SC Targa Values
 

Hi All,

The pristine SC coupe seems to have gone really up in value. How about a run of the mill targa? Fair (project), Driver (with flaws but mechanically half way decent), Nice (not show but say lower miles and not much left to do), and pristine? What are the price ranges?

Believe it or not, but I'd like a Targa ... been looking. Trying to get a feel.

G

$35k-$45k
Good ones on BAT are fetching 50-55k

35-45 k is a "nice" driver, but certainly not show?

I am looking at a 'fair' CA car with >200k, complete and in one piece (not a basket case), but needs literally everything rebuilt or redone (engine, trans, suspension, tires, paint, window seals, interior etc. etc.)

What's that worth?

G

Probably $30k tops. But if you’re looking at a car that needs an engine rebuild, tack on another $20k to have the engine rebuilt. You’re better off paying $40k for a car with some cosmetic issues, high mileage and some mechanical sorting, but doesn’t need extensive engine work. Never buy a cheaply priced Porsche! Because you will end up paying far more to get the car sorted. You should be able to find a decent, sorted, high mileage Targa for $35-40k. Get a leak down test of the engine before u buy. If it has good leak down numbers, buy the car!

Wow, really, 30k for a POS 200k mile Targa? I am definitely out.

I am experienced if it comes to these cars, have owned an SC that I brought back from pretty rough mechanical shape to a capable track rat, including engine work. I also know that parts have not gotten any cheaper since I did that 15+ years ago. I enjoy wrenching, but of course not if it cost me more to restore the car than get one that's already done. If I'd buy this car for 30k, it'd be another 30k to get it finished DIY. When I said it needed everything, I meant everything! :D Worst is always paint. Try to get that done cheap.

Probably makes more sense to get a 993 convertible at this point to get some fresh air (part of the draw to the targa). Much more car for the money and similar pricing.

Thanks!

So it’s a total project? I can’t say then. Throw out an offer for $20k and see what the seller says. I know the car I bought was a real project by the previous seller. He spent $17k for it, completely sorted it and sold it to me for 45k

I was also thinking about 993 convertibles the other day. Open top 911s always trade cheaper than coupes, but anecdotally, that differential seems to be bigger for 993s than for other generations. I wonder if that will last.

I was surprised by this one.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1981-porsche-911sc-targa-21/?utm_source=dm&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2021-09-30

Yes, total project with the only upsides being that it is complete and a CA car. It makes no sense at these prices for me. There are a lot of things I want to play with rather than an SC if it is a $50k entry fee.

If you can get the car for $20k, and like to wrench, I don’t see the downside. That being said, your interest in a 993 cab is well warranted. According to aircooled projection valuations, aircooled cabs are great investments, and values will only increase dramatically in the future. They are a real bargain now but won’t be in 5 years.

I might have one data point for you.
A few years ago I bought the car you are describing, a '79SC Targa that needed a lot of TLC.
Car is complete and runs well. History is that original owner (who lives in the same town as me) had the car as a driver for something like 25 years, had it restored then sold it to a soldier on the base. Soldier was deployed years later and car put in storage, soldier never came back. More years passed and car was pulled out of storage and sold to a dealer who contacted me as he knew I was looking for one. Car was under a pile of garage type crap, every panel had a ding, everything needed work. Got it all operating good but did nothing cosmetic. Car needs a new interior, paint, and a 915 rebuild as the first gear synchro is toast. I bought the car to do exhaust system R&D work and plan to sell it in a few years when I'm done. If I were to sell it today I'd probably put a $25k price on it. Not sure how others would value a car like this but that's what I think would be a fair price given the condition.

I've got a solid, rust free '78 SC Targa. Has a rebuilt engine (a friend did the labor) a rebuilt 915 (shifts perfectly). The suspension, brakes and almost the entire fuel system have been gone through. It also has a fresh Dan Petchel top. The paint and interior are completely shot. I'd let it go for $29k. The catch? There's actually 3 of them; 1) I don't have a CA title. I only have lien sale paperwork from the body shop I bought it from. 2) I backdated the exhaust, so it won't pass CA smog (I know a guy that knows a guy :-) and 3) the damn thing won't start now. I was driving it to breakfast a couple months ago and it just died and now it won't restart. Pump works (it's new), there's fuel pressure at the plunger under the fuel distributor and it's getting spark. I need a CIS guru me thinks. I'm just tired of working on it and would be willing to sell it to help fund a 991S

Rebuilt engine and tranny is a good thing. But new interior, paint and CIS sorting is gonna end up to being another $20-30k, not to mention other unknowns. No longer a bargain at all.

It's been said ad-nauseum, there are no cheap Porsches. SC's are $40k cars now, you decide how you want to pay it.

A $40k SC these days is just an entry level example. A well sorted SC coupe is in the 50s all day long. Targas included.