[scottg61376]

All, looking to purchase a 2014 i8 with low miles (<3000) as a long term collector investment. Have come across one with low miles, however it was involved in a "minor" accident. I received the details today from the dealer (this is a CPO vehicle) and the total was $22K to repair (vast majority was in parts). Mostly cosmetic stuff, with the exception of the head light assemblies and radiator. Car was hit while on the dealer's lot by an employee when the vehicle was parked.

I'm telling myself I should just walk away, but it checks all of the boxes, and I'm told that since the car is Carbon Fiber that is why it was so crazy to fix.

Does this make sense and would love people's opinions on walking away or getting a great deal.

[Coastali8]

What’s the asking price?

[Maxxsirrah]

I would suggest that if you're buying as an investment you want the cleanest example you can possibly find with no issues in its history imho.

[zorgzx]

No go. If you plan to drive it and have a cheap expensive car. Smart move.

To put away.. not so much.
1: Noone knows when the prices bottom out and start rising. Even a stupidly cheap car can wind up being overtaken by depreciation. So if you dont have it for fun, could be bad investment.
2: Most investors down the line will only pay top dollar for a mint undamaged example, so the value is allways going to be lesser for that car.
3: It's a hybrid, so the tech gets old quick.

My 2 cents. Get a 911 of some sort.

[NGR]

If the damage was just in the front, there wouldn't be any carbon fibre to repair as it's all aluminium and polycarbonate up front.

Headlights alone are in the thousands as is the hood/bonnet - it's easy to get a 20k repair bill !

[sppr]

I happen to be quite experienced with investing. I can confidently tell you that it's definitely not a good idea to buy as an investment, if that's all you want it for. Anything that has an engine is by default a bad investment. It's a much much better investment to put that money on an index fund and let it grow.

You may get super lucky and the i8 somehow becomes a collector's item in 20 years. However, this is similar to winning the lottery (or buying bitcoin :P) (Also, 22k enters what i would call major "pocket" damage territory)

Unless you get the car for like 20-30k, I would certainly walk away regardless of investing potential.

[scottg61376]

Thanks all appreciate the perspectives. The car has only 412 miles on it (2014 model), this the temptation. I do believe that these will be the next Z8 in about a decade, so am still interested in pursuing an i8, but a better car suited for my intent.

[Marc45]

Having had a number of sports cars since the early 90s, I'd say it's more a matter of luck than anything. The NSX I sold in 2005 would go for twice as much now. Others would have kept depreciating. It's hard to know what's going to be great nostalgia and what's going to be an old car.

A non-critical bit of damage history can get you a great deal. Years ago I bought a V10 R8 with very minor damage history but still damage history and saved at least 20%.

Good luck

[scottg61376]

Yeah the dealer is still ridiculously high on the car with an ask still greater than $83K!!

[sppr]

Originally Posted by scottg61376

Yeah the dealer is still ridiculously high on the car with an ask still greater than $83K!!

What ?? They are asking you for $83k on a $22k damaged car and you are still thinking about it ????

Why ?? Because of mileage? How do you even know that the number is legit ? A 5 year car with only 412 miles doesn't sound phishy to you at all ? I mean, what did they do with it, totalled it right after it was bought ?

You can get a 2015 i8 with like 15k miles for 65-70k these days. I am really really not seeing why you would drop your money into the ocean for this.

Also, remember, the car may turn out to be the next Z8 in 10 years(although it's highly unlikely), but it's just the i8 today and fair price is what i mention above. No need to massively overpay when the market is flooded.

[scottg61376]

Sorry to confuse, this is their asking price and not what I would have actually offered to pay. The car was sold to the dealer in April of last year with just under 400 miles. The dealer in May had an employee hit the car while on the lot at the dealership (it was parked). Car wasn’t totaled and all of the damage was to the body work + radiator + headlights.

Ultimately decided against and bought a ‘15 with 3000 miles today.

Thanks for the comments and feedback...our BMW family grows!

[OrmondBMW]

Originally Posted by scottg61376

Sorry to confuse, this is their asking price and not what I would have actually offered to pay. The car was sold to the dealer in April of last year with just under 400 miles. The dealer in May had an employee hit the car while on the lot at the dealership (it was parked). Car wasn’t totaled and all of the damage was to the body work + radiator + headlights.

Ultimately decided against and bought a ‘15 with 3000 miles today.

Thanks for the comments and feedback...our BMW family grows!

Wise move. Enjoy this awesomely unique car. One of the few BMW's that truly tug at the heartstrings every time you drive it.

[sppr]

Originally Posted by OrmondBMW

Wise move. Enjoy this awesomely unique car. One of the few BMW's that truly tug at the heartstrings every time you drive it.

i second that. Very wise choice.

[pontiacp]

Yes, you could try to buy a 2014 i8 as an investment if you think it's worth it. But my opinion is a bit different. I don't think that investments in cars are so profitable. You should invest in a lot of cars to get good capital. My views on investments are different. Better to invest in crypto or stocks. Some time ago, I started investing in real estate, where I got a small capital, and now I started trading, and I see a huge difference. You can get much more money from trading than from investing in real estate or cars. All you have to do is learn how to use an fx economic calendar, and that's it; the profit will be on your side.