Used Car "Blue Book" Accuracy?

[DarrylD]

Are you Porsche fans familiar with this annual publication:



The book uses the industry standard 1 to 6 rating scale where a 1 is a low mileage 95+ point show car and a 6 is a parts car.

In studying this book, it looked like the average car with a perfect PPI was a 3, everything in working order and quite presentable original or older restoration.

Given that, it's interesting to look at the "book value" following of 3 rated cars:

1973 911S - Coupe $12,000 Targa $13,200

1974 911S - Coupe $11,600 Targa $12,400

1980 911SC - Coupe $11,200 Targa $11,600

1984 911 - Coupe $10,000 Targa $11,200 Cabrio $12,400

1988 911 Carrera Coupe $17,200 Targa $17,600 Cabrio $18,800

1997 Boxster $8,800

How should somebody interpret the price of the 911SC? It seems the values take a dip during those production years. Is it the large number produced, market saturated with more in better shape?

The 1997 Boxster's value, well, go figure! I think it took a few years to get that one ironed-out.

[anthony]

The price seems low for the SC in that condition. There's a fundamental problem though with all price guides on classic cars. There are too many variables (actual condition, color, location, options, time of year, the economy, etc) that will cause actual selling prices to fluctuate by large percentages.

[RallyJon]

C'mon, are there 72-73 911Ss with "everything in working order and quite presentable original or older restoration" selling for below $20-25k anywhere? Where are these guides (and BA) drawing their data points from?

[ubiquity0]

IMO those values are nonsense. Was the guide published in some kind of alternate universe?

A mid year 2.7 worth more than an SC which is worth more than a Carrera? The premium for Targas over coupes is also backwards. '73 S coupe w/ perfect PPI for $12,000? Boxster for a Miata price?

[jim72911t]

No such thing as an '84 911SC, right? Should tell you something right there.

-Jim

[ubiquity0]

I didn't even catch that.

I guess this is why its an "exclusive grading scale"

[DarrylD]

The 1984 911SC was my typo. It's not listed as an SC in the book. Good catch, I'll fix it.

I appreciate hearing what you guys think of this book.

I'm wondering if the low values are due to the grading and the average Porsche sold in the current market is in better condition.

Here's the values quoted for grade 2 cars. Grade 2 is defined as "Fine: Well restored, or combination of superior restoration and excellent original. Also, an extremely well -maintained original showing very minimal wear."

1973 911S - Coupe $21,000 Targa $23,100

1974 911S - Coupe $20,300 Targa $21,700

1980 911SC - Coupe $19,600 Targa $20,300

1984 911 - Coupe $17,500 Targa $19,600 Cabrio $21,700

1988 911 Carrera Coupe $30,100 Targa $30,800 Cabrio $32,900

1997 Boxster $15,400

Perhaps a price between a grade 3 and a grade 2 book value is a more accurate way to look at the information the book provides?

[ckissick]

God, I hope someone who is selling a nice '73 911S uses this book. I'll be all over it.

[DarrylD]

Sorry Charlie, I edited my posting to add additional info.

[ckissick]

Oh, well, but they're still low. And a targa is worth more than a coupe?

[porschenut]

How can the 2 SC be more than the 2 84 Carrera? And 30k for the 88 Carrera? Puhhhhhleeeez........

[ubiquity0]

$20,300 for a '74 2.7?

[DarrylD]

Well, I'm glad to see it isn't just me that thinks this book is totally random.

I just purchased my '74 911S in November and this book was the basis of the previous owner's opening price. The car has a 3.0 SC engine which I figured added something to the value but not much, given its condition. I would think the 3.0 would detract from a level 2 or higher because it's not original, regardless of its mechanical superiority over the 2.7.

After doing a PPI and banging back and forth over minor problems we finally agreed on $9,500 after a new starter was installed. The car is very clean and I can't find any rust beyond some in the headlight buckets, which is rare for a Seattle car (and yes, I've taken the rocker panel covers off!)

I'd call it better than a 3 but not a 2. Since I bought it, I've had it into John Walker's shop for a "tweeking" it and he didn't see anything the PPI didn't already identify.

I'm still thinking $9,500 is paying a premium for a car in this condition in my part of the country.

It is nice to have the inflated "book values" when it came time to set an agreed-upon value with the insurance company though.

Thoughts?

[DarrylD]

Oh, BTW:

Here's a good laugh:

1974 914 1.8 - grade 3= $8,800 grade 2 $15,400

Ironically, exactly the same as a 1997 Boxster!

[ficke]

I suggest Keith Martin's " Sports Car Market " for a price guide , Fritz