not usually
>end up trading on eBay - which in many cases is used as a resource of last resort to sell off a
>McLaren. The higher end McLaren's make their appearances in AutoTrader.com and in higher prestige
>publications like the Dupont registry.
>
>Secondly, with regards to the eBay auctions, you must appreciate that the majority of buyers on
>eBay are 'looking for a bargain'. As such they are notoriously CHEAP - or looking to 'get
>something for nothing'. These are the same circus clowns that post $1000 bids on 2002 model
>cars.
>
>Thirdly, many of the bargain hunters seeking out a 'Mustang convertible' simply do not appreciate
>the difference in original cost or the styling difference between a McLaren Mustang and an LX or
>GT standard issue Mustang convertible. As such, when bidding and given the opportunity to acquire
>a 'convertible' on eBay they are not really interested in the distinction between the two cars -
>their motivation is to simply get the 'most car for the least dollars'
>
>Now let us put this in the perspective of the standard eBay buyer who is seeking out a summer
>convertible.... in the model years of the McLaren there are basically three types of rag tops
>that they will be looking at :
>
>a) the LX convertible - which was the entry or cheapest level - and may have a 4 or 8 cylinder
>engine or
>
>b) the GT convertible - which was the upgraded level and would definitely have a V8 engine or
>
>c) the McLaren Mustang - which was the limited edition or top of the family in the convertibles.
>
>Now... assuming that three identical mileage and condition vehicles of the A, B and C category
>appear on eBay. If you could obtain any of the above vehicles for $5000 - you would obviously
>opt for the C - as it is the limited edition vehicle and had the highest initial cost when first
>sold by the dealership. This is simply getting the most bang for your buck.
>
>Now... assuming that three identical mileage and condition vehicles of the A, B and C category
>appear on eBay again. In normal auction circumstance the A vehicle being originally the cheapest
>from the factory will go for a lesser dollar then the B - which from the factory was worth more to
>begin with. In turn the B vehicle will go for a lesser dollar then the C - which from the
>factory was worth more to begin with.
>
>This having been said, the bargain hunters will always opt for price and that would eliminate the
>McLaren from being sold on eBay at top dollar. However, that is not to say that a 'mint' and low
>mileage McLaren would not find top dollar on eBay given the right circumstances. But the fact
>that eBayers are notoriously cheap and seeking bargains distorts the view of the market for these
>vehicles.
>
>In our little McLaren family... we have three classes of McLarens. The road pig, the daily
>drivers and the jewels.
>
>The 'road pigs' are those McLarens that were abused to hell or simply used to hell with litle care
>or regard to their long term preservation. These vehicles USUALLY show up on eBay - as the avenue
>of last recourse to unload them.... which is where I picked up mine ;). These are the lowest cost
>entry McLarens. Not really suitable for restoration up to concours level - but definitely a
>reasonable entry vehicle where a limited investment can rejuvenate the vehicle to a level where it
>is eye candy to look at and be fully enjoyed in its usage.
>
>The 'daily drivers' are those McLarens that have been fully enjoyed, racking up high miles, and
>for which the owners took some level of pride in maintaining the vehicle mechanically and
>physically. These represent the mid cost entry McLarens. They appreciably take less dollars to
>rejuvenate and are highly suitable for use as a daily driver in the loving hands of the next
>owned. These vehicles have the opportunity to be readily restored up to a concours level - but
>nonetheless the high mileage will always be held against them and prejudice their ability to ever
>fetch the top dollar ( or even recover the money that was invested in them to bring them up to the
>concours level ).
>
>The 'jewel' level are those McLarens that have been painstakingly cared for over the years and
>have very very low mileage. These represent the high end cost in the McLaren family and fetch
>the top dollar when being bought and sold. The vehicle owned by Sandy would be a good example of
>this class of McLaren - ultra low mileage and extremely well maintained and stored - suitable for
>musuem display. This is probably the only McLaren that should be looked at for INVESTMENT
>purposes - as the limited production of the original run of vehicles, combined with the
>diminishing number of vehicles in such condition ensures they will fetch top dollar when they are
>resold.
>
>Now let us roll all this information back into responding specifically to what you stated your
>requirements are for a car : "I would like something that will increase in value"
>
>You did not state whether you planned to USE the car and enjoy it. This will obviously affect the
>answer to your question.
>
>If you plan to USE the vehicle - then you should be looking at the B category of vehicles. As
>such you would be able to drive around, enjoy the car and at the time you go to sell the car it
>may be possible that the cars value will have either maintained its original cost or even gone up
>slightly.
>
>If you plan to NOT USE the vehicle then you should be looking at the C category of vehicles. As
>such you would be pretty confident that the McLaren you have stored away safely in some warehouse
>will be steadily increasing over the years - like money in a bank account. A top level C class
>vehicle would be considered a fairly safe investment.
>
>But I should buffer my comments with something my 'daddy' told me a long time ago - cars don't
>make money they take money. In some cases and with a careful decision you might strike upon the
>rare combinations of a vehicle that give it an inherent value that can only rise over the coming
>years. In the best of cases you might end up with a vehicle that appreciates at a respectable
>level - even while you are driving and enjoying it. I think given my little tale so far, you can
>see how the A, B and C level cars cover each of those niches or requirements.
>
>So is the market soft for McLarens ? No. I think you have just been watching the A level road
>pigs duking it out in the auctions with Mustang LX and GT convertibles - and the perspective of
>seeing bargain hunters looking for a deal.
>
>So what is the best year for the McLaren's ? I believe that our illustrious leader Sandy would
>be better positioned to answer that. But for myself, I have a leaning toward the higher
>production model year of 1988 - where there were the most cars made.
>
>But look at the McLaren's in two distinctive groups / and possibly three. You have a major
>distinction between the pre-1987 McLarens and the the post-1987 McLarens.
>
>You also have a major distinction between the Mustang McLaren's and the Capri McLarens. Although
>my Capri McLaren brothers may not agree with me, I believe the market is SOFTER for the Capri
>McLaren's then the Mustang McLarens. This is simply a reflection of the discrimination that
>occured in the marketplace between the two marques. If the Capri from 'Mercury' had been as
>popular as the Mustang from Ford ( in the eyes of the general population ) then there would still
>have been a Capri in the Mercury product line up. Instead it died and transitioned to a totally
>different vehicle.
>
>The post-1987 McLaren's were based on the 'FOX' body Mustangs. As such there is a religious,
>almost CULT clique of fanatics devoted to the FOX body Mustangs. This fantatism is the reason why
>there are so many secondary and repro manufacturers providing standard parts and upgrade
>performance parts for the 1987 to 1993 Mustangs. As such the McLaren's from 1987 to 1990 benefit
>from this large selection and availability of competively priced parts.
>
>Oh well... those are thoughts off the top of my head. Not bad for a fast pass draft. Hopefully
>I have given you some insight into what I saw in the McLaren when I made the choice. I had
>weighed going back to the TR6 from Triumph to get my convertible kicks ( a vehicle that I had
>previously owned a number of ) - but the economics of the McLaren over the Triumph made the choice
>a no brainer... the McLaren is a distinctive looking vehicle, with great eye appeal, limited
>production, easy availability of parts and with a good forcast for future parts availability.
>Having the cult status of being based on a Mustang FOX body also helps to ensure interest in this
>limited production vehicle for years to come.
>
>Best wishes
>
>Marq
>http://www.snpx.com/mclaren <- my McLaren going from 'road pig' to 'the daily driver level' ;)
>
>
>
>--- "alligatoreyes_2000 " wrote:
> > Gentlemen(and Ladies also),
> >
> > I have been following auctions on eBay and checking out the various
> > on-line vehicle sales sites for a short while now as I am considering
> > the purchase of one of these as a daily driver.
> >
> > It seems to me that the market for the McLaren is quite soft. Can
> > someone explain this: as these cars are certainly unique and
> > relatively rare? While I'm not looking for a "collector" per se I
> > would like something that will increase in value. I feel that these
> > cars fit this profile but am interested in the lack of market demand.
> >
> > Can anyone offer an explanation? And if I might also ask the best
> > year to purchase from a relability standpoint.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Eyes
> >
> >
>
>
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