When to stop sinking money into it

[johndglynn]

Originally Posted by Meka

The H4s are definitely nicer to have at night. I have recently been thinking I would reinstall them.

Go for it. H4s with decent bulbs and a relay kit in the wiring will lift the lighting performance to a whole new level. It's 1 AM here and I have just got back in from driving through twisty country lanes with a buddy in our SCs, total confidence in the upgraded H4s.

[rnln]

Originally Posted by Meka

... I have a cruise control sticker on order from Germany because mine has a scratch on it...

alright alright, another crazy car head. hello

[WI wide body]

Originally Posted by ldortiz

I agree with widebody. I haven't had any problems with my Carrera (knock on alloys) and there is no way I would put 23k in extras into it but some times I too get a bit paranoid that something wrong will happen to my car any minute because I read so many of these blogs. I need to just relax and enjoy my car.

Meka, I'm a bit confused. Originally I thought your inquiry was dealing with how much to put in to your car to keep it running in top shape. Now you say that 90% of your expenditures were not needed and made by your choice. I think that there is a big difference in spending for maintenance and regular upkeep and spending money to add the myriad of goodies for performance and appearance. I prefer the original stock look. Your car is beautiful and you don't really need all the extras if your concerned about money. This is a question that only you can answer. Granted your car has twice the mileage as mine but I can't begin to see how you spent 23k not counting an engine & tranny rebuild. We can see some of the extras that you added in your photo and again, a great looking car but at the end of the day our vehicles are probably worth the same on today's market. I'll try to post a picture.

Cheers,

Leo
86 Carrera

Nice car Leo. I had a red '74 Carrera. Probably should have kept it! Here's a pic of my '86 Euro version wide body cab:

[Meka]

Originally Posted by Gunter

It's not unusual to spend the same amount on repairs as the original purchase price, even with DIY, but yours seems excessive.

Please, elaborate:
Without the engine/transmission rebuild, the PO spent almost $18.000 ??
On what?

You have spent at least another $5000 on this car.
Please, give us some details.

That comes to about $23.000 spent so far.
On what exactly?

On top of that you say that you could do another $5.000 worth of stuff.
Like what?

Having done an engine/transmission rebuild, brakes, shocks, struts, suspension work, and bought bigger Fuch wheels, etc. I'd love to find out what was done to your car for $23.000 (Plus the planned $5.000 = $28.000 total)

Much appreciated.

O.k Gunter. Took a look at the previous owners records last night. If I was to give detailed info and separate part from labor cost I would be here all day. Keep in mind this guy did not do any work himself. He had the mechanic I use do the majority of the work. My mechanic told me this guy was overly obsessive with the car. Also I did not know at the time but the P.O was the president of our local Porsche Club Off America when I purchced the 911.
1. Replace idle stabilizer valve, adjust idle, install wiring and electric seats. Install carpet on center tunnel (Idle control valve)= $500
2. Seat Belts=$250
3. Ing coil=$89
4. Headliner replacement. Remove and re install all glass OEM seals.=$920+
5.Minor service=$105
6.Brake pads F/R. Brake sensor a&l=$231
7. OEM Seals quarter glass, windshield trim, rear glass seal, sunroof seal x2=$441
8. Major tune & service, heater hoses from body, heater control box=$590
9. Repair broken wire to oxy. sensor & heater hoses under car=$155
10. Prepare for smog. Muffler, oxy sensor (again?). Replace heat exc. Replace cat.
windshield seal=$995
11. Replace headliner on sunroof.=$150
12. Replace drivers seat switch=$198
13. Upholstery shop 1 hr labor. ?=$60
14. Minor service, replace oil level sender in iol tank=$250
15. Parts Heaven ?=$90
16. Mount and balance four tires. Part/Labor=$576
17. New axle shafts & cv joints= $900
18. oil pressure sender=$75
19. Repair damage wiring to mirrors, install new mirrors.=$309
20. Paint new mirrors=$200
21. Parts Heaven ? =$40
22. Plug wire set, ex=$300
23. Replace starter= $320
24. Rubber buffer lid hood, fog light lenses, battery mat.=$60
25. Parts Heaven=$150
26. Install rebuilt alternator=$370
27. Replace outside door handles= $440
28. R&R engine and trans. Replace clutch and first gear syncro=$2738
29. Install rotor and distributor cap.=$92
30. Repair sunroof to work, leave out headliner, rattles=$461
31. Replace shocks F/R, Align F/R=$1071
32. Electronic control unit.= $1475
33. Ft hoof shock, headlight knob.= $46
34. Major tune up. Replace intake manifold gaskets.=$1083
35. Upholstery work. ? =$60
36. Rear panels, two quarter upholstery.=$213
37. Door panels, door pockets, pocket covers and rear deck,=$1620
38. Recaro seat x12 power. And install, wire.=$1300. (Not sure if cost is total or
per seat.)
39. Steering Rack install, tie rod ends.=$920
40. Weltmeister street bushings install. ? =$315

Please keep in mind this list is in no particular order. Some I have no idea what the are. I actually had probably about another $1000 in handwritten receipts but don't know what they were for. Other than money spent on the car. And Im sure there is more receipts I could not find.
I will give you the list of money and work I have done latter on today.

[Super_Dave_D]

No way those are DIY prices right???

[Meka]

Originally Posted by Super_Dave_D

No way those are DIY prices right???

Do it yourself prices! No Way! This guy didn't do any work himself.

[bhyde]

Originally Posted by Meka

O.k Gunter. Took a look at the previous owners records last night. If I was to give detailed info and separate part from labor cost I would be here all day...

Yep, the PO definately put some money into the car. I came up with $20,158 from the above list. I'm sure there is more. Seems like a lot, but the car is very nice and I'm sure these repairs/improvements happened over a long time.
I'll be glad to take it off your hands for you.

[AshEvan]

Originally Posted by tcar

Maybe this will help you feel better...


There's a guy in Denver (Craigslist) trying to sell his '76 911 w/ rebuilt 2.7.

Cabrio conversion w/ 993 body parts, wheels, lights,etc. Chose to paint it taxicab yellow.

Trying to sell it for $20k.

Says he has OVER $60k into the car

I have a middie (74) and love my middie . . . . . but $60K in to a 76 . . . . . are you sure its just yellow or is that GOLD?

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Mine's the gold one, and the numbers are similar. Paid $10,500 for the original car, rebuilt it with another $60,000, probably have put another $5,000 into it since then...but have you ever driven a quarter-century-old lightened 911 with 285 dynoed hp at the flywheel? And the whoop of carburetors and the wail of headers? Hard to put a price on that.

[EMJ]

I think the expectation of buying an '84 Carrera with 250k on the chassis for $12k should be that there will be a $2,500 to $5,000 range of expenditures over the span of a few years depending on the work already done. In the end, you have a clean and solid running Porsche, no less, that will last many more years for a mere $17k. Can't beat that.

However, if the thrill is gone, sell it, and get a newer one with all of the bells and whistles you want, but be prepared to spend a little more. I bought my '88 Carrera with 120k on the clock over 3 years ago, put $2500 in it immediately, and have driven it almost every day since. Drive the car and enjoy the car -- get out of it what you put in.

[jthwan22]

A plug for Steve's book. Very good read. http://www.amazon.com/Gold-Plated-Porsche-Small-Fortune-Misadventures/dp/1592282563

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Why, thank you! How much do I owe you?

[Macroni]

couldn't sink enough into one............so I bought a second.

[burgermeister]

So, Macroni, they do fill up eventually? I figured the black hole went into another dimension, where some lucky duck drives a 119 that fills up with cash and repairs itself ...

Well, when (if ever) mine's full, I'll start working on my wife for #2. 2 kids, 2 Porsches, it only makes sense ...

[RF5BPilot]

I've had to face this question on the restoration of multiple cars, boats, etc. The way I approached it was, there were some repairs/maintenance that go with any vehicle. There were other times I put money into a car that I was reasonably sure I'd get most of that back when I went to sell.

But after a point, anything more I put in were simply entertainment dollars. I enjoyed the rebuilding or modification process. I enjoyed the result. But I wasn't fooling myself, it was entertainment (some might call "hobby"). So, as long as you are comfortable with spending that much on entertainment (or on this form of entertainment), then go for it.

I recently did a $7,000 upgrade that I know I will not get my money back out when I go to sell. I could have used that money for travel. But, for me, this was better.

Your choice.

[Macroni]

Originally Posted by burgermeister

So, Macroni, they do fill up eventually? I figured the black hole went into another dimension, where some lucky duck drives a 119 that fills up with cash and repairs itself ...

Well, when (if ever) mine's full, I'll start working on my wife for #2. 2 kids, 2 Porsches, it only makes sense ...

You are right what was I thinking.