Will AU XR8 220's be a collectable car.

[290GTP]

I know AU XR8 220's are highly revered around here, but im wondering if anyone sees them as a future collectable car? Does anyone know how many were built, (& how many exist now?) especially manuals?

The reason i'm asking is because i'm considering selling mine & moving on to something else as its now 10 years old with 180000 on the clock & it could do with having a few dollars chucked at it, mainly on the cosmetic side of things.

Problem is i love driving it & mechanically its like new, the motor is super-strong, the box shifts great & even the diff doesnt whine. Plus the fact that values on these things seem so low at the moment that its hardly even worth selling.

So i guess my question is, is it worth spending the money to bring the car up to scratch then keep it, hoping one day it maybe worth its true value or flog it now & move on. Difficult question i know but im bored at the moment & i value everyones opinion.

Cheers

Steve

[crakrz]

I don't think they will be a collectable, it will be just really hard to find a good example in a few years. I hope i'm completely wrong though, as I own one too.

[mik]

just my opinion, i don`t think so , more desireable yes, but more the special models like te50 i reckon will be though. i have been eyeing the xr8`s among others for a while(miss my v8) the 220`s do seem too sell a little faster but don`t seem to command much of a price increase,
there have been some nice ones with large prices on them , and they just have`nt had a bid, for the average punter if you bring the price up and it`s suddenly in the b series boss 260kw price range , most would go the latter i think.

[Cúl-Báire]

I think the T series will be eventually and while I think the AU XR8 will be remembered as an iconic car I don't think it will ever be a "collectable".

[Kryton]

even if they were ever to be collectable, with 180000km on it - yours wont be.

[DJM83]

Only AU's to be collectable in my eyes are T Series, that said i think the 220 XR8's will be sought after as after that they were quite bland.
After owning a TE id be happy to own a 220, everytime i see one i think id be happy with one of those IMO its a timeless design with one of if not the best sounding V8's ever.
My opinion, KEEP IT.

[CRAIGAU3220]

I think there were just 350 S3 220 manuals made and to some degree the OP answered his own question..............for what they now fetch price wise if you enjoy the drive why would you sell?

Mines collectible................I ain't ever going to sell it!!!!

[290GTP]

I wouldnt sell yours either Craig. Awesome!!

[JTFG]

keep it and enjoy it!

[Day-mow]

i think a fully optioned low Km immaculate 220. might be worth some $$$$ in 10-20 yrs when all the others are trashed.

[Polyal]

I think the value of Tickford cars in general might surprise people in a few years time. As T Series become harder to get parts for etc, this in turn will pull XR8/XR6's up aswell. We are not talking mega dollars though.

[T3man]

Don't worry about future values for a minute; for the price they are bringing right now what could you buy that will give you the same driving pleasure?

Also:- this is a car you KNOW - what will you know about a newey? And:- you KNOW how much you need to spend to bring yours back to a good standard - what about the car you might buy?

Mate, just keep it, fix it up, enjoy the driving pleasure for another 10 years, then see what it's value might be. I reckon you (and a few others) might be surprised.

[b2tf]

I dont think theyll be collectable but they will be the models that people who know a bit about these cars will seek out, kind of like the EL2 XR8's.

[Whoosha]

All cars will be collectible eventually it just depends on how long you have left on this planet and if your next of kin can wait .. as for the poor old AU XR 8 while desirable, in another 30 years is a long term investment with poor return mine should see me out, but I will go with a smile on my face and some one else can wonder weather to restore it or junk it having said that I still cringe on what I let go in the last 15 years ..XY K code ute $1200 couldn't be bothered fixing it .. K code Fairlane $1000 drive away no more to pay 1 owner XE manual Spak $2000 Theres the problem... can you let go 15 years on ? .

[raised by monkeys]

long answer, no.

[Polyal]

Care to give us a short explanation Monkey?

[Sox]

With a doubt they'll eventually be collectable.
They moderately sought after right now.

Give them another 10 years and they'll be worth somewhat more than they are now.

[yearby]

I remember XP coupes that you could not give away at $800, XA superbirds at $4000 that you could not give away. The same to with the Au 220kw cars, there is a point where you can't give them away, the bottom of the curve so to speak.
It's the youth who could not afford the cars when new, they will buy when they themselves have reached financial maturity, so I guess it will be some time yet!

[DaveTE]

Just keep it. The car is better than the price you can sell it for. I'm just about to give mine a cosmetic makeover and fix a few little things for preventative measures. The war of atrition will sort most of them out. Being crashed, broken and worn out over time. The lower KM ones later on maybe worth something when us guys retire and want to remember the cars from way back in 2001-2002.

[FreddyDUZ747]

Originally Posted by davway

even if they were ever to be collectable, with 180000km on it - yours wont be.

e

Always the optimist.you are so negative.

[Sox]

Originally Posted by davway

even if they were ever to be collectable, with 180000km on it - yours wont be.

Actually, it doesn't usually matter what condition collectable items are worth, they are still just as collectable.
The only difference is they obviously aren't worth as much as mint condition items. But they're still worth a considerable amount compared to the equivalent garden variety items.

[AU Mont]

AU's will never be collectable

the horrible styling perception has haunted them from day one.

The VT SS was a much more well accepted car, yet they arent & wont be worth anything either

[SSD-85]

By the time that the 220s become collectable, anything with a Petrol V8 in it will be collectable.

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by AU Mont

AU's will never be collectable

the horrible styling perception has haunted them from day one.

The VT SS was a much more well accepted car, yet they arent & wont be worth anything either

Not being biased, but if that tragic scenario you just told is anything to go by, in actual fact, that is what would make the AU collectable. The VT was the logical move forward for the common whore... and just that, another common whore. However, the AU was hated for its asthetic appearance, and that is what would make it a collectable, if anything. Its driveability would not see it as collectable, which is the most attractive part of the AU for most AU owners.

But the 220 xr8, or any AU besides a t-series will not be a collectable.

[svo supporter]

Originally Posted by davway

even if they were ever to be collectable, with 180000km on it - yours wont be.

Not now, but 30 years time the tide will change.

So the answer for the OP. Yes they will be, but the question begs, how long do you really want to keep it?

[AU Mont]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

But the 220 xr8, or any AU besides a t-series will not be a collectable.

apart from the stroked engine from the T3 series, what makes these such a legendary car?

[Polyal]

I think people are getting confused with collect ability and appreciation perhaps.

People collect stamps FFS, the Tickford saga is pretty unique and the only thing people seem to have against them is styling, and generally its the sheep that bring this up as there is nothing else to knock the AU on.

Im sure if you asked people back in the 80's how much they think a XY GT would be worth they would have put you in an asylum.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by AU Mont

apart from the stroked engine from the T3 series, what makes these such a legendary car?

Do you live under a rock? But this thread isnt about the credibility of the T Series also no one said legendary we are talking collectable.

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by AU Mont

apart from the stroked engine from the T3 series, what makes these such a legendary car?

wow...

[Scaffy]

It's amazing how much of a difference in attitude 30kw makes. 220 owners seem so down to earth! Haha