Pricing advice on '90 964 coupe

[mansueti]

*** Note: this post was moved over from the 963/993 forum. ***

Been looking for several years for my 1st 911 and have found very few cars that meeting my desired conditions, price, color, etc requirements. I have been using that recommend approach to be patient and wait for the right car to come along. But when it rains it pours…..Saw a very nice ’84 911 in excellent condition yesterday. Now I just test drove a ’90 964 that was also very nice. This is where I need advice on a good price for this 964.

First off, I want to thank all the posters who have been responding to all my questions in the last several weeks.

Now to this car……Here is the scoop:

-’90 964 coupe -
-Linen Gray exterior, very good condition – This color is high on my list. Body lines and seams are all good except from front hood. Front hood appears to be off a bit. The width of the seam between right fender and right side of hood is straight but wider then the seam (which also appears straight) between the left fender and left side of front hood. I would have a PPI to evaluate if any body damage had occurred. Seller replaced one front hood shock him self and he thinks it is off due to that.
-Deep red interior, also very good overall condition, slight wear on driver’s seat
-24,000 miles – would run a car fax to try to verify these low miles but this car has been owned by local PCA members so I somewhat believes the miles are correct.
- has a limit slip differential
-New tires
-New battery
-Needs new hood shocks
-Dual Mass Flywheel has NOT been updated
-Leaks no oil (according to the owner) – would have this verified via PPI
-Dual Distributor kit updated has NOT been installed
- A/C blow cold
-Car is located in Michigan

Seller’s asking price is $25,000

My questions are:

- What is the market value of this car based on the mileage coming back as correct, the car being in MI and a relatively clean PPI (no more the $500 for repair uncovered)? The 2/04 issue of Excellence puts the value of this car in 2003 at $26,300. It is now 2005 and, as I understand it, 964 prices are dropping. I think $25,000, let alone $26,300, is too much for this car, even with only 25k miles. What do you folks think?….

- If I plan on buying the car, should I plan on correcting the Dual Mass Flywheel issue right immediately or is that something I should wait on till I run into an issue with it? About how much does that upgrade cost? Will Porsche cover the cost of that repair as a warranty issue (I think I heard somewhere that they would)?

- Should I also plan on correcting the issue with the dual distributor? About how much is this repair?

That’s it for now….Again, thank you for all the replies to my many questions….

[trader220]

I am not a mechanical expert by any means but I’ve owned several 964’s and I really like the model. Is this a C2 or a C4? I don’t believe the fly wheel is an issue with the C4’s. As far as the C2’s I would expect that at sometime you’ll have to make the swap on the flywheel so why not wait? Unless it’s an issue where it could do more damage, someone else might chime in and tell you more. As for the distributor I would suggest the vent kit right away, I believe it’s a cheap fix and highly recommended. The real issue you need to be aware of is the leaky head syndrome. Normally I’d say that the cars of those years (90 and 91) that are going to have this issue have already had it and tackled the fix. But, with such low miles on this car be aware that it’s a potential expensive fix.

Given the extreme low miles I don’t think that the price is out of line. Of course that does not mean you can’t seek a lower price. ABSOLUTLEY have the PPI done and use anything that might need attention as a bargaining chip. Good luck, keep us posted!

[}{arlequin]

the price you posted is rather high. I wouldn't go over $20k on an unknown car. Just to compare, see how much this one was sold, with ALL the updates and practically new (important) componenets.

The 964 was the first model that I wanted, until I fell for the early cars. I still browse for 964's and for reference, you should check out this one. Take note of the condition of the car, mileage, and read the *entire* "Maintenance" section. I think that dealer got an amazing bargain.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4540506305&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

[trader220]

Victory already has that car on his website for a much higher price

[mansueti]

Sorry, I forgot to put that in the original post. The car is a C2

[Kurt B]

You shouldn't have any wear in the driver's seat with 24,000 miles unless he's got kids who have pretend driven another 40,000 miles. I had 88k miles on mine and I had 'slight wear' on the driver's seat.
Otherwise, the interior was 'very good' as well.
At 24,000 miles, the seats should look brand new, and the hood shocks shouldn't need to be replaced.

[Elombard]

I think that is pretty fair price if the PPI checks out. You sound picky so you will probabaly have to pay for a nice one. You can get a beater for much less, I am sure you are aware. You could probably get a nice 93 or 94 for close to that money that had the updates. I would drive the clutch until it blows or you have the motor out for some other reason. You might get 50K form the flywheel.

[Elombard]

Sorry "picky" is a bad word - no offense lets say maticulous. Many owners are this way.

[mansueti]

Thanks to everyone for all the great advice...

I do mind being called picking at all in regards to buying my 1st 911. I just want to get a good reliable car. I do not need a concours car that I might be afraid to drive because I might risk getting a rock chip or 2, let alone a door ding. I don't need to get the deal of the century either. I just want to pay a fair price which is not an exact number due to car condition and region I purchase it in. I want a car in decent shape and if I have to put $1000 into it the 1st year or so, that is OK. I just do not want to have to put $5000-$6000 into it right away.....

[ras911]

Best of luck in your search . I recently drove a nice 1990 964 in decent condition where the guy was asking about 21-22. He had done some fairly expensive engine work tothe tune of 15 k! I saw the receipt, it was legit , but looked kind of overdone. I think he was in a state of shock. His PPI was faulty?
Bottom line is with these cars and especially the cars after the end of the real true and onlys era (1989) the later models are much more complicated and MUCH more expensive to repair AND maintain.

[Foxford]

I saw a 1991 C2 with 28,000 miles for sale in Hemmings Motor News for $30,500. I believe it was Black with Tan leather. Very low miles and clearly in great shape, but no updates to flywheel, dual distributors, or gasketless head situation. Location was in Virginia. I guess a person can set the asking price for however much they want, but...