911 on ebay.. fair price?

[Twinspool]

Hello, I was so impressed with the assistance and good advice I recieved from you guys a few weeks back I just had to ask one more question.
I am looking at this 911http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1803693302
and was wondering if his price was fair. The car seems like it is set up very well. Are there any points that I should be cautious about?
Thanks again,

Twinspool

[orbmedia]

For $10K it's probably fair, but look it over carefully. That line about the A/C compressor being "all it needs" is probably not true. If there is no compressor and the lines are open then some of the other components are shot too - so consider this a car with no A/C and never will be one without extensive work. I'd suggest taking this car to be checked out by a Porsche guy who is familiar with engine transplants and who can verify the "correctness" of the transplant like the wiring job.

[jfitzoz]

$10-12K is about all you can get for a transplant in California like the one for sale on Ebay.

Don't forget, if it doesn't pass DMV's smog tests, you are stuck until it does meet their requirements.

VIN may be a DMV problem due to the difference between the body and the engine.

Have an expert check this car out before parting with your cash.

[Don Plumley]

Hi - It is pretty, lots of nice photos...

Rear deck is missing the badging - why? I don't like the way the engine compartment seal is wrinkled and it's missing paint above the "o" in the reflector - again, sounds like bodywork to me - and why else would the engine be replaced. Lots of oil in the engine compartment (and what's with the white oil filter?). Personally, I don't like the cyclops 3rd brake light.

IMHO, something does not add up here.

Caveat Emptor.

Don

[Don Plumley]

Sorry for the serial post...

It's easy to throw rocks at an eBay car, or any car for that matter with 150K miles. Go to my website and I'm sure you could find nits about my Carrera (some people don't like the chromed fuchs, for example).

So bottom line, go into p-car purchase with your eyes wide open. Some of the "faults" may not be an issue for you, and may provide bargaining leverage, etc. Great deals may be had.

Having said that, a PPI from a reputable shop is an essential. Can't repeat that enough. A PPI from a reputable shop is an essential.

Good Luck!

Don

[jluetjen]

Twinspool;
It's an interesting car. There are others on this board who I'm sure can give you more technical details then I can. But here are a few things that I've noticed.

1) It's not a deal at the current price of $10,500 because the reserve it not yet met. How good of a deal it is depends what the reserve is - I think there's a clue in the ad when they say that the owner spent $10K for the engine, clutch, transaxle etc. If you add the price of the car ($6-$8K) and they may be looking for $15K-$16K. That's what their value might be - yours is a different matter. Keep in mind that mid-year 911's can easily be bought for significantly less than $10K.

2) They's saying that the engine is worth $6500. I've been keeping a history of Ebay sales and 3.2's have a curious history. The highest bids have been $3600 to $4500. The reserves have never been met and those were all no-deal. At least one was offered starting at $6000 and no-one bid. 3.0 SC's are going for $3000 to $3500. How much more then that is a 3.2 worth to you?

3) They mention the zinc-coated body which is accurate. They also say that they car has been completely repainted. I'd be curious how much of the zinc coating has sanded off in the process of prepping the car for the repaint. Maybe someone else has experience in that.

4) Note that one of the right-rear shots is actually a left-rear picture flipped.

It certainly does look nice in the pictures. It's just as the price goes up, it most likely makes sense to get quite a bit pickier about it. I'd definitely get a PPI.

[emcon5]

For that price, I would rather have Randy's car.

You can trust him not to try and BS you.

Tom