Is the Singer too much?

twobone · twobone's Garage

I just finished watching the Chris Harris video on the Singer 911.

I understand that there will always be a market for the "ultimate" iterations of any brand.

Something does not sit right with me. $300-$500,000+ for a 911?

Why have LMP2 head lamps when a standard bulb will fit. Why have a $30,000 custom wiring loom? Why carbon fiber over the whole body?

OK, the Cosworth engine is pretty darn cool.

I'd rather see a Magnus Walker type approach to modifications put into a small scale production.

I think they have taken it a step too far. Just one opinion

redstrosekNic · redstrosekNic's Garage

If someone gave it to me, I wouldn't complain. However, even if money was no object for me, I would question whether or not it would be worth it. For what I do with my 911, mine is just fine...

tobluforu · tobluforu's Garage

98 percent of the people in this world would walk right by that car if it was on the street thinking it was just another porch. If I had all the money in the world I still would not buy that car. I mean porsches are cool and all, but not 400k cool. I'll take a GT any day over that car. Flame on if you like, don't care.

88911coupe · 02-01-2013, 06:45 AM

If they sell 'em then you have your answer...personally, I would not pay that much for one, but I assume they aren't marketing to me.

umgang · 02-01-2013, 06:49 AM

What an abortion.
I'm embarrassed for the ego maniac that spawned it.

clutch-monkey · 02-01-2013, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twobone

Why have LMP2 head lamps when a standard bulb will fit. Why have a $30,000 custom wiring loom? Why carbon fiber over the whole body?

why have anything less? is the approach taken here, you're already a hundred odd thousand or so in before those items, why stop there? the prospective buyers obviously have the money and might not want to settle for anything less.

the magnus walker approach is more accessible to us garage types for sure, but singer is doing a whole different vehicle. i certainly am not in the market for a singer by about several orders of magnitude! but applaud that they wanted to go the full nine yards, and did.

Craig_D · Craig_D's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by clutch-monkey

why have anything less? is the approach taken here, you're already a hundred odd thousand or so in before those items, why stop there? the prospective buyers obviously have the money and might not want to settle for anything less.

the magnus walker approach is more accessible to us garage types for sure, but singer is doing a whole different vehicle. i certainly am not in the market for a singer by about several orders of magnitude! but applaud that they wanted to go the full nine yards, and did.

Couldn't have said it any better myself. I'm more than happy to see that kind of effort going into the air cooled 911...it makes my sub-$30,000 car that much cooler.

Don't know if you picked up on it, but they're looking into marketing parts for our cars and will probably make a few "showcase" cars at the lower price point. Again, anyone who's putting development time into our 911s is a plus. Like Elephant Racing creating aluminum GT3 components with electronic controls, for older air cooled 911s. That's the stuff I like to see..future tech incorporated into our cars.

This all being said, I've seen a few cars on this forum that have had so much work done to them, with $50k twin plug EFI motors, they've got to be near $100k+.

MMiller · 02-01-2013, 08:07 AM

My take...

If I had "all the money in the world" hell yea I would own one. Why not... it would be about as big of a finacial decision as buying a piece of bubble gum.

However with more modest funds a well sorted 911 hotrod in the 30-60K range would be more that adequate.

Mike

Daviboy · Daviboy's Garage

I personally love them don't care what anyone says. The infinitesimal attention to detail and further development of the cars is mind blowing. Now on the question of having all the money in the world and buying one... my answer would be no I would not. I would set up shop next door and concentrate on the restoration of original 911s however i would also have a section specifically set aside for custom creations for individuals who want such a service.

Cory M · 02-01-2013, 08:20 AM

I love the Singer 911. The passion and refinement are inspiring to me. I'm glad that the folks at Singer have the vision to build them and that some people can afford them and are willing to pay for all those details. Watching that video at the shop just made me want to build something.

Is it over the top? Of course, but that's what makes it so awesome. If it was another early car with a nice paint job, some flares, some suspension goodies, and a reproduction RS interior it would be cool, but do you think we would still be talking about it? Would Chris Harris and the other journalists be writing articles about it and making videos? I don't think so.

ClickClickBoom · ClickClickBoom's Garage

Ya'all should be happy that Singer chose the P-car as a base for his creations, it in a sense validates every one of our choices. I don't think he will be modding a Hundai anytime soon. Is it for me no, but I can appreciate the vision and work they put into it. If a rich guy wanted a classic P=car and didn't want all the bugs and issues that come with a 40 year old car, the Singer would be the answer. I have hundreds of hours bringing my cars back from their unfixed state. Heck I am still thinking of "painting" my car with undercoating, on the top not bottom!

CCM911 · 02-01-2013, 08:38 AM

After listening to our German friends, the one major thing they want is originality in their Porsches. The Singer is in no way even close to a stock ride. And remember, "Stock is Trick".

I think they are all hype.

Now excuse me while I go sit on my mink toilet seat cover.

monovich · monovich's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by twobone

I'd rather see a Magnus Walker type approach to modifications put into a small scale production.

Anyone know how much Magnus' cars have gone for when sold? I doubt for instance that his new '72 creation would go for less than a couple hundred thousand would it? Not quite Singer but it wouldn't be cheap.

Just guessing, but that is my gut.

samourai71 · samourai71's Garage

Well, anything that has to do with a Porsche, I just love it.
From a luxurious Stinger to and old skeleton of a Porsche found in a barn.
I think Stinger's a just a contribution to our little Porsche world and means that Porsche isn't just about to go out of style.
You don't see people putting that much effort on other brand of cars.
That's just my 2 cents.

wrinkledpants · 02-01-2013, 08:49 AM

What do you guys always say to new folks looking to price a car? Price is whatever anyone is willing ot pay. If you make 2 million a year, then a 500k 911 that is a beautiful specimen in every aspect is about 25% of your annual income. If you make 70k a year, then proportionally, you're going to spend 17k on a car. To a server working at a coffee shop in Djibouti, spending 17k on car is insane as that will pay their rent for 85 years. I would argue a Singer is smarter buy for that rich guy, than a beat up 911 is for the average guy.

So - all of you that own a 911 look ridiculous to the 3 billion people that live on $2.50 a day.

speednme1 · 02-01-2013, 08:52 AM

It's easy to say that if one had all the money in the world they would not buy one...but how would one know(me included)? First as a Porsche enthusiast..this car is the ultimate modern/classic 911. Is it worth the money? Not entirely sure but if money was not an object, as an enthusiast I would definitely want one. Keep in mind saying"money is not an object" is like saying if someone offered it to you for free...would you accept it? So ask yourself that question first, than answer honestly. If money is an "object" than that changes the answer. For $300-500k the field of possible cars is very wide.

matt gineo · matt gineo's Garage

Thanks, I'll stick with the sewing machine!!

CCM911 · 02-01-2013, 08:57 AM

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.

OttoB · 02-01-2013, 09:01 AM

If someone doesn't like it, as the adage says, then don't look at it and don't complain. Opinions are like ****holes, every has one. IMHO, I love them and would buy one or more in a hearbeat if I could ever afford it. I think they are done in excellent taste like no other precursor before hand. If its overkill to some people, then great - move on and complain about something/someone else...

wrinkledpants · 02-01-2013, 09:09 AM

Quote:

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.

You realize that 100k loss is the equivalent of 3.5k loss for someone making 70k a year. I think anyone buying a car and only losing 3.5k in value would be pretty happy with that.