Why so many disparaging comments on used 911s?

[RallyJon]

Seems like every day there are a couple of more threads trashing a guy trying to sell his project car on Ebay or Autotrader. Excepting the furry steering wheel examples, I'm amazed that Pelicanites are so eager to throw insults at someone so like them.

You guys are in a position to appreciate the amount of money that it takes to do any work to an old 911. I know that by the time the SC swap is done in my car, I will have over $25k into it.

As I've made repairs and improvements to my car, I've become MORE sympathetic to the restored and modified cars I see for sale, not less. When I look at those ads where someone wants $25-30k for an RS replica or restored early car, I now say, "that's a bargain" with a better understanding of what goes in to a modified 911.

I can understand that a collector will only look at pristine, original unmodified cars, but not many people here fall into that category.

So how about a little support for the people who buy a 911, pour their heart, soul and most of their disposible income into it, and then have to offer it for sale--usually at a significant loss.

[Early_S_Man]

Good point, Jon!

I think most of the animosity comes when there is blatant misrepresentation or lying in the ads ... some of the sellers seem to use a Clintonesque dictionary!

[TerryBPP]

Lets test it out. I'm thinking of selling my 1976 911. Tell me what you think I should ask for it. Its GP white (about 7/10 quality) w/ black TRE RS interior (9.5/10). PO rebuilt 2.7 about 4 years ago. Some documentation buts many years missing.

UPGRADES:
Welt. short shifter
Turbo Tie Rods
Welt. Strut Tower Brace
RS Carpet (6 months old)
73' RS Door panels (6 months old)
Carrera center console
Hyd. Chain Tensioners
Crane ign/ MSD coil
New Alternator (from pelican 2 months old)
New oil pressure switch (6 months old)
Powder coated fan/shroud
Carbon Fiber dash insert
Optima battery (2 months old)
H4's
Headers w/ 4" dynomax bullit mufflers (LOUD)
Removed bumper pads

Downgrades:
No heat because of headers. Has underdash A/C but compressor leaks a little. A charge lasts about 4 months.

Tach is broken but I will get a replacement before purchase. A stock exhaust can also be found if necessary.

Crack in Wing but easily fixable.

[Zeke]

Or they do bad things in the minds of Porschephiles.

[TerryBPP]

Almost forgot, 16" fuchs. Oh, and thats not oil under the car its water from washing it.

[nostatic]

Originally posted by TerryBPP
Oh, and thats not oil under the car its water from washing it.

oh if I had a dollar from every 911 owner that said that...

[Jeff Alton]

Trashing others makes small people feel big.

Jeff

[Superman]

True. And perhaps we're just pointing out the aspects of the vehicle that vary from the "pristine." If I were shopping, I'd like the guys to be as brutal as possible. I wouldn't care about their conclusions, but would want a no-holds-barred list of their observations.

And yes, anyone who knows anything about restoring or repairing automobiles will have a healthy respect for people who have completed an effective restoration project. 'Nuff said.

You know, there may be one way to market an incomplete restoration project without getting the criticism you have mentioned. If someone reported clearly that xxxxxx system has not been touched/restored, but that the restoration of xxxxx system has been completed, with pics of both. And if the completed restoration was performed properly, then the prospective buyer would have a good idea the real condition of the car. You see, the problem is that less than 5% of restoration efforts are done properly. So, when someone reports that work has been done, half the time those repairs made the car worse instead of better.

[Joe Bob]

Speaking from MY side of it....the trashing is when the seller or the slimey salesperson can't get the ad right and/or is so clueless that it's funny. A good solid 911 that is well documeneted is well spoken for....at least by me.

[techweenie]

"Trashing others makes small people feel big"

Agreed, although that really seems to me to apply more to people who go off on Minis, Japanese cars, etc. As if what you can buy makes you a better person.

[IROC]

Originally posted by TerryBPP
Lets test it out. I'm thinking of selling my 1976 911. Tell me what you think I should ask for it. Its GP white (about 7/10 quality) w/ black TRE RS interior (9.5/10). PO rebuilt 2.7 about 4 years ago. Some documentation buts many years missing.

OK, I'll give it a shot. Assuming you can back up the rebuild statement with some good compression numbers, etc., I'd wager a value around $10,500. I've always thought your car looked good.

Mike

[Staylo]

Originally posted by Early_S_Man
Good point, Jon!

I think most of the animosity comes when there is blatant misrepresentation or lying in the ads ... some of the sellers seem to use a Clintonesque dictionary!

I would agree with Warren on this, however I find the misrepresentations and exaggerations more "Bush-like" in nature.

[Milu]

One of the problems of modified cars is assessing the value and quality of the components used and the quality of the workmanship. It is much easier on an original car. An original car is more of a known quantity. The same can apply to a restoration.

Just because I've sunk 30K into a car does not mean that it was money well spent or that a prospective buyer will appreciate it. Especially if I have gone in for strange, unusual or stupid mods, or if I have personalised the car to my unique and unusual taste. Perhaps he would if the work had been carried out by Alois Ruf or Gemballa it would be perceived differently.

The value of a car that is for sale is what a buyer is prepared to pay for it.

[jrdavid68]

TerryBPP

I think you have a very unique and rare model Porsche there and you should start the bidding at $29,911. Add some hotties to the pictures and start the bidding at $39,911.

[JeremyD]

Terry nice car - Who did the rebuild? What you going to get next? As far as trashing goes - isn't that kind of the nature of this site? People come here with problems. I've seen plenty of threads where someone has looked at a car on ebay and is actively asking for the more trained eye to pick it apart. I know I have been impressed by the level of detail some folks on this site can pick out from a picture. Now if you stick a pretty girl in the ad - or a beefy one for that matter (especially if they have a tattoo of a bruise), than that's just fodder!

[Danskman]

Good point, Jon. I have been guilty of this too. However, the ones I have pointed out have been either grossly incorrect ("new water pump in a 911") or grossly misrepresented ("pristine, excellent condition" and there is rust in the pics, or heavy wear or even damage, or an standard SC as being a "Turbo Look").

I guess I've gotten a jaded view after seeing so many poorly described and misrepresented vehicles. I have no problem with sellers describing the mods they've done, just as long as it is accurate and truthful. Some mods are not everyone's cup of tea, but that's no reason to bash them.

[atlporsche]

Jon, people are lazy...it takes fewer muscles to complain than it does to find what's good about something...

EDIT...it wouldn't let me write byach...

sjd
porscharu will live!!!!

[JMar]

Originally posted by Staylo
I would agree with Warren on this, however I find the misrepresentations and exaggerations more "Bush-like" in nature.

No I'm pretty sure he was right the first time...Clinton like.

[TerryBPP]

As far as the rebuild, it was done at a porsche shop in Fort Lauderdale, FL. I have a reciept for the parts but its not that descriptive. So I called the shop and talked to the owner who knew the car very well. He had done the maintenance for the 2 previous owners.

Next, I think I'm going to get a early 80's turbo or an 993. Not sure yet. My real reason for selling it is to get a engagement ring for my lady.

[pwd72s]

The "trashing" of ebay cars is a time honored and fun tradition here. I, for one, love to find errors in the ad copy...it's almost as much fun as watching my wife do the Saturday NY TIMES crossword puzzle...