There are still good cars out there...

[Adam]

I work in the motor trade and was called today by a former employer to come visit and look at a car for them. One of their customers was wanting to trade an '88 Carrera Cabriolet. I regret that I didn't have my digital camera with me, but it was finished in what I think would have been Midnight Blue. It was a genuine Factory turbo-bodied Cab, with dark blue leather. Among the options it had, were rear seats and heated front sport seats. It also had a nice Monty muffler, but the owner had the original muffler that would go with the car.

What impressed me was the overall condition of this car. It was stunning. The odometer read only 70,000kms (approx 42,000 miles) and the owner had thoughtfully bound all the service records into a large folder, about the size of a phone book! Even the original purchase order was intact, just like my '89.

I didn't drive the car, but was assured it was perfect in every way and I would believe it. I guess the only reason I'm imparting this tale is that the car really struck me. I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it... Wide-body jealousy?

What was it worth? Figures were flying around in the AUD$70k range (Approx US$35-37k). You guys will probably freak at the price, but G50 cars still tend to command pretty stupid money here in Australia at the moment. They haven't done the deal yet, but I'll let you know if they do, what the end price for the car is.

[Sean Hamilton]

Trading a Porsche for a Subaru!?
He's nuts.
For $70K, he's bought two, right?

[Tinton]

If it was a subaru, may have been the awesome B4 which is up there in price. I had some 'drool time' today when I came across a black on black example. The liberty looks great, too.

Anthony.

[nick-moss]

What a coincidence. I was chatting to a guy in my local last night. He too has a 1989 Turbo bodied Carrera 3.2 Cabriolet that he is thinking of selling to buy a 996. It has 43.000 miles on the clock, but lacks a full service history. I reckoned it would be worth arond £17K in England ($27KUS, $44K AUS)

[Deeks]

AUD$70k

Wow..... that's a fair bit more than you'd expect to pay for one in the UK. I suppose European sports cars demand a premium over the Japanese and Ozzie iron ?

[nick-moss]

I think there is a 100% import duty into Australia...yes?

[Adam]

Nick, not 100%, but on new cars, I think, it's about 55% on Luxury Cars.

To give you an idea, our '89 Cab cost AUD$156,000 new, according to the original invoice in the Previous Owner's history folder. That included the optional rear seat and factory alarm.

I guess that they take a while to depreciate. It makes a 964 seem a few more years away than I thought...

[Sean Hamilton]

Originally posted by Adam Chaplin
It makes a 964 seem a few more years away than I thought...

..... and the 993 a decade or two!