What's this car worth?

[Mike O]

I need a little help...well actually, a lot.

I looked at and drove an extremely nice '86 944 Turbo today that I'm thinking about adding to my small collection that includes a 25k mile '91 NSX and a 50k '87 911 Turbo Look Cab.

The car is a black on black '86 944 Turbo with 64k miles. I'm extremely picky, and would rate the car as a very strong 9 out of 10. It has all original paint, with only a very few flaws in it (a couple of very small door dings that could be taken out, and a few small touched up rock chips). The interior is like new, and the factory options include limited slip, sport seats, M030 suspension, power sunroof, leather interior, heated driver's seat, and a few other I cannot remember right now.

The owner has owned the car since 1989, and has added a few upgrades: Konis, 3" Fabspeed Turbo back exhaust, upgraded front and rear sway bars, cross drilled rotors, Authority chip, K&N filter. In addition, all the services are up to date, and the water pump, belts, bearings, front reseal are all done about a year ago.

I don't know the 944 market at all, so I was wondering what you guys thought this car might realistically be worth.

Thanks!

[1.2gees]

I would imagine somewhere between 7 and 11k.

That sounds like a very nice car, the MO30 is pretty rare for an early 944 turbo, and so is the LSD. That would make a really nice track day car...
Ahmet

[Mike O]

Only $7-11,000? For a pristine 944 Turbo?

I'm VERY picky, and most people would think this car is a 10. The engine compartment and underside have been detailed like new, and according to my Porsche mechanic (who also works on this car), the car needs nothing.

[Ebs]

Then what are you waiting for...buy it!

[Mike O]

What I'm waiting for is some good advice as to what the real market for 944 Turbos really is as far as pricing goes.

I see a lot of what are supposed to be really nice 944 Turbos advertised for the mid teens, but the seller is asking $17k for his car. To me this seems like too much even though the car is pristine and has some very nice OEM options (M030, sports seats, heated seats, limited slip), as well as some nice and expensive upgrades.

By the way, the car is almost as nice as my concours condition, never been in the rain '91 NSX with only 25k mile, so this black Turbo I'm looking at has to be one of the nicer ones out there.

[1.2gees]

The market is soft right now on 944 turbos. As you know a car is worth what somebody's willing to pay for it.

I personally know of a full concours condition 944 turbo without a single scratch, sub 20k miles that did NOT bring $22k... I would say it was worth it, but I would not pay that much for one either. Keep in mind also that 86s are worth the least of all 944 turbos, with the 88S and 89s being the worth the most.

Ofcourse we all look for different things in a car. My own 944 has scratches, and dents, and gets driven HARD in the rain, and the snow... I track it as well, so paint condition is not of utlmost value to me... So it would only make sense if I would value a car that has some go fast goodies on it higher than one in exceptionally good shape. Note also underbodies of 944 turbos tend to hold up pretty well. Virtually everything is aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, or is covered in rubber.

With all that said, market is soft, and it would be suprising to see an 86 turbo with 68k miles bring $17k. Perhaps with enough time, in the right market.
Ahmet

[Mike O]

1.2gees,

Thanks for the information. That's the kind of useful help I need.

The car I'm looking at really does look like it has 24k miles, not 64k. Coupled with the fact it has good factory options, some nice upgrades, and a glowing recommendation from my long-time Porsche mechanic, does $14-15k sound about right?

[gobogie]

Originally posted by Mike O
1.2gees,

Thanks for the information. That's the kind of useful help I need.

The car I'm looking at really does look like it has 24k miles, not 64k. Coupled with the fact it has good factory options, some nice upgrades, and a glowing recommendation from my long-time Porsche mechanic, does $14-15k sound about right?

I have a buddy in my local PCA that buys and sells pristine 944/951's. He's retired and just does it for the fun and what ever extra money he can make for his golfing obsession. He just sold an '86 with ~50K on it in near mint condition. All stock with exception of some factory copied twistie rims and new Dunlops for $15.5k I believe. A guy flew in from Oregon to buy it and said he'd been looking for a car like it for over a year.

I also know another buddy looking for the exact same car who is willing to pay ~14-15k to get it also. I tried to talk my friend out of selling it to the guy from Oregon and to sell it to my friend but he had already given his word :-(

Moral of the story, the nice ones will bring a higher price tag. If you want what you describe in your original post, my experience tells me that you're looking for a car that will be in the 14-16k price range... of course unless you find a needle in a hay stack and go have way around the country to get it like I did

Happy Hunting and take care!!!

Cory

[icat]

The market for pristine 951's isn't soft and likely never will be. There IS a large group of buyers who believe they should be able to buy these cars for next to nothing. There also seems to be an equally large group of owners who have no idea of what the cars are worth. As a result you often see someone posting about this fantastic deal they got, and those deals are out there if you have the time and are willing to look. I spent 6 months looking for mine - and that was 7 years ago. I would not consider taking a penny less than what I paid then if I were inclined to sell - which I am not. I paid $10,250 then. The price on 951's is holding steady and begining to rise, mostly due to inflation. Judging by how you've described the car, I'd say the owner has built in a little wiggle room. Sounds like a good $12,500 plus car to me - mostly due to color. The options are also a huge bonus.

[Britwrench]

Keith is right, the market for good 951 is not soft, but the supply of what I call good is severely limited. Most of the ones we have looked at in the last year have needed anywhere from $2k to $5k right now. When you see one that needs a clutch, water pump, belts, seals and a service it's close to $4k just for that work and you know there will be more to be found once the work is started.......

[baddogz28]

check this link out- might give you a good idea of the market for lo-mi 951's. This one's got 40K on it, looks pretty nice.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2478842917&catego ry=6434