2002 Market Update 914

Paul_Heery · Paul_Heery's Garage

I just picked up the November 2002 Excellence. In this issue, Bruce Anderson provides a market update for 914s. Now, as an observer of BA's work, I have often been critical of how he arrives at values. From my analysis of his other market reports, it seems that his values are derived by formula versus actual data. But, that’s not the point of this post. (Well, maybe it is.)

Here are the latest 2002 numbers. I would tend to agree with his valuations of 914-6s. However, I want to know where I can get $3499 for a 1.7 in poor condition.

914-4 1.7

Code:

1970	poor	3499
	good 	3978
	excel	5325

1971	poor	3499
	good 	3978
	excel	5325

1972	poor	3499
	good 	3978
	excel	5325

1973	poor	3499
	good 	3978
	excel	5325

914-4 1.8

Code:

1974	poor	3581
	good 	4071
	excel	5450

1975	poor	3581
	good 	4071
	excel	5450

914-4 2.0

Code:

1973	poor	4730
	good 	5378
	excel	7200

1974	poor	4730
	good 	5378
	excel	7200

1975	poor	4550
	good 	5173
	excel	6925

1976	poor	4550
	good 	5173
	excel	6925

914-6

Code:

1970	poor	11777
	good 	13390
	excel	17925

1971	poor	11777
	good 	13390
	excel	17925

Hi_Fi_Guy · Hi_Fi_Guy's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Paul_Heery

Here are the latest 2002 numbers. I would tend to agree with his valuations of 914-6s. However, I want to know where I can get $3499 for a 1.7 in poor condition.

Anywhere in the midwest pre 9/11... I am not so sure now. I would often see very poor 914s selling for $3500-$4500 in Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis, etc.

SummerSledSix · 09-27-2002, 09:23 AM

Paul,
Two things strike me about those numbers. First, according to B/A, I musta overpaid for my '76 two years ago. Oh well, not like I was starved for beer in the aftermath. Second, those numbers strike me as needing a (fairly huge) "margin of error" figure right next to them, just like election polls. How large was his sample vs the surviving population? What part(s) of the country? Yada, yada, yada, I don't think there's enough volume to hang a hat on any of those numbers. Kinda like trading micro-cap stocks, it's all about who's buying and who's selling at that moment.

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

I believe that BA's definition of "poor" condition doesn't exactly match with that of most 914'ers. I think to us, a "poor" 914 is a basket case--or a car that should be taken back to basket case status in order to properly repair things.

I think BA's definition of "poor" is a car that makes a decent daily driver, but does also need some work. Possibly needs new paint, but probably doesn't require major metal surgery.

Think $3500 is a more reasonable price now?

--DD

Paul_Heery · Paul_Heery's Garage

John -
Two years ago, all the values were about 1% less. So, I guess you really overpaid.

Dave -
Yes. Based upon your explanation of the ratings, I still think it's too high. That's just not the price that a daily driver in need of work and paint is selling for. Even here in the 914-barren northeast.

Brian -
That may have been the price at which they were listed for sale. But, what did they actually sell for? When I was looking for a car, I looked at a few cars listed in the $3500-4500 range. Often, after I walked away, the sellers would contact me (or chase me) and offer the car at half price or better.

Hi_Fi_Guy · Hi_Fi_Guy's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Paul_Heery

Brian -
That may have been the price at which they were listed for sale. But, what did they actually sell for? When I was looking for a car, I looked at a few cars listed in the $3500-4500 range. Often, after I walked away, the sellers would contact me (or chase me) and offer the car at half price or better.

Good input. I do know of several that sold for those prices but as you say many more most likely do not.

rfoulds · rfoulds's Garage

A "GOOD" original -6 for $13,000?
WHERE??

I guess all the -6's for sale lately have been excellent then, Cause they've sold for over $16k..

DDS · 09-27-2002, 12:57 PM

While I do enjoy and repect BA's writing and commentary,

A 'fair car':
"Estimated restoration cost plus the purchase price should not exceed Excellent condition value"

In Canada, from what I've seen, that only describes a 'near concours' car! Back to an earlier point about sample size.

Paul_Heery · Paul_Heery's Garage

Thanks for the detail of BA's rating system KD. Now, if I'm understanding this correctly, the following is true:

A 1973 1.7 that is rusted enough to be considered a "parts car" (POOR Rating) has a market value of $3499.

Is this how others interpret this?

WOODPIE · 09-27-2002, 05:40 PM

Paul

As I interpret the rating system, a '73 1.7 rusted parts car is not listed in the article. BA breaks the ratings into five catagories, but only the middle three are published.

Ed

Paul_Heery · Paul_Heery's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by WOODPIE
Paul

As I interpret the rating system, a '73 1.7 rusted parts car is not listed in the article. BA breaks the ratings into five catagories, but only the middle three are published.

Ed

So, what is listed in the article as "Poor" is actually "Fair" in his rating system? Thanks for clearing that up for me. Oww! My head hurts!

DDS · 09-28-2002, 03:17 AM

How 'bout the BA/914 enthusiasts x-ref
Excellent = Wow, perfect.
Good= Almost Pefect
Fair= Good
Poor= Easy Resto
Awful = Needs a bit of work
Wreck = Resto Project
Was that a Porsche? = parts car

kellzey · 09-28-2002, 05:45 AM

What about Frankenstein Porsche's?... What are they worth. ... 914's that have been bastardized with the addition of an American V8 or something along those lines.

In my opinion, I would put them in the poor condition, as it would take a lot to get them back to original.

Personally, I hate seeing when this is done to 914s. Chop up an otherwise great car that is getting harder and harder to find, just for a cheap horsepower thill.

Makes me weap!

Sawzall parties make my gut turn as well. Hate to see another one bite the dust.

Regards,

flynlow · 09-29-2002, 06:25 AM

Those numbers are misleading, especially for those who are new to the 914 and wish to pick one up. They will assume that you shouldn't pay more than $6300 for an excellent 914. These numbers are based on 100% bone stock 914s. Well, how many 914s out there are 100% bone stock? NOT MANY. Adding anything will be mega bucks...BMW brake, SS brake line, shocks, springs, external oil cooler, etc.

Therefore, they need to clarify that the pricings are based on stock 914s, and list general pricing on some of the common upgrades. Which will increase the value. Also, that an excellent 914 in the east coast will generally be more than one in the west coast.