Re: [Chrysler300] Downside of 300 values

["Michael Reed" <mrreed@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

A lot of different factors are involved for each of us -- "different strokes for different folks", so to speak.

I bought my "F" 28 years ago, pretty much restored, for $6,700. I've maintained it well since. While it did sit in a museum from 1983 to 2004, since then I have put a lot of miles on it. I take it to shows so that 1) - I have a legitimate reason drive it; 2) - because I love driving it; 3) - because I like to talk to other car owners and spectators about it. I could care less if I win an award. Don't get me wrong, when the 300 does win an award I'm proud, but an award is at the bottom of the list for reasons to take the car to a show.

Granted, it's an expensive car to maintain (and restore -- these days). I see that as merely the price of the enjoyment. If I bought one today and it needed restoration (and I could afford it), I would have it restored as perfectly as possible, and then drive the daylights out of it for the rest of my life!

  Mike Reed
  Time Magazine's Man (aka "Person ") of the Year - 2006

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: mjraguse@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  To: mrreed@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ; crossram@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Cc: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Wednesday, December 20, 2006 8:47
  Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] Downside of 300 values


  In a message dated 12/20/2006 8:14:12 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
  mrreed@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
  I couldn't agree with John more! "Everyone...forgets what a pleasure it used 
  to be to just drive the damn things."

  Well, I don't agree....And I have a 57C and a 58D. And I also have a few 
  other AACA award winners. I only say that to establish the fact that I know what 
  it takes to make an award winner...And if you cannot recover the cost of a 
  restoration then it is only the love that carries you on to completion. We have 
  to be glad that a coupe can bring $70,000 or more because that is what it 
  costs. The chrome alone is 7,000 to 10,000. And the engine work is probably 5+K. 
  and the car if fairly decent is perhaps 20,000. Interior...5,000. Quality 
  metal work is how much? How about a show paint job. Now what is labor worth? Do 
  the math and selling a coupe for 70,000 to 80k is only keeping up with 
  restoration costs and inflation. But for those who still lament just wait...the age 
  bubble is only out about 10 years.. Then I guess you can start having fun 
  again. Nuff said! 

  [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



   

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]