MARKET REVIEW
Alfa Romeo 1963-1992
The money being sought for early 105 Series Alfas has become extreme, so look to 1750/2000 GTVs for more realistic pricing. That said, $75K is still hefty for a 2.0-litre coupe and more than double the price you can expect to pay for the later, Alfetta-based GTV. GTV6 versions continue to gain value, although most remain on the lower side of $50,000. 2000 Spiders typically remain in the $35-50,000 bracket and only the early 1600 Duetto will get close to $100,000. Alfasud Ti and Sprint hatchbacks appear occasionally and good examples can cost $20,000. 75 Twin Spark sedans, despite some hefty asking prices, should be available for $15-18,000.
1600GT/GTV $101,495 [2] 1750/2000GTV $71,070 [14] GT/2000GTV 1976-86 $24,220 [7] GTV6 1982-87 $36,015 [7] 2000 Spider 1970-78 $40,000 [2] 2000 Spider 1979-90 $30,815 [4] 75 Twin Spark $22,165 [3] Sud/Sud TI/Sprint 1977-87 $21,665 [3]
Alfa Romeo 1993-2008
Alfa 33s and derivatives built during the 1980s-90s are becoming scarce. That said, the appeal of surviving cars remains strong and most, notably excepting the spirited 3.2-litre 156GTA, aren’t expensive. Late-series 159s can be found in tidy condition at less than $10,000, with 147GTAs and the 156 Twin Spark at $5000-7000. $10,000 would not long ago buy a late-1990s GTV but the money being sought now for coupes and Spiders (2.0-litre Twin Spark engine or 3.2 V6) is headed for $20,000. Better value would be a Brera V6 with 191kW and lots of goodies for $15,000.
33 1985-92 $10,595 [4] GTV Coupe/Spider 1997-03 $18,240 [19] 147GTA $6730 [18] 156 JTS/Twin Spark $5445 [21] 159 JTS 2005-08 $9565 [25] 164/166 $3250 [2] Brera V6 2006-08 $15,035 [11]
Aston Martin 1959-2006
The days of anyone on average wages being able to fund a DB-prefix Aston are long gone. Back in the 1990s, a decent DB6 would cost $50-60,000 but today that price-tag carries an extra zero. As for the DB5 with its 007 imagery, look at $1.5 million or more. The A-M to chase at present and which still sells for semi-sensible money is a DB7. Locally delivered cars that have been well maintained will cost $70-80,000, with private imports cheaper and the Drophead $20,000 more. If you can feed a V12, the Vantage/Vanquish duo sit at around $150,000. That’s a lot less than AMV8s from the 1970s which will soon be topping $250,000.
DB6 $795,000 [1] DBS6 $228,000 [1] V8/AM V8 $225,985 [3] DB7 Coupe $78,700 [5] DB7 Drophead $98,665 [6] DB9 Coupe $126,625 [4] Vantage/Vanquish V12 1997-03 $164,600 [5]
Audi 1992-2008
With pre-1995 cars already gone or on the brink of extinction, Audi fans need to consider 21st century models and the glut of cars in the $5000-20,000 price bracket. If you need a compact commuter car that’s a bit flash, lock onto an A3 at under $8000. For more space and the option of a convertible top, try an A4 Turbo Quattro at similar money. In the realms of luxury and performance, $20,000 will buy a bulky A8 or the nimble S4 which shares the A8’s 4.2-litre engine. For posing down at the beach, early TT coupes can cost less than $10,000, with late-model Cabriolets around $20,000. RS4 wagons are fast, exclusive and still $50,000 but for real rocket-ship looks and performance it must be an R8 at $100K+.
S3 Turbo 1999-04 $7365 [20] S4 4.2 $19,445 [10] A4 Turbo Quattro 1996-02 $7140 [14] A8 3.7/4.2 1995-03 $22,800 [14 RS4 2000-09 $55,875 [8] R8 2008-10 $123,270 [8] TT 1.8 1999-04 $13,290 [24] TT 3.2 2004-09 $22,830 [24]
Austin 1922-71
Look back a century and you find Austins that two people could carry away yet today cost more than a V8 Jaguar. The Austin Seven is quirky and lots have survived yet they still generate big money. Less expensive but similar in concept are 8/10 models from the 1930s and A30/A35s from the 1950s. Both are getting dearer but good ones can still be found below $10.000. The A40 Devon was once Australia’s best-selling car, so they survive in decent numbers and very good sedans cost less than $8000. Still inexplicably cheap at $4000-6000 are Austin 1800s but not so the elegant Princess limousine. Most of these are recent imports destined for the wedding car market and priced above $40,000.
Seven 1922-33 $22,960 [6] 8/10 1934-48 $13,000 [2] A30/A35 $11,655 [4] A40 Devon/Somerset $4690 [8] A50-A60 $5375 [4] 1800 Sedan $4835 [3] Princess Limo 1954-63 $41,500 [2]
Austin-Healey 1953-68
‘Big’ Healeys had their origins almost 70 years ago yet remain as attractive and popular as they were in the 1950s.
