Do you think the gray market cars resale value is going to tank when the 2008

[Norahs_dad]

Do you think the gray market cars resale value is going to tank when the 2008

[Carnut]

My feeling is that they will tank to a premium of $5 over the cost of a new one throughout 2008. People will still pay a premium to get their hands on one, business people using it for promotions in particular.

[Lewis]

I think it all depends on how collectable the first generation becomes. Overseas they are everywhere but here they are pretty rare so in the USA they might end up being collectors items and hence somewhat valuable. They are quite different and somewhat more "pure" in concept than the one we'll be buying- hence the possibilty of collectability.

[Carnut]

Sorry that should be $5K not $5. LOL

[Fredvon4]

The 2008 North America import of an EPA and DOT approved Smart has already impacted Grey 2005/2006 450 conversions. I know of two owners who have already gotten disillusioned by this frustrating marketing scheme PAG is subjecting us all to. They went up to Dallas and drove home 2006 Smarts that day. $26 to $31 thousand is not a big deal to some impatient folks.

I know for a fact that there is ONE Grey Market Smart that did not sell because of the 08 451 NA version...coming some day

ME.... I am affluent enough to get top of the line Passion Cabrio with every option PAG will support ----- but I am not willing to pay $10,000 more for a two to three year old when for $19,000 +/- I can have a new zero mileage one by waiting a few months to a year. Saving $10,000 buys a LOT of patience grin

If the Grey marketeers are concerned, they should drop their price $5000 right now and the rest of thier inventory would be gone in two weeks!

I would tell PAG to kiss my fanny if I could get the Cabrio in Dallas tomorrow morning for $22~$24K

[SmartCard]

Originally Posted by Norahs_dad

Do you agree or disagree that gray market car prices are going to tank when the 2008 USA dealers are up and running?

sure, but only once there becomes 451 inventory to purchase. As long as it takes 6 - 12 months to get a new 451, the grey market prices will remain inflated.

[RLove]

I haven't ever understood people paying that much money for a gray market car - unusual or not. Since I don't see but the occassional Smart in the area, and it's certainly affluent enough that people can afford to buy what they want, (exotics are pretty common) I have to think that when the new Smart hits town and the original ones aren't so out of the ordinary, the value of those cars will drop to an appropriate price in comparison to the new cars.

So, the gray-market Smarts value will be calculated from a starting point equal to the newest cars - or a little less since they won't have the same features as the new design. Most people won't see the difference and crtainly won't pay a premium for an original/gray market - possibly significantly less.

[Lewis]

Originally Posted by SmartCard

sure, but only once there becomes 451 inventory to purchase. As long as it takes 6 - 12 months to get a new 451, the grey market prices will remain inflated.

As will the price of nearly new 451's that unscupulous people will resell for a quick profit to the impatient on line. I think the crazy ordering process PAG has installed is guaranteed to and is calculated to produce this result (like the first Mini Coopers) which will end up leaving a bad taste in everyone's mouth except for the greedy dealers and the guys who ordered early just to resell who are rubbing their hands anticipating a killing.

I think the first 451's will go for even more than the grey market cars because they'll have parts back up and a real warantee.

p.s. I hope I'm wrong in all of this!

[SmartBob]

My answer to the original question.... YES!

[Norahs_dad]

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