To Part Out, OR Not To Part Out....That is the Question

sneed21 · 04-20-2004, 05:29 AM

I know this question has been raised many, many times before, but I need some opinions anyway. I'm thinking about parting out my '86 with 101K miles. It's got a newly rebuilt top end, new belts, front seals, Weltmeister Springs, Performance Chip, Throttle response cam, K&N, AC, 5 speed, pwr windows, sunroof, etc... It's black with the tan leather interior. The drivers side seat is shot (rips), the windshield has a crack in it (was waiting to get comprehensive to pay for it), and the paint has definately seen better days. Also, the pwr steering pump leaks some. I was going to try and sell it outright (after I got the windshield fixed), but don't think I could get what I need out of it. I know I could make more if I parted it out, but I'm undecided if I want to dismantle a nice running car. I guess I need advice from those of you that have parted your cars out. Is there a percentage figure of what a car is worth in parts, vs as a whole? Also, When your left with only the chassis (possibly without the wheels) does your local junk yard even want it?, Or would the scrap yard come and haul it away? I need to get around $2500 for it either as a whole, or in parts.....think thats possible?

Thanks.

Panzer909 · Panzer909's Garage

This is becoming a topic of debate that is getting hotter as these cars get older. I enter my 944S in car shows in the summer and it always gets "Ooos" and "Awws" from passers by..........

What they don't know is that on paper, its worth less than $3000.

I'm starting to see a number of P-car part yards dismantle perfectly running cars rather than insurance losses, wrecks, etc. Partsheaven.com is a perfect example. As an enthusiast, I just hate to see 944s being stripped down, but if you're in it for a bottom dollar line and you've got the time & patience as well, then you'll make twice the money parting it out than you ever would selling it in one piece. Heck, my 16v engine is worth more than my entire car - there's just something fundamentally wrong with that, isn't there?

Dave L · 04-20-2004, 08:23 AM

I would try to sell it, it sounds like a good track car candidate especially if its engine is still in good shape. Obviously here is more money in the parts but there is also a lot of hastle that goes along with it, the question is if you have the time and inclination to part it out.

If you do part it out I would be interested in the throtle cam and the K&N.

Good luck with your decision

Carroll Laird · 04-20-2004, 10:33 AM

I'm facing the very same problem. My son's early '85 has not been garaged and the sun has baked it for several years. It's in very good shape mechanically but the interior is cooked! He is an AF pilot w/ no time/place to do restoration work so he bought another car and told me to do something w/ this one.

I enjoy driving it - it's different than my S2 but still very much fun so I just hate to tear it up for parts. But they are expensive to fix up, too.... Tough decision.

todd84944 · 04-20-2004, 02:25 PM

Sell the car. I have parted out 5 wrecked ones on here and the the other BB. By the time you spend your time taking it apart, you won't make that much more money. The most expensive thing that you have is the motor. Look at the prices good motor are going for on E-bay. I recently sold a 83 euro motor. I got 750.00 for it. The only reason that I got that much, was that it was going in a track car and I would swap the motors out for the guy. Yes it is the true euro with the 10.5 pistons and no O2 sensor, and early rods and pistons. It is a screamer.
If anyone wants to sell one less than a 1000.00, let me know. I will put it back together with the parts that I have and sell it to someone that has always dreamed of the 944. That would have been me a few years back. Don't part it out. Too many going to 944 heaven for no reason. Send me a list of parts that you need, I might be able to help you out.
toddandcharity@peoplepc.com

todd84944 · 04-20-2004, 02:28 PM

If you are wondering why I didn't put the 5 back together that I parted out, they were either wrecked beyond repair or engine fires on 2 of them. I was able to get them for a good price, and able to make a profit and help save some 944's that you guys own.

sneed21 · 04-21-2004, 04:20 AM

Thanks for all the advice and comments. I popped the hood last night, detailed the engine a little bit. She looked good backed in to the garage beside the Euro. The wife wants to kill me becuase her Jetta is outside........anyway.... I'm actually thinking about tracking her out. I could sell some of the interior trim pieces, weld in a roll bar (I used to be a welder before I became a desk jockey PM..imagine that) take driving courses (Brumo's offers them here) and join the local Buccaneers SCCA chapter. I wouldn't mind swapping the engine from the Euro into the US version either.....especially since the Euro is currently an automatic.

More to think about.