What is this 911 worth?

[Patrick Brown]

I've been looking for an 87-89 Targa for some time (I'm looking for a G50 equipped car). One came up on eBay that I've seen re-listed several times. Each time it doesn't sell do to the reserve not being met.

It is an 89 red Targa with spoilers. The kicker is that the engine doesn't run. I emailed the seller. The engine hasn't run since 1999. It is seized. It cannot be turned even with a breaker bar and socket. I suspect oil starvation but there is no way to know.

I'm no stranger to rebuilding and restoring anything automotive. I've rebuilt about a dozen or so engines including one 914 engine (I know it's just a type IV bus engine).

Should I run far far away or maybe pursue it knowing that I'll be into a rebuild right away? What do you think it would be worth? The rest of the car looks to be in good, not great, condition.

Regards,

Patrick

[robhamster]

Buy the car AND find a woman who hates you. The car will be a relief to go work on!

[real550A]

You're going to spend $8-10k on the motor. The car is worth maybe $16 when
you're done. Personally, I wouldn't pay more than about $5k for it.

[GaryR]

It's a Targa
The transmission could be bad
The gas lines and injection system could be full of rust and garbage
Electrical?
$8-10K if you do the rebuld yourself, add $10K to that if you mess it up
It's a Targa
$5K for the roller, what is he asking??

[NineOhOne]

Originally Posted by GaryR

$5K for the roller, what is he asking??

Too much...

Porsche : 911:eBay Motors (item 290382038660 end time Dec-18-09 18:32:04 PST)

[GaryR]

Oh please, he should RUN with that $9700 bid!! I love the "QUICK snap a picture while it's still covered with water" photo...

[NineOhOne]

Here are other cars that have sold in that price range:

Porsche : 911:eBay Motors (item 250546356025 end time Dec-13-09 09:41:19 PST)

Porsche : 911:eBay Motors (item 250539719370 end time Dec-06-09 14:17:48 PST)

Porsche : 911:eBay Motors (item 220518662877 end time Dec-06-09 17:15:00 PST)

[NineOhOne]

Add the cost of the motor rebuild to the $9700 (reserve not met) price and you could have this:

Porsche : 911:eBay Motors (item 330385426406 end time Dec-16-09 09:53:31 PST)

[mpetry]

Pat, if that car is a basket case with a broken motor, then you should get into it for 7500 or so and see if you can find an engine from a reputable junkyard / reclamation facility (Jim at EASY comes to mind) for about 5000 bucks and plug it in, make it driveable, and hope to get it driveable for about 15000.

The question you should ask yourself is - are you willing to roll the dice on that particular car? Since it's not driveable, you cannot ascertain the condition of the brakes, suspension etc.

I think in this market you can find a very good car with lots of work done to it for about 15K.

The little "bits" and the labor are the unknowns. Are you able to put a new engine in it yourself, and get it running ? What about shipping of a non-running car? 1000 bucks minimum if you can't trailer it home.

good luck.

Good luck with it.

[Patrick Brown]

I just got a reply from the seller. They have decided not to sell and to rebuild the engine. I did notice, when looking at their feedback, that they had purchased the "How to rebuild the 911 engine" book - hmmm.

My search continues.

Thanks all.

--Patrick

[Kevin Stewart]

Originally Posted by robhamster

Buy the car AND find a woman who hates you. The car will be a relief to go work on!

you must know my wife, Kevin

[THECARREAPER]

i have a black on black 85 Targa with 58,000 miles on it that is super clean that i would sell for $22,500. otherwise i am going to wait until spring to sell it. i bought a slopenose, and dont really "need" 2 911's .


ps, i finally updated "my garage" with some of the cars i own or have had recently.

i am a car collector.

[peon77]

Listen to the guys saying $5k. I drive by a FS: 89 Cab every day, 100K miles with an asking price of $15,500. It has been for sale a long long time, and the owner drives it every day.