The past year or so... I've noticed an onslaught of cars going up for sale in California. They are all older cars, sometimes project cars, but cars that would normally command totally insane prices anywhere else in the world... but in California, these cars are selling for peanuts.
Like, there's a pristine 1987 Jaguar XJ6 that is selling right now for $400... by the time you read this, it'll probably already have sold. It's not running great, but the body is absolutely pristine... the interior as well. Looks like it just rolled out of the dealership in 1987. https://www.ebay.com/itm/167611057818
There's other cars too... both my 84 Corvette, and the 07 GXP Solstice that we bought were from California. I got an 07 GXP Solstice, running just fine... but a few little stupid things wrong with it, for $3,500 bucks. On eBay right now, there's not a Solstice selling for less than $8,500, and it's clapped out. There's one selling for $3,300 but it has major body damage and has no title.
I don't get it. Is there something going on in California that is causing a mass exodus of all these cars? I don't want this to delve into politics... but just curious if it has something to do with these cars not able to be re-registered because of emissions or something?
The only real issue is that for every car I've bought from California... it's cost me anywhere from $1,100 to $1,500 in shipping fees. Other than that, bringing them into Florida is absurdly cheap. I pay a tax on what I paid for it... which is maybe a couple hundred, and then registration is like $100 bucks for two years.
Honestly, I have no idea of what's happening in CA but I suspect their effort to go green may have something to do with it. Read recently the cost of living (including utilities) is becoming a huge burden in that state. Is it possible folks are giving up their dream vehicles to maintain their life style?
The past year or so... I've noticed an onslaught of cars going up for sale in California. They are all older cars, sometimes project cars, but cars that would normally command totally insane prices anywhere else in the world... but in California, these cars are selling for peanuts.
Like, there's a pristine 1987 Jaguar XJ6 that is selling right now for $400... by the time you read this, it'll probably already have sold. It's not running great, but the body is absolutely pristine... the interior as well. Looks like it just rolled out of the dealership in 1987. https://www.ebay.com/itm/167611057818
There's other cars too... both my 84 Corvette, and the 07 GXP Solstice that we bought were from California. I got an 07 GXP Solstice, running just fine... but a few little stupid things wrong with it, for $3,500 bucks. On eBay right now, there's not a Solstice selling for less than $8,500, and it's clapped out. There's one selling for $3,300 but it has major body damage and has no title.
I don't get it. Is there something going on in California that is causing a mass exodus of all these cars? I don't want this to delve into politics... but just curious if it has something to do with these cars not able to be re-registered because of emissions or something?
The only real issue is that for every car I've bought from California... it's cost me anywhere from $1,100 to $1,500 in shipping fees. Other than that, bringing them into Florida is absurdly cheap. I pay a tax on what I paid for it... which is maybe a couple hundred, and then registration is like $100 bucks for two years.
Few reasons. 1) It is California, there is no shortage of old or fun vehicles to be had. More supply than demand. 2) Many in the state are selling because they are getting ready to move out of state. 3) Fear of the state banning them. Just a few years ago they would not renew tags for any big rigs older than 2016. The real reason for the back log at the ports. 4)Those interested in these vehicles are aging out. 5) The stupid high cost of living in that state limits the play funds to restore or maintain them. 6) mass lay offs will make for a fire sale of not needed items and one of the first things to go are the hobby car. 7) many might be flood units, yes some areas of the state flood.
Mostly those interest in them are getting old. The youth that like cars rather have a 300 h/p turbo four they can drive daily and rack up 210k miles on it over a old car that no one stocks parts locally for anymore.
Lately, the same reasons sedans and coupe body styles are all but dead in the new vehicle market place, it holds true with the hobby vehicles.
I know a few that can't leave the state anytime soon and are afriad of playing hot potato with a item the leadership might ban from the road making it worthless. So getting out before the bottom falls out.
[This message has been edited by 1987RedFiero (edited 07-03-2025).]
Most of the cars mentioned above are 80’s cars and IMO, this group is the hardest to get past smog. In order for 80’s cars to pass Ca. stringent & comprehensive smog test, the drivetrain needs to be in tip top condition, (fresh tune-up, egr valve, 02 sensors and cat, Evap system integrity, charcoal canister, vacuum line integrity, timing set right, no SES light, etc.) otherwise you risk failing and your car being labeled a gross polluter. Most of the people that own the 80’s cars mentioned above are probably not DIY mechanics so they simply don’t have the funds to keep them in tip top condition when they know they’re going to have to face this every two years. These people end up making the decision to “cut your losses” and move on to something newer. Kit
P.S. As for newer cars like the 07 Solstice, I’m at a loss as to why their resale would get that low here, especially since they have 3 things going for them: It’s kind of rare now, it’s a convertible and being in Ca. it won’t have rust issues.
[This message has been edited by Kitskaboodle (edited 07-03-2025).]
California is peak idiocy. The most efficient car is the one that you already have. Think of everything that goes into a new car. How many miles and miles of wire must be produced and shipped. Every cap, seal, and the ink that colors the label needs to be produced and shipped somewhere and used. Then that piece needs to be shipped somewhere else and put on the assembly line. That's just the wire and the oil cap! Not even to mention the engine, transmission, tires, seats...it's insane. How is that more efficient than the car that's already been built 25+ years ago that needs a bit of work to keep it running and out of the crusher?
Thanks guys... I guess the question was a little rhetorical, but I needed to hear it none the less. It's insane to me. I'm wondering how much of it is also just people aging out and the new generation lacking interest?
I'm even seeing immaculate vintage TransAms selling for 4 digit prices.
I remember about 10-12 years ago... showroom quality C3s were selling for over 100k. VW Busses were selling for 50k+, with some splitties selling for upwards of 100k. All of these cars now are peanuts. I saw a 1977 Chevrolet Corvette... banana yellow, perfect... immaculate interior... usual 350 in it... selling on the side of the road for $3,500 when we were driving through Florida from Tallahassee to Tampa (and that's in Florida).
