Need a seat of the pants appraisal

[Norm Faustino]

1985 Carrera 3.2
original guards red paint in excellent condition.
A few tiny rust spots around trunk and hood areas
145k miles
Leather sport seats with no damage
great tires on ronal wheels
seems to have power sunroof and windows
A/C
No visible damage
no leaks
starts right up and sounds strong
garage kept car with original manuals but no service history

Asking price in the low 15,000's

Does it seem like a good price?

[equality72521]

I'd be concerned about the rust. A 1985 with rust like that seems a little strange, I'm wondering about the hidden places. I'd say the price is alright IF the rust doesn't go any further. I don't think it's a good price, just alright. But then again, I'm no expert.

[Crachian]

Not really. That ask is about $2.5k high, in my opinion.

If the records were available and show history of care and a PPI comes back strong, and the rust spots are aberrations, then it may be worth closer to 15.

[defcon65]

Definitely check for more rust. My 85 is absolutely rust-free, purchased for 17K with 53K miles, similarly appointed. $15K for that sounds high. Check the pans, suspension points of attachment, door bottoms, sills. Structural rust would suggest a much lower price, maybe 10K. If you've got surface rust up top, chances are good there's a lot more underneath, especially in a coastal state.

Regards,

[Norm Faustino]

Thanks guys, I sure appreciate the tips on checking the rust. I'll try to get some pics up by Saturday.

[MattAlpha]

I'd say its a fair price IF the interior is in good condition and all electrical devices work properly and the compression numbers on the engine come back within limits.

I'd say go with your gut.

-Matt

[petrolblue83911]

Mid 80's carerra's with rust visible on the outside usually indicate re-paint, or long term outdoor storage. Neither is good. Check windsheild seals carefully for rust on cowl, look to see if it is a re-paint, seat of the pants with that description to me would be 10-12k car, if the mechanical bits are strong

[Norm Faustino]

okay, after checking the 911 buyer's guide, it says to stay away from cars with a zzz in the vin which this car has due to them being canadian market cars and the buyer's guide says they are un-financeable and uninsurable. Is this true? can anyone chime in on this before I go jumping to conclusions.

[TerryH]

I vote never go with your gut. Use your head instead.

zzz simply means the car wasn't built for the US. Anything negative you read can be debated. Check my sig for a Euro (ZZZ) car I recently sold. Treat it like any other car you would appraise. Get a PPI regardless of what the car looks like or what the vin says.

[Emission]

Originally posted by petrolblue83911
Mid 80's carerra's with rust visible on the outside usually indicate re-paint...

"Rust" and "Paint in Excellent Condition" don't usually go together. Something is up.

No service records is also a big red flag.

Those things considered, I think the car is worth more in the $10,000-$12,000 range...

[the]

Good or bad, it's a fact that ZZZ cars in the US, as a whole, command less than US market cars. The pool of buyers is much smaller, because (again, right or wrong), most people who ask their mechanics, etc. are advised to NOT buy a grey market ZZZ car.

Is that price "good"? If by good, you mean favorable to the buyer, the answer is no. Too high for a ROW '85 with that many miles, even without the rust issues. The rust issues make it a no-brainer.

[TerryH]

Originally posted by the
Good or bad, it's a fact that ZZZ cars in the US, as a whole, command less than US market cars. The pool of buyers is much smaller, because (again, right or wrong), most people who ask their mechanics, etc. are advised to NOT buy a grey market ZZZ car.

Can you point me to those facts so I can read them? Not disputing your claim, just curious to see where you got your info.

Euro's are the hot ticket for racing. More compression, more horsepower.

Maybe 20 years ago there was a larger preference for cars built for the US. If euros had body/structural issues, they are likely resolved by now.

[Emission]

I've always heard that gray-market cars were less desireable... maybe just a rumor.

Obviously, it's not an issue for racing, but it will be for private party resale down the road.