Ok I realize that by even opening my mouth here, I am at extreme risk of being flammed/having my intestines ripped out through my throat etc, but it seems like the resale prices on R's are a little overinflated. Ok ok now hear me out. A nice used type R with 20-40k miles and in nice shape can usually be found to sell around the $20,000 mark. Now I realize there is a cartain appeal involved with the R name that could warrant the price and this should be taken into account. I don't want to get off on a tangent here, but for $20,000 one could theoretically buy a nearly new (or simmilar conditon to the R) WRX. Doesn't it seem like for that sort of money there are alot of other cars on the market that would perform nearly as well (dare I say better )? Only reason I even bring it up is because I have about 20 grand to use to buy a new car and I can't help shaking the feeling that, despite the cool-factor of being an R owner, my money may be better spent somewhere else. But thats just my opinion. Let me know what you think (even though I already know most of you are thinking I am a raving idiot).

me

 

It really depends on what you want.
ITRs were and are still primarily limited production vehicles, while most of the more recently available cars are not.
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind owning an Evo or something like that, but they are more than 20K and I'll pretty much never give up my ITR.
BTW -- you can find a nice ITR with a few more miles on it at a good price, esp. now that many of their original owners seem to be moving on to other things.

 

I bought a 2001 ITR with 40k miles on it for $16,000. I've seen several more with similar and even less miles sell for around the same price. I've seen '98 ITR's sell for as low as $12,000. I don't think the prices are overinflated at all, but I do think that many pricing sources such as NADA and KBB don't represent the vehicles true value as there were surprisingly few made. My bank only felt that my car was worth $14,500 when I bought it and would only loan me $13,000 on it, and that's with being good friends with the owner of the bank and having family members work for him in the bank. Anyway the point is, they are there, many at reasonable prices, you just have to look. But then again, I bought my WRX new off the lot fully loaded for $25,000 and similarly equipped models sell on ebay for around $18,000 so do what you must. I'm happier with my R then I'll ever be with my scooby.

 

Recently, I've seen ITR's sell in a very broad range, from $13,000 all the way up to $28,000.

It's an unusual vehicle with very good technical resources and awesome personalities behind it, and people will sometimes pay for the fun they know that they're going to have with a well thought out vehicle, or one that is in pristine condition and waiting for their ideas of what an ITR should be.

On the track, though, you should be aware that a $28,000 ITR is going to totally humiliate your $30,000 STi.

I know, because I have passed more than a couple.

The expensive ITR will probably be less livable as a daily driver than the STi or other modern vehicle.

It's entirely up to you.

If you do get an ITR, you already know where to go for help.

 

Money can always be spent better elsewhere (investments and such).

It's difficult to gauge what an ITR is worth since the numbers are dwindling from wrecks and theft. It's up to you to decide if an ITR something that you want. Personally, if you need a daily driver and you live in an area where thefts have been reported, it might just be a better bet to get something else. It's really not worth all the headaches that come with the car.

 

Just like anything in life, good quality item will cost you more.

Is ~$20k justifiable for an excellent conditioned ITR? Maybe, maybe not. It just depends on your expectation of the vehicle.

An ITR is a piece of automobile history and it's a blast to drive. And, for ~$20k, there still isn't a "sporty" car that does everything as well as an ITR. Sure, there are cars out there that will be faster in a straight line, brake a bit quicker, easier to mod, etc., but there still isn't a car that is a complete package like the R for the price. And, even if you were to build a hatch w/ all ITR parts, it'll still run you $13-$18 if you do everything right (including exterior and interior)... not ghetto gutted.

Lastly, ITR probably has one of the best resale values for any specific model. Industry standards for excellent resale value is "70%+ after 2 years" and "50%+ after 4 years". You do the math, an ITR will fetch better than these industry standards.

So, even if you were to buy a ~$20k ITR, you'll likely not lose very much when it comes time for you to sell it. But, most owners rarely end up selling their R's, so...

-Sean

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Cosworth &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So, even if you were to buy a ~$20k ITR, you'll likely not lose very much when it comes time for you to sell it. But, most owners rarely end up selling their R's, so... </TD></TR></TABLE>

or even possibly make money..

 

I guess those are all good points. Your making it harder for me to choose which to buy! I guess it will come down to whether an R or a WRX comes along first at a good price. Thanks for the input everyone. (and the significant lack of verbal beatings)

 

before i got my R i wanted a WRX. drove a buddys ride and it was really nice but not the experience of an R

if you live in a nice area and arent too worried about theft than get the R. if theft is a problem i would stick with the WRX.

you cant go wrong with either. btw, the WRX lease program stinks and financing through subaru sucks as well

just my $.02

 

I really don't see many people spending 20K on a used Type R (with the exception of buying from the stealership) I bought my 00' R this summer w/ 12,000 on the odometer for 18K. The only reason I payed that much money is because I had never seen an R in better condition in my life. The point is........... look around, shop around, go to autotrader, search ebaymotors, and you'll without a doubt find a good deal. Overall, you'll appreciate your R more than you would a WRX.

 

you are EXACTLY right...but Integras in general are a hot commodity.

you will likely pay a premium on an Integra over a Civic, etc.

 

May I once again emphasize, as the owner of both a WRX and an ITR, I am much happier with my purchase of my ITR than I will ever be with my WRX. If something happened to my R, I wouldn't mind paying a high premium to get another one.

 

How about a race kar?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by George Knighton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

On the track, though, you should be aware that a $28,000 ITR is going to totally humiliate your $30,000 STi.

I know, because I have passed more than a couple.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Doesn't that come down to driver skill? I.E, the only reason you passed him, you were the better driver. With drivers being equal, I thought the STI was much quicker r/c car.


EDIT, talking both stock cars right George? or a ITR with parts/car = $28000?

 

I used to love the fact that ITR's held their value so well. In the past year or so, prices have come down to a much more reasonable level, where the premium over a GSR is in the range that you would expect for a similar condition car.

I won't comment on the ITR vs. STi battle, since I've obviously made my choice on that one... But if I had to choose between a used R and a used WRX for the same price, I would choose the Type R every time - even if the R had more miles on it.

My 60k mile, occasionally track driven, 3 year old Type R held up much better than any of the newer, lower mileage WRX's that I have been in.

You can find a very nice Type R in the mid to high teens. You'll be hard pressed to find any other car that will combine the same level of reliability, track prowess, and functional use as a daily driver.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">An ITR is a piece of automobile history and it's a blast to drive. And, for ~$20k, there still isn't a "sporty" car that does everything as well as an ITR. Sure, there are cars out there that will be faster in a straight line, brake a bit quicker, easier to mod, etc., but there still isn't a car that is a complete package like the R for the price.</TD></TR></TABLE>

An E36/E30 M3 can easily be had in that price range, and I'd say they're comparable/surpass an ITR in most "sporty" categories.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by George Knighton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">On the track, though, you should be aware that a $28,000 ITR is going to totally humiliate your $30,000 STi.

I know, because I have passed more than a couple.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Come on George, are you serious?, or is your tounge planted in your cheek? Because you sound like you are serious.
The whole "stock vs modified" is a stupid argument out of the pages of SuperStreet anyway. And if I were to use your logic than I could say a $25k WRX is faster than Z06s, M3s, NSXs and S2000s not to mention your ITR

The STi is without a doubt faster than an ITR, even a well modified one.
Just for reference, this weekend at Summit my inexperienced student in a bone stock STi was hitting 135 without much speed out of 10 and lifting well before the braking point because he didnt want to shift into 6th.

That doesnt mean the ITR isnt a fantastic car, I think it is. And I think its a much better track car in than the STi. But to play the "my kar is fastar!" game with it is pretty silly. In the end it comes down to where your passion lies.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by George Knighton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">On the track, though, you should be aware that a $28,000 ITR is going to totally humiliate your $30,000 STi.

I know, because I have passed more than a couple.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Whats your point? I passed you with my $4,000 bone-stock-on-street-tires Saturn SC2 at CMP and then proceeded to walk away at a steady pace for the rest of the session.

I also got my *** handed to me by some 8V mess of a VW.

HPDE's and local autocrosses are poor benchmarks for a car's ultimate performance potential.

 

Yup as the others have said, you pay for an exclusive limited production car. The DC2R will never come back....all the cars you speak of dealerships are trying to make deals on.