Are We In A Collector Car BUBBLE? Is A 1997 Acura Integra Type R REALLY Worth $82,000?

OK. This is definitely a topic that needs revisiting, Spies.

Nearly one year ago I asked if there was a bubble for certain used vehicles. We're talking rare metal with niche audiences.

And the more auctions I see, whether its Barrett-Jackson, Bring A Trailer, RM Sothebys or Bonhams, I can't help but wonder if this thing is going to pop sooner or later. Take, for example, the latest sale.

A 1997 Acura Integra Type R, with 6,000 miles, sold yesterday for a whopping $82,000. Yes, you're reading that correctly.

8-2-0-0-0.

I could understand $40,000 and maybe even $50,000. But $82,000? You've got to be kidding me.

So, Spies, I have to ask AGAIN: Are we in a collector car BUBBLE? Is this thing going to pop? Is an Integra Type R really worth $82,000?

This 1997 Acura Integra Type R is one of 320 US-market examples built for the model year and was purchased new by the seller at Mungenast Acura of St. Louis, Missouri. Finished in Championship White over a black fabric interior, the car shows just 6k miles and is powered by a 1.8-liter VTEC inline-four paired with a close-ratio five-speed manual transmission. A new timing belt, tensioner, and water pump were installed in July 2019, and this ITR is now being offered for sale with its original window sticker, maintenance records, factory manuals, period literature, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Missouri title in the seller’s name.

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CANADIANCOMMENTS - 9/28/2019 3:03:27 PM

+3 Boost

It is a rare car and a touchstone for the PlayStation crowd who were kids growing up when it came out. It is a lot of money. Buy a C8 instead when they come out.

MDarringer - 9/28/2019 3:39:55 PM

-5 Boost

Not worth it. It's a Civic. Absolutely NOTHING special about it.

Agent00R - 9/28/2019 4:04:13 PM

-4 Boost

Exactly.

PUGPROUD - 9/28/2019 4:40:39 PM

0 Boost

The buyer knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. Insane.

ricks0me - 9/28/2019 5:45:07 PM

-2 Boost

$82,000 No Way
$820 Yes

jeffgall - 9/28/2019 7:31:13 PM

0 Boost

$82k for a car 99.9999% of the population will think you spent $6k, maybe $8k, when they see you on the road. The other .0001% will think you spent $25k at best.

Foncool - 9/28/2019 7:56:33 PM

0 Boost

Collector market has been steadily dropping since 2014/15.

MDarringer - 9/28/2019 8:50:10 PM

-2 Boost

Indeed and things like this will be the first to collapse.

MDarringer - 9/29/2019 12:45:34 PM

-2 Boost

@colehole not entirely true...it's dropping on the classics that aren't classics. Talk to someone who knows the market.

GeorgeD - 9/28/2019 9:09:32 PM

+6 Boost

These cars are rare, especially stock and not modified/abused. Question is, can you find another in this condition/ same mileage, and if so, for less money ?

MDarringer - 9/28/2019 9:57:02 PM

-3 Boost

The question is whether it's significant and it's just a Civic with gingerbread. So, no. Paying $82K for this is risky because it could be $20K if the market for it drops.

Collectible cars ONLY hold their value in downturns if they are significant or broadly desired and this just isn't.

GeorgeD - 9/28/2019 10:43:13 PM

+2 Boost

Remember, this was an auction BAT and this was the high bid with other bids. Its not a listing where the seller was asking $82,000. I was watching it, and it rose to $41k after the first day or two.

And auctions bring a different type of buyer, more emotional than anything else.

Mdarringer, since we both sell cars. We wish all our customers were this way.

MDarringer - 9/29/2019 10:19:33 AM

-3 Boost

BUT when the market goes soft for collector cars, vehicles that appeal only to the fringe are the first ones to lose value. This Acura isn't recession proof.

netegrity - 9/29/2019 12:26:16 PM

+4 Boost

If you think it's worth it, you make the offer. Just like art, some people think a piece of art would value over a million, but for some other ppl who is not into art, it'll just a piece of art and doesn't worth anything to them.

MDarringer - 9/29/2019 12:44:19 PM

-2 Boost

So true, but the corollary is don't bitch if the bottom falls out of your wide-eyed spending exuberance.