Trade my '77 C3 for a '91 964 C4 Cabrio?

jasonmx5 · jasonmx5's Garage

I'm torn on what to do. I have the opportunity to trade my Black 1977 Carrera 3.0 Coupe for a 1991 Carrera4 Cabriolet. My '77 only has 58K miles, but it can be finicky. It looks great from 10 feet away, but will need paint and interior work. Also the 915 transmission is going to need some work soon (balks 1st to 2nd at anything over 4K rpm). C3 pics.

The '91 is a dark grey and has 96K miles, but is in great order. Everything works (except for A/C) and it is a sharp looking car. I'm not 100% sold on the Cabrio styling, but, at this time of year, I do miss having a convertible - I sold my 2000 Miata to buy my '77 a few years ago. C4 pics.

I think if the car being offered was a C2 Coupe or a 993 (even if it were pink), I'd already be driving it.

Jim Dorociak · 07-28-2009, 05:45 PM

When you drove the C4CAB what did you think? You get Power steering, elec windows, pwr door locks, more hp, newer car, updated styling on the 911. A/C can be fixed and use the 134a and it will work in the car. Hard decision it really depends on how you drive, the cost difference you have to pay - you already have to have the tranny work done, paint and interior work done, so I would image you are looking at $10000 to do it right if not more. If it were me I would get the C4CAB and at least move into the 90's. Jim

g_vaxed · 07-29-2009, 06:30 AM

IMHO, I think the owner/dealer is banking on the possibilty you're 3.0 will appreciate in value
or can sell quicker than the 964 (fairly obvious). FWIW, 964's had some major issues to deal with. Bill V. wrote up an excellent post in the 911 tech forum a short time ago. I suggest you do a search for it. You basically answered your own question (kinda). Fix some issues with the 3.0 and sell it. Then, buy a 993. I doubt you will run accross many pink ones, lol.
Good-Luck.

jasonmx5 · jasonmx5's Garage

The dealer/consigner already has a buyer for my car in Europe, and he's had the 964 for a while. I've read the issues that the 964 can have. I probably would get a better return on my investment down the road fixing some items on the 3.0. But then again I could just jump right into the C4 and be on my way. Like any good Porche guy, I already have 2 other cars, so it's not a daily driver. Or maybe I'll just keep my C3, hope that it appreciates in value, and take some cash to buy a cheap miata for convertible days.

awdbandito · 07-29-2009, 12:04 PM

Drive the hell out of the C3. Mine is on the market right now because this is my first Porsche and I fell in love with it. I want to drive it every day rain or shine. In 90 degree weather with the windows up I roast and show up to my customers sweating, which doesn't look that great. That is the only reason mine is on the market. The C3 drives a lot different at the limit because of the weight and power. 2640lbs at 200hp. The feeling of the C3 above 4200RPM is superb. Get out and autocross the car a few times, then see if you can autocross somebodies newer car. It is a night and day difference. Although my car is on the market, there is NO WAY I would trade it for a cab. Just my two cents. The price that I have put on my car, granted it has a rebuilt engine and transmission, is pretty steep. It will take my asking price for me to part with the car. I am actually scared somebody will buy it.

Check out this C3 on ebay right now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320403650409&_trksid=p2759.l1259

jasonmx5 · jasonmx5's Garage

awdbandito, that is a sharp car. Mine has only a few more mile on it than yours, same upgrades, although I have SSI heat exchangers. Your paint and interior look a bit better than mine, and I'm sure some of your mechanicals and accessories work better as well.

If you are getting bids over $30K, then I'm deffinitely not getting enough for my car on a trade. I'm keeping her!

awdbandito · 11:26 AM

That ebay auction IS NOT my car.
Here is mine:
1977 Carrera 3.0 White on White

I was surprised where the auction was going too.
The seller states that the gauges are original, and they aren't. His speedo was changed over when the car was federalized. My car still has an original KPH speedo with the original odometer readings. I was looking at your pictures and saw that on your COA they list tinted glass. My car has the same green tinted glass but it wasn't listed on the COA. Weird.

jasonmx5 · jasonmx5's Garage

Oh Sorry, I missread your post. But then I realized that you were in TN and that car was in CA. Still, it does give us some idea of what our cars might be worth, and apparently because of some tax laws or something, they are worth more in Europe, I guess. If you are looking to sell yours, you may want to try over there. 20-25K euros is like $30K here.