continue to upgrade a "salvaged" 911?

mattn · 07-16-2010, 10:44 AM

I used this website for a lot of good information. Looking for some opinions and I know you guys won’t hold back.

I’m not trying to determine the value of the car for the purpose of selling, but I am trying to stop and consider the value of putting more money into a “salvaged” car.

What I have is a 1972 911T Targa. Bought it in 1992, it was on a salvage title and in rough shape. About 7 years ago, did a frame off restoration. Put a number of miles on it, so it’s in real nice shape but not a show car.

Some of the upgrades include:
Steel RSR / turbo flares; Fiberglass bumpers and ducktail; 9x15 and 11x15 three-piece BBS wheels; 3.2L engine and transmission from a 1986 Carrera; ‘Sport’ engine and transmission mounts; Wevo shifter; Steering wheel recovered; All gauges refurbished – to include 300 KPH speedo and 10K RPM tach; New front and rear stabilizer bars, shocks, torsion bars and poly bronze bushings throughout; Lots of new chrome; recovered the targa top; New carpet / new dashboard; just to summarize.

Been driving the car, so it doesn’t look perfect anymore but no point in having it if you’re not going to drive it.

My question is: How does the Porsche community feel about salvage titles on well maintained, modified cars? And given that it is on a salvage title (with no evidence of any damage), what is the wisdom of putting more money into the car? For example, I have to pump up those old 3 piece BBS wheels every time I drive it. Would like to upgrade to Lindsey 2 piece wheels. But that’s quite a bit of money.

Any thoughts?

dad911 · 07-16-2010, 10:54 AM

IMHO any title issues make a car a tough sell, 20-40% less in value and harder to move.

But you are already upside-down money wise in the car, so what's a few more $$k?

Regardless of the title, wheels are not going to add much to the value anyway, and you can take them off and sell separately later.

mattn · 07-16-2010, 10:56 AM

Way upside down. :-) Not a smart financial move but its been a couple years and the pain has eased a bit. And I do love this car.

Good point on the wheels.

signature65 · 07-16-2010, 11:00 AM

Sadly a salvage title will always be a hard sell. No matter how nice the vehicle. Upgrade it to your likings and forget about resale. You will never recoup money put in these cars anyways.

dad911 · 07-16-2010, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattn

.....And I do love this car.......

Then you've answered your question.

Buy her a new pair of shoes, life's too short......

Zeke · 07-16-2010, 11:43 AM

If all you're worried about is the expense of Lindseys, remember that they unbolt. Not so much for the flares.

rnln · 07-16-2010, 11:50 AM

If you like the car, and if it is in good condition. Do not let the title condition stop you from loving it. Resell value? Of course it will be harder to sell with a salvage title, but a car is not an investment. It is not like a house. No matter what, you will lose, but a fixed up salvage will be better than a non-fixed up salvage. Also, smart buyer will look into why/when it's was salvaged, and have you fixed the problems.

KNS · 07-16-2010, 11:57 AM

The real value of the early cars (when it comes time to sell) is in their originality. You are so far from original that I would spend away. That is one sweet ride by the way!

berettafan · 07-16-2010, 12:10 PM

Wheels are portable and their value and any depreciation should be considered as separate from the car.

Heck for that matter everything on the car beyond the tub itself is portable.

berettafan · 07-16-2010, 12:11 PM

i'll bet that thing would tear up an ax course!

lindy 911 · lindy 911's Garage

I have justified owning a 911 by comparing the experience to playing golf. Golfing is an overly expensive, difficult to learn and even more difficult to master sport. Problem is that you at first kind'a like it, then you really like it, then you're addicted. Money becomes no object as it is a hobby after all. You never intend on recouping the money you spend on golf (unless you're Tiger Woods). Same thing with a 911 (unless you're Hurley Haywood).

Lindy

BK911 · BK911's Garage

I think that is an awesome looking car!!

You are already in the deep end with some cinder blocks attached, what is a couple more bricks?

rnln · 07-16-2010, 01:18 PM

something with the "wood" and wealth huh. I wonder if I should name my next kid something with "wood".

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindy 911

I have justified owning a 911 by comparing the experience to playing golf. Golfing is an overly expensive, difficult to learn and even more difficult to master sport. Problem is that you at first kind'a like it, then you really like it, then you're addicted. Money becomes no object as it is a hobby after all. You never intend on recouping the money you spend on golf (unless you're Tiger Woods). Same thing with a 911 (unless you're Hurley Haywood).

Lindy

tcar · 02:01 PM

Some of the sales problems, i.e. lower value, stem from many things, but a couple big ones are:

Most lenders will NOT lend on a salvage title.

Many insurers will NOT insure a salvage title car.

However, if you ever do decide to part with it... parting out may be a good option... may sell for more that way.

gsmith660 · 07-16-2010, 03:07 PM

My friend that is one nice lookin early car with some nice upgrades if it is rust free then dont worry about the value and enjoy the car value is perceived by the beholder and it just doesnt matter what anybody else thinks and if you were to sell it there is always someone else out there that will see that value also you just got to find them.

trader220 · 07-17-2010, 05:55 AM

If it was a more modern, read that as in a much later year car the title may be an issue if you sell it. Let’s face some real things here, even if it’s a salvage title the car is old enough that it’s all about how well it’s been repaired. I get this question about cars with a bad carfax all the time too. If we’re wholesaling a 2002 car and it had a fender bender in 2004 which was repaired correctly and it’s been on the road since then does it really matter much? You have yourself a fantastic car there and if it’s all put together well and mostly rust free, also tracks straight then a salvage title from a few decades ago means little.

WIL84911 · WIL84911's Garage

They're great for a poor man like me. I can drive the wheels off them!

scarceller · scarceller's Garage

For what it's worth, I love the look of the old long nose cars with flares. Also the light weight tub makes these fun to drive with a 3.2L! I have a friend who has a 73 with a 3.2L narrow body and the gearing in his car is kick ass, most likely from the 15" rims. Compared to my 84 3.2L his car is much agile or at least it feels this way. I wouldn't terribly worry about the salvage issue if the car is well done and straight have fun with it. The other thing is the car is already far from original and there is a market for these early cars setup as you have it, you just need the right buyer.