Sales seem to have stalled

[Ashtons99]

A quick search on eBay brings up about 6 cars, all of which seem to have been for sale a while. What is it with these cars that makes it a feast or famine market. There’s the odd nutcase dealer who has obviously got caught trying to flip for a fortune but most seem realistically priced cars but no interest.

I’ve got to the stage with my car that I’ve had it a couple of years done virtually no miles but have quite a lot of money tied up in it. If I thought I could get my money back I may be tempted to sell but the time just doesn’t feel right.

The giddiness of buyers of 12 months ago seems to have died down, I just wonder what it is that drives the market with these cars.

 

[Paul Morris]

I think they’ve risen to a point where fewer people are willing/able to spend £6k-£8k. There’s quite a bit of competition at this price point and attention is still very much with the earlier generation 205’s and Williams’. If you look at these earlier cars they took a very long time to get above the £8k mark. Until they start ending up in auctions (not eBay!) I don’t think we’ll see much change. When the auction houses start showing an interest we’ll see some movement.


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[sj2112]

They have become to much imo, i was recently thinking of getting one, but opted for the lupo gti.

I love trophies but as above they have ballooned so much that you now have alot on money tied up in a 13 year old clio that you cant really enjoy should you see it as an investment, which imo only the very low mileage cars will appeal to buyers.

 

[Ashtons99]

Without doubt they are a good driving car, I question how much or if any better they are than the regular 182, certainly I couldn’t really split my Trophy and Cup on handling and in the end it would come down to driving ability. Without question they are very limited in numbers and no doubt therein lies the appeal. There can’t be many other manufacturers that can claim less than 500 of a production run within their range.
I’m more puzzled by what drives the buying interest in the cars, we seem to see swells of interest where the forum is full of “looking for a Trophy” posts to the current situation where the buyers seem to have cooled

 

[sj2112]

Without doubt they are a good driving car, I question how much or if any better they are than the regular 182, certainly I couldn’t really split my Trophy and Cup on handling and in the end it would come down to driving ability. Without question they are very limited in numbers and no doubt therein lies the appeal. There can’t be many other manufacturers that can claim less than 500 of a production run within their range.
I’m more puzzled by what drives the buying interest in the cars, we seem to see swells of interest where the forum is full of “looking for a Trophy” posts to the current situation where the buyers seem to have cooled

I do agree with you, obviously the media hype and harry metcalfe helped, but the people selling are not asking too much imo, im seeing all sorts from ropey ones still asking 6-7k to 12+k for some low mileage ones. I for one couldnt stomach spending that much on a trophy when you can pick up a regular 182 for peanuts, which you can enjoy without fear of depreciation

 

[Ian Highfield]

I will speak as one of those 'looking at the Trophy' rather than 'looking for a Trophy'.

I am confident I am 'different' to many of the owners here, starting with the fact I was born in the 1960s ! I have owned some enjoyable cars over the years, and have arrived at a point where I am looking for a car that can actually be used in the real world, including an option for a track day and longer stint to say Spa. Put in to context my 911 and Vantage, and they were simply not useable at even 25% of their capability if you want to keep your licence, and not be a danger to others.

Unless you invest wisely, they are expensive to own and run and doing say 2K miles in a year costs a real-world ££ per mile.

With something like the Trophy, you get a limited number, great handling car, and one that the media enthuse about to the point you feel you should at least experience one. It would make a great partner to my wife's 2010 Clio Sport 200 'Full Fat' Cup

I have also looked at the Clio V6 and Megane R26R options, but then you spend more capital and don't get a car that you can make any more real use of. They have the benefit also of limited numbers which are always an appeal though.

So yes I am interested in the Trophy, in no hurry, and find the current market one that throws up nothing too consistent in pricing, mileage, condition etc.

 

[Ashtons99]

Ian, dont be too surprised if you find these cars aren’t the preserve of the young lads. At a guess you’re a bit younger than me. I do agree that pound for pound they are good value. Even at the higher end of the pricing they represent fair value after all what do you get these days for £9k that delivers that sort of performance but Then age is against them (like us) I suppose it is easier to get a 3 yr PCP on a fiesta ST which blinds the Trophy in every way, warranty throughout ownership and hand it back when the time comes

 

[Titan]

It does seem to be a pecularity with the Trophy.

I think I remember around this time last year there seemed to be a real buzz around it,some quite low mileage examples were on the market.

Being highlighted in the motor g magazines will obviously keep it in people's mind but I can see most people looking for something small and fun also looking towards the Fiesta St and 208 Gti.

Once you see some Trophy's asking prices going north of 10k you have a lot more competition to compete against.
Much younger cars,more tunable possibly and better tech etc.

No doubt if you have a good Trophy you shouldn't loose too much plus it'll always put a smile on your face

 

[Ian Highfield]

And number 205 has just come on to Ebay today https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/302752676263 ... talk about buses

Spoilt for choice at the moment, but unsure what is driving it .... must have been ~20 different cars for sale in the past few weeks alone.

 

[JJ55]

Spring & warmer weather coming often seems to bring everything out of the woodwork. I've been eyeing 944's for months to get an idea of what things are actually selling for (can't afford one for another year!) & loads of new ones have come on in the last few weeks.

And yes many trophys recently too.

 

[Titan]

You expect the summer weather to help bring out convertibles but I guess it's pretty much the same for a lot of cars.

The good weather obviously puts people in the mood for selling and likewise,hopefully for buying

 

[sj2112]

And that shows my point, number 205. .. 126k miles and wants over 7k madness

 

[Ashtons99]

That will still be for sale come winter at that price !

 

[Paul Morris]

And another:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/123161700007


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[danterzza]

These cars are meant to be used. It’s a Clio at the end of the day. Mine is higher mileage so I use it as much as possible don’t see the point in having a car and not using it when you want as your scared of putting miles on it.

 

[Ian Highfield]

And another:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/123161700007


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£6500 with 91k miles and needs shocks doing. Better priced and will take an offer. Lots of work done in the owner thread on here. No spare weekends at the moment to take a look unfortunately.


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[JJ55]

One went on eBay today at £9500 with 100k miles. Had a lot of work done to it but not sure it'll sell at that price considering examples with way less miles sit in that bracket.

 

[dablk]

Just madness some of those. The real problem is I doubt many will be with “motivated to sell” sellers. They will be weekend/spare cars by now rather than dailies which need to be sold to fund a bigger family focus etc.

So they will be happy to sit.

 

[Mikeyjp]

Be lucky to get more that 5k for any trophy over 100k, only got 4.5k for mine and that was well looked after

 

[Ian Highfield]

Be lucky to get more that 5k for any trophy over 100k, only got 4.5k for mine and that was well looked after

When did you sell as market seems to have turned a little. I was going to pay £6250 for a good car with shocks and brakes all done and at 105k miles with lots of good history.

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