Current value of 1985 Carrera Coupe

[eurocarrera]

I have been looking at more Coupes lately - namely 1985 models, as they have a nice mix of technology and advancements, and the prices should be resonable for a solid car.

Does anyone have the current prices from Excellence? I can only find my copy from 2002, and I know Bruce Anderson has done an update since then.

Thanks!

[nostatic]

I don't think the Excellence numbers really reflect the current market. For some models yes, for others, no. My guess would be that price is going to depend on mileage and condition. Figure around $15K with the price climbing if the miles are low (well below 100K). These are getting to be pretty old cars, so it is all about condition, condition, and condition. And remember you are buying the previous owner. If you can find one that has been obsessive, you have a better bet of not getting soaked. If you get a nice shiny one with a new paint job and no records, etc...be very careful. Have a PPI done by a good independent shop.

[JeremyD]

1984 Carrera Coupe - ROW just went for $14K on ebay -

[eurocarrera]

Thanks! This would be a 2nd car, and I know a few of the obsessive owners (they are just like me!) who have their cars up for sale.

Bruce has been pretty right on with his pricing in the past, I was just looking at them for comparison. I know I put tons of effort into my car, and I think that some of the prices are way low for Kelly and the other blue book evaluators. This bugs me since insurance companies like to give you "blue book".

Prices in my area (SF Bay Area) for some reason have always been a bit higher - maybe there are just more to choose from in LA? What is the market like down there? Are there any good sources that you could refer me to to look at. Thanks!


Also, So if anyone has current Bruce Anderson prices, that would be great. Thanks!

[creaturecat]

The Euro cars command a premium everywhere but the USA - they are actually worth less in the US due to being "Grey market" cars. Typically 10-15% less. I suppose the devaluation is dependent upon how much of a hack job was done in order to conform(to US regs.).

[aigel]

I would NEVER pay what Bruce says it is worth. Maybe the early cars, but certainly not for an SC or early Carrera. Bruce hasn't sold or bought a Porsche recently. Last time I saw him, he was driving a new model Audi.

And where did you get the idea from that the Bay Area is expensive as far as Porsches go? It's probably the cheapest area in the entire country.

You can find a mechanically solid early 3.2 Carrera for 12-14k in the Bay Area if you aren't too picky about colors and minor cosmetics and if you are willing to buy something with over 100k miles. While these aren't pampered cars, they are maintained and will make good daily drivers or track/ax cars.

George

[Wil Ferch]

I'll say it again.......

Here we go again pouncing on "Bruce" as if "Bruce" makes up the numbers.....

I dunno....it seems like he's using a broad data base to come up with his market values....at least that's what's being touted at the front-end of every market report he publishes.

To hit the point home...I can't find $12-15k 3.2's on the east coast that weren't....shall we say.....junk. I do see good examples pushing and exceeding $20k.

( another viewpoint / datapoint ...)

Wil

[JeremyD]

Yeah - averages - seems that CA is low right now - NE is holding... Junk is junk...

[mwbaum]

It totally depends on what has been done and how the car is cared for. For example, in the last 18 mos, JW installed new Bilsteins, new clutch, new brakes, and a few other items including complete tune up........I bought all new expensive rubber, had her corner balanced......and the car has never been parked out of a garage and never in an accident.......I wouldnt take less than 18K for it at 85K miles. (btw its not for sale).

[jbrinkley]

[eurocarrera]

jbrinkley, thanks for posting that.

I have to agree that when I was looking for my car there was a lot of junk out there. I remember driving this car in Palo Alto, and the guy said "clean paint, runs great". He wanted $13K and wouldn't budge. When I saw the car I was appauled - some parts of the silver paint had been repainted with a spray can, the car kept popping out of gear, and the tires were worn - like this guy gave a ****e.

I think Bruce is just providing a service, and honeslty he probably knows a lot more than any of us, that is why he contributes articles to Excellence mag, whereas I would have no credibility. As Will stated - they are just averages.

In regards to a "gray market" car, I really wish people would drop that as being such a bad thing. I have one, and I am honestly offended when that is brought up. A lot of people who bought cars from Germany directly were people who could not get them due to dealer shortage issues. If the car is propery documented (which mine is), then it should actually be worth MORE since it has more horsepower. But then again that would be a mine is best argument, and I don't want to go there (or did I just open that door - oops)

But really - thank you for the replies. I certainly did not start this thread with the intention of flaming anyone. I was just looking for mature responses without the emotion and unsubstantiated fact.

[JeremyD]

Originally posted by eurocarrera
But really - thank you for the replies. I certainly did not start this thread with the intention of flaming anyone. I was just looking for mature responses without the emotion and unsubstantiated fact.

I don't think there is too much emotion here - I personally would look for a ROW carrera - especially for a track car. Higher compression, usually lower bells and whistles and lower weight. The bad rap the euro cars get is usually from their insurance company... check with them before you insure - some won't if you have a ZZZ in your VIN...

Bruce always get's the bad rap - I would hate to be him and have to come up with a number for what your baby is worth...

[Wil Ferch]

No emotions here either....we're on a forum and we're discussing both sides of an issue......

I'd hate to put my car on the market ( 1985 Carrera 3.2, 58K miles, all documentation ...including service records since new, original window sticker, virgin paint, mostly all original and OEM....metallic silver with navy blue interior....etc, etc....)

If it's *your* baby..and if you need to (say) duplicate it because it was destroyed, or such....I think such a car would be hard to find in the mid teens....maybe I'm wrong, but it sure seems this way on the East Coast, since I was asked to help find similar cars for others...

Wil

[aigel]

Originally posted by Wil Ferch
I'll say it again.......

Here we go again pouncing on "Bruce" as if "Bruce" makes up the numbers.....

So, where does he get them from? Only if he has data of large numbers of actual sales, he can be reasonably accurate. These would stem e.g. from the DMV. There must be some formula he uses, since he ends up with prices down to the dollar! If you give someone a price to the last dollar digit, you imply that you are that accurate. Sorry, but I don't think so.

I would be readily using Bruce's numbers, if I were selling my car though. Let's just take them as a guide. I think they probably reflect relative differences between years well, so you only have to offset them to account for local differences.


George

[creaturecat]

A nice low mileage Carrera of this vintage sells for approx 30000cdn (25000US) up here on the left coast of Canada

[anthony]

Originally posted by aigel

You can find a mechanically solid early 3.2 Carrera for 12-14k in the Bay Area if you aren't too picky about colors and minor cosmetics and if you are willing to buy something with over 100k miles. While these aren't pampered cars, they are maintained and will make good daily drivers or track/ax cars.

I honestly don't see very many Carreras priced that low in the Bay Area. IMO, the range is more like $14-17K for a decent car. Closer to $20K for a low mileage creampuff.

Here's the way I interpret Excellence's numbers for an '85 Carrera:

Poor $13,961: WTF? nobody ever paid that much for a beater. And the Excellence description of poor is a beater that needs a full restoration. I have no explanation of how they could arrive at this number.

Good $15,874: Excellence's good is what most people think of as a nice, presentable daily driver in good mechanical shape with maybe minor cosmetic issues for a 20 year old car. Some cars dip below this and some above. I think this number is right on the money.

Excellent $21,250: To me this is the high end of the good range almost approaching concours condition. They call better cars "Beyond Excellent" and doesn't provide figures since the sky is the limit on beyond excellent cars. I think this figure is a little high but definitely in the ballpark.

[Nine9six]

I agree with Wil Ferch if I were a seller, but why has nobody touched on the depressed economy, and the fact that its pretty much a buyers market if you have the dough. Of course the seller has to want/need to sell.
If the car is in nice condition, with reasonably low miles, I would use KBB private party pricing as a general guide, and work your way down depending on what the PPI reaveals.
Thats how I worked my 87, M491 cab with 75K mi.
There you have it...My .02

[flyingplatypus]

my 84 has gotten offers for 20 large and i haven't taken it, although mine only 60k miles and is in absolutely perfect condition, besides oil leak (what else is new).

[Wil Ferch]

Aigel/George:

Read the pre-face of Bruce's market report and you'll see the many source he uses for his market value...he doesn't simply grab these out of the air or grab these from 2-3 local sales....

The later responses here mimic my own experiences...that a cream-puff mid 80's 3.2 might push... or be in....the low twenties ( $USD)

Maybe what we're seeing is the West Coast situation where the car ( structure) is sound.. but maybe with high miles...some "mechanical" issues... and some interior heat-borne distress ( faded leather, etc)...that gets you a "solid" car in the low teens.

I can then better understand the original responses...

Wil

[Hetmann]

I have personally seen one conversion of a ROW car. It was not that great. Pipes bolted into the door as crash bars. Fairly shoddy work and quit heavy. Needless to say thats coming out. I'm sure others were done to a higher standard, but nonetheless that's all reversable or fixable.