98 CE Value

L

LLT

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Hello folks. As a point of curiosity, what would you expect a 98 CE in pristine condition to be worth? I've seen one on Auto Trader with 218 miles for $35,500 -- I realize no matter how you spin that, that's...... a lot. Beyond that one, there's another in particular that I'm pretty confident that I'm going to buy... less than 20,000 miles, showroom condition, no issues whatsoever. Do you think it would be wise for sub $20k?

The car has special meaning to me and the seller seems to be a great guy. Really, I just want to ensure I'm not making an emotionally driven mistake. On the one hand, you can't put a price on sentiment. On the other, these cars aren't worth anything to non Mark nuts like ourselves.

Reassurance or reality check, please? :D

Thank you!
 
Ask yourself:

If this was a game show, would I rather have $20K behind door #1, or the 98 CE behind door #2...?

If you pick door #1, then the CE isn't worth it. Vice versa if you pick door #2.
 
Sounds like you're looking for some validation on a decision that you've already made.
If you want it and it's going to make you happy, then it's nobody else's business what you paid for it.
You're either going to hear "go for it" or "forget it" from this group and you don't know us well enough to know who to listen to.
Do what you want to and the hell with everyone else. If you get it..enjoy it! We'll look forward to seeing it.
 
Having owned 3 98 CE's my feeling is that no, it isnt worth it. If you bought a new Hundai, and put 30k miles on it and the same on the CE, which would be worth more? Probably the Hundai, however the Hundai has an entirely different statment to make. If you are sure that that is what you want and would be willing to drive the value out of it, by all means get the CE. My 1st CE had 150k mi on it for $2700. The 2nd 130k for $3000, and the 3rd less than 70k for $5700. I sold the 1st two for very small profit after getting the air ride and struts right and a very good detail. The 3rd one has cost me quite a bit more to bring up to speed but I intend to drive it for at least 18 months. Then I will be looking for another very low mile CE.
Seems to me that if you do a search in the for sale forum here and mark8.org there was a guy in So Cal that had a white one that had less than 30K that he was asking 12k for. Is the difference in price worth 10K miles? I dont think so, but again thats up to you.
 
All you need to do is go to KBB or any other used car price guide and insert the car of your dreams to see what is practical and what is not.

But if you plan on keeping it for the longhaul, you can likely justify almost any price you can afford, especially given the fact you will be driving what you really want under your terms.
 
Don't let anyone scare you off. The $5000 CEs with 100k+ miles are in very poor shape, if you compare them to the well cared 20k mile cars or even higher mileage cars that were treated as what the are ... CEs. The same people in this very thread were telling me I was out of my mind when I posted my 90k miles CE for sale @$18k. Yet, it has sold without any issues. There was more than enough interest in it too.

If I were still playing the m8 game, I wouldn't hesitate picking up a 20k mile CE for around $20k. They're worth it, not only to you ;)
 
Thanks for the replies, guys.

The book value is the part I'm struggling with. On PAPER, the cars are worth nothing. In reality, to those who truly appreciate them and don't just beat on them (not aimed at anyone or intended to offend... I've just looked at and driven many over the years and have witnessed what people do to them) -- they're priceless.

I've been looking at cars for investment as well. The "book value" on an 80's F-Body as a loose example, is nothing... have you seen what one in pristine condition with low miles actually sells for though?

That may be an apples and oranges comparison, but I have little doubt as people continue to buy up Marks and drive them til the wheels fall off, pristine low-mileage ones will only increase in sentiment and value. I just can't decide where that line is. :)

As an aside, I would not be purchasing it as a daily driver. It would be a garage-kept vehicle, driven occasionally in only perfect conditions.

Thanks again for the insight... I particularly like the game show idea. :)
 
Mad1stGen said:
Don't let anyone scare you off. The $5000 CEs with 100k+ miles are in very poor shape, if you compare them to the well cared 20k mile cars or even higher mileage cars that were treated as what the are ... CEs. The same people in this very thread were telling me I was out of my mind when I posted my 90k miles CE for sale @$18k. Yet, it has sold without any issues. There was more than enough interest in it too.

If I were still playing the m8 game, I wouldn't hesitate picking up a 20k mile CE for around $20k. They're worth it, not only to you ;)
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But lets remember your CE wasn't an average 90k CE mechanically or physically. Without those mods it wouldn't be an 18k car....such a sexy car ::thinks back to the pics::
 
I sold a 1998 Mark VIII that was flawless with 49k miles for 7000... that was last year.. and it took me 2 months...

Sure it wasn't a CE but there isn't anything that special about a CE anyways... just the wooden steering wheel and shift knob. I am sure you can get a much better aftermarket steering wheel made as well as a shift knob screw it onto a regular low mileage mark VIII and put the other 10,000 you saved into the bank.
 
I've given it more thought and I've looked at well over 50 marks over the past couple of years, at least half of which were "pristine" or "flawless" according to the owner or dealer. I'm very, very anal retentive and picky and I've found only two of them actually "pristine" and suffice to say, the owners knew what they had and they were priced accordingly.

As my wife has said, I've found one after an exhaustive search that appears to be perfect (by my standards) and has a meaning to me which few understand. That in itself has proven priceless to me, so I think I'm going for it.

I appreciate all of the answers. It's interesting to see the difference in opinions.

I'll post some pics as soon as it's a "done deal!"

By the way.... In regards to:

there isn't anything that special about a CE anyways... just the wooden steering wheel and shift knob. I am sure you can get a much better aftermarket steering wheel made as well as a shift knob screw it onto a regular low mileage mark VIII and put the other 10,000 you saved into the bank.
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the "isn't anything special" mentality works out well for me. People buying them, abusing them and cycling them like Honda Civics only helps to make the CE a true Collector's Car. Pretty soon, there will only be a handful left worth looking at (hopefully my new one to be included) and there will always be someone like me who appreciates the true history, innovation and design that went into the Mark VIII willing to pay a premium for a TRUE CE. No doubt, I'll have to sit on it for some time before that day comes, but it will. No harm, no foul... I truly love the MK8, I'm not sure I'd ever get rid of it.
 
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LLT said:
the "isn't anything special" mentality works out well for me. People buying them, abusing them and cycling them like Honda Civics only helps to make the CE a true Collector's Car. Pretty soon, there will only be a handful left worth looking at (hopefully my new one to be included) and there will always be someone like me who appreciates the true history, innovation and design that went into the Mark VIII willing to pay a premium for a TRUE CE. No doubt, I'll have to sit on it for some time before that day comes, but it will. No harm, no foul... I truly love the MK8, I'm not sure I'd ever get rid of it.
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If you want a more rare and more collectible Mark VIII than the CE, try to find a Spring edition for less than $40k...
 
I have been watching auto trader, craigs list, and a couple other sites 4-5 times each day for the last 2 1/2 years. I have seen really nice appearing Spring Features selling all across the board in price. Almost every used Mark I have looked at needs something. Very few meet the standard of "collector car". I know the three CE's I have owned didnt/dont. The one I have now is the nicest of the three, but I am still looking for "The One". Maybe I'll find it one day, maybe not. Keep in mind, I am hampered a bit by budget being on social security.
 
Maybe you should consider Moose? http://dftowel.com/lscsale/index.html
MooseCarlisle.jpg
 
whiplash15 said:
I have been watching auto trader, craigs list, and a couple other sites 4-5 times each day for the last 2 1/2 years. I have seen really nice appearing Spring Features selling all across the board in price. Almost every used Mark I have looked at needs something. Very few meet the standard of "collector car". I know the three CE's I have owned didnt/dont. The one I have now is the nicest of the three, but I am still looking for "The One". Maybe I'll find it one day, maybe not. Keep in mind, I am hampered a bit by budget being on social security.
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You know where I'm coming from then. I'm pretty sure I could navigate auto trader in my sleep (I may have done so!) Nearly every Mark I've looked at needs something too... even the one with 218 miles for $35,500 makes me a bit nervous. Seals, fluids, etc... that's not a lot of exercising of core components. Awesome car either way.

LeoC2 said:
Maybe you should consider Moose? http://dftowel.com/lscsale/index.html
MooseCarlisle.jpg
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What a BEAUTIFUL car, LeoC2. You've done a great job keeping it up. All hail Zaino! Why on earth would you want to part wth that? :)
 
LLT said:
...What a BEAUTIFUL car, LeoC2. You've done a great job keeping it up. All hail Zaino! Why on earth would you want to part wth that? :)
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Time for new adventures and a daily driver I don't have to fret over so much. Funny thing, today Moose was at a LM dealer for the cruise recall and it sure generated some looks! The parts guy came out and he remembered seeing Moose at the indoor show at Carlisle in 2005.
 
I was forced to get rid of my '98 in 2000 (new business, new marriage, new baby not too long after -- you know the drill) and literally, not a month has passed since where I haven't regretted it. Since then, I've had Escalades (new and old style), Lexus, BMW, LS, and many more. I sold all of them within a matter of months because nothing (in my opinion) matches the Mark. Again, I realize on paper it doesn't mean much, but I've been through them all - it certainly means something to me.

Not trying to talk you out of it... but that is a beautiful car, I know I would regret getting rid of it. I certainly understand your daily driver concern though. That's too nice of a car to keep up with as a DD.

Best of luck either way. Had I not finalized the CE, I'd definitely want to speak further.

Take care.
 
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