value of 85 targa?

[bkreigsr]

I'm going to check out an '85 targa with 103,000 on the clock, to see if a friend should pursue it or not. Seller is asking $14,500, and says car has been well taken care of.

Also, I've never owned a targa, what's a good sign that the car has been well maintained? Is there a secret top fitment issue only targa people know about? Is the 1985 a decent year to be looking at?

What's the range of a best-case scenario, where the car needs nothing, and moderate-case where it needs $4,000 to $5,000 in freshening-up?

My looking at it will only determine whether he will pursue it to the point of getting a ppi.

thanks
Bill K

[Allen_70S]

Bill:

The latest 85 Targa EXCELLENCE data is from the Aug 06 issue. Low = $16,706, Good = $18,995, Excellent = $25,428. Low mileage (< ~6K miles/Year) adds perhaps 10% to these prices, and extensive maintenance documentation adds another 5 - 10 %. Maintanance (at a reputable shop) documentation is a good starting point as to whether the car has been "well maintained".

A basic targa top rebuild would cost $450 or there about. Make sure the latches work and that the seals are in reasonable condition. Targa tops will leak and squeak, to some degree.

Go to the Rennlist.com 911 site and print our Peter Zimmerman Pre-Purchase inspection guide, shown at the top of the forum, for good information as to what to look at.

Al ('70 Targa)

[bkreigsr]

thanks Al.
looks like we're in the ballpark.
current owner (second) has had the car 4-5 yrs and only put 3,500 miles on it, and has records back to day one.
Bill K

[livi]

As a reference I am amazed how much the value of a good Carrera has risen since I bought mine 2 1/2 years ago. I payed 140.000 Swedish money. Now they are generally asking 170-220.000 !

Certainly there are fewer 911 in Sweden, keeping the price up, but still.

[bkreigsr]

I went to look at the car last night.

Looks so good I almost bought it myself, 'cept I'm not targa compatable.

questions:

is the "roll" bar or targa hoop supposed to be black?

what was the upcharge for full leather?

vin = WPO EB 0912 FS 16 0068
does this mean it was the 68th targa produced in '85?
seems like a low number for a jan 85 production date.

thanks

Bill K

[trader220]

The "roll bar" is supposed to be black, they often fade but its a very easy do it yourself refresh. The premium for full leather really wont add much if anything to the car at this point IMO. Got any pics or further deatials ?

[FenderGuy]

I would not reference Excellence as a source for value, instead check your local autotrader or cars mags or chek it online...14.5k for a 85 targa is not bad if the PPI check out

[klaucke]

Were you able to take it for a test drive? Targa's are notorious for a bad sealing around the windows and top, which results in a lot of wind noise. It can be expensive and bothersome to rectify. And I believe a good Targa top recover and refresh costs more than just $450-500, it can easily be about $900 for a quality job.

Of course, the cheap solution is to just drive on nice days with the top off.

[trader220]

I paid 750 to have one of mine redone a couple years ago. Done by Dan at Cars Inc in NJ... he's got a great rep as one of the best on the east coast to do the job.


He did a fantastic job.

[bkreigsr]

we did take it out for a drive. 915 shifts really nice (makes me want to rebuild my 73 again), top had no noticeable air leaks, floors were all original finish under carpets, so, no evidence of water, car looks like it has never seen rain.

only down sides were; felt like original rubber centered clutch plate (103,000 miles), and exhaust might need replacing in a year or two.

thanks

Bill K

[hytem]

Any 80s 911 in the low teens in good condition with no more than 100K miles is a good buy. The car will hold its value.

[hytem]

Originally posted by bkreigsr
only down sides were; felt like original rubber centered clutch plate (103,000 miles), and exhaust might need replacing in a year or two.

Bill K

They changed to steel-centered in '81.

[unclebilly]

I was not a Targa fan until I saw mine. A nice targa with wide tires in the back looks awesome (see the HotRod Targa thread). I now love my Targa even though it weighs 3300 lbs... 800 lbs fatter than my porker of a relatively stripped down widebody coupe.

[bkreigsr]

my friend pulled the trigger on the subject car today. even managed to haggle the price down a bit.

here's a few pics.

Bill K

[jbripps]

Hi,

Sounds like a reasonable deal. I have one for sale as well.....really great shape. However, I do have a buyer who is scheduling a PPI for it this week. I've included the link anyway for your reference. I'll post if the deal does not pan out for whatever reason.

1985 Targa - Triple Black - New York

Best of luck in your search,