Moving from CA > TX . . . sell CA SC, buy in TX?

[scedmonds]

I'm looking for opinion, and folks on this board continually enlighten me . . .

We're moving from San Diego to Austin -- probably in November-December time frame this year.

My '83 SC has been a fun project -- it's been "done" for a year, and I've enjoyed it immensely. It's a daily driver that I've put about 10K per year on since I got it in 2000.

I love the car, but wonder if these things won't make it more valuable to sell in CA than to trailer it to TX:

* It's originally a CA car, so was built for CA emissions (and passed CA emissions last December without difficulty)
* It's got a great personalized CA license plate: "83 Targa" that I'd lose when I register it in TX
* Old P-cars in SoCal hold their value pretty well -- I don't know the TX market, but would hate to lose any equity with the move

Of course I'd get another one -- probably an early 90's coupe, maybe a 930, but that's not the first issue, here . . .

What's your experience, gang?

Cheers!

C.

[masraum]

Hmm, Austin has a pretty decent PCA chapter, but I think the prices here in Texas are higher than in Austin, so you might be better off bringing it along. It's probably due to the lower supply than So Cal.

[SilverPoly]

I love the color of your SC. If you really desire an early 90's coupe or a 930 then by all means, go after it. But maybe you'd miss your car. Your owner's gallery says it all. Dream car, come true!

Just my .02

[scedmonds]

Thanks for the kudos, Steve79SC. I certainly know exactly how this beast handles, it's quirks (that noisy Targa top, for example), etc. I was truly hoping to enjoy the car for a few years, now that I'm not fixing things each quarter!

Masraum, thanks for the insight re: "supply & demand" in TX. Cool that I might be increasing it's value with the trip to Austin.

Cheers!

C.

[LeeH]

Be careful. I was in the same situation. I had a very nice car in Atlanta, but was moving to Phoenix. I thought it would be an opportunity to get something nicer, better, and just plain different . My very nice SC sold quickly. After moving to Phoenix it took me almost a year to find a replacement and it ended up coming from Chicago!

I was kicking myself for selling the car. Just remember that Porsches are not as common in TX. I'm guessing like here in Phoenix, nice cars in TX will demand a premium over what you're used to in CA. I had my '84 Targa in for service a few months ago and asked the shop owner what he thought it was worth. He told me he didn't think it would sell for any more than $20K! That may sound rediculous but the same guy helped another Pelican sell his very high mileage 911 for low $20Ks.

You'll love Austin and the Hill Country. It's one of the most beautiful places on earth.

The resale on your car won't vary much from CA to TX.

[scedmonds]

Lee, thanks for the insight -- I would NOT like to be Porsche-less for 12 months while shopping!

Mark, we're really excited. San Diego is great but too crowded -- and who knows how the gubanatorial recall will impact the state. We've got family in Austin and we've visited 2-3 times a year for a decade; we love the area and are convinced it'll be a terrific move . . .

. . . WITH the SC, gentlemen. Thanks.

Cheers!

C.

[red-beard]

So, whatcha want for it?

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Chris,

You will love having a much more rare vehicle in Austin! The value will be about the same and you will easily pass Texas emission standards if you pass Calitaxifornia emissions. Be prepared for a slower pace of life, nice vistas, hot summers, fewer people, more conservative stance. Outside of Austin that is. Bring her to Texas and enjoy her!!! Equity in a car is a fleeting state of mind. Very, very few gain value over time.

[Benson]

Sounds to me like you probably need to get some more enjoyment
out of your finished project. Who knows, with less Porsche owners
in TX than So Cal it might have more value in the Lone Star State.

My .02 cents

I lived in So Cal for 25 years... Orange County.
I have been to texas a few times but never lived there. I think it
would be a good place to live. Good Luck!!!

[82Euro]

Originally posted by Benson
Sounds to me like you probably need to get some more enjoyment out of your finished project.

I agree wholeheartedly

[Zeke]

I think the Internet has narrowed the price gap and expanded the range from which to purchase. If you get it to TX and then decide to sell it, the buyer may come from CA (or FL). But it will always be a CA car.

[addictionMS]

I have lived in Texas, and if I were you I would take my car wtih me, Texas is a hot place, but often very humid and it does rain a lot. So there is more potential for rust. In CA you can count on low rust, in TX the risk is a lot higher.

Stick with the known car, you'll be happier

Jim

[krichard]

I have lived in TX my whole life and have owned ~20 cars, none of them had rust. These date back to early 70s cars. I have lived on the coast and now live in Austin. I really can't comment on the Austin porsche market since I couldn't find one here and had to look outside the state for one.

Cars may rust closer to the coast, but it won't be a prob in Austin. No salt anywhere in the southern 4/5ths of the state.

[jmz]

no matter how you look at it you really aren't talking about alot of money. If you like the car keep it if you are ready for a change sell it so you don't have to hassle with transporting it.

by the way you should enjoy Austin it is a great place with lots of "Porsche Roads"

[scedmonds]

Thanks for the comments and insights, folks.

SHE'S STAYING IN THE FAMILY. I need to reap the benefit of all the work my WRENCH has done to get everything working.

Zeke, you're right about the Web shrinking the globe -- it's the eBay factor, and it really levels the playing field for car sales (or guitar sales, ad nauseum).

red-beard, I'd NEVER get what I've invested . . . but I've had casual offers for $20K. That's about right . . . but it's going with us.

Cheers!

C.

[David]

I can't imagine that prices are different enough between CA and TX to warrent the hassle of selling and buying. There are quite a few P-cars in Texas especially in the cities. I was in LA a couple of weeks ago and was surprised at how many older (pre-SC) 911's I saw running around. I know it tics some other Texans off but I think of Austin as a little piece of Cali in Texas.

My recommendation for your first Austin drive:

Take 2222 out of town, past 620 until it T's into 2769. Then go left on 2769 until it almost goes into Lake Travis. Take the last right before the lake on Lime Creek Road which snakes around to 1431. Then turn left on 1431 and go to Inks Lake. Turn around and come back. This route is good for 3 or 4 hours. The first time I road this route (on a motorcycle) I got fired (college job, not a big loss) because I could not convince myself to turn around and go to work. I haven't been down the road in many years, but everyone I've suggested it to has been very pleased. I hope you are too.

[chuckr]

You will really enjoy your SC in Austin. I jsut moved from there and I have an 83SC. Austin does have a very good Porsche Club,
www.hcrpca.org . Scotts ******** did all my work and he is one of the best in Austin. Good Luck with your move.

[RazorRacer]

Edmonds,

If you pay for my plane ticket to San Diego and my bus fare back to Houston, I will drive it to Austin for you. Is there a Cannonball stat on that drive?

Regards,

Craig