Is this asking price reasonable? (long)

[96conv]

I'm helping my brother with his search for a 993 when we came across this ad. Is the seller justified in his asking price and arrogance? You decide>>>>>

1996 porsche 911 carrera 4 full options, navy blue, leather int, modifie

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Reply to: XXXXXXXXXXX
Date: 2003-09-02, 12:58PM


I have a 1996 porsche. Car is in pristine condition and always babied. This is no regular carrera. It was modified by S Car Go racing with struts, performance chip, racing harnesses, throttle body, and more. It is a carrera 4 in navy blue with blue FULL leather interior. Power windows, power seats, power sun roof, premium sound, cd changer, aero package, 17inch aero wheels. A copy of the blue book report is below. Car is 6 speed manual, 3.6liter.

Engine: 6-Cyl. 3.6 Liter
Trans: 6 Speed Manual
Drive: All Wheel Drive
Mileage: 48,000

Equipment
Aero Kit
Air Conditioning
Power Steering
Power Windows
Power Door Locks
Cruise Control
AM/FM Stereo
Cassette
Single Compact Disc
Premium Sound
Dual Front Air Bags
ABS (4-Wheel)
Full Leather
Power Seat
Power Sun Roof
Premium Wheels

Retail Value $44,665

I am looking to get $40,000 , no less. If you have an offer, keep it to yourself. I am only looking for $40,000, nothing lower so If you don't have $40k, this isn't the car for you. I am not trying to come on hard but many craigslist people present half the price of what is asked. PLEASE Serious INQUIRIES ONLY> Email me for pics. CAll me to schedule a meeting or test drive if elligable.

[moazam]

While the seller may sound a bit arrogant, I think I know where he is coming from.

I've put my ol' BMW up for sale on Craigslist before at a VERY low price (like $5k), and yet people would call and just try to 'test the waters'. It was very very typical to have people call and say,

"I'll give you $1500 cash...take it or leave it.."

"That car isn't worth that much...I have $1800..."

"Would you take $2k?".

Most of these people were very rude and would act as if the car was going to blow up tomorrow and hence it wasn't worth anything. And none of these people have even SEEN the car yet! Amazing.


Of course, I'd also get people who promised that they would show up to see the car and asked 50 million questions, and when the time comes they would flake out.

So yeah, the seller sounds like a bit of a pain, but Craigslist 'buyers' will do that to you. As for the asking price on the car, I'm not familiar with what it is worth, I just wanted to let you know where the seller is probably coming from.

-M

[96conv]

I've sold two cars and bought two cars all on craigslist just this year. Maybe I've just gotten lucky but I've never received any rude comments or unreasonable offers. Yes, a few tire kickers but that's to be expected.

[moazam]

I think if you were to go over there, test the car out, be serious and make a serious offer, even if it is under his asking price, he'd probably consider it.

He's probably ticked at all the people calling him and just saying an offer price without even seeing the car.

-M

[nostatic]

doesn't matter what the book says, a stock 48K mile 96 won't get $40K in this market. The mods might increase the value to some, but will decrease it to others. If I were looking for exactly that car, start at $30K for a "deal". Check eBay...there are plenty of 993s out there that are going in the $30's, and some dipping into the $20's.

[billh1963]

I don't know...$40K might be closer than you think.

1) It's a '96... which commands a premium over a '95 because of the slightly higher horsepower.

2) It's a Carrera 4...it's not an S, of course, but it does have the great AWD system of the 993's (I'm biased here)

3) The miles aren't bad..not real low but not bad

4) It has FULL leather...an expensive option

5) Aero kit, struts, etc. if done RIGHT will add to the value...not what it costs you but certainly more than just adding a stereo.

6) Although the market is weak for these cars (especially on the West coast) truly pristine cars with records are bringing good prices.

[Jump2xs]

I would think that 40k for the car is not too out of line if the color and options are just what your looking for. You can always find a cheaper one---it will just take more time and energy.

Yes, the market for 933's have taken quite a dive in the last year or so since I was seriously trying to sell mine, which is a 96 narrow body C4, 29k miles, no wrecks, like new, lots of nice options,blah blah blah.
At the time my asking price was toward the top of the market (50k) but I still got a fair amount of interest--but no great offers, so I decided to keep it. I wouldn't sell mine for 40k, but I'm not a motivated seller.

[89911]

It's actual value is what someone will pay for it. If you think it is a good car, buy it. The market may be soft right now, but that doesnt mean someone that has a nice car and wants to sell is suddenly going to cut his prices drastically. If he was trading it in and getting wholesale, thats different and usually based on the latest auction price.

[Schrup]

I respect & appreciate "firm". It saves alot of time for buyer & seller. I would hold out for something closer to $30k, I don't think the economy is going to shoot up in the next couple years & great deals on 993s will become more common.

[maxnine11]

$40k is at the high end of the price scale for a 48,000 mile car. BUT, if it checks out perfect, the price is definetley not out of line. (His price is what a dealer would be asking). It would have to have all of the service records/history too.
The blue/blue color combo would have to be something you really like.
What the H is a "racing harness"??
What are 17" aero wheels?
You would think he would know what Porsche blue it is- Ocean, Iris, Dark Blue met., Zenith, etc.
The aerokit will add a little in value, but very little compared to its cost. Up to you if you like the wing. spoiler, sideskirts. Is it a Porsche aerokit, or a fiberglass knock-off?
As a rule, the C4s and C2s are pretty much equal in price. Again, it depends on what you want. Some people are after the stable poor weather attributes of the AWD, some prefer the handling characteristics and lower weight of the C2.
Basically, if your friend is willing to spend $40k on a 48,000 mile car, he should be able to find a car with a good history, and the color/s he likes. Sometimes finding the above with the options one desires is just luck. But then, you probably already know that

I think that it is fine for him to list his price as firm. It saves everyone some time. When you are at the grocery store and see that a loaf of bread is marked $1.99, you don't try to dicker with the grocer. you know that is the price. if you don't like the price, you go somewhere else.
just my 2 cents, Max

[Neilk]

Your brother should try to find out how often the car was tracked. That might be an issue if the car has had extensive track usage.

Max, people have always negotiated on cars. I don't think you can compare a car to a loaf of bread.

[Ron.G]

Do you guys think he will take 35,000 for it?
; )

[maxnine11]

Neil, I know that it is a natural instinct to dicker on the price of a car....just as to raise your asking price so you can negotiate down.
I looked at a 993 that had a "firm" price. After a quick look at it,I said i would think about it, and check the price against other cars with high miles. I called him and left a message that said that unfortunetley I thought the price was a bit high considering the mileage on the car, but thanks for letting me have a look. i told him i thought it worth about %92 of what he was asking for it ($53k CDN). He did call me back a couple of days later. But, i had already decided to keep looking for a low-mile car.
My point is, i think the fellow is trying to get rid of the people calling him with low-ball offers without even SEEING the car.
And, with the right mods, a loaf of bread can be quite rewarding .
In our North American culture, it is the norm to negotiate on a car price, but not on a loaf of bread. I am sure there are places in the world where you have to negotiate on the price of bread with some guy at an outdoor market. Man, that would get tiring!! particularily for someone like myself who is not much of a negotiator. I think the C4 seller doesn't want to get "tired".
cheers, Max

[1982911sc]

Amen, It is nice to see everyone supporting a decent asking price on this 911!!!!! When I bought my SC the buyer was asking a pretty fair price to begin with. He came down $700.00 off of the asking price and would not budge a penny, not even to even the price to be an even number. He had a number in his head and stuck to it. Everything claim he made on the car checked out. It was worth the $. Have your brother go see the car and talk to the guy. He can always ask for a little less and if the guy says no -he can either pay the $40k or walk.

[DonDavis]

We all know that a car is only "worth" what someone will pay. While I can't speak intelligently on the value of a 993, I can say that if I were in the market for one, and did not want to spend 40k, I would not call this guy. I respect his wording and think it is fair. He's just setting his price and doesn't want to haggle.

[MonkeyBoy]

A dealer was willing to sell me this car http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=10156&item=2426689494 for $35K - it eventually went for $36K on ebay. It's a 96 C4 cab with comparable mileage. It isn't all modded out, but it is a cab increases its value. I think $40K is a little high, but not unreasonable if it's exactly what you're looking for.

[caliber60]

I think the overall condition and the service record are more important than the price. If you buy a car that has just some problem, that can easily set you back $5,000 easy.

[fig911]

I don't think he will sell it for $40K...Unless someone really wants exactly that car. Sure you can say the value is what someone else is willing to pay, but who would pay $5 -$10k more than a comparable car elsewhere? You can find great 993's for $5000 less than this guy is asking...why give him the extra $5000? You will be taking a huge depreciation hit similar to buying a new car.

Just my .02

[Type911]

Originally posted by nostatic
Check eBay...there are plenty of 993s out there that are going in the $30's, and some dipping into the $20's.

I'm curious as to the 993's out there that are going for less than $30K. What kind of condition are these cars in ? Miles, etc?
My hunch is they are the type of vehicles this board would say to run away from.