[Closed] 13k specialized ebike!!

They did a £16.5k one last time.

It’s possible to spend £13k on a normal bike, without going one off/full custom.

I think the "new" 2.2 motor is actually the same as the "updated" 2.1 motor in the current 2021 bikes and as what is being fitted to the 2019-2020 bikes that experience motor failures.

I ride a 2018 Levo and can't see myself being able to afford an upgrade at any point in the future.

Don't get me wrong, I'm far from shy about spending a few quid on my bikes, but this is just getting out of hand now isn't it... Yes, I'm well aware that Brexit has increased import duties on bikes made outside of the EU (though only 4% on eBikes currently), and I'm acutely aware of the global shipping prices having sky rocketed.

But last year I bought a brand new KTM SuperDuke 1290 GT, semi-active WP suspension, 140Nm and 173bhp, Brembo M50 monobloc calipers with radial master cylinder and 330mm floating rotors and all, for £1500 less (OK it was the previous years model heavily discounted, but still)...

I'm THAT guy who's just put EXT shock and fork on his eBike, and runs Trickstuff Maxima brakes on his trail bike FWIW, and though both are hideously expensive judged in isolation, I can at least attribute some value for money to those items at least when judged against a new S-Works Levo!

I know it's tiresome to get all agitated over these silly halo product prices, but the "cheapest" one is still £8,750.

And there's only a two-year warranty on the motor and battery - which is a bit of a concern when pretty much every ebike seems to break down at some point or other.

And there’s only a two-year warranty on the motor and battery – which is a bit of a concern when pretty much every ebike seems to break down at some point or other.

Rolling 2 years though, which is a bit better, and transferable iirc

Rolling 2 years though

Does that mean it re-starts with each new motor?

Looks nice. I wouldn’t spend that much on one but I’m sure enough people will!

Hope the new motor fits my previous generation one, I’d like to keep riding this bike for a very long time!

Does that mean it re-starts with each new motor?

Yeah. Or battery. And big discounts on replacements if it fails out of that warranty, which then restarts. I have a year left on my 2016 Levos motor and battery, that I got half price

Ridiculous price. Specialized has been caught out before selling whole bikes for more than the frameset and parts would cost separately. Their prices are crazy. I don't think we're really paying much of that price for the product any longer, but to cover big profits, the insane number of sponsorships and all the free gear they give out.

Although I'm actually more horrified by the video, absolutely cringeworthy! Looked expensive as well, so that'll be factored into the price no doubt.

Specialized has been caught out before selling whole bikes for more than the frameset and parts would cost separately

By who? Is that illegal? Does Specialized control all the component prices?

Expensive bikes are par for the course nowadays, all bikes unfortunately, not just ebikes, reality is that we are now in a time where things like C2W and interest free credit means folk see bikes are either tax free and over 12 months to make it a little easier, or 4 years interest free, bit less painful to see it as 200 quid a month rather than 10k all up price.

I used to be quite a Spesh fanboi during the 00's, most recent was a 2015 Tarmac SL4 105 roadbike which I thoroughly enjoyed for a couple of years (bought brand new in end of year sales for £1200, a bargain by today's prices) but their pricing is now stupid.

£4.5k for just an S-Works Athos road bike frame & forks... Plenty will buy them though so I suppose the market dictates.

@tomhoward

Rolling 2 years though, which is a bit better, and transferable iirc

Is that new? Got a link? They don't currently offer a rolling warranty which is why they upped the warranty on 2019/2020 Levos and 2020 Kenevos to 4 years.

AFAIK, Bosch is the only motor producer offering a rolling warranty.

This is price anchoring or something like that isn't it?

If you have a product that costs £6000, but people feel it's pretty expensive, you make a product that costs £12000. Suddenly the other bike seems half as cheap. You sell a few of the 12 grand bikes but you now sell a whole load more of the 6 grand bikes, cause they suddenly seem like a sensible choice compared to the 12 grand one where previously they were seen as an extravagant amount of money.

Something like that anyway.

@doomanic apologies, looks like it’s changed again... I questioned someone on it a while ago and was presented with a link explaining (which I now can’t find). 2nd owner is still covered though.

If the 12k one was available on a 2yr pcp I'd be interested.

Frame only is available (apparently) at £6.5k so where has the other six and a half grand gone?? Even if they are charging full rrp for the parts it seems steep…

Fork is £1300
Wheels £2k? Maybe 2.5k
Group set £1.5 (2k if you include the crank)
Brakes £380 (+90 for the levers 🤔🙄)
Dropper £700
That still leaves about a grand for tyres, bar, stem, headset and grips…

These are retail rices remember, Specialized would be paying trade, more than likely direct from the manufacturer.

By who? Is that illegal? Does Specialized control all the component prices?

It has been mentioned various places, but if you want an example mbr reviewed the current Enduro and found it would be cheaper to buy the frame and parts separately. Think it has come up in Bikeradar reviews as well. Bearing in mind the price of Specialized frames is crazy to begin with. Doesn't need to be illegal to be wrong, or in this case, just plain greedy.

Specialized should have the buying power to get parts at significantly reduced cost to pretty much anyone else bar Trek or Giant. Particularly when many are own brand products. Not to mention cut out several layers of what makes up the retail price and still have a decent profit on parts. Whole bikes should be cheaper than building up, assuming identical parts. The idea that it actually costs more and they're charging above RRP for components is totally backwards. As is the idea that Specialized being overpriced has anything to do paying for the convenience of it being built up.

Let me guess, you're a Specialized retailer?

They list a non ebike mtb for £11500 too.

I think people forgot there are lots of people pulling in £5k+ a month. Not so spendy then. Guess then fun happens when you fly past one on your bossnut.

Guess I’d buy one if I had the money and wanted an Ebike

So specialized have released a 13k ebike…..!!!

They do a road bike for £12,500.
No suspension, no motor, no dropper post...

Seems like every one has glossed over what I clearly see as the most important part of the OP - Specialized are gonna start doing frame only Levo's?

I'll be honest, not bring able to buy an ebike frame only is the msin reason I don't have one so far (maybe not a £6000 S-works though).

Let me guess, you’re a Specialized retailer?

lolZ, no. Specialized (and plenty of others) have realised that customers, at that spend level, don't ferret about looking for the price of every component to see if they are getting good value. They just want the best of the best, without having to buy everything individually (and are reassured that something is expensive). If a customer is happy to pay that, and they can afford it without blinking, where's the harm? Spesh dealers are pretty good for discounts if you ask too, though they don't shout about it on new models for obvious reasons (covid supply issues notwithstanding). if the price is too high, they won't sell. These will fly off the shelves, mostly to company directors using the C2W scheme to get 40% off the RRP.

If you know where all the bargains are, you can get the same bike for less than the loaded customers with less time on their hands, win win.

I think people forgot there are lots of people pulling in £5k+ a month. 

You got any career advice to go with this statement?

Specialized (and plenty of others) have realised that customers, at that spend level, don’t ferret about looking for the price of every component to see if they are getting good value. They just want the best of the best, without having to buy everything individually (and are reassured that something is expensive). If a customer is happy to pay that, and they can afford it without blinking, where’s the harm?

I suspect Specialized do this with lower end models as well, where value for money does count for something. It's just more difficult to work out as those models usually won't have a frame only price and will come with cheap own brand bars, stems, wheels etc that have no retail price.

If you aren't happy to pay the price asked, attempt to get it to a price that you are. If that's not possible, buy something else. Something is only ever worth what someone will pay for it and given how many of these they shift (I assume 'lots'), they've a good idea what to ask, across the various price levels.

It's a weird one this, especially as some of their 2021 range is actually some of the best value for money on the market at the moment. 2021 Stumpy Evo comp comes to mind.

I'm wondering if the pricing is due to scarcity of parts and the price has increased to cover for a reduced number of assembled levos available for 2022MY to maintain margins? Just a thought

“ I’m wondering if the pricing is due to scarcity of parts and the price has increased to cover for a reduced number of assembled levos available for 2022MY to maintain margins? Just a thought”

Not so much maintaining margins but maintaining company profit if component supply problems cause turnover to be reduced?

I don’t think you could buy a Levo frame on its own before. But if they can’t get enough parts for all the frames to sell as complete bikes, they can sell you bare frames to make some money.

Wonder how many of those complaining about the price grumble at the prices whoever they work for charge for their product/service?
If your company could charge more, increase profitability and thus further secure your pay cheque for the next 6 months, would you complain? I doubt it.

Just because it's a bike, it doesn't mean Specialized have to act like a charity. They're a business. If they don't sell enough, they'll discount them, and maybe they won't make a £14k one next time. If they sell them all (which I'd put money on), they'll continue to sell expensive bikes. It's called economics.

Wonder how many threads there are on PistonHeads every time Ferrari releases a new car a bunch of middle-aged blokes can't afford?

FWIW I don't work for Spesh, the new levo is about 7 times my monthly take-home so I sure as hell can't afford one, and TBH, if I could, I probably wouldn't buy one anyway. Other bikes do exist.

I think people forgot there are lots of people pulling in £5k+ a month.

About 8% of UK taxpayers apparently, before tax, or 5% after. That's a lot of people.

I always remind myself of this when I baulk at the cost of whatever gadget, bike, or car. It's not aimed at people like me.

Put it through cycle to work and it'll be a hefty tax saving too, from our generous exchequer.

Something is only ever worth what someone will pay for it

Alternatively something is worth what the going rate is. Specialized seems to be persistently above that. Which could have the effect of artificially inflating what's acceptable for pricing across the board, including cheaper models and even other brands. Maybe that's their intention. Not so cool in my book, because everyone ends up paying more in the long run.

Although I do accept the Stumpy Evo Comp is quite comparable for value. But I imagine the price would jump up like the rest of Specialized's models did if it was actually available right now.

“ Which could have the effect of artificially inflating what’s acceptable for pricing across the board, including cheaper models and even other brands.”

It never works like that because someone always fills the niche of a better value item, if it’s possible to achieve.

The current situation is very weird, so every company will have their own way of trying to survive it.

It's well known in the industry that you pay for 2 bikes when you purchase a Specialized.

They generally say yes straight away when warranty is required because you already own another bike out back!

Their E-bikes have generally been poor for reliability but if you live near a dealer, back up is good.....because you paid for spare bike.

Do you see where this is going?

If you aren’t happy to pay the price asked, attempt to get it to a price that you are. If that’s not possible, buy something else

Whilst this is obviously true, I think socially it's more complex.

The seemingly quite rapid increase in bikes over the last few years has shifted where the "top end" is. Say it's now £13k . That shift also moves the middle of the market, and the bottom end.

I've read multiple reviews state £5k bikes as "good value" and it's common now for £2-3k to be seen as "entry level"

My concern is that many people will be put off the sport because of this. Yes, you might say "there are £1k bikes that are great" and whilst that is true, in the same way as other markets, if it's seen as being the bottom end many people will see it as being rubbish as to get a "good" bike you need to spend £4k+ as that's the centre of the market.

It never works like that because someone always fills the niche of a better value item, if it’s possible to achieve.

It does work though. Even on this forum, now this thread has happened, the bar for how expensive an E-Bike can be has been raised to 13k. If you start a thread about how expensive ebikes are and link to some 7 or 8k bikes, then someone will be along to say "that's nothing remember that 13k spesh we were talking about the other day".

It's good psychology! My bike cost 2.3k which if I tell non-cyclists about they think is insane. I go to Glentress and I feel positively thrifty in my choice, seeing everyone knocking about on expensive e-bikes.

Exactly as @kiksy says it shifts the mid and low end too.

Specialized seems to be persistently above that. Which could have the effect of artificially inflating what’s acceptable for pricing across the board [...] Maybe that’s their intention. Not so cool in my book, because everyone ends up paying more in the long run.

That, right there, is some Daily Mail level self-perceived objectivity.

Maybe (and I'm just guessing) the price and their pretty much "no questions asked" warranty support are somehow linked?

As far as I’m aware, this has been roughly the same price since launch, ‘16 or ‘17 iirc

Levo hardtail

My concern is that many people will be put off the sport because of this

Most people are put off mountain biking because it's hard to do, you can get hurt, and it's often in nasty cold and wet weather and you get covered in mud, and then you have to clean it....blah blah blah. There are a thousand ways people are put off MTB before you get anywhere near the cost.

These are the S-Works and Pro models which will only be sold in small numbers, and to those who want that kind of thing (the S-Works Levo SL sold out worldwide in no time from what I can remember). £10K+ bikes have been around for a while in the roadie world, it was only a matter of time. The top-spec Pivot Switchback is a whopping 13.8K Euros. Not forme at that price, but people are buying them.
The current Levo Base Model is £4.8K so there's no reason it will be more than than £5.5K or thereabouts given that most bikes and components seem to have a 20% price-hike for 2022 post-Brexit and Covid. Still a lot of money though, but nothing seems cheap right now, especially given the reduced supply and high demand. Before all this, you could get good deals with a chunk off the RRP on Levos and Kenevos, hopefully that will return again when this is all over.

A mate has a Spesh e-bike. He makes sure he replaces it before the warranty runs out, which says it all.

Handily lockdown meant he got about a grand more for the last one than he was hoping for.

Current version seems to have a taste for axles and freehubs. But at least the electrics haven’t failed yet, but it’s only been a few months, give it time.

The current Levo Base Model is £4.8K

The hardtail (linked above) is £2.5k.

The (now) previous version of S-Works Levo (which was a turd of a bike) was £12.5k. This is £500 more. Halo models are always expensive. You could have spent thousands more on a really bad ebike, the SL.

This one looks good - if it's a motor'd version of my Stumpy Evo, it will be a great bike. Will wait and see what the pricing is like on the Expert model to compare. I think on a deal it will be fairly comparable to the Rail.

kiksy

My concern is that many people will be put off the sport because of this. Yes, you might say “there are £1k bikes that are great” and whilst that is true, in the same way as other markets, if it’s seen as being the bottom end many people will see it as being rubbish as to get a “good” bike you need to spend £4k+ as that’s the centre of the market.

Is there any truth in this?
I have got a badminton racket that cost me £14 & a full set of golf clubs that cost me about £115.
I didn't look at £200 rackets or £1000 sets of golf clubs & think I won't bother playing those sports because the best kit is so expensive.

Same with cars. How many people don't bother driving a car because they can only afford a Renault Clio when you can easily spend 10x that on an posh car?

I reckon that people who are just getting into the sport probably aren't even aware that £13k e-bikes exist. They probably just go to a bike shop with a budget in mind & see what's available. That's what I did.

I’ve read multiple reviews state £5k bikes as “good value” and it’s common now for £2-3k to be seen as “entry level”

Good value and cheap are not the same thing.

A £2.5k 180mm Enduro bike might be considered entry level, if there's nothing else of that ilk at a cheaper price.

About 8% of UK taxpayers apparently, before tax, or 5% after. That’s a lot of people.

I always remind myself of this when I baulk at the cost of whatever gadget, bike, or car. It’s not aimed at people like me.

They don't seem to be aimed at me either even though you are saying they should be?
I have one bike and I ride a lot. It cost me £1,000 to put together, it has frame and components that I like and I love riding it. The most I ever spent on a bike was £1,700 and that seemed like a massive amount to spend on a bike.
I don't see any point in spending any more than that to get a bike that is good to ride.

I'm gradually getting priced out of the market. Not becuase I can't afford an fancy bike, but because I just don't see the value in a 5k bike let alone a 13k one. 13k is nice car money to me...

I'd like a new full suss, but I struggle to get my head around paying more than 2k, maybe 2.5k at a push for a full bike. I just wouldn't get any extra benifit from it costing 5/6k.

Maybe if you're life is racing or travelling the word to find the best trails, a big outlay and then replacing every year is the right thing to. But for my 2 or 3 rides a month it just doesn't make sense. to me anyway...

Well Spesch marketing definitely know how to make everyone talk about their latest product. When did the last company make such a splash? the media are obviously helping (their job after all), Pinkbike review title "The 2021 Specialized Turbo Levo is the new benchmark" is definitely inflammatory, especially considering their members love of e-bike (maybe that's improved)
For all the hate, this bike will be the number one e-bike in reviews, tell me I'm wrong

kiksy

My concern is that many people will be put off the sport because of this. Yes, you might say “there are £1k bikes that are great” and whilst that is true, in the same way as other markets, if it’s seen as being the bottom end many people will see it as being rubbish as to get a “good” bike you need to spend £4k+ as that’s the centre of the market.

There have always been super-bling expensive bikes at the top-end of the market, right back to when I started riding in the mid-90's. These bikes have always been something to lust after, and unobtainable for 99.9% of riders in the sport (including myself), but important to the industry nonetheless in driving forward innovations which then trickle down the bike range. They have never put people off the sport in my experience.

This is no different.

I'm not a newcomer to the sport, but I'm put off buying an e-bike just because they start at about £4k for the type I'd want - and you'd have to be very brave to buy one secondhand (which I often do for other bikes).

Not exactly an impulse purchase or affordable as an experiment. I'd need to be confident I'd keep it a good while, so probably best to let the technology mature a bit more anyway.

The way I look at this is that in 5 years the work that has been put into this bike will have trickled down to bikes that I can afford. From the reviews I've read of this bike it sounds like they have taken a big step in the right direction in terms of power delivery and integration and if you want that right now it comes with a hefty price tag.

Maybe, but it also has the potential to drive up prices of lower end normal bikes before the trickle down...

you cant buck the market (either from a buyers or sellers point of view) - noone is forcing anyone to buy this bike (or any other bike) - the market sets the price - its the point where buyers and sellers meet, if people arent willing to buy this bike then it wont sell and specialized will have to drop the price.

I think this bike will sell , specialized will have done their homework - it will sell to those who can afford it (obviously). There is a lot of money swilling around out there - and finance options make this sort of bike "affordable" to more people, in the same way that everyone seems to have a new range rover evoque on their drive.

Sworks bikes have always been v expensive.

S-works bikes have always been v expensive.

^^This^^

It's expensive because that's what the S-Works fans want, and are willing to pay for.

The value in the Specialized range is generally around the Comp and Expert level, which haven't been released yet for this generation of the Levo.

When did the last company make such a splash?

Someone released a £999, carbon everything, balance bike...

Someone above mentioned PCP and I think it’s pretty obvious finance is the direction of travel for bikes. Flash bikes seem more affordable with monthly payments, and after x years you sign a piece of paper and get a new one.

The finance model will be (is) different to cars, but I’m confident that it’s what the big companies intend.

Wonder if they've made a more reasonably priced E version of the Status, but just not told anyone about it?

That could be spot-on, eh?

Wonder if they’ve made a more reasonably priced E version of the Status, but just not told anyone about it?

😂

Personally I don't care how much any bike is as long as it's better value than the parts individually. As long as I'm getting better value for money than building it up of or even having a shop build me a bike with the parts I specify, I'll buy complete. The sport has changed massively over the last 30/40 years - Back in the 90's you'd look like a nutter if you'd spent 3k on a complete bike, custom builds were all the rage. Now it seems stock bikes are 'cool'..

The last complete bike I bought was in the middle of the fat bike revolution when it was significantly cheaper to spend 1k on a compete fatbike than attempt to build a custom.

The value for money that your getting with this 13k ebike seems a rip off if you can effectively buy the same bike for the same or less money in components. Specialized must be rubbing their hands together one the rare occasions they sell one.

The value for money that your getting with this 13k ebike seems a rip off if you can effectively buy the same bike for the same or less money in components. Specialized must be rubbing their hands together one the rare occasions they sell one.

I'm sure Spesh will be more than happy you going and buying the bits individually (if you can actually get hold of them...), as they'll sell all of these fairly easily, I reckon.

And yep, they'll be rubbing their hands - much like any other company in the world, they've priced them to make a profit - it's literally how the whole global economy works...

Once again, just because it's a company making bikes, it doesn't mean they have to forego profits to keep some IT middle managers on a forum happy.

Specialized must be rubbing their hands together one the rare occasions they sell one.

It’s really not that rare. They’ll sell everything they make. As I said above, a lot of customers at this level CBA working out if its good value vs building themselves. I’d bet if you asked them 6 months after purchase, they couldn’t list the components fitted, never mind how much they cost aftermarket.

The value in the Specialized range is generally around the Comp and Expert level, which haven’t been released yet for this generation of the Levo.

Enduro Comp is £5k, NX, basic suspension, wheelset thats not up to the job. Its terrible value for money, then when you see the discounts that have been applied on previous models, its laughable.
Slash 9.8 is far better value, trying to compete with the online lot.

To put the 13k levo into perspective.

I’m sure Spesh will be more than happy you going and buying the bits individually (if you can actually get hold of them…), as they’ll sell all of these fairly easily, I reckon.

Again missing my point - if buying the parts individually, why would you buy specialized parts? When you could have some boutique brands on there for the same or less cash - forks, groupset, brakes wouldn't be specialized etc. So less profits for them.

Once again, just because it’s a company making bikes, it doesn’t mean they have to forego profits to keep some IT middle managers on a forum happy.

Agree - and I'm also not the target audience for this bike, like stw said in the vid it seems to be footballers or generally wealthy non mtbers, who want the most expensive bike in the shop. in this case, if you know your bikes you'd be nuts to buy it as a complete build - which is my point.

For comparison and some perspective
Dacia Duster
VW Up
Citroen C3
Hyundai i20
Skoda Fabia
Vauxhall Corsa
Suzuki Ignis
MG 3

All under 12k new....

There are watches that cost more than my house, what’s your point?

Back in the 90’s you’d look like a nutter if you’d spent 3k on a complete bike, custom builds were all the rage

if you know your bikes you’d be nuts to buy it as a complete build

You both know this is mostly a UK based "thing" though, right? The two biggest markets for MTBs (Germany and US) don't have the frame +selected parts+ build yourself mentality to bike purchasing (unless they replacing worn parts) the normal way to bike ownership in those markets is an off the shelf complete build.

I did a summer job in a firm that did essentially posh garage builds, and their market was folk with lots of disposable income, they targeted (mostly men obviously) with incomes above £100K in the UK and the list was literally millions of people...Specialized will sell all of these bikes.

in this case, if you know your bikes you’d be nuts to buy it as a complete build – which is my point.

to the general public, spending more than a couple of hundred quid on a bike is completely nuts, more-so if you plan on riding it down a muddy hillside...

think people forgot there are lots of people pulling in £5k+ a month.

I'd say its still expensive. Still at least two months complete earnings. i.e. ~17% of you yearly take home on one bike. Your expenses are likely to be more if you're earning more as well

That e-moto might be a bargain but I bet you can’t ride it at the local bike park or trail centre. Or on a cycle path/bridleway.

I know we all (myself included) think the new Levonis mentally expensive but I was informed by a friend working in the States that all the S3 and S4 sizes sold out before the end of release day so obviously they’re not overpriced. Just overpriced for us

Maybe, but it also has the potential to drive up prices of lower end normal bikes before the trickle down…

Some time back in the late 80's the then boss of Porsche essentially said "If you want a cheap Porsche, then buy one second hand" and he culled all the "cheaper" versions and basic models, everyone said he was mad to do that, and surely it would spell the end of Porsche...And obviously now Porsche isn't one of the largest car manufacturers in the world, and the market in second hand really nice Porsches is so healthy that the editor of a mountain bike magazine can save up for one, own it for high days and holidays and pass it one to the next happy owner at no loss...

So, no just because one new mountain bike is £13K it just doesn't follow that all bikes prices go up a few grand on the back of it. Markets just don't work like that.

Bike for tory gammons?

the market in second hand really nice Porsches is so healthy that the editor of a mountain bike magazine can save up for one, own it for high days and holidays and pass it one to the next happy owner at no loss…

Surely you can't compare an eBike to a classic car? That Levo will be outdated in 12 months' time and in 3-4 years time it'll be positively retro (in the bad sort of way). In 5 years it'll be worthless, let alone in 10, 15, 20 years (assuming the motor survives that long).

If it sways anyones decision whether or not to spend 13k on an ebike, all that money gets you a bike that only weighs 50lb.

Always makes me laugh when I see S Works on an ebike. The whole idea that S works is the ultimate performance machine for people who take their cycling seriously and are really into it. Perhaps performing pretty well.

Then you see the engine and the whole facade falls away to be replaced by this vision of a plump IT middle manager using his wads of cash to try to compensate for his lack of...

Do you think that in 20 years we'll back at current e-bikes like we do at 1990s DH bikes, hopelessly primitive and clunky compared to what they've evolved into?

Obviously the geometry is OK, but I mean the technical integration and reliability.

Surely you can’t compare an eBike to a classic car?

I'm not. I'm saying that just because a market segment leader (Specialized, or Porsche) inflate their prices for a new release model, it doesn't then follow that the entire market does (or can do) the same thing. In part Specialized can sell a Levo for £13K because it's Specialized, and they have a well-trodden path of doing this (and sell these bikes in days of release) Same with Yeti (reputation) or Santa Cruz (market segment) . It doesn't follow that say BMC or Merida can (or want to for that matter). The same way you can get Porsche speed by another route (second hand, or say; a Caterham for new for a lot less)

Markets will level themselves, there's really relatively few goods that are price controlled by the most expensive version of that thing in it's marketplace...In fact it's nearly always the opposite