The Copen - a future classic?

In the UK maybe, in Germany the prices have almost stayed the same over the last few years.
I sure hope it will become a future classic; on the other hand: I pretty much want to drive it until it gives out, so who cares for value?

 

It's hard to tell, but good ones with low milage seem to be retaining their value, it all depends on where you look.

I had a Nissan Figaro - similar small turbo car imported from Japan. I paid £7,000 for it, drove it for eleven years and then it was written off (luckily it was parked at the time so no one was hurt) but I got £6,500 back in write off payout! At the time I could see them selling in some places for £3,000 but the assessor took condition into account and judged that would be how much it would cost for an equivalent replacement.

You can never tell but the rarer cars become the more people are willing to pay for them - it's a risk but more fun than a modern car and you will definitely lose money on that

Having said that I intend to keep my Copen for ever - so it will be a classic when everyone else is going around in automated hover cars

 

The Figgy was a grey import, it was never sold outside Japan but many imported it. Likewise with the Pajero Junior, which also retains it's value when written off.

 

My thoughts too In the future I'll look back and be able to say ""I drove a Copen every day"

 

All the other people did not have the courage to do so, sucks to be them

 

In South Africa the prices are still the same for the last 4-5 years.

 

In all honesty, I've kept an eye on the Copen market in the UK for the last 12-16months really.

Many of the ads for the 600cc engine model, start at around £3,000.

Then the best examples normally sell around £2.5-£2.75k

That's for mileage around 28-40k and serviced.

Then if it hasn't been serviced or has higher mileage than that, i've seen a lot go for £1.6-1.8k.

The key to getting a good one is checking the service history really.

I feel over the time I've researched the market, the better examples have gone up around £200-£300.

What I've also noted is that so many people market their Copen as the 'Vivid' package, when it's never really the case. My research as proved that the Vivid was for the limited edition Red coat and superior interior pack. Therefore, many are being mis-sold.

Daihatsu Launches Limited Edition Copen 'Vivid'

Never kept an eye on the 1.3's so not sure about that.

 

The "vivid" package was not available in germany, but the contents of the package could be booked seperately.
There also are the "100th Anniversary Edition" and the "Final Edition" (last Copen to be produced for Germany).
Its still the same car and there is no "unique" trim that you coult not get otherwise. If I was to look for a Copen, I would not give more money for these packages.

 

From what I have seen good 1.3s with low mileage and a full service history are still about the same price as I paid 3 1/2 years ago - so holding their value. There are always the "unloved" ones which can be picked up cheap but if you look after your Copen you should be OK

I'm hoping to never have to sell mine anyway

 

I always remember the old saying "your car is worth what someone is willing to pay for it". There will always be a market for it, but there are so many things that could change and affect residual values. Again, residual value's are only an issue f you are considering selling, something that will not be happening for a long while, if ever.

 

I just checked autotrader and I found one for £3.5k which is about what I paid for my Copen 2 years ago. My Copen had 43k when I got it. The one on autotrader has 90k and it is the same year (2005)
I also saw one with 45k miles and some rust bubbles for 3k
and one with 61k miles for £3.5k
The clean (clean-ish) ones are holding value pretty well it seems

 

When do we know what is a realistic selling price and what are the actual prices the cars go for? Advertized prices are the asking price, which will get knocked down, unless cars are in great demand and in short supply. This won't be the case right now.

Casually looking at Ebay shows a very slow turnover of Copens. Which is understandable, with first Winter, then this CoVid lockdown.

Of course as the Copen gets more rare, it's bound to appreciate. But in a sense, all very old cars become classics, if they make it past 25-30 years in age. Or perhaps the term is over used. In which case, what does make a certifiable classic?

I'd love to think the Copen would become a classic. I think it looks like a future classic. But that status needs a bit more than a small cult following. I suppose the question is does the Copen tick all the right boxes. I would guess it could, but I'm not qualified to make that judgement. Although I did invest £4k in a sub 23k mile, 2009 example in November, in the hope of preserving it's structure, so making a personal statement in saying my Copen is worth that investment! I am customising it, but everything can be returned to original condition (I'm keeping the parts).

The other thing that will help, paradoxically, is the rust problem. If only a handful survive in another 10-20 years time then that will ensure absolute rarity. They're already pretty unique of course.