Value of 86 coupe

[911Brian]

I recently posted about my rear end accident in this thread

Rear Ended

I found an 86 today that has 57k miles and completely original. The car is in excellent shape and looks like it came off of the showroom floor. I could not find anything wrong with it. Drives great, looks great! It has front and rear spoilers, sunroof, the usual stuff. No noticeable leaks. What is the FMV of a car like this?

I don't know much about 3.2's but what are some of the problems to look for?

The body and all checks out perfectly so no probs there.

Thanks

[911Brian]

Anybody.. I have looked around for some pricing and I see prices from 14k - 25k. They want 22,800 for it. It really is in excellent shape but that feels high to me.

[anthony]

The price seems high unless it's a show car and you really want a show car. That kind of money usually buys you a really nice '87-89 G50 Carrera.

[nostatic]

Is it a private party, or dealer? Are there records? Desirable color? It is likely worth $20K plus or minus depending on location. Lower mile cars are getting harder to find, but '86 has the 915 tranny which generally drops the price a bit. Given the market these days, if it were the exact car I wanted, I'd pay $20K for it. There are those that will say that is too much, but it just depends how bad you want it. I'm sure if you looked for awhile you could find a clean '86 with a few more miles on it for $16K or so...maybe even less. But if you want it now...

[Beethoven]

For what it's worth, I paid 21k for mine a year ago, with 80k miles on a stock and very well tended engine. It's got a G-50, though, and I think some of the A/C vents are different. I figure I've paid about 1k too much. 22,8 seems too high. 19-20k for a very good one.

[nostatic]

86 has the same larger AC vents as 87-89 (86 was the changover year).

[911Brian]

It is a private party and they don't have any records prior to the current owner. It was purchased from a dealer back in Feb. The car almost looks like a show car. No leaks, no rust, interior/exterior is in excellent shape, drives great.. really, nothing is wrong with the car that I can tell and I went over it for almost 45 mins. I am just looking for something in really good shape with low miles so I hopefully won't have to do anything to it for awhile. I am still grieving over my SC . It is hard to find cars around my area. I have a looked at a few others and this one really peaks my interest. And it is what I am looking for well except it is not an SC

What upgrades are necessary on the 3.2? Anything else to look out for?

[nostatic]

so there are only records since Feb of this year? And it was purchased from a dealer? I'd be suspect. How do you know the mileage is acurate? Records help give you some indication as to the condition and true mileage of the car. Never underestimate what a paint job and a detail can do for the outward appearance of a car.

As for mechanicals, 3.2 engines can suffer from premature valve guide wear. This usually shows up between 40-60K. It happened to my ex-87 at about 59K miles (I sold it with 57K on it). The problem is the only good diagnostic is that the car will burn more oil than usual.

Also, have any major systems been replaced? That's another area where records help. If the shocks are original, they are likely shot. So could be a lot of bushings. Have the soft brake lines been replaced recently? If not, you should do those. There are other various bits and pieces that age with time and not mileage. Low miles cars can often cost a bit to get sorted...depends on their history.

[Beethoven]

Let's not forget the main fuel line, which should be replaced.

[porschenut]

I paid 17k for my black one last March, and mine is totally original and about as clean as the one you're looking at. I bought it from the original owner, who had every maintence receipt going back to the day he bought it, plus the window sticker. I still think I got a great deal. He could have easily gotten 18-19k if he had pushed a little harder. I'd say you could expect to pay about what I did, IF the PPI comes back clean.

[JeremyD]

A litte high - As Nostatic says - premature valve guides - 86 is a great year though. updated larger dash vents - still has the 915 (if you like that). $22K is more in g-50 range, especially NE in the winter. spring the prices will start climbing again.

[rzepko6194]

Broken headstuds, especially the lower ones. Not common on the Carrera but it can still happen. Ask me how I know

[david914]

For what it's worth, I paid around $21K for my '86 back in June. It had 69K on the odo, original paint in excellent condition, always garaged, all records almost back to the original owner, etc., etc. I didn't mind paying at the upper end of the price range because of its condition. As this was my first 911 purchase in almost 10 years, I wanted an "unmolested car". $22,8K is not that out of line IF it's it the condition you describe. You West Coast guys gotta remember, we're not living in the land of plenty over here in the East. Nice, rust-free cars are not quite as easy to come by as they may be out West .

[Joeaksa]

My 85 is a Targa, so the value is a bit off but paid $17.9k for it a while back. It had 60k miles on it at the time and was in good condition. A good friend passed away a couple of years ago and we sold his 86 coupe for $18k and it was in pristine condition.

Their asking price of $21k is too high, especially with the lack of records with the car. I received records from day one with my car and this means a lot when tracking its history.

Spend the money and get a independent mechanic to do a PPI on the car if you are really interested but at this price I would want him to find no issues what so ever and excellent readings on the engine. Personally at this price and with no records I would keep looking a bit.

JoeA

[jester911]

I have said this here before but I think it is worth repeating.
The west coast guys will always say a car like this is too high on price but, the reality is there are many more cars there to choose from so the prices there will naturally be lower.

You really don't find near as many unmolested low mileage cars on the east coast.

It is not to say that you won't find one comparable for a cheaper price but you may be looking for a good while.

If the PPI checks out and you feel like this is the car you offer them less and go from there.

If you feel like it is too much then it is.

[creaturecat]

imho 1986 is the best year of the carrera. price should reflect condition. if everything checks out this car is worth having to pay a premium.-21000 seems fair

[Beethoven]

Just curious--why should '86 be the best Carrera year? Because you can still enjoy an inferior clutch?

[JeremyD]

Originally posted by Beethoven
Just curious--why should '86 be the best Carrera year? Because you can still enjoy an inferior clutch?

and gearbox?

Some people actally prefer the 915 gearbox and cable clutch. Don't ask me why - but some people do. 1986 has the larger AC too.

Again, the rest of the planet thinks it's worth the premium for g-50 cars.

[porschenut]

Originally posted by Beethoven
Just curious--why should '86 be the best Carrera year? Because you can still enjoy an inferior clutch?

A 996 is superior to a '69 S in every way - but which is more fun?

Not that I necessarily agree with Creaturecat, but I kinda like having a 915 that requires more effort, skill and attention to operate. That's part of the fun.

[911Brian]

Originally posted by jester911
I have said this here before but I think it is worth repeating.
The west coast guys will always say a car like this is too high on price but, the reality is there are many more cars there to choose from so the prices there will naturally be lower.

You really don't find near as many unmolested low mileage cars on the east coast....

That was my thinking. Even while I have a 911, I still check autotrader and other places just to see what is out there. Very few pop up that are close to me (< 200 mi) I didn 't want this one to get away and right now, I am a good position to get it.

The deal is contingent on an excellent PPI which I am getting on Monday.