Anybody else seeing this?

[garment]

I've owned my '83SC for 3 years now. It's no concours vehicle, but I do enjoy it and take it out as often as possible. This past week the weather in DC has been especially great, but I've not had it out anymore than normal.

Here's what's not normal: over each of the past 3 days, I've been approached about selling the car. The approaches ranged from a yell out the window of another driver ("Wanna sell it?"), to following me into the gas station (moderately annoying once he low-balled me), to ringing my doorbell after seeing the car in the garage (a bit creepy).

Anyone else noticing an uptick on the frequency of unsolicited offers for your car?

[garment]

Oh, here's the car in question

[Oldmother]

I also live in the DC area and have had the same experience this year. I have owned my 3.2 RoW coupe since 2008. When I finally got it on the road this spring (after pulling the engine to fix a broken head stud--and rebuild the transmission, install new valves and guides, etc.), nearly every time I drive it someone asked me if it was for sale. In past years I would frequently get the "nice car" comments, but not the outright purchase offers. Perhaps people think the market for these cars is going to substantially increase and are trying to get in before it does?

Andrew

[biopsea]

I had a gentleman and his son follow me home. he was driving a brand new 991 turbo s. asked if my C3 was for sale. i said no. he said, "no seriously, how much?". i politely said its not for sale. he would not let up and seemed genuinely annoyed he couldn't buy it.

[Targa Me]

Nice car, Garment.
I have an 84 Targa and have gotten the same type of "Hey you want to sell it..." as you. And I have even had someone come to the front door to ask, having seen the car parked out front. I have never had a decent offer.

[Jack Stands]

Not that many offers to but, but lot's of questions as to how old and thumbs up when the top is off on a sunny day.

The mainstream has heard that the older aircooled Porsches are appreciating in value, so that may be behind some of the interest you're seeing.

[911SauCy]

This is why mine is always garaged, covered, its side of the garage is always closed and I back my DD up to that door every night.

Ive been seriously considering dropcams.

[Matt Monson]

These cars have doubled in value in the last 2 years. There's is blood in the waters and the sharks are out looking for people who aren't following the market. Our old cars have gone mainstream.

[tirwin]

I had a guy ask me recently. He seemed like he's trying to be Wayne Carini. Looking for cars to maybe put a little work into and flip.

I've had the usual pleasant experiences... guy stopped me one night when my son and I went out for pizza. Complimented me on the car. The usual "what year" questions. Nice guy.

But then I got a little spooked a couple of weeks ago. We have a lot of people that ride around in our area looking for odd jobs. People will pull up and say they see a loose shingle or some story to justify taking a closer look. Most of the time they do the trick of climbing up on a ladder and yanking a board off the house and saying they can fix it for you. Another thing they do is ride around with a big trailer full of pine straw. They offer to put it down at one price and then charge 5-6x when they are done. They prey on the elderly mostly and use intimidation. I think a lot of times they are casing places too. Anyway, I was working on the car and listening to the radio with the garage door up when one of these yahoos came by. I didn't hear the guy walk up. He startled me because he was IN my garage. He asked if I was interested in pine straw but it was pretty clear he came to get a closer look at the car. Pissed me off. I ran his butt off.

Maybe I am getting paranoid but I am going to be increasing the security around our house.

[Oh Haha]

Originally Posted by 911SauCy

This is why mine is always garaged, covered, its side of the garage is always closed and I back my DD up to that door every night.

Ive been seriously considering dropcams.

Except for covering the SC each night I do the same thing.

We are going to have a garage sale next month and I think I'll keep the 911 at my in-laws' place during that weekend.

I've had the SC out for a while now but haven't had anyone offer to buy it. Sure, lots of pointing, taking of pics, and yells of "cool/nice/sweet/car!" but no offers of $$$$.

I'm sure there have been fingers flipped as well but if you don't see it, it didn't happen!

[Winter]

I wish people would offer to buy my 911. Hahaha it's pretty ratty!

Maybe I should drive it more to drum up offers (or, more reasonably, for my own good). But winter is still trying to hang on here.

We don't get the straw scammers in these parts. Thank God.

[Karter18]

It's a shame because I have resorted to being kind of a jerk when anyone approaches our house as we have had people knock on doors and then break in if no one is home. Seems to have blossomed with the economy as well as there are more instances now than I remember. I like working with the garage open and know most of the neighbors in the area that walk by but anyone else I typically tell them to stay off the property if they walk up and start asking questions, etc. Watch out for contractors as well as some have newer people on their crews who are also casing houses. The police have also said that houses are getting broken into if you have military or NRA stickers on your vehicles as the thieves are looking for guns as well and advertising makes you an increased target.

I keep the 911 under a cover and miss seeing her beautiful lines but always smile when I take the cover off - what a good looking car!

[tirwin]

Some of the local guys I've talked to recently are getting "the itch" to sell. When these were $15k cars nobody though too much about them. With prices going up I'm hearing more and more people say they are considering selling and rolling the money into something like a modern Cayman. I would be lying if I said the thought hadn't crossed my mind. But I just got the car back on the road and she is driving better than ever. I don't think I could do it. Plus I wouldn't have a reason to hang out with you jerks anymore!

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by biopsea

I had a gentleman and his son follow me home. he was driving a brand new 991 turbo s. asked if my C3 was for sale. i said no. he said, "no seriously, how much?". i politely said its not for sale. he would not let up and seemed genuinely annoyed he couldn't buy it.

What a prig, on several levels.
I would have told him there a place called the internet where many more are for sale.

[fred cook]

Originally Posted by biopsea

I had a gentleman and his son follow me home. he was driving a brand new 991 turbo s. asked if my C3 was for sale. i said no. he said, "no seriously, how much?". i politely said its not for sale. he would not let up and seemed genuinely annoyed he couldn't buy it.

That's when you tell him a price that is double the value. He will either leave or pay too much! His choice.

[Noah930]

I've been approached about 3 times in the past couple years. Once a note left on the windshield. Another time a car pulled up alongside while driving. And another time a driveby while the car was parked in the garage. That never happened the first 7 or 8 years I owned the car.

I've also noticed (at least on the internet) that no one asks how much maintenance costs anymore. In the past, people would always want to know if the cost of running a 930 was much more than that of a NA 911. I don't think I've heard that question in 2 years. It's a different group that's buying the cars now.

[sky1jord]

I've had these spontaneous "want to sell?" offers for years, including notes left on the windshield when the car is parked. But I always assume that these offers are from people hoping to get a quick "steal".
Anyway, what's the difference? What could I possibly buy, at any price, that would replace this treasure of 23 years except another 3.2?

[Algernon]

Originally Posted by fred cook

That's when you tell him a price that is double the value. He will either leave or pay too much! His choice.

Or believe you, and come back to steal it!

[sc_rufctr]

It's happened to me a few times recently. I just say "Everything is for sale at the right price".

If they ask how much? I say $40,000 and not a cent less (78SC in Australia) ... That usually shuts them up.

[wildthing]

Will you sell it to me for $25k?