Turning 20....

[vacuman]

In the two years I've been a ZTT owner and a member on here I must say it seems that the number of 75/ZT's reaching end of life (being offered for spares/repairs or broken up by existing owners) seems to be rapidly increasing.

It does seem that there's a point for most cars when the oldest in the range reach the 20yr point that the perceived value of 'average' examples is at it's lowest and therefore 'beyond economic repair' is for many a simple decision.

So in terms of a value chart I would argue we are now at the bottom of the bathtub curve for many 75/ZT models and, only for the more desirable,starting on the way up again. Certainly from the prices now asked for the best examples of ZT/ZTTs lately the prices are higher than I was seeing in 2016 when I first started looking.

As an example, older desirable British volume build cars (such as 70's & 80's Fords) the prices really soared once the oldest models reached 25 years for the best ones (think Escort Mexico, Lotus Cortina etc.) and then 30 years for anything with a pulse.

However, with new pressure to kill off internal combustion engined cars in the future our cars may find it harder to reach true classic status (with values to match), possibly not helped because from what I can see the average age of ownership is the wrong side of 50 already. Will younger generations feel the same passion and create the demand ?

[MSS]

I agree - the upper limit for a well looked after car is going to be around 20 years. For those not cherished by their owners, more likely 15-16 years.

My target for our Omega estate was 20 years, which will be achieved this coming September. I reackon I will easily get another 2-3 years from it beyond that and then it will be time to send it to its final resting place.

My target for the 75's is also 20 years.

I have to say that ordinary old cars don't really have any value to me. It would have to be an XKR or something similar for me to consider holding onto it as a classic beyond its initial useful life.

[minty2]

I think the unavailability of essential parts will be the death of the model, but provided there is a good balance of cars still on the road or being recycled for parts, that terrible day is still some way off. I've just got through another MoT with my 18 year old R75 2.5L auto tourer with no advisories, but that's after four years of mindful restoration and upgrading where desirable with used and new parts and of course the help of enthusiasts on this forum (Big Russ in particular). I'll be undersealing the car in time for next winter and buying a couple of restored VIZ motors as spares, while I await the possible gizmo add-on that should make them unnecessary. Belts will be changed next year and barring manifold failures and accidents etc, I intend keeping and using my lovely white gold aubergine-leather trim car for the foreseeable future!

Originally Posted by vacuman

In the two years I've been a ZTT owner and a member on here I must say it seems that the number of 75/ZT's reaching end of life (being offered for spares/repairs or broken up by existing owners) seems to be rapidly increasing.

It does seem that there's a point for most cars when the oldest in the range reach the 20yr point that the perceived value of 'average' examples is at it's lowest and therefore 'beyond economic repair' is for many a simple decision.

So in terms of a value chart I would argue we are now at the bottom of the bathtub curve for many 75/ZT models and, only for the more desirable,starting on the way up again. Certainly from the prices now asked for the best examples of ZT/ZTTs lately the prices are higher than I was seeing in 2016 when I first started looking.

As an example, older desirable British volume build cars (such as 70's & 80's Fords) the prices really soared once the oldest models reached 25 years for the best ones (think Escort Mexico, Lotus Cortina etc.) and then 30 years for anything with a pulse.

However, with new pressure to kill off internal combustion engined cars in the future our cars may find it harder to reach true classic status (with values to match), possibly not helped because from what I can see the average age of ownership is the wrong side of 50 already. Will younger generations feel the same passion and create the demand ?

[Mike Trident]

I think if the younger generation of car lovers still exists in years to come, it's unlikely they will be looking for a Rover 75!

From my experience, people tend to look for things that they remember or perhaps owned when they were young. Again this would rule out the 75. More likely they would have owned an MG ZR or ZS if they had anything British.

It was only today that I mentioned to my wife that the 75 is getting to be a rarer sight on the roads. When I bought mine 2 years ago there were still quite a lot around in my area, not now!

[bl52krz]

Well, if it’s anything to go by, my car will be with me either, until I pop my clogs, that’s a long way off I hope at 79 going on 28, or until I can no longer drive because of health reasons. So my car hopefully because if it wants anything, it gets it, will be around a long time yet. Who knows it may even attain classic status, properly.

[Raspberrycai]

Originally Posted by Mike Trident

I think if the younger generation of car lovers still exists in years to come, it's unlikely they will be looking for a Rover 75!

From my experience, people tend to look for things that they remember or perhaps owned when they were young. Again this would rule out the 75. More likely they would have owned an MG ZR or ZS if they had anything British.

I do generally agree with you - It's unlikely the younger generation will be looking for a 75.
I'm not sure exactly how desirable the 75 will be in the future. By all means it's a great car, but will it evoke a sense of nostalgia for younger people in a few decades? I'm not too sure it will. Perhaps a few people will buy them because their parents or grandparents had one, but i'm unsure.
There's still a fair few left, and a surprisingly large owners club when compared to models like the S type and X type Jag, so I think it will be more collectible than those in the future. I do think that prices are definitely slowly rising though - a few years ago they hit rock bottom, now they seem to be increasing.

I think the main reason for the price rises is that they're very good, reliable, comfortable vehicles, and not because of any collectability right now. I still don't think that you can beat the value for money of the 75, and spares are still readily available, but only time will tell.

I'm keeping mine as long as I can though. My car will hopefully be on the road far longer than most new cars being made today.

[BoroRover]

Jasper is 17, I fully intend to still have him when he's 20, with a bit of luck and idiot drivers allowing.

[Dorchester2]

Lady Carlotta will be 20 1st July next.
I'm hoping & wishing her 10 birthdays more to come and to my good self as well but one month earlier!

[COLVERT]

Quote.--By Mike Trident.

From my experience, people tend to look for things that they remember or perhaps owned when they were young. Again this would rule out the 75. More likely they would have owned an MG ZR or ZS if they had anything British

I went to have a look at one of the cars that I owned and sold for £400.00 in around 1970.

As per the DVLA it still exists.

The average asking price for an identical model is -----------





£99,000-----






E-TYPE Jaguar.----

[Dorchester2]

Originally Posted by COLVERT

I went to have a look at one of the cars that I owned and sold for £400.00 in around 1970.
As per the DVLA it still exists.
The average asking price for an identical model is -----------
£99,000-----
E-TYPE Jaguar.----

Conclusion?
Do keep your MG / Rovers with TLC...