Is this price a deal on a 911?

Hi, ShawnO - A regular poster on the 914 board.

I've got a question maybe you guys could help me out with.

I have a friend in Florida who's next door neighbor has decided to sell his 911. It is a 1991 911 targa with 35,000 miles. Silver with black interior. He's not a major car buff so he hasn't checked to see if it's 5-speed or automatic (if they made an automatic). Assuming it hasn't been wrecked, is $22,000 a good price for it?

It sounds like a good deal.

TIA
ShawnO
1975 914/4 2.0l

[Planter91C2]

YES, That is a fantastic deal!!

[ekohl]

I work for the NADA valueing import cars and that number is about 9K$ low (a little more or a little less depending if it is 4 or 2 wheel drive.)

[gr8fl4porsche]

Thats the lowest price I've seen on a 90+.

If your in the market - buy it today!!!!!

Most 87-89's with average miles go for more than that
here in the midwest.

[Jdub]

See the latest Excellence for a price check.

John

[tight as a bull's ass]

for a 1991 with 35K miles selling for only 22 grand, I would very suspicious of it....

[nostatic]

As with any 911, mileage is only part of the story. If the car has been well kept and has updates (flywheel), then it is a good price. If it has been wrecked and repaired, has leaky heads (I believe the factory fix was midway through the '91 MY), etc then it perhaps isn't such a good deal. More research needs to be done, and a PPI is essential. While many of the problems with the early 964's have been overblown, there *are* issues.

[ekohl]

I stare at values all day and any car that is $10K under a national average is worth it if it runs.

[Kmatts]

Hey there everyone,
are you sure the mileage is 35K, could it be 135K??????
if it is 135K, the price is about right.
Kyle.

Just get a PPI. PPI PPi PPi PPi PPi, should I type it again?

[JeremyD]

Sounds good to me - I thought I got a deal paying 22K for a 1990 Targa with 72,000 miles... Get a PPI!

[Sunroof]

This months issue of Excellence features the 1989 - 1996 911's and used price updates. Its a pretty good guide for what the market can handle on these newer models. They do say that they can more expensive to maintain then the older SC's and Carrera's and caution the prospective buyer to have a major pre-purchase inspection done. That goes for any Porsche for that matter.

Good luck

Bob
'73.5 T

I've been calling my friend back and we've been playing phone tag. What's a PPI? Is it like a Carfax or something? I'll be sure to check for service records and make sure it hasn't been wiped out and put back together again. Here's the story I've gotten on the car so far.

The guy's next door neighbor is 72 years old. It's his son's car and he's been storing it for him for the last couple of years. The guy drives it to go play golf a couple of times a week to exercise it.

I admit that it does sound to good to be true and in these cases I'm always real cautious. My friend said he's been asking the guy since they moved in next door to sell it to him for a year and the other day he said he would for $22K. My friend said that in Florida everyone in your household has to be insured on all the cars you own. Well he has a 16 year old daughter. If he can't get around the insurance thing then I'll be going to Florida this weekend.

Thanks for all the advice and What's a PPI?

1975 914/4 2.0L

Ne'ermind - Pre-Purchase Inspection.

Thanks

[Kmatts]

Shawn,
a PPI is a Pre-Purchase Inspection that a qualified mechanic performs on an automobile. The do cost a little money but are can be invaluable in the long run. Basically a pro-wrench goes through the car very well to see what is wrong with it.
they almost always find something.
Cheers and good luck
Kyle.

[Planter91C2]

35,000 miles. no need for a ppi. just see if it drives right and sounds right.

i didn't get a ppi done, with a low mileage car there is no need.

also, you will be able to tell if it has been repainted just by looking at it.

[Kmatts]

If anything, the PPI will at least "buy" you a peace of mind, and quite cheaply I might add.
I will still recommend getting a PPI. The owner's 16 yr old could have started the car cold when Dad wasn't home and bounced it off the rev-limiter a time or two. Or worse, pulled the Ferris Bueller.
just my 2 cents.
Kyle.

[carnut169]

Get a PPI. Always. Do not assume anything when buying a used car. Example... your 91 C2 is technically an exempt vehicle (miles). Here in Ga a seller could replace the odometer witha low mileage unit and sell it exempt due to the age of the vehicle- very legal, very scary. A proper PPI is the only way to tell if the vehicle has been wrecked, or if a seller is covering up a problem- or might not know about a problem. More often than not a good PPI will find some problems- you can then negociate the price of the vehicle down (at least the cost of the PPI). The cost is sooo cheap when compared to what you might have to fix later.

[JeremyD]

A fool and his money are soon parted...

Always get a PPI unless you are a professional wrench used to this model. I have heard of too many stories of cars cut in half a welded together, major bondo work, or engines with 25K miles with no compression in #6 and actually more like 125K +miles.

Cheap insurance and 3rd party liability. Especially on a P-car where the down side is so damn expensive!

My 02 cents worth.

- Jeremy

[nostatic]

I think the general concensus is that a PPI is manditory, regardless of mileage. For instance, low mileage Carrera's could suffer from premature valve guide wear, and you'd be on the hook for for a few $K (check here for the story of an '88 w/6800 miles on it). With the earlier 964's, the engine could have head leaks and you could be looking at a lot of $K to put it right. Low miles does not automatically mean good car...

A good PPI (done by an independent, NOT a Porsche dealer) isn't a guarantee of a good car, but it is a pretty good indication.

[Mrdi]

PPI, worth the $150 just for the experience.
Iniation fee into the club.
Be on site for the PPI and ask the mechanic as you go. Two hours of private tutoring w/ an expert.

Too bad they don't have this service for permanent companions.