Thinking of buying this 993

[Eisenheim]

Any thoughts? Would anyone run from this car? What do you think fair value is for a car like this is?

Porsche 911 Carrera C2 | eBay

[Eisenheim]

The other car I'm looking car be found below the 1st one is a C2 this other is a C4.
The C2 has had 5 different owners and the C4 just 3 but the mileage is lower on the C2. I've never driven a C4 993 so I have no idea if its better than a C2. Any advice in this area would be helpful as well.

1995 Porsche 911 Carrera MIdnight Blue Metallic | Mechanicville, New York | Porsche of Clifton Park

[jhg41977]

You will get much more feedback on rennlist 993 board. You may have already searched there, I haven't seen it yet though. The guys can be a bit rough on new people, especially if you post something without searching. There are some very helpful people there as well, just go in with a thick skin.

I think the price is high on the first one. What you should buy really depends on what your plans are. I bought a C4S with some maintenance issues and incomplete history because I am able to do the work and I saved a bunch of money doing it that way. I'm glad I didn't buy a more perfect car because I've put 30k on it in two years and have found that I really like doing de events with it.

Perhaps if you gave us an idea of your intent for the car, we could offer more appropriate advice.

Jim

[TMc993]

The number of owners on a 20 year-old car is almost immaterial. What matters at this point is how well the previous owners took care if the car and its current condition. A C4 is a little heavier than a C2 and of course, with all wheel drive, it's going to be a little more complicated to work on. The C4 does handle wet/slick conditions better than a C2, but you really need to drive both before you eliminate either. It should go without saying that a thorough PPI by a neutral technician with experience with 993s is essential. Finally, $50K for a C2 with 50,000+ miles on it seems excessive, if not obscene....Just my opinion.

EDIT: As Jim stated above, RennListers have very strong opinions and aren't shy about sharing them. You can get good information there, but the bottom line should be driven by what you want, not what they think.

[Eisenheim]

Thanks for responding. My intent it to have a car to enjoy and drive. I'm no collector, I have an 88 Carrera with 174k on it - rebuilt but it's no garage queen. I'm converting that to a RSR clone and l've always wanted a 993. I really want a 2S or 4S either really but prices are to high for me to afford. When you say the price on the 1st car is high, what do you think would be a fair price for that car?

[jhg41977]

Rennlist has a sticky thread at the top of the 993 page you should check out. Owners can post what thales bought and how much they paid. It may help a bit.

If you have 50k to spend and you want an S and you don't mind higher mileage etc, I would hold out. I think you can find a higher mileage non garage queen 4S for around that.

[TMc993]

Originally Posted by Eisenheim

When you say the price on the 1st car is high, what do you think would be a fair price for that car?

C2 generally run from the high-20s to the mid-30s depending on mileage and condition. You can find a few in the low-20s, but they tend to have significant "issues."

Similarly, you'll find a few in the $40K range, but for that kind of money, the car should be almost perfect with no major issues present or on the horizon.

A $50K C2 should be a very low mileage car in almost showroom condition.

Again, these statements are my opinion based on my observations. I haven't mined data on exact pricing trends for these cars.

[Eisenheim]

Thanks this is really helpful. I'll see what I can find in the mid thirties, I'm on Rennlist and I see the 993 prices thread. Thanks

[RacerX1166]

The 993 market has been shall we say dynamic over the past 18-24 months. Providing no accidents, other issues, etc., the C2 is a $40-44k car. The C4 is probably close to the money. C4's are a rarer breed in 1995.

As to whether you want the 2 or 4, that's a personal decision. I understand the C4 tends to understeer a bit more on corner entry. Beyond that, unless you track it, I think it's a push.

Btw, you're lucky to find two midnights on the market. I spent a long time waiting for one to show up before I gave up and grabbed my red 993.

[Eisenheim]

I know, midnight blue is the color I'm looking for so to find two is a great find. I put a deposit down on the C2 to hold it and he dropped the price to 44k but looking at the tread on Rennlist, it still seems high. I guess going by prices on the Rennlist forum high 30's 38 - 40 would be acceptable. We're not that far off.

[Busta Rib]

The asking price for the 95 C2 you listed is too high, IMO. I don't think the value is there to justify paying the low-mileage and dealer premium. Although 993 prices are escalating, I think you can find C2's for $30-37K that are in decent-excellent shape. The widebody cars are going through the roof, however. Important thing to look for is overall condition and maintenance. If you are not concerned about collectibility, you can find a high-mileage example in good condition for a fair price. Buy one soon before prices get out of control. All air-cooled 911s are appreciation rapidly.

[TMc993]

Originally Posted by Busta Rib

Although 993 prices are escalating, I think you can find C2's for $30-37K that are in decent-excellent shape....Important thing to look for is overall condition and maintenance.

I was thinking $30-35K should buy a very nice C2...Not a collector car, but very nice.

[RacerX1166]

Be careful with the Rennlist pricing thread. First, there isn't that much data from the past 18 months for cars like what you're looking for. Second, the general consensus is that those that post tend to be of the 'look at the smokin' deal I just got' variety.

$35k would have gotten you a nice C2 18 months ago. But cars that I would consider 'nice drivers' (50-70k miles and mostly pristine) are going for closer to $40k and above now. You can try to find a 993 for $30-35k but I think you'll find that cars currently in that range are the 80k plus mile vehicles.

[Eisenheim]

Therein lies the rub, trying to determine what's an acceptable price for a nice car (993). Thanks again for the postings, these are very helpful.

[aigel]

If you can, buy from an individual. The dealer always will mark up and you get nothing from it, unless you need their financing (which would be stupid, on a toy car). Also broaden your search, if possible, to a few more colors!

There is just nothing out there in 993 land currently. The prices definitely are up from 18 months ago, much of it pushed up by the 3.2 Carrera rally and even the 964 going up. I think every 993 owner out there is holding on to their car. I am certainly one of them. I think I will not be able to get into a 993 again in 5 years from today, if these trends on aircooled Porsches will continue. A 993 TT was within reach a while ago, but not any more.

Hope you find your car soon!

G

[Nine9six]

Originally Posted by RacerX1166

Be careful with the Rennlist pricing thread. First, there isn't that much data from the past 18 months for cars like what you're looking for. Second, the general consensus is that those that post tend to be of the 'look at the smokin' deal I just got' variety.

$35k would have gotten you a nice C2 18 months ago. But cars that I would consider 'nice drivers' (50-70k miles and mostly pristine) are going for closer to $40k and above now. You can try to find a 993 for $30-35k but I think you'll find that cars currently in that range are the 80k plus mile vehicles.

True that on the 2nd paragraph...Dont hold your breath for a nice 993 in the mid 30's unless you are willing to accept higher mileage and almost no mods.
Most 993 drivers I know have suspension and other nice upgrades, but wouldn't part for less than 40ish

[coreseller]

Originally Posted by Nine9six

True that on the 2nd paragraph...Dont hold your breath for a nice 993 in the mid 30's unless you are willing to accept higher mileage and almost no mods.
Most 993 drivers I know have suspension and other nice upgrades, but wouldn't part for less than 40ish

This......In the past year what was once a $30 - $35k 60k or so mile nice C2 is now $40k, especially with a refreshed suspension and up to date service history. I wouldn't sell mine for that since I know it would take probably $45k plus to find another 993 and get it to where mine is, many other 993 owners feel the same. But since I'm not actively looking to sell / need to sell I may well be singing a different tune if I were. ONE thing I have noticed, fairly priced 993's don't seem to last very long in any of the Classified sections.

[msort81]

Originally Posted by Eisenheim

The other car I'm looking car be found below the 1st one is a C2 this other is a C4.
The C2 has had 5 different owners and the C4 just 3 but the mileage is lower on the C2. I've never driven a C4 993 so I have no idea if its better than a C2. Any advice in this area would be helpful as well.

1995 Porsche 911 Carrera MIdnight Blue Metallic | Mechanicville, New York | Porsche of Clifton Park

There is absolutely ZERO history on this car available. I called the dealer when it first came up on their site. They have no prior information on what has been done to the car, and the only inspection that has been done was at the Dealership so you know that is worth nothing. Its a nice looking car, and if you can live with no history then get a PPI from an independent who knows the 993 and the C4 system well. I couldn't find anyone local.
If you do go for it I would beat him up on price because they are not fools. The Dealer knows how much value history brings. The guy I talked to tried to down play it.
GLWTC

[Eisenheim]

Thanks for all the help, I ended up buying the C2. I got all the history on the car and was able to get it for a price that I felt was acceptable.

[aigel]

Congrats - I am glad it worked out for you. Sometimes you just have to seal the deal - a few grand back or forth won't matter in the long run. The car looks great. I like tan interiors.

G