Is the Singer too much?

[mrm930]

Again - +1 for skinnerd's response. I personally love the singer. Spoke with Rob a few times about 2 years ago - regarding these cars. Back when they were $180K to high $200K. Full out they were $320K +. Seems they have done some cost analysis based on the amount of sales - fabrication costs - R & D costs, etc. At that time - they were not using the 964s. The white one (a friend of mine owns) is not based on the 964.

Extensive custom parts. On my current 930 renovation - "re-invention", I am making it a GT style hot rod. I am having extensive custom built mods and interior work done. I am currently making molds for the interior - building fiberglass and 3-ply veneer covers for the surrounds on the rear seats, interior side runners at the doors and blend a center console from the center of the rear "hump" to the lower dash board. Then applying a leather with contrasting stitching. I have had a lot of metal parts fab'd by a local custom metal shop. Some of my designs work excellent - others I have had to re-design them and re-fab them. So money paid and some monies wasted. But, a learning experience.

I am doing this to get some of these ideas worked out - because my next build is a back dated 964. Singer-ish in concept but with using most of the vendors that we all use. Singer has proprietary vendors - meaning they will custom manufacture certain parts - but only for the Singer group. That costs more money because of the R & D and the "one off" type of manufacturing. Its not as though these vendors are build hundreds of these parts - if they did - cost would be less.

I own a manufacturing company - so if one of my customers wants to build only 1-3 pieces of one item...............Well its going to cost ALOT more than 100 of that same item. There are somethings that we can build 10 of for what it costs just to do one.

So is the Singer worth it? Only in the eyes of the beholder - or better - in the wallet of the new owner. But - it would be FUN!!!!!

[Pete000]

I love the seats !

[signature65]

May be beautiful, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder......and thank god Im not the beholder on a singer cause those so called upgrades are down right ugly.

[willcall]

Each to their own.
The Singer re-incarnation is simply stunning to me.
If I had the coin I would buy one over ANY new car for the same price.
The Singer will depreciate in value soooo much slower than any Factory car (Porsche, Ferrari, Lambo etc, etc).

[hightuned]

Its everything i hav ever wanted in a Porsche, but i must admit that if i was going to spend that kind of money on a car.......cover your ears, the badge wouldnt say 911 but F40.

[bike2ride95]

The badge on mine would be one of the following: RS lightweight / RSR
Let's see what appreciate in value more with provenance

[willcall]

Yes, it would be VERY hard to go past an RS.

The badge on mine would be one of the following: RS lightweight / RSR

Let's see what appreciate in value more with provenance

[924CarreraGTP]

Well, what about the Ruf CTR3. Something completely new and modern for not far from that price range? Or say 9ff's GTR9? Since we are talking about ultimate 911's in the 500k plus range, why not go for the real nasty specimens?

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by 924CarreraGTP

Well, what about the Ruf CTR3. Something completely new and modern for not far from that price range? Or say 9ff's GTR9? Since we are talking about ultimate 911's in the 500k plus range, why not go for the real nasty specimens?

Great suggestion but what if you already have those in your "stable"?

[KNS]

On a bit of a different note, a Ferrari GTO set an all-time record for any automobile sale: $52 million. At that point they're really just investments (one you can drive and have some fun with...). I think someone who spends $52 mil is looking at what he can make on it when it comes time to sell, cars have replaced Van Goghs.

[Charles Freeborn]

Nothing is too much if you can afford it. Hmmm new signature line....

[canuck964]

Originally Posted by CCM911

How about this question:

Would it be prudent to put $500K in a car that could quite possibly depreciate by 20% in a few years.

Rich or not rich, is it worth $100K to drive a fancy car for two years?

How about one of us paying $30K for a nice 911, driving it for five or so years, and then selling it for $30K.

Rich or poor, a smart investment is a smart investment.

By most accounts the ownership of our Porsche is not an investment decision also.

I own a 964 and it is certainly not an investment for me. Even if I could sell it for what I bought it for years later. I would certainly have spent a considerable amount for maintenance over the years.

Even if we go with your analysis of paying $30k and selling it for $30k later how is that an investment? Would you be happy if your stock portfolio did not increase in value for a few years and does not yield you any income? Is that what you consider a smart investment?

To me my Porsche makes me happy. I can't help but smile when ever I open the garage door and go for that Sunday morning drive.

I am a poor smuck like 90% of us on here who own a Porsche of some sort but to the majority of the REST of the world who live on less than $2 a day I'm sure they must wonder why we would even spend $10,000 on any car.

Everything is relative so until I become a billionaire I cannot not comment on whether or not a $500,000 Porsche is worth it.

[canuck964]

Originally Posted by clutch-monkey

"worrying about depreciation on your car and keeping mileage down is like not ****ing your girlfriend so her next boyfriend finds her more appealing"

LOVE this analogy.

I am going to remember this every time I take my 964 out and drive the ***** out of her.

[speednme1]

The Singer is for a guy who has everything else. Not really for a guy who has 1 or 2 cars(unless he or she wants one). Hard for many to wrap their heads around the price but the cost of craftsmanship is not cheap. Simple custom machining work can set one back a few thousand dollars, now try to build an entire car outsourcing most of it's custom parts. Hiring someone like Cosworth to do your engines must be super expensive. Sure there are plenty of excellent engine builders out there but Cosworth has a long racing history as well. The custom carbon fiber panels alone may be astronomical in price.

Yes there are plenty on this board that have build some excellent cars. Some from the ground up. While they may be able to add the cost of parts(why would ya?) the labor is often not equated in the cost. I can attest that in my 930 alone I have more than I ever anticipated for in parts and some labor(not adding my labor). My car is nowhere near the level of the Singer yet I'm close to six figures(including car) in suspension,rebuild and conversion. So I can understand where his price point may come from. Sure there are cars that many would rather have but keep in mind those mfg have the resources that smaller mfg's(or tuner) like Singer does not.

Someone mentioned the Ruf CTR3, that car is about $750k. Ruf cars as well are a small mfg outfit with no car(Ruf vin with all the goodies) under $200k.

[matthewb0051]

Just about as real as a replica Speedster.

And IF I won the lottery I would be buying a 356 Speedster not a Singer. Just too bad all of these TV car chase shows and auction shows have over inflated old car values.

It is cool but not that cool. Although I would have one before I ever bought a Corvette and accompanying Members Only jacket...

[RWebb]

Yes, the Singer is too much. Someone please make it slower.

[996AE]

I had the opportunity to see one up close and personal in SoCal. It is a work of art. The shop was building a special exhaust, patterned after the GT3 for an international owner, right hand drive. This car is absolutely amazing to look at. I had the chance to go over it inch by inch, even get it up on the rack for full inspection.

Rick

[carl74344]

I like the car. I guess if money did not matter , maybe. a lot of the fun in owning a 911 is to tinker and the pride of making it my own.

[924CarreraGTP]

I actually said cars that are $500K plus in regards to the Ruf CTR3. It is more expensive, but isn't it safe to say that someone who could afford a $500K automobile could easily afford a $750K super sports car? The difference is 200mph+ speeds from the Ruf, and technology outshadowing the Porsche 993. Even a Cosworth 993. If I was too rich for my own good, I would opt for the Ruf. If I was someone like Jerry Seinfeld with Porsche 993's and 550 Spyders, I might buy a Singer. I'd still buy the Ruf first.
I would appreciate the singer more if it was natural black carbon fiber. I like carbon fiber. With cars like the Pagani Zonda that show incredible attention to the detailed and panel matched carbon fiber, the Singer looks a bit bland. I'd want to see the carbon fiber.

[Mr.Alex]

If I had the money, no doubt about it. Its the only car I'd ever need.