What's an '89 930 Fact Slant Cabrio worth?

[NavG8R]

First of all, first time poster. Thanks so much for all the help so far. You guys are the best resource I've found. On to my question.

I'm trying to break into the world of Porsche ownership and think I've finally found the car. It's a 1989 930 Factory Slantnose Cabriolet complete with 5-speed G50. Yes, it is definitely factory (I've seen the original sticker, has the center headlight motor, option 505, etc). According to what I've read there were 27 of these produced.

It's a two owner car with 105K on it. According to the books, most of that was done by the first owner. In the last four years, it's only had about 9K put on it. Original Interior is in decent shape (some wear signs, but nothing bad), original paint is pretty good. It's all original with no apparent mods.

I haven't had a PPI done on it yet, but it was once-overed by a reputable local shop not too long ago and seems to be in good condition. It needs some seal work, but the current owner is going to have that done as part of the deal.

The car is owned by a friend who's asked me to quote him a price for it. I obviously don't want to pay too much, but I also am not interested in stiffing a friend. My research is telling me a decent offer is somewhere in the $27-33K range, but I was hoping to get some more informed opinions. After all, I have learned Slants are a strange love/hate beast.

So what is an all original 1989 930S Factory Slant Cabrio with 105K miles in good condition worth?

[MIK911]

Based upon limited info provided, blah,blah.....
$27 K would be a very good buy.
$33 K would be a decent.
Keep in mind that although it's already in 'good' condition, you WILL be putting money into it. Is the turbine itself in good conditon? etc

Re: Love/Hate. I love factory slantnoses.
I recently checked out a '89 930S coupe for sale. poor-fair condition. It sold for $24K. I figured it would need a engine rebuild and new turbo soon, etc. I could easily see myself spending $15K to get it in good condition, and another $5-10K to get it where i wanted it (eg bigger intercooler, 1 bar boost spring, etc).

Good luck
Mike
'86 coupe

[5axis]

Hard to call this one. I think the 105K miles is a scary thing for a turbo too. You may be getting close to or already past needing some major engine work.
A friend had a low milage 89 factory slant cab (GARAGE QUEEN) a few years ago. I think it went for low the $60's.

david 89 turbo cab

[David]

$27 to $33 seems pretty low unless it needs an engine rebuild (at 105K miles I would imagine it would). Expect at least $12K for a rebuild and that can easily jump to $20 or $30K with some mods. What condition is the convertible top?

[NavG8R]

Owner says the top is in good shape. Right now one of the arms is broken so while the PPI is being done he's going to have it fixed so we can raise the top and see for real. Tops been down for about 6 months. I hadn't thought about it until just now, but that doesn't seem like a good thing. Will having the top down for a long time affect it?

[fuelie600]

I bought my car from a firend and had the same concerns as you. You don't want either party to get a bad deal, you just want a fair price for both.

Here's what I did: I started with ballpark numbers like you posted above. We both agreed that the value range was correct for the car/year. Then we agreed to the cosmetic condition and pegged the price. Then I got a PPI and we adjusted the price from there. It basically came down to, I was willing to pay the difference in the condition value minus the repair bill. In this case the bill was significant, as the throw-out bearing was going out and the brakes needed rebuilding.

I knew I would be doing the work myself so I gave me friend a little leeway on the initial condition price. In the end, the deal was very fair for both of us.

You might try the same.

Also,

I would get a PPI no matter what.

You didn't say what type of seal? (door/top/engine?) I would have your friend wait on the seal until you know what else the car needs.

Good luck with the deal & post some pics!

[NavG8R]

The seals work is the engine seals. He's already been quoted $3500 for that work. Our thoughts on how to execute the deal are essentially what you described, fuelie. I'm trying to get a feel for that right starting range. Glad to see this has worked for others.

Hopefully, I'll be able to post some pics soon.

[911boost]

Be very careful and wary of the top. Having owned an 86 Convertible that had some top issues (as any of the Colorado Guys will remember when it froze half open in front of the Stanley Hotel...), there is a lot to go wrong with the top. If it is one of the side bars that is broken, I would be worried. If the top is out of alignment I can see them snapping very easily. If one of the motors goes out (there are two, one for each side) they are expensive. If the gear reuction part goes out (actually a BMW part believe it or not) they are about $400 a piece. My Cab had 105,000 on it as well, and the top parts were starting to get worn, as expected for the amount of time the top had been up and down.

If the top has been down for 6 months, and the window was not unzipped prior to lowering the eop, the window might be ruined.

Basically, unless you REALLY want a convertible, don't get one. There are a TON of things that can go wrong, and they most likely will.

Now if you need to re-sync the top, its not that bad, the problem is, why you would need to. It means somethign has gone wrong. Not to mention the motros that automatically close the top, although they are easier to get too.

I hope that helps, I do not mean to very negative, just making sure you know what youa re gettign into.

Bill

[fuelie600]

I figured it was probably the engine. hmmm. Is it leaking bad? most of these cars leak a little. If it's not too bad, I would wait until it needed something else. For $3500, they're doing an engine drop and some serious disassembly!

Do you plan to wrench on the car? It would be nice to cut $3500 off of the price! Where are you located? - There are probably pelicans nearby that would assist with an engine drop!

[NavG8R]

BSiple, np on the neg comments. I'm looking for that kind of honest appraisal and advice.

Fuelie, It doesn't appear to me to be too bad, so I'll ask that ? directly at the PPI and see. I do plan to wrench on it some, but most of my exp has been with American Muscle so frankly, tweaking on an air cooled turbo does put the fear of God in me. I'm located in the DC Metro area.

[911boost]

Cool NavG8R, glad you liek the honesty. My background was all American Muscle as well.

Like I said, the top can be tricky, but after you take it apart a couple of times, its pretty easy to figure out. Good Luck on your decision.

I grew up in the DC area (Northern VA, actually).

Bill

[fuelie600]

NavG8R,

You better watch out for the NOVA (do a search) gang, they'll have you doing engine drops before you know it!

Don't be affraid of the turbo engine, "parts is parts!"

Good luck!

[5axis]

Yeah watch out for those NOVA types they are trouble.

It could be a very cool car but my feeling is that it will cost much more than the purchase price before you get things right.


And turbos are a "high risk" group for the "while you are there"
illness. New turbo, intercooler, headers, cams and such are so very tempting.



david 89 turbo cab

[charlesbahn]

I believe it is a rare and very desirable car that will appreciate in value if restored and maintained. If the PPI is otherwise clean it is, IMHO, a steal at 33K. On the other hand, it is like playing poker, you have to be prepared to spend as needed as you find things that need fixin.

If you do it yourself it is great fun and sort of affordable. If you have to pay a shop, it is less worthwhile and you may run out of money.