[champagne612]

I think it's the best looking 4 door ever built.

The price is ridiculous - which is why they aren't selling.

I am pretty much stuck on a GTC Speed or SS - just waiting for them to drop or someone needs to dump one. Not overpaying and in no rush.

[rollsorferrari?]

Originally Posted by GuyIncognito

I think you need this gem. it's even brown, like a turd should be.

Well, the lime green lambos have been knocked off their ugliest color pedestal,

[a7xbass94]

Originally Posted by champagne612

I think it's the best looking 4 door ever built.

The price is ridiculous - which is why they aren't selling.

I am pretty much stuck on a GTC Speed or SS - just waiting for them to drop or someone needs to dump one. Not overpaying and in no rush.

Gotcha, that makes sense.

Originally Posted by rollsorferrari?

Well, the lime green lambos have been knocked off their ugliest color pedestal,

HUZZAH.

[GuyIncognito]

Originally Posted by champagne612

I think it's the best looking 4 door ever built.

The price is ridiculous - which is why they aren't selling.

I am pretty much stuck on a GTC Speed or SS - just waiting for them to drop or someone needs to dump one. Not overpaying and in no rush.

I think the Rapide is gorgeous but the price is insane. that's probably why I see soooo many butt ugly Panameras around town instead.

[Jeff Kennedy]

Originally Posted by GuyIncognito

I think you need this gem. it's even brown, like a turd should be.

Chas,

I was at the first showing of the Lagonda in LA at the Car Show. That would have been back around 1976. [This was the old show that was only imported and Rick McBride was one of the 2 organizers - lots of great show cars from the European circuit were brought in each year]

The Lagonda was stunning and such a complete break from what was then typical. Even the Maserati Medici that was a Giugaro cincept that would become the QP was tame in comparision. All of the car industry people took notice of the Lagonda.

Jeff

[rollsorferrari?]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kennedy

Chas,

I was at the first showing of the Lagonda in LA at the Car Show. That would have been back around 1976. [This was the old show that was only imported and Rick McBride was one of the 2 organizers - lots of great show cars from the European circuit were brought in each year]

The Lagonda was stunning and such a complete break from what was then typical. Even the Maserati Medici that was a Giugaro cincept that would become the QP was tame in comparision. All of the car industry people took notice of the Lagonda.

Jeff

Maybe it's because I was born in the late 80's and grew up in the 90's, but some cars just do not hold up well over the years. It's like disco music - some things just weren't meant to last,

The Rapide is a good looking car, but the class that it's trying to compete with is too stacked with cars that I think people would consider before the AM.

[champagne612]

Little tid bit on the Rapide.


Aston Martin took the option to end production by sub-contractor Magna Steyr in the middle of 2012, six years earlier than expected - talk about an oh crap moment!

Production was stopped temporarily in May 2011.

There is a diminishing market for luxury sedans, and to match output to shrinking sales - Aston Martin cut annual production from 2,000 to 1,250 in June 2011 - and may go as low as 500 annually.

If these cars can't sell on the showroom - impagine what they will be worth on the second go around which includes the FF.

[GuyIncognito]

Originally Posted by Jeff Kennedy

Chas,

I was at the first showing of the Lagonda in LA at the Car Show. That would have been back around 1976. [This was the old show that was only imported and Rick McBride was one of the 2 organizers - lots of great show cars from the European circuit were brought in each year]

The Lagonda was stunning and such a complete break from what was then typical. Even the Maserati Medici that was a Giugaro cincept that would become the QP was tame in comparision. All of the car industry people took notice of the Lagonda.

Jeff

I actually like the styling of the Lagonda, but not in brown and they're disasters to own. horrible electrics, everything is bespoke and there are no spares, etc.

funny story, I saw this AML for sale in a gas station parking lot in Beverly Hills some time ago. fast forward about a year, I'm at a friend's warehouse in OC (where he keeps his Enzo, CGT, Scud, 599, etc etc) and what's sitting in the corner...the same damn Lagonda! I laughed my ass off. he bought it as a project and it's being converted to run on natural gas. whatever floats his boat...

[rollsorferrari?]

Originally Posted by GuyIncognito

I actually like the styling of the Lagonda, but not in brown and they're disasters to own. horrible electrics, everything is bespoke and there are no spares, etc.

funny story, I saw this AML for sale in a gas station parking lot in Beverly Hills some time ago. fast forward about a year, I'm at a friend's warehouse in OC (where he keeps his Enzo, CGT, Scud, 599, etc etc) and what's sitting in the corner...the same damn Lagonda! I laughed my ass off. he bought it as a project and it's being converted to run on natural gas. whatever floats his boat...

Lol, an Enzo, CGT, Scud, 599, and a Lagonda - one of these things is not like the other,

[rollsorferrari?]

Not a convertible, but this color combo is interesting: Bentley : Continental GT SUPERSPORTS | eBay

Plus it's local!

[GuyIncognito]

Originally Posted by rollsorferrari?

Not a convertible, but this color combo is interesting: Bentley : Continental GT SUPERSPORTS | eBay

Plus it's local!

that's JPM's car, no?

[rollsorferrari?]

Originally Posted by GuyIncognito

that's JPM's car, no?

No idea honestly, but the color keeps growing on me.

Edit - Another F40 coming to town Doug? There may be 3 if I decide to make an offer on this bad boy: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1987-...item2ebfb28f48

[GuyIncognito]

Originally Posted by rollsorferrari?

No idea honestly, but the color keeps growing on me.

Edit - Another F40 coming to town Doug? There may be 3 if I decide to make an offer on this bad boy: Ferrari : Other F40 Tribute BEAUTIFUL! | eBay

that's a rare F40, not many have sunroofs.

[rollsorferrari?]

Originally Posted by GuyIncognito

that's a rare F40, not many have sunroofs.

As long as it was factory installed, I'm cool with it, the donkey enjoys fresh air when I'm driving him between shows

[champagne612]

Originally Posted by GuyIncognito

that's JPM's car, no?

Yes - downside is it's a 2 seater.

These cars are dropping hard - found one for 130k with 18k mileage.

[rollsorferrari?]

Originally Posted by champagne612

Yes - downside is it's a 2 seater.

These cars are dropping hard - found one for 130k with 18k mileage.

Forgot about the four seat rule. You, me, Chas, and the donkey?

The problem with the CGT's is the same issue Lambo and Ferrari have been battling with lately. Increased demand for their products means increased production, means many more available on the open market than in years past. It all started IMO with the introduction of the Gallardo, I don't know exact numbers, but Lamborghini probably increased their production by at least 5X introducing a new "introductory" model.

[champagne612]

Originally Posted by rollsorferrari?

Forgot about the four seat rule. You, me, Chas, and the donkey?

The problem with the CGT's is the same issue Lambo and Ferrari have been battling with lately. Increased demand for their products means increased production, means many more available on the open market than in years past. It all started IMO with the introduction of the Gallardo, I don't know exact numbers, but Lamborghini probably increased their production by at least 5X introducing a new "introductory" model.

The Big Boys are going after the high end market when the high end market is shrinking worldwide.

VW BMW Mercedes understand how to lease vs companies like Aston.

A lot of cars are going to auction.

Wanna make some big bucks - start a high end rental car company.

These cars can go 150k miles and will bring it 10X the rates.

[rollsorferrari?]

Originally Posted by champagne612

The Big Boys are going after the high end market when the high end market is shrinking worldwide.

VW BMW Mercedes understand how to lease vs companies like Aston.

A lot of cars are going to auction.

Wanna make some big bucks - start a high end rental car company.

These cars can go 150k miles and will bring it 10X the rates.

Is the market shrinking due to the economy, or due to the increased competition? Emerging markets, especially in Asia, has helped to drive sales of all luxury items - not just cars. Now everybody is jumping at the bit to tap that market - those that generally aren't hurt too badly during downturns.

Players that never really tapped into the high end market are going after it, Mercedes remaking the Maybach brand about 10 years ago, Lamborghini, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, AM, they're all putting out new models, and for the most part, if they kept them somewhat exclusive, they've been making a killing doing it.

[champagne612]

Originally Posted by rollsorferrari?

Is the market shrinking due to the economy, or due to the increased competition? Emerging markets, especially in Asia, has helped to drive sales of all luxury items - not just cars. Now everybody is jumping at the bit to tap that market - those that generally aren't hurt too badly during downturns.

Players that never really tapped into the high end market are going after it, Mercedes remaking the Maybach brand about 10 years ago, Lamborghini, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, AM, they're all putting out new models, and for the most part, if they kept them somewhat exclusive, they've been making a killing doing it.

I don't know what making a killing means - but I think you would be very surprised what real profits are in the high end market. Market share is what drives most car factories not profits.

The car industry went from 18 million to 10 million cars produced and is now back to 14 million and IMO on it's way to 16 million.

Car sales were consistent for 10 years within 5%.

Anyway don't kid yourself that the luxury market could not do the same - the world economy is shaky at best.

No one needs a luxury car - mindsets taxes change and it's all over.

[BKniep]

Rapide's biggest failing is a tiny (for the class) rear seat. In emergin markets, people want to be driven in their high end cars.

Just wait and buy used if you want one. In a couple years they'll be cheap as dirt. Maybe a Quattroporte used would be a smart buy. I keep getting tempted whenever the C63 feels too small. Then I go from 80-120 with NASCAR soundtrack and think twice.

CLS63 is pretty amazing set of wheels too.

Bill