Does anyone here have a ballpark idea what a 96 S-281 speedster (supercharged) with 5k actual miles in mint condition is worth? I know someone selling this car and it's absolutely beautiful! Thanks guys! Randy
It's tough to say. If the car is perfect, I can see someone paying 20k for it. Otherwise high teens otherwise. That's giving the guy a few extra bucks for spending the money on the aftermarket blower since they did not come from Saleen blown in 96. The exception was ordering the option and having the selling Ford dealer install it. Crap shoot for sure.
Yeah, it was a dealer installed option sold to the original owner (saw the paperwork). absolutely immaculate car to be sure but methinks a bit overpriced based upon what I am seeing. they are asking 25K.
paid low 20's for mine three years ago...quite a few more mods as well as the dealer installed SC & a few more miles never have really thought twice about it..don't ever really plan on selling it, I may have paid a little more than maybe I had too, but I have completely enjoyed the car and that's what counts!!! Negotiate it to what you feel like is a fair deal and if the seller will do it great...otherwise move on just my .02
It is a supply and demand market. It is getting to the point in today's market where if you really want it - pay up. A Hemi Cuda Convertible only costed $6000 back in 1970 - and now sells for 2.5 million as that is what buyers are WILLING to pay. Is the car worth it - NO! At least not to me. One cannot compare a 96 Speedster S281 to a Hemi Convertible, but the S351's have huge potential and will help keep the S281 cars higher than they most likey should be. That being said, the previous point holds water. If you really want this car, buy it as you will be the owner and the driver. If you cannot afford it, keep looking in hopes to find another one. If you are looking to buy this car in hopes to sell it a few months or years down the road for the same type of money - you will have to wait and find the buyer who thinks it is worth it. Look at all of the benefits this car holds and make your decision. I would have to say the unfortunate part about this car is the supercharger as when one of these are installed on a factory engine that does not contain forged internals - it is a ticking time bomb. The engine could ignite tomorrow or in 4 years - there are just no guarantees.
Is this the car that is currently listed on eBay? What Marcus & World of Wheels said. You can check the NADA collector car price guide for a ballpark idea of Saleen Mustang resale values. That is what I used a year ago when I purchased my original owner, <5000 mile Saleen Cobra Speedster. Just a couple of months later another Saleen Cobra Speedster with about a thousand more miles sold for $10K more than what I paid for mine. So it just goes to show; a car is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
I buy cars all day long as a used car manager of a new car dealership.... simply put....you buy it for what you feel is fair and what the seller will let it go for!! That's what determines the "book value" in this case. as said in more than one post before this...what value will it bring to your personal life and enjoyment.....who knows, you have to experience that.. if you're looking for investment purposes only, that's a different story.... but it really boils down to what someone will pay and what someone will take in trade ($$$$$) NO MATTER WHAT
It's not on ebay, it's for sale locally at a mustang shop on a consignment deal. It's a super sharp car and it's tempting but I'd have to part with my 4 eye car to do it. Seeing as I'm kind of attached to Fox cars, I don't think I can do it!
Good choice Randy, I couldn't and wouldn't get rid of my Fox either!!! I told my wife that she'll have to pry it out of my dead fingers! Now if that car was a Cobra Saleen or an S-351 I'd have to think real hard! See Ya Bill
i dunno, i can see ridding of a fox for a 99+, just not a 96-98 (non s351). Car lacks potential, unless you are will to have it pulled apart for a PI swap.
I'd say they have potential. I put an 03 crate motor in mine with cam's, long-tubes, OR-X, and a flip chip and it put down 293rwhp 313rwtq on the dyno yesterday. That's not too bad for a N/A car on 93oct. Haha , just noticed your last sentence (woops...). Yea, the stock motor in the 96-98 s281's are better served as boat anchors...
With the way the market is today you can find a S-351 for near that. The asking price is high for what the car is even though it has low miles. In the current market it would at most bring 20K. Investment wise it probably wouldn't be the best bet. To hope to make any money off it you would not be able to drive it and enjoy it.
Good Luck finding a beautiful 1994-98 S351 Speedster for that price range. I would not sell mine for all the TEA in china. I already had an offer from a collector I know of $50,000 for my 1995 S351 Speedster 1 month ago when I brought it to a show and shine, and guess what - not for sale! At the same time, if you find that someone who is extremely broke or does not car about value or making money, etc.....you may be able to find someone who had to sacrifice, but with a production run of only about 100 S351 Convertibles in the ENTIRE WORLD - good luck. Myself though, I have the space to keep this car 50 years and it is paid for - this car will sit in my garage forever before I would ever sell it for $25,000, even if I tarped it and never looked at it again. As for putting miles on collectable cars - keep racking them up. If they are truly collecable and always in show condition - collectors will buy them - no matter what. I deal collectable classics all over the world and sell about 200 cars a year. I see 100,000 mile cars in better condition that 30,000 mile cars. The key is to start with a beauty and maintain it that way. If there is something to address along the way - do it right away. $25,000 for a mint Brand New S281 Speedster - what else can you buy for $25,000 that is a bit rare and almost brand new? A Ford Focus????? If you want it - BUY IT! If you are waiting for something more specific - be prepared to wait 1 - 20 years. It took me 8-1/2 to find my S351 Speedster in black - and that was a PAINFUL wait.
I didn't specify that S351 would be a coupe. I know of one extremely nice 95 Speedster N/A that sold for $18K a little over a year ago. You can find them if you are patient. I know the collector car market pretty well having owned somewhere near 100 different muscle cars along with a few Saleens over the past few years.
Right! Exactly. Randy, it seems you stumbled onto this ride. Did you buy it? If not, just hold onto your 4 eye. Even up to 2 years ago you could not give away a fox body Saleen. Mark my words, those who own more than one fox body in decent shape will be very happy in a few years. As for that S281. With the 05-06 cars out now, the same thing is starting to happen with the sn95's like what happened to the foxbodys. Some guys can't give them away. If you are willing to part with your 4 eye for a car, hold out for an S351. Like Scott said, they are out there. Look at what Terry's red 94 just went for. I know it was not a vert and I know about the 95 N/A car Scott's talking about that sold also. It's all about the timing.
Thank goodness Printed and put on my lovely ( and more than patient) wifes pillow tonight. Could 5-10 of you chime in confirming this opinion? Marcus, I expect at least 5 replies under 5 different screen names. Pls support my Saleen habit! In another vain, I had a great thrill this weekend. May each of you have a son or daughter that loves the hobby as much as you do. I had the distinct pleasure of bring home our 1995 S351 for my son to drive to his senior prom. OK, I expect a flame or two but I have a simple theory, if your child helps, fix rebuild, clean, wash,wax, re-clean your special cars post prom, they won't crash them. So far, I am 2 for 2. 2 proms, no worries. It was a pure joy to see my oldest son drive off with a great car.......and get up early to clean off all of the 13 inch Alcon HUGE brake dust before I got up...and I get up early. My son said he got a couple of challenges, but he said I made him promise not to embarass any Cheby owners on prom night. BTW, The mother of the date told me (she is a Mustang girl from way back..first car was a 1968 Vert) that the 95 S351 made her blood boil! I say this hobby is in great hands. Truth be told, I offered him the 1998 S351 speedster, but he said, give me the modified "animal". I pinch myself every once in a awhile. I'll step down now. Long live folks that respect these cars. Have a great week. Old Dan
Nothing wrong with giving the keys to a teenager who respects the car! I took my date to the senior prom in 91 in my 71 SCJ Mach 1. She loved it even though no A/C!
Nice. Dan, I have my eyes peeled. That black vert on Marks site fetched way to much money but oh well. Scott, YOur response has given me an idea for a new thread. Sorry Randy.
