QOTD: Italian Government Auctions 1,500 Cars. What's Your Pick?
Via Zero Hedge, we have a listing put up by the Italian government of 1,500 luxury cars that are being auctioned off. Italy, which is deep in the throes of austerity, is doing the wise thing from an optics perspective, as the cars have come to symbolize government waste and unnecessary opulence.
While most of the stock consists of diesel Alfa Romeo 166 and Lancia Thesis models, there are some oddities at both ends of the spectrum. Random Italian detritus, like the Fiat Croma and Lancia Dedra, populates the ranks as well, along with a few BMW 525d sedans. There are also a number of Maserati Quattroportes (apparently procured because they were the cheapest armored sedans available….right) as well as a Jaguar S-Type R.
You can peruse the Ebay listings here, and tell us what you’d pick out of the current lot of 25 cars. At first glance, the Thesis would have been my choice, but they appear to be automatics. The Alfa’s seem to be stick shift, so as far as I’m concerned, it’s a no brainer. If only they were wagons.
More by Derek Kreindler
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Does it really make much economic sense to sell used luxury cars in order to replace them with newer non-luxury cars? Luxury cars normally have a big depreciation. I wouldn't be surprised if the car above is sold for the price of a new Yaris.
I wouldn't touch a car from the Italian government.
Alfa 156 or 159 for me. One with the Carabinieri livery would be nice, but not essential. They can keep the rest. The C8 minivan must be nice. My uncle has a Lancia Z (manual, diesel, yada yada yada) and it's very nice inside.
I'm a mid-level government flack. Where's my damn Quattroporte?