Why doesn't anyone want to buy my car???

[R22tech]

It seems like most people want to buy the nicest Porsche they can find-looking for months on end for a clean example is usually the routine. Comparitively, the 84-89 Carreras are just plain hard to find unless you are in Cali. Some of you know my car personally and can vouch for its' condition: 1985 Blk/Blk Targa with 47,000 miles, most options and all original. The car is a 2nd place concour winner for christ sake! I'm trying to sell it to someone familiar with the marque, somone who will take care of it. It is this reason why I have not listed it for sale in the local paper, rather, I've been tellinf folks at the PCA about it and at Road Atlanta. I listed it on Rennlist once, mentioned here, on this forum and NOTHING! NADA!! ZILCHO!!! I'm asking alot for this car in comparison to what's on the market: $28,000. I believe a true enthusiast will see the value: Needs nothing!!! A/c is colder than anyone I've been in. New tires, brakes, belts, plugs, coupler, shift bushings, the list goes on. The price includes all books and records since new, full tool kit, air pump, magbra, car cover, porsche car care kit, jack pads, original (perfect) mats, new extra set of mats, $500.00 spare main fuel line, extra original center caps set.

Anyway- this isn't a sales pitch. I'm just getting really frustrated that nobody wants the car that needs nothing! I know if I lower my price it will sell, but I'm not having a fire sale-as with most of us on this board: I have more in the car than my asking price, and the time I've spent making it perfect should be worth something, right?

Am I just nuts? Is the economy the problem? Or am I forever stuck with this love affair.

Please offer suggestions on how to get this sold for a reasonable price- I can't do anything more to the car and I'm not rich!

[rstoll]

Nostatic, here's your car!! No excuses!

[Moses]

This is so simple, really.

You are asking a premium price for a premium vehicle. Fair enough. Why in the world would you limit your market?

It sounds like a great car. Advertize it in the paper. Maybe give it a run on e-Bay. Check with a car broker. Don't be so picky about who buys your car. It is highly unlikely that someone will pay you 28K, then abuse the car.

The funny thing about only listing your car with the PCA and Rennlist. All those people have only one thing in common- they already own Porsches.

[pbs911]

I don't know but perhaps the newpaper would be more effective. It seems that many in the PCA find that working on the car, making it perfect with one's own hands, is just as fun if not funner than buying a car that is already in perfect condition. I know that's how it is for me. A early S may be more attractive to the PCA crowd with knowledge of the history and the quality of a car being unique.

It also seems that the new Porsche owners who want a perfect car will take the $30K and plop it down on a dealer warrantied vehicle Boxter or Porsche warrented entry level 996.

The newpaper may attract more of the "I want a perfect original Porsche like I say when I was young" crowd.

[cegerer]

You asked, so here's my take. There's probably little doubt your car is worth the money you're asking, based upon what you've described. I think the problem is that the market for people specifically looking for an 84-89 Carrera is limited. I think most people who buy Carrera's do so because it is the newest 911 they can afford, not because they have any real affinity or nostalgia for that vintage of 911. So at $28k for an 85, these people are thinking, "hmmm, I could buy a decent 964, a Boxster or maybe even a high-mileage 1995 993 for a few thousand more." It's the newer-is-better mentality! I'm not sure what the answer is other than trying to find that elusive person who can appreciate the condition of the car. -- Curt

[Wayne 962]

You're overpriced, plain and simple? You're also not advertising it either, so what do you expect? You need to get the word out there if you want to sell it.

If you want top-dollar for your car, then you're going to have to wait to find that one person who is looking for that one car.

Let's go over your comments:

"I have more in the car than my asking price, and the time I've spent making it perfect should be worth something, right?"

Wrong - a Porsche is a very bad investment, especially when you are looking for a return. $$$ is better spent in real estate. Trust me, I wouldn't be in business if you guys didn't spend $$$ on your cars.

"I'm asking alot for this car in comparison to what's on the market: $28,000."

Don't expect to sell it for a long, long time then. It's the same reason that overpriced houses sit on the market for a long, long time. Someone might come along and think that this particular house is perfect, but you have to be willing to wait a long, long time.

"Please offer suggestions on how to get this sold for a reasonable price- I can't do anything more to the car and I'm not rich!"

You started at $28K. Lower your price to $27K. Advertise it EVERYWHERE. Keep advertising it, and lowering your price. Using as many outlets as possible, and by slowly lowering your price, you will get the highest market value for it.

Based upon what I see, your car should be in the $24K range. You're competing with Boxsters in the $28K range too!

-Wayne

[rstoll]

Boxsters?? PU

[nostatic]

I have to agree with Wayne on this one. I've been checking the ads and looking at cars for some time now. $28K for a non-G50 Carrera is about the highest price I've seen. If someone has $28K to spend, they can find a G50 car with low miles, a clean 964, or a Boxster. I'm not saying they are equivalent cars, but that's what you can get for the money. Even at $24K I think you'll have a tough time. I saw a totally clean 50K '85 coupe that was asking $23K and it sat and sat (and is still available I think). You need to find someone that is looking for a Concours Carrera as opposed to a "typical" buyer. As such I think PCA sites and enthusiast events are the best spots. I don't think your target buyer is as likely to be scouring Autotrader, etc. Those people are likely basing more of their decision on price. If you drop it into the low $20's, then you might have a shot.

I have a good excuse for this one Robert...not looking for a Targa

[Jim T]

I agree - price is too high for an '85.

[Brian993]

In Ma. you could probably get in the 20-22000.00 range. I am lucky I got out of my boxster when I did. As time passes and newer cars depreciate these cars become worth less and less and so on....... simply because the latest and greatest become more obtainable. It sucks but that's the car game. Look at the depreciation of Ferrari, you wanna talk crazy! They say there's an ass for every seat, its not just gonna come looking for you! Their is so much available right now, everyone's dumping stuff, cars, boats, bikes......

[nostatic]

Following up on Brian's comments, here are two reasons:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1840238734

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1838825455

Again, not saying the cars are equivalent, but bucks is bucks to most people.

Then again, there is this one, so who knows?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1840883369

[cegerer]

Wow, $29k for what appears to be a decent 993? There's your answer. -- Curt

[mm86911]

Doug - gonna have to be a special buyer who is looking for EXACTLY what you have to pay $28K in today's market. Prices have really dropped the last 12 months. I looked a really nice '88 Targa (under 75K miles) south of Atlanta just 2 weeks ago and asking price was $23K.

Your best bet is to advertise everywhere including Panorama, Peachstate, Autotrader, Rennlist and anywhere else you can list. Online is preferred but there are a few who still rely on the newspaper.

Good luck - I'll put the word out as well.

[DANNOV]

I have a 1985 Red Targa with 36,000 miles, probably as good as yours. It is not for sale. But, if it were for sale I would ask $24K and take $22K. In case you have not been reading the Wall Street Journal we are in a BEAR MARKET for stocks. There is a close correlation between the market for stocks and the market for new and used Porsche's.
I don't think this is the best time to sell a Porsche and it probably won't get better for a long time. The shakeout begins with stocks, goes to real estate and at some point in between it hits expensive sporty cars. Just look at the problem Porsche has in moving Boxsters, they are piling up on the lots. It is a rerun of the early 1990's. I think real bargains are going to appear as 911's and Boxsters come off lease. Lots of nice cars, few people willing to pull the trigger and buy, and even fewer willing to buy a new Porsche. I might be interested in buying another Porsche but I am too involved in buying cheap stocks right now.

[Doug E]

Not to play devils advocate, but if she is so perfect, why are you selling?

I agree that $28k is way too steep. In this market I'd be happy to get $24k/$25k.

[JeremyD]

#1 too much money - hell with 964's going for $20 to $25K you are getting some price pressure from the top. (I bought mine for $22K at the start of this recession (or what ever it is) Same care would probably be in the upper teens today.

Sure it's a 3.2 but you don't have the G-50.

Advertise in


Autotrader

Ultimate Classifieds

I have had more luck with Autotrader - don't expect to get top dollar these days - especially in Atlanta. I'm in the employment business and everybody I have talked to is hunkering down - and not spending money on extras like Porsche's... You should see the boat classified in my area - now going onto two pages as people are trying to unload their toys...

[nostatic]

Another thing to consider is that selling now is probably better than later, as demand slackens towards the end of the summer (so I'm told).

[stuartj]

What a ridiclulous thread. Cant sell your car? Say after me. F-R-E-E M-A-R-K-E-T. Now, I will give you $5k for the car, sight unseen. No? Then the value of your car, today, is somewhere is between $27,999 and $5000.

It really dosnt matter what you think the car is worth. It only matters what someone is prepared to pay for that car (or house or share or kilo of coffee) today.

What are you, some kind of regulated market commie?

stuart 87 carrera

[speeder]

Might want to try the back(classified) section of Excellence magazine, most all of the cars advertised there are creampuffs for more than average $, not many regular/ average cars there.

Besides that, it just comes down to $$. Current dollar value of any car is what you can sell it for in a reasonable amount of time, properly advertised. It is certainly the right time of year to be selling a 911 targa. Don't know how much different your market is, but here in CA. $28G cash would get me a creampuff 88-89 cabriolet right now. And I mean CREAMPUFF, low miles, close to perfect, etc. This person would be asking low $30s, $28G cash in hand and I would be driving it.

I think that ebay has erased most regional differences in prices, IMO. I don't think that the 8k mile coupe that nostatic posted will hit $30G, unless seller gets lucky. And that car is VERY special, w/ red interior, options and it is practically BRAND NEW.

[rstoll]

Stuconomics!!!!!