When did old Renaults become so expensive?

[MrRegieRitmo]

What's the most you'd consider paying for an old car from an 'average' marque like Renault? Some of the prices I see are quite eye watering - is this a recent thing to demand big for them?

 

Of course, when we're talking about something like a mint 1960s R16 then I can kind of appreciate the price tag being well into 4 figures:

 

http://renaultccc.proboards.com/index.c ... thread=850

 

but it seems that this is now the case for anything old with a diamond badge?!

 

http://renaultccc.proboards.com/index.c ... hread=1098

 

http://renaultccc.proboards.com/index.c ... hread=1095

 

http://renaultccc.proboards.com/index.c ... hread=1068

 

This R10 sounds quite reasonable by comparison & is probably the most I'd expect a decent old Renault to command:

 

http://renaultccc.proboards.com/index.c ... hread=1097

 

This ad however is more like it:

 

http://renaultccc.proboards.com/index.c ... hread=1100

 

what happened to old Renaults being in this sort of price range?! I'm sure the change to big money has only happened within the past 5 years or so. Is this happening across the board with 70s/80s cars or is this a Renault thing? I haven't noticed other marques too much because I tend not to pay as much attention to them.

[MrRegieRitmo]

N.B. the combined cost of my 2 old Renaults was sub £300 !!

[dollywobbler]

Maybe I should have kept the 21... (increasingly starting to think so!)

[trigger]

That R10 doesn't seem bad, shame is not a R8 though, i find them much better looking, after seeing the grey 1964 one at a lot of the shows i go to i'd really fancy one like that.

[rocco1504]

I think part of the Problem is that "Classics" are no longer just the preserve of of slightly quirky characters who just fancy "something different" to mooch about in, and belong to specialised clubs.

 

The Dodge camper I was looking at is a case in point, it had No MOT, "Could" have been, and probably was as rotten as a peach, but it sold for £1200 outside ebay, to a lady who just bowled up with the readies, and I had been told to offer not over £900, by a long time member of the commer club, as it wouldn't be worth it over that.

Now it seems to me it is one of a couple of Scenarios, 1, it's a not very astute dealer, who's paid somewhat over the odds, as even the seller was amazed at that much.

2, it was someone's Mummy, who got it for their little johnny to mess about with, and it will probably pop up on ebay in another 6 - 12 months, once they're bored of it.

or lastly, it was a desperate would be owner who's been looking for one for months, and decided to pay over the odds or lose it.

Whatever, it seems owning a Classic has become the latest "Vogue" accessory, and dealers and sellers have become wise to it, it's a shame but it's happening, and it's making it difficult for those of us that can only afford to buy cheap

[nigel bickle]

Yes Reg-I've noticed that.

 

Its not just Renaults though -and its not just the Uk. There does seem to be a growing interest in ''quirky shite'' across northern Europe-and because there's now a limited amount-prices have climbed, often substantially.

 

However- there are still bargains out there.

 

If its old/weird you want -explore further afield. Shipping costs have dropped commensurately in the last year or so.

If its' European'make a break of it and drive it home. Simples.

 

If its 'value for money' you want -look to newer options. There are some unusual motors out there.

 

If it must be a Renault can I propose a Mk1 Twingo? Small, cheap, fun, quirky-and some are even available in the UK now.

[messerschmitt owner]

A DFS sofa costs £2000 - and yet a decent car with thousands of parts costs the same - even an old banger is worth a few hundred if you are prepared to part it out.

 

Gone are the days of £100 cars - they still exist but, it strikes me, that almost every car in the sub £750 bracket anywhere is shagged! £100 a few years ago isn't the same £100 today (two hours labour in a back street garage is £100 now) and overall secondhand cars are cheaper in the UK than anywhere else - so still bargains - it just takes a while to find them. Set your sights on a more recent, decent old banger type of car.

[dollywobbler]

I'm not sure it's all that much doom and gloom. I was driving to work in the BX today, feeling all smug about how much I didn't spend on buying it - £266 last September. The Renault 21 had a value that can be measured in loose change. For sure, there's a lot of real shit out there - always has been - but there are still genuine cheap cars too. You just need to sift through the chaff.

 

We've seen a Hyundai Pony on the Ebay thread quite recently that looked good and cheap. Thankfully there are people out there like me who'll spend a few hundred on buying a car, but then be prepared to spend to keep it healthy.

[AnthonyG]

Because there are very, very few left (particularly old Renaults, Fiats etc).

 

Because most UK people don't / won't buy abroad, even in France - in most other countries that are nearby (Ireland, Holland) classics are more expensive.

 

Because most buyers will pay £3000 for something thats in good condition and what they want, rather than £1000 for a tarted up wreck with issues, or £1500 for something that dosen't tick all the boxes.

 

Becuase money in the bank earns no interest and 'investing' is really 'gambling'.

 

These are all good reasons, there are others.

 

As NB says, think 80s/90s for bargains - 25s, 9/11s, early 19s, interesting 5s (Monacos, GTXs, 1.7 petrols), , Twingos, V6 Lagunas, Safranes etc.

[scooters]

Torsten and I were discussing this the other day - I think there is big demand for simple, quirky tin at the moment and as much of it dissolved demand has outstripped supply.

 

I'd love a Renner 4 but can't afford one - quirkyness and cheapness - look no further than a Daf.

 

I'm looking for a camper at the moment and had a punt on a ropey Fiat Amigo 900 van with no MOT or Tax and needing some fettling my palrty £1000 bid was knocked aside -

[garethj]

Owners’ Clubs always value cars higher too. It comes from talking to like minded people who love the marque, everyone tends to talk about its good qualities and the value gets lifted. Most of the one-marque forums do this I’ve noticed.

 

If you want something cheap, have a look on Volkszone for a bloke selling a Peugeot, or Land Rover Owners for someone selling a Ford. Ebay is quite level, but because they get so many people viewing, prices can run away upwards.

[FredTransit]

What about export? Simple, robust cars still have a good value in places like Africa, and they are getting fewer and fewer so the prices are going up.

[mouseflakes]

That R10 doesn't seem bad, shame is not a R8 though, i find them much better looking, after seeing the grey 1964 one at a lot of the shows i go to i'd really fancy one like that.

I ran an early round-eye 10 for years and always hankered after an 8 - they are much prettier as you say Trig. However - now I actually prefer the early 10 and would even consider another over an 8 if it was cheap. I've no idea why.

 

The 10 for sale does look good value, and in fairness to Speedway Rob (the guy selling most of those cars ^^) they are all very nice examples. He also seems to save quite a few cars (Mk 1 R12 estate is the latest I know of) and comes across a very active enthusiast, doing a lot to preserve old Renners.

 

In our realms (sub £500?) there does seem to be less about. Some of this could be down to older cars being more desirable now moderns are so DIY-unfriendly?

 

Big Volvos seem to remain super-cheap - I'm quite tempted to get a 700/900 estate in the near future.

 

The R5 you linked to looks good value Reg, as does this R25 (£495) - I'm not sure if it is still available (ad is from June) but must worth a try? Perhaps I should give them a call?

 

[Negative Creep]

That white 5 is awesomely miserable. I think I spend too much time on here as that got the biggest reaction out of any of them

[Espacetic]

As I said in another post, there seemed to be an abundance of cars around 10 years old that could be had for £100 or less. Those days are long gone.

 

I have a theory about the latest price increases though.

Obviously, the scrappage scheme drove prices up and took a lot of servicable tat off the streets and created a tat shortage. That isn't it though.

Those of us born between the mid 60's and mid to late 70's are now in our 40's. 40's normally means you have family, mortgage, job, responsibilities, hassle, divorce etc so these people start to remember when life was more simple and fun - childhood. Regardless if you love cars, they are an icon of your childhood and the biggest one is your dads car. Memories of trips to the seaside, going out for drives in the country, picnics etc come flooding back and you hanker after that slice of life. But lots of peoples dads owned a MK1 Escort, Viva, Avenger etc so they're all bidding against each other in their desperation to get it, thus pushing prices up. Notice it's what was classed as bread and butter cars going up in price? Then you have people cashing in on this stupidity, setting high prices and pushing the value back through the ceiling. Before we know it, it's going to go back to the late 80's where people were paying £10k for a rusty, bodged Minor and £15k for a sherpa soft top.

[MrRegieRitmo]

Hmmm nice price, but looks much better on one side than the other & had to be held in place to stop it rolling out of the picture so obviously a dodgy handbrake as well!

 

http://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/81372151.htm?ca=12_s

[Mr Lobster]

Older Renaults have been getting steadily more expensive for the last few years. The rubbish ones have mainly been scrapped meaning that theres only decent stuff left, Mk1 R5s are now really scarce which is a great pity as I'd really like another. Same with R4s - values have gone up considerably to the point where finding a good one for under £1k is virtually impossible.

 

If you want a cheap, older Renault then I'd suggest looking at the more unloved '80's stuff which is still reasonably cheap - Super5, R9/11, R21 although finding good ones isn't easy by any means.

 

If it must be a Renault can I propose a Mk1 Twingo? Small, cheap, fun, quirky-and some are even available in the UK now.

YES. I'm really wanting another Twingo at the moment and they won't get any cheaper than they are now.

[VWPowered]

even fuego's, 14's etc etc are going up here too, 504's are very hard to find dirt cheap unless its a basketcase

[Polystratus]

Mk1 R5s are now really scarce which is a great pity as I'd really like another. Same with R4s - values have gone up considerably to the point where finding a good one for under £1k is virtually impossible.

 

YES. I'm really wanting another Twingo at the moment and they won't get any cheaper than they are now.

 

I wanted a Mk1 R5 but only found grotty examples that really needed a lot of work on them, ended up with a 2CV and I was lucky to get that for the price I'd paid for it.

[Tayne]

.

[25v6turbo]

I sold my mint 25 v6 Turbo for £3000...

I swear the Renaults that are going to go up if in excellent condition are..

Safranes(SERIOUSLY)yes i know i own a mint V6,but finding a top notch example is near impossible...

Vel satis and Avantime

But there seems to be a fair few of the latter still around

my bets(and i do know a liitle as i,ve worked for Renault for 20 plus years)is buy an excellent Safrane IF you can find one.

[sporty-shite]

I keep hearing that any "classic" in good/excellent order is worth a considerable premium over anything in slightly ropey (ie Autoshite) condition.

 

To me, the expensive ones above are in particularly good order, and probably worth near enough what they're asking.

 

Just my two pennorth!

[reallyloud]

This has happened to a lot of 70's Japanese cars, the numbers have to near extinction before the values start picking up - I guess nostalgia, demand and a lack of survivors has a lot to do with it. I recall a lot of people driving Renaults when I was young - they were certainly one of the biggests importers for years.

[Rocket88]

There is still a lot out there that's criminally under valued. Rover P6 / Triumph 2000 range / Scimitars / Merc W124 / old 7 series Beemers / etc etc.

[MrRegieRitmo]

I sold my mint 25 v6 Turbo for £3000...

I swear the Renaults that are going to go up if in excellent condition are..

Safranes(SERIOUSLY)yes i know i own a mint V6,but finding a top notch example is near impossible...

Vel satis and Avantime

But there seems to be a fair few of the latter still around

my bets(and i do know a liitle as i,ve worked for Renault for 20 plus years)is buy an excellent Safrane IF you can find one.

So we're not talking about cars that were necessarily successful when new spawning fond memories & nostalgia causing price inflation, we're just talking about rarity = £'s?? Therefore the rarest & most unsuccessful cars out there will be worth the most?! (in that case I could do alright for myself then)

[Mr Lobster]

So we're not talking about cars that were necessarily successful when new spawning fond memories & nostalgia causing price inflation, we're just talking about rarity = £'s?? Therefore the rarest & most unsuccessful cars out there will be worth the most?! (in that case I could do alright for myself then)

Sort of although if you look at old Renaults then the stuff that tends to be more expensive are R16s, R4s and to a lesser extent R5s which were the most popular of the range at the time. Other 'less popular' models seem not to have picked up in price quite as much although everything is getting more expensive.

 

Anyway, thats decided it, I shall have to find an early Twingo. Should be alright for classic insurance now I'd imagine

[AnthonyG]

There is still a lot out there that's criminally under valued. Rover P6 / Triumph 2000 range / Scimitars / Merc W124 / old 7 series Beemers / etc etc.

Most of these are still easy to get hold of - apart from maybe 7 series BMWs.

 

High survival rate often means lower values, MGB GTs aren't really worth that much compared with their rarer competitors - like the GT6 for instance.

[mouseflakes]

I sold my mint 25 v6 Turbo...

Wanna buy it back?

 

Go on.

 

[VWPowered]

thats a very very cool number plate, would look the bouncing boobies over here OUI 25/YES 25

[25v6turbo]

Yep its for sale,hes kept it 3 months i think max,i thought he was going to look after it for years...

top money though?