Finally !!!!!

[harleysmom]

Today, I received a due date with days not just the month and year....Thanks to those who helped me understand this better. As one's due date draws near, Smart Car of America, narrows the due date down 9/01/08-12/01/08 which never appeared for me until today. Yeah!!

One question not pertaining the DDE subject, how many think this car will eventually become a collection since it is the first issued in the United States?.

[Kermit]

I get a mail order only magazine called "Auto Restorer" and so far in TWO issues they've mentioned the Smart as a "modern collectible" and "future collectible". They listed it on "Hagarty's Hot List" - The top 10 future collectible cars.

[Alan Smithee]

Collector's item? Nah...there have already been 15,000+ delivered in the US this year, along with hundreds of thousands in other countries.

[gstreetcomic]

I don't know about a collcetors item, but i will bet anyone this car will gain the status of the original Volkswagen Beetle as being americas lovable car. I as well think this car could possbily retain it's value for a good while.

[NCC1701]

I'm not a car expert. I do know a little bit about collectibles though. Normally, the word applies to a collection of similar items. Coins, stamps, thimbles, butterflies, sea shells, whatever.

Jay Leno and other well heeled people collect more expensive things, like cars. Whether an item gains VALUE as a collectible is (surprise) a matter of supply and demand.

98% of the coins in a Lincoln Memorial Cent collection are not worth much more than face value. Even though it may give the collector pleasure in completing the set it isn't a very expensive set to complete.

How many 2008 smarts will survive into antiquedom ... and how many people will desire one enough to pay a premium price for it? Suppy and demand.

People are paying a premium NOW, during the year of manufacture. The car will become more common over a period of years. But, there will never be any more 2008's manufactured. The number of survivors will dwindle steadily with time.

Does anyone have a crystal ball?

My 2¢

[jefferios]

Well possibly in 15-20 years like he says. Depends on how "Smart" does as a company here in USA.

[Sister Betty]

The 1965 Mustang is highly collectible and 559,451 were produced. Now, just hold on to your smart for 45 years....

Original price for a 1965 Mustang: $3,300
Price for one in good condition now (per ebay): $12,000

Price for a 2008 Smart: ~$15,000
Price in 2050: ~$50,000

Price for a gallon of premium unleaded in 2050: Sorry, too many people drove SUVS. No gas available. But, boy that Smart makes a great lawn ornament! (wink)

[Alan Smithee]

Most 40 year old cars in good condition sell for more than they did new. Whether they are worth more than they were new after adjusting for inflation is one way 'collectibility' is determined...

[Red_fortwo]

Originally Posted by Sister Betty

The 1965 Mustang is highly collectible and 559,451 were produced. Now, just hold on to your smart for 45 years....

Original price for a 1965 Mustang: $3,300
Price for one in good condition now (per ebay): $12,000

Price for a 2008 Smart: ~$15,000
Price in 2050: ~$50,000

Price for a gallon of premium unleaded in 2050: Sorry, too many people drove SUVS. No gas available. But, boy that Smart makes a great lawn ornament! (wink)

Unfortunately, inflation takes the wind out of that numeric difference. According to the CPI Inflation Calculator, (CPI Inflation Calculator) $3300 in 1965 is the equivalent of $23,043.85 in 2008 dollars. You've still lost VALUE on the vehicle. And who knows what inflation will be like between here and 2050? I intend to drive the wheels off the sucker and enjoy myself every inch of the way. There is no one more a slave to his classic car than the person who hides it away, lest something happen to devalue it. There is no one more extravagant with his classic car than he who uses it as a daily driver, upkeep and repair expenses be darned. It's not conspicuous consumption unless you are consuming it, conspicuously.