Current value for '87 3.2

[clay1g]

I'm seriously considering selling my '87 3.2 911. It is as follows:

Black exterior and interior
Sunroof coupe
87,000 miles
Tail
topend rebuild @ 81,000 miles
New tires
I would put the interior and exterior condition @ 8 each on a scale of 10. Not perfect but for a 23 year old car, pretty darn good.

Given this, what is a reasonable amount to sell this car for?

[MotoSook]

With economy a mess and folks expecting "divorce sale"'prices, you better be prepared for disappointment.

[NewfieMZ3]

best advice is to hang on to it if you don't need to sell............the prices will come around again.

[JeremyD]

Upper teens for quicker sale - lower twenties if you are not in a hurry

[KNS]

I've been considering selling my SC (to fund a newer 911). I've come to the conclusion that now is a terrible time to sell - nice cars are sitting for a long time and going for very low prices. If you don't have to sell right now I would just hold out for a while.

[clay1g]

I'm not in a real hurry, just wanting to sell to upgrade to a 993.

[Christien]

Definitely hold on to it. 993s are rare enough that they're holding value better than other cars (though prices are still down), but SCs and Carreras are really way undervalued right now, IMO. Definitely a buyer's market.

[jwakil]

I've also thought about upgrading from my 83SC to a 993, but sometimes I think the 83 is more special and a better investment in the long run. After all, a 993 aside from the air cooled engine is not as different from normal cars today.

[m110]

I follow this market pretty closely, JeremyD is right on, I'd say 18K to 22K-23K. There are some regional differences too but I don't know about Georgia. Depends how long you hold out.

[cattman]

Funny, I just bought a 1987 Carrera 3.2 right here in Atlanta. The one I bought has 125k miles on it, which is higher than yours, but it is a 10/10 inside and out, Concours ready in Guards Red on Black. It came with every single record, receipt, and service order, the original everything, including the warrantee booklet with all service entries stamped and signed by the dealership. While it now has a Blaupunkt CD player/ changer, the purchase came with the orignal cassette player. While it now sports upgraded infinity speakers, it's original Blaupunkt speakers came in the deal. While it now rides on Weiderman restored orginal Fuchs alloys in 7 and 8, the deal included the original 6's. While it now has a cat bypass pipe, again, it came with the original cat, in perfect shape. It had a full top-end rebuild at 110k miles. It has a Wong chip, although also included was the original. It came with the orignal and complete tool kit and compressor. It came with a brand new 930 Turbo S steering wheel, in addition to a brand new '87 930 wheel. Extra $100 relays for under the seat, extra full set of OEM brake pads, and lots of spare bulbs. Masterly done respray of the hood and front fenders, no accidents or rust, no body repair whatsoever. Seals are all healthy, lines are all moist, etc.

I paid $23k for it, and I feel that was about right, and equitable for the seller as well as for me, the buyer. Some folks have told me that I got a great deal- given it's Concours condition, complete documentation, etc. While I had it in the shop, Hennessy Porsche actually kept it in their showroom. I can understand why, it's perfect. I came out of Starbucks and 2 people were taking pics of it with their iPhones. That happens almost daily on the road, at speed, too.

Mind this: as perfect as it is, I still had to spend another $3k on front brake pads and rotors, new rear driver's side wheel bearing, repack front axle bearings, new front and rear hood struts, misc rubber seals here and there, AC tune up, etc. It'll be another couple grand, for a total of around $30k to make this a Pebble Beach entry, but I plan instead to drive it all the time, at least 5k miles per year, which has been it's routine for it's first 23 years!
CATTMAN

[Joe Bob]

Nowhere near what you think it's worth.

[cattman]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Nowhere near what you think it's worth.

Sorry, what do you mean?
CATTMAN

[Joe Bob]

Meaning that the market is REAL soft. I'm getting low balled on my 914/6.....

[cattman]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Meaning that the market is REAL soft. I'm getting low balled on my 914/6.....

Understood, that can certainly be the case.
I was willing to pay a premium for the car I described for many reason- it's care, condition, and records notwithstanding, it captured me, and I'd likely have paid more if I had to. Emotions are irrational, but I do feel I got a square deal that will look ever better over time.

[cattman]

Interior and wheel shots, as well as one of my 997S which I've supercharged myself.
CATTMAN

[turbochad]

These are not investment grade cars. Holding on to them in anticipation of a better market rarely ever nets you any financial benefit. Insurance, storage, maintenance, operating cost, and depriciation all cost you money. How many years should you wait to make back a few thousand $? I say none. If you want to get out of a car it is best to sell it and get into something else you do want in the same market. The market is where it is because of the quantity of cars in the market and the desirability of the cars in question. You either buy these cars to drive them or you buy them to store them. Either way they cost money and are not a good financial investment. At best mid year Carreras are a low depreciating asset that, as a percentage of value, requires significant maintenance and operating budgets to reduce the likelihood of further depreciation. In the end, mileage, model features, desirability, and condition set the price, so using a car and driving it always accelerates depreciation.

I won't tell you what I just got my '86 GP white, 87K car for, it will make you cry. There are deals out there to be had, but nice cars will always get a little more. Good luck with the sale and Godspeed in your automotive journeys!

[clay1g]

Originally Posted by cattman

Interior and wheel shots, as well as one of my 997S which I've supercharged myself.
CATTMAN

Very nice Cattman!

[gregwils]

The good news is that 993 prices are low, the bad news is so are our older 911s. I would say buy the 993 now, sell yours later, but with double insurance, fees, maintenance, storage, etc, not sure it would make sense.

I agree with the 18-23k range with your patience being the determining factor. Your car looks nice btw.

[not_hans_stuck]

PM Sent

[porschenut]

I agree with turbochad. If you're buying and selling in the same market, the net is the same. I think the market is going to get worse, not better, and I don't believe a recovery is right around the corner.

If you want to move to a 993 I don't think there's any point in waiting. If the aircooled market does recover, the 993 will most likely recover first, making the proposition more expensive.