How do I increase the value of my truck???

[T-n-T]

I bought my '92 Ty in 1999 with 70,000 miles on it and I am the 3rd owner. She is still bone stock but now has 80,000 miles on her (I have a honda for a daily driver). I didn't really buy it as an "investment" but I didn't quite buy it to mod it either.

I've seen several schools of thought on this...
Will we see Syclones increase in value soon?
and
if you bought a high mileage ty, what would you do?
...but (1) I plan on keeping my truck and (2) would somehow like to increase the value of it. Thoughts? Ideas?

Tony

"Don't crush 'em, restore 'em!"

 

[tbauer03]

Just leave it bone stock.

 

[Wes]

Leave it stock and don't put any more miles on it.

 

[JSM]

Invite Paris Hilton over, and take some home video.

Honestly I don't see our trucks going up in value in next year or two at least.

At best they may level off.

If it is investment, sell it, take money put into bank, mutual fund, etc.

If toy, then just enjoy the hell out of it. Cheaper than golf, ok maybe not.

I don't even view my truck as an investment at all, as I would have spent the money elsewhere anyways. I do get a lot of enjoyment in return though, well ok up until 2 years ago. LOL

 

[T-n-T]

After I retire from the military (in 2 and a half years) I would like to get a high mileage Sy to turn into a beast, but didn't know if my 80,000 mile Ty is considered high mileage???

I agree I don't see the Ty's going up in value for quite some time, maybe the Sy's because there are fewer of them, but not the Ty's. Besides, I was always told that vehicles never really increase in value until they hit the 20 year old mark (I am curious to see what the GNX will do in '07 and the Turbo T/A will do in '09).

I would like to clean it up (ceramic coat the headers, calipers, drums, etc.) just because I have never even seen a pristine or original Sy/Ty, but would like to keep it as original as I can.

Tony

 

[spooldup]

There out there. Jimmy93ty's white one and syclone could be eaten off of and rick's ty is stock and everything in the bay has been chromed and/or coated.

 

[--SyTy Jim--]

There out there. Jimmy93ty's white one and syclone could be eaten off of and rick's ty is stock and everything in the bay has been chromed and/or coated.

..your right, they are out there. You just need to know where to look.

Jimmy


PS. Brian, I changed my SyTy.net screen name

 

[Captain Morgan]

I agree I don't see the Ty's going up in value for quite some time, maybe the Sy's because there are fewer of them, but not the Ty's.

When you're dealing with vehicles they only made for a few years and only made a few thousand of to begin with, the 1700 truck difference between the Sys and Tys isnt gonna make a huge impact in the value department. They will either both go up, both stay where they are or both go down.

I think its gonna take a lot more than 20 years for these vehicles to be looked at like we look at 70's muscle cars today for a number of reasons.

There were a lot of "special" and secret cars back then and they were WELL KNOWN, at least today.
Heck, I went to a Supra meet the other week and there were people there who never even heard of Syclone or Typhoons.
How many car shows do people go to and get asked about their body kit?
I was getting gas the other day and the dude though my Ty was a 2004 model.
People just dont know and its basically a buyers market and unfortunately the market doesnt know about these trucks like they do a Grand National or even the Lightning.

Its basically gotten to the point where people are too damn affraid of asking what they really want for their truck, mainly cause there is someone else who is willing to take a loss just to get rid of their truck thats just as nice. Either that, or there are just people out there like My1993Typhoon who just wont pay more than $9000 for a truck. and then bitches about it.

Personally, I bought my truck 4 years ago with 42,000 miles on it for $16,000. I have put 50,000 miles on it and more than a fair share of money and time into it and I can tell ya right now I wouldnt take anything less than $15,000 for it, I dont care what people think its worth.

These trucks like anything else in life, are what you make of them. There are very few vehicles out there than can be considered "investments" and can be resold like a house a few years down the line and actually make a profit. Thats just the way it is and probably the way it will be.

 

[midnightbluS10]

Like they always say....


It's only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. No matter how much YOU may think it's worth.

 

[Captain Morgan]

Like they always say....


It's only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. No matter how much YOU may think it's worth.

thats what "buyers market" means.

 

[BBW808]

I think GM could really help us out in this department, cause with the rumors floating about the canyon/colorado with a turbo that looks allmost factory... if they made another Syclone, that would do wonders to increase awareness and therefore interest, and then the corresponding ah-ha, remember the first one. That would be our biggest help in the short term. Otherwise, what Morgan said, stick it in the garage for 10 more years.

 

[T-n-T]

These trucks like anything else in life, are what you make of them.

Well put NJTy180,
But from what little I know about the Turbo T/A's there's about just over half of the original 1,555 left and I hear they are creeping up in value as we speak.

As for GM creating another Sy/Ty "type" truck I think it would only cheapen what we have... IMHO. Yeah it would increase awareness but anything less than a truck that decimates all others would tarnish the legend of the Sy/Ty's.

BTW, speaking of pristine engines I just wanted to nod to Richard Le...

Richard, you are my idol!

Tony

 

[bigtime]

It is going to take time, My Ty is only11 years old. I bought my 1971 challenger in 89 and the guy almost paid me for it. Now look junk ones go for over 10 grand. This is not a fast return type of investment. I believe use it, have a good time with it and don't do any irreversable mods and in 10 more years you will be suprised.

 

[Syclone#1992]

I think GM could really help us out in this department, cause with the rumors floating about the canyon/colorado with a turbo that looks allmost factory... if they made another Syclone, that would do wonders to increase awareness and therefore interest, and then the corresponding ah-ha, remember the first one. That would be our biggest help in the short term. Otherwise, what Morgan said, stick it in the garage for 10 more years.

This is kinda why I believe NATS need to have more publicity by GM and other media. We need to create and promote a market. I think we can all start by being more active in the community around us. As you see Morgan has created NASTE and Florida has created "FAST".

It would really help if we can find out how many Syclones are left, I believe there are probably only 1500 trucks left, if that. I totally agree you don't buy a car for an investment, because you will never get cash back out of it. Storage, maintence, and everything all adds up. So what I am saying, is it would be nice to see the market go up and the value to hold a decent figure, IMO SyTy's still compete with some $30,000+ cars, so I believe we deserve a little more.

 

[warmpancakes]

I agree with Bob about it taking time Im getting ready to fork over 15000 for a cude that needs major work (quarters,rear rails,floor pans,trunk floors and doors) but in 5-6 years these trucks will go up but thewye will probably be 25-30 trucks for the average truck, now unmolested extremely low mile documenter originals will be worth more.

 

[J_SULLIVAN]

Could there even be another "Syclone/Typhoon" namesake? Would it have to be called something else? Who owns the "rights" to the Sy/Ty names, GM or PAS via whomever purchased PAS??? I would think that only about 20% of the trucks out there would be considered investments... :-?

 

[NOJIMMY]

How do I increase value of my truck?

Answer (if you didnt buy a trailor queen, ya dont) ! :roll:
However,
I believe this thread has two parts: (1) will these vehicles increase in value, and
(2) how to make it so.

#1. Only a "few" SyTy`s are candidates for "collector" status.
-Prototypes, GM Mules, Marlboros, Pace Trucks, Special-Owner/Celebrity Vehicles etc
-Extremely low mileage, stored, highly documented, single owner vehicles
-Legendary Race Vehicles (restored, documented, and highly photo`d, as in Pikes Peak Sy)

Items "against" SyTy`s being "collectable" are:
-Lack of GM, PAS, Major Vendor, Major Car Club "backing/status"
(it is a recognized fact that GM still considers these vehicles to be a failure)
-High maintenance/repair costs; part number/equipment originality; documentation;
sloppy assembly/production; unreleased published factory specs; and lack of identifying
differences between 1991 Syclones (making a collector stand out from a average vehicle).
Even GTO "Judges" broke from the orange-only color to give owners choice/personalization
-Lack of Technical Expertise/friendliness in restoring/reconstruction, obtaining parts, etc

While this website (and linking sites) are valuable in attracting potential owners,
what hurts (in my opinion) is the lack of big name sponsors, big time events, prize money,
magazine/TV attention and a decreased performance focus as other brands make up ground
(dodge, ford, and maybe even suv`s such as porsche etc). 500hp production trucks/cars
are "ordinary" for 2004/2005. Watch what the Power Tour, Pump Nationals
Super Chevy, and Mopar Nationals do to be successful.

#2. Which leads me into "how-to" make it collectable.
-Advertise, promote, challenge other recognized vehicles (remember the Emich Dealership)
-sponsor a spokesperson/vehicle (at major events, thus drawing attention to make/model)
-SEMA and aftermarket development (drawing revenue, and parts availability)
-Magazine endorsement (reminding readers/viewers of "desireability)

Unfortunately, I dont see any of these happening. 20 years from now, some kid will
still be asking "how to tuneup; make boost/repair overboost; adjust-whatever"
because either its a stock vehicle (and fuel/vacuum/wastegate/IC pump problems), or its
modified vehicle (and its tranny/tranny mount, #1 Cyclinder, valveguide/piston/rod/motor mount
problems). People buying/selling at Barrett-Jackson Auctions dont buy "problem vehicles".

Summary: Either you love/like your truck (and dont care what others think/drive);
or you invest in pork bellies/art/steam engines (to possibly make money). But I
wouldn`t bet the farm that 20 years from now you can buy a house from storing/selling
a SyTy. And simple inflation/earning returns proves that "money" probably would have
earned more in intelligent 401K savings!

 

[Captain Morgan]

well, then the only thing left to do is make sure everyone elses gets stolen, wrecked, burned or blown up

when you have the only one left, it will be worth something :lol:

 

[J_SULLIVAN]

What if for example:

Jeremy goes out and buys a 1 owner Syclone #XXXX and it has 1K miles on it. I would be buying from the original owner that has had it stored/covered. Would the simple fact that I bought it, Syclone #XXXX changing hands, decrease the value? Even if I got all the original paperwork after purchase would it lose $$$ if it changes location/environment? Some many issues and who/whom or what would determine values, etc.?

 

[NOJIMMY]

What if for example:
-Jeremy buys a 1 owner Syclone with 1K miles
-purchased from the original owner that has had it stored/covered.
Would changing hands decrease the value? (even if I got all the original paperwork)

Answer:
Is Jay Leno or a celebrity the original owner?
Does signed/notorized documentation include :
-GM/Dealership Press Releases, factory build sheets (signed by workers)
-GM/Dealership invoices/records,
-GM maintenanace records, vin numbers, build "chalk" marks, equipment
-Customer order forms, receipts
-or contest/winner documentation (promotional material, Emich Test Race Results, etc)?????

Does vehicle have:
-original plastic (protection), covers, shippage stickers, etc
-no damages, marks, storage problems (leakages, varmit damage, moisture or condensation problems)?

If YES, the value will be retained! Otherwise
assuming you read my posting above and are still are wondering "how to make SyTy`s"
marketable: try making a movie/TV (it did wonders for the following):

-Route 66 (uh, way before most/all readers on this website) which made corvettes "cool"
-Dukes of Hazard (uh, the "general", or "general lee")
-Bullitt/Steve McQueen (mustang, charger and turtlenecks)
-Fast-n-Furious (NOS Imports)
-American Graffiti (yellow rods, 55 chevy)
-Nash Bridges (challenger/cuda)
-Two Lane BlackTop (way, way before your time) 55 Chevy & Street racing
-Gone in 60 Seconds (Eleanor/Nicolas Cage)
-Smokey and the Bandit, the Cannonball Run (Pontiac Trans Am with Burt Reynolds) & Knight Rider
-Eat My Dust with Ron Howard (Camaro)
-Christine with Keith Gordon (way cool
-Vanishing Point with Barry Newman
-Corvette Summer with Mark Hamill
-Aloha, Bobby & Rose (Mopar`s)
-Return to Macon County wit Nick Nolte (some Chevies)
-Death Race 2000 with Sylvester Stallone
-Batman with Michael Keaton (old Lincolns)
-Mad Max and the Interceptor!
-The Blues Brothers and old cop cars

Also a special mention to the above could be:
-the car chase in Ronin
-the freeway sequence in Matrix Reloaded.
-the James Brolin movie, The Car (1977)with some big black ugly possessed car
-the Burglars with crook Jean Paul Belmondo escaping in a Fiat through the streets of Algeria
chased by Sharif in an Opel
-the Italian Job with Ed Norton (and BMI Mini`s)
-the Rock with Connery/Cage and that Ferrari 360 Spider
-Bond's Aston Martin DB5 in Goldfinger and chase scene with a Mercedes-Benz 190S
-Driven (switches from indycars to indy lights in some race scenes).
-Starksy and Hutch (Ford)
-Austin Powers movies and lastly Duel with Dennis Weaver (if your into 18 wheelers)