I am getting the itch, opinions please..

[trader220]

Okay I am getting the turbo bug, lets hear the opinions on this one please... Don't be shy gimmie your best value.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2484124240&r=0&t=0

[DG624]

It is very hard to buy anything from a picture. The price seems good 18,000 but it may have rust or other problems that you can't see from a picture.

[trader220]

The price is not 18k and I would never buy without a PPI, I am looking for opinions from people on value assumeing a reasonable PPI.

[Beethoven]

I didn't get the motor pic to show. Looks pretty amazing, but a lot of questions. Why motor rebuiild after 48k?

[Richard-Dublin]

Engine re-build after <44k miles! I'd like to know why? Looks really nice though and price seems reasonable so far. What are all the oil spots on the garage floor from? Service history?

[David]

As you probably know, graymarket cars are not rare and are usually less valuable than US market cars. My high would be $23,000, certainly not over $26,000. An '86 on the other hand, would probably be worth $30,000 or so in similar condition. From the ad it doesn't sound like this is a private owner, at least not one that knows anything about the car. Have you looked in Excellence for a value?

[Jgordon]

"very rare, because it was only produced in germany?" what?

[chuckw951]

Couple of things to consider:

1. "This car is a rare find in the United States" not sure if that is true and if so, so what. Also, this is a gray market car. I've read that they sell for less but have never witnessed it first hand. I think it would be important to know if the conversion was done properly or done quickly to make some quick bucks. But in any case you still need the EPA and DOT documentation...otherwise you could have a difficult time registering the car...suppose it depends on the state
2. Define "engine rebuild" I would want to know what was done by who and why.
3. Aftermarket turbo? What kind and is it set up correctly...how much boost is this car running.
4. My car drips oil too...I would want to know how much this car drips and from where and if the motor was recently rebuilt why the oil leaks?
5. Only a PPI and in person inspection/drive would tell you if this is a good car...little pictures on Ebay don't tell the whole story.

[soup dragon]

Did german cars have those big rear bumpers ? uk cars dont.

[chuckw951]

Originally posted by soup dragon
Did german cars have those big rear bumpers ? uk cars dont.

Good catch...forgot about the euro bumpers!

The VIN would provide more clues but who knows with old porsches....

I once looked at a 72 911 targa for sale in Virginia. I went to look at the car...read the VIN and it decoded to be a 911 coupe! Oops could have been a stolen car for all I know.

[nostatic]

Originally posted by Beethoven
I didn't get the motor pic to show. Looks pretty amazing, but a lot of questions. Why motor rebuiild after 48k?

From what I understand, turbo motors tend to have shorter times between rebuild than an equivalent NA motor. I don't think 48K would be that out of line for a turbo.

[trader220]

Guys thanks for all the opinions anything you guys add to my list to check is really appreciated.

[KobaltBlau]

I'm just wondering how they fit that "inline 6 cylinder" engine in there.

seriously, I don't think this car should bring much of a premium (if any) over a similar condition 78-79 US model, which is what I would probably buy in nice condition.

[Az911]

Originally posted by nostatic
From what I understand, turbo motors tend to have shorter times between rebuild than an equivalent NA motor. I don't think 48K would be that out of line for a turbo.

48K is way out of of line. All of the shops I have asked told me ~120K miles is the life of the motor. But with everything YMMV

[trader220]

120k on a N/A motor I dont think turbo motors with all their heat go 100k plus.

[aigel]

Even a turbo should be together below 50k. A stock turbo that is. It may have had more boost added, then of course life is shortened significantly.

The description is very short and vague, not even a VIN. I'd spend more time selling my wife's pickup truck putting an auction together.

There is obviously been oil leaking on the garage floor. May be from before the rebuild.

There are little things that indicate no concern about originality by the PO. Painting fuchs car color is just plain cheesy, and chrome trim rings on a car that was all blackened out...

Where did the euro side markers go? It should have those, shouldn't it?

You can get an original low mileage still together 80s turbo for what? 35k in very nice shape? Why buy someone's grey market adventure instead, to save 8, maybe 10k?

If you like a modded turbo, mod it yourself.

George

[Slant930]

It always blows me away the lack of info people put in there ads for these cars. Come on, there's like 2 sentences. Always makes it seem sktechy or someone who is not a true enthusiast, more of a status seeker.

Anyway, as a fellow proud euro 930 owner, nothing really says buy me on that car. It does have the US rear bumperettes instead of the smaller Euro ones. It doesn't have the turn signal indicator on the fenders. It has US tail lenses. I suppose these things could have been changed when it was federalized, but most Euro's I seen still retain all these things.

IMO, the bidding price right now, $22600, is at the max I think it should go for, if everything else checks out of course. I would pass, there's plenty of nicer ones out there.

Timothy

[trader220]

Dats it?

[adamred]

Don't know much about turbos, but I've got something for your itch...this stuff is magic...



Adam

[JeremyD]

I hope you have a vin. - It sure looks like a US car - US bumpers - aftermarket intercooler? AC Condensor ? Where's did the deck lid condensor go? No marker lights, No rear fog. Sport seats look like great shape - proper turbo guages. I like the wheels - looks like h4 upgrades with chrome rims - which I am not crazy about.

Make sure you know the reason for the rebuild.... I have heard 100K - 125K on a turbo engine if properly cared for - what boost? That can have a huge impact on longevity. Any aftermarket boost spring? What aftermarket turbo? It's really important that you get a good match with the engine - K27 or K29?

I'm sort of a Turbo lurker - so not 100%