Here's my weigh-in.....Cloning is the sincerest form of flattery (imitation)
Clones have their place. I have seen some really nice ones, but should always be represented as clones, not fobbed off as originals. For the most part, clone owners have recognized this and the situation has improved drastically over the years. Look at the Cobra situation! Clones make REAL cars worth even more!
My observation is that you need to look at you total investment including DEPRECIATION!
Clones depreciate at a much faster rate than originals! Said another way...even if both cars are appreciating in value, the clone WILL appreciate at a lower rate.
The trap many people get into is putting too much $$ into the car relative to the direction of the "Market". You might be driving a REAL $50K car around but if you crash it or worse yet it gets stolen...then guess what...it's really WORTH $50K. If your driving a clone you have put $40K into to make it LOOK like a REAL $50K car and the same happens. How much is it worth? To you? To the insurance company? What happens when you need to sell it....what basis is there for a price? Since there are more clones than real ones...what are they worth relative to your investment?
The point is,...if you can,...always spend you time and money on an original. Consider it an investment,..you'll get you money back and guess what...when people ask if it's real you get to say...."why yes,...why do you ask"?
I guess at the end of the day you have to ask yourself WHY YOU DO THIS? If it makes YOU happy then do it! That's all that matters anyway.
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"If you're under control you're not going fast enough"
Parnelli Jones
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