[Bravoaloha]

Wow! Thanks for the responses guys.

Originally Posted by michael lang

You've said that you are following up with the owners but you haven't said what you actually are saying or writing to these people. Is it safe to even assume that you've asked these folks what their "can't refuse" number is? If you haven't and you can draw that out of them, at least you now have them thinking about all the things they could do if they had that money. Don't give up, I believe the car you ultimately end of owning will find you, just hang in there.

Good idea talking price, my strategy has been not to be too pushy and talk price too soon, but getting the $$$ signs to start floating around in the owners head is a good idea. The bigger problem (especially with the 964 targa and the 993/911 targa guys) is even getting them to talk.

Originally Posted by Coastr

Remember you think you're a buyer but you're actually a seller. You are trying to sell the idea of the cash being more useful to the owner than the car. Each person with a car has an idea of what they are going to do with it, somehow you need to replace that idea with one of what they can do with the money.

This is likely to only succeed if you can get the people to like you. Only in a deceased estate type scenario will someone just unload the car. Everyone else is keeping the car because either the plan or what it was means something to them. You need to develop a rapport with them before they will even listen to you.

If you're young than your enthusiasm is key - and that means not coming across as a flipper or dealer but your plans of keeping and getting the car back on the road and restored to former glory. Maybe if you can convince someone that you'll realise the dream of the car but for yourself instead of them, you might succeed.

Sometimes things can be bought for much less money than previous offers with the right approach and the right rapport. Happens for houses, cars, all sorts of things. Good luck and keep us posted.

Oh, and don't share any further details of these cars. People will work backwards and find out where they are and snatch them from under you.

This is all good advice, and alot of what my "angle" is. I'm young and enthusiastic and usually don't have trouble getting people to like me- hasn't worked in my Porsche hunt however! I have often used your exact words of "restoring the car to its former glory" to owners hoping it will help convince them to sell.

No more details! I was careful and I don't think I gave enough away on any of them to figure out where they are- plus! They aren't for sale!

Originally Posted by MADC

Bravo

I live in the same area and have spoken to the owner of the White Targa and red SC on 3 occasions. Each time he has told me he was "ready to sell" and would call me. The next time I would see him, he would say "oh yes, I changed my mind, but now I'm ready, I'll call you..." Its a shame they are rotting away but I'm relatively confident that gentlemen will not sell anytime soon. My advice would be to keep looking, never make anyone feel pressured and something will turn up. There are still cars out there.

Good Luck, and feel free to contact me,

MADC

I assumed he must have had other people knocking given how visible those cars are, but yes, I've gotten basically the same run-around from him and I think you are right. Thanks!

Originally Posted by 75 911s

Our own classified is the best barn around. 77 widebody in the classifieds at 22k is a steal. Pull off the late model body kit and wheels and take it back to a impact bumper. It already has a 3.2, front cooler and flares.

I do like this, and I think you're right! Alot of potential, and something that drives for a reasonable number.

Originally Posted by NYNick

I agree. For $22K that car is a steal.

Be that as it may, I'm a little confused why you are chasing cars that aren't for sale? This market is hotter than a firecracker for Porsches. My cars have come from keeping my ear to the ground, hanging with Porsche people, especially Porsche shops, and even the mechanics in those shops. These guys are talking to owners EVERY DAY and have the connections you need.

Of course, being ever vigilant on the selling sites is critical. Have you contacted Unobtanium yet? Maybe he has something for you in upstate NY?

FWIW, I put the word out a few years ago for my oldest son. One of my mechanic buddies called with a lead on a 88 3.2. We went and he bought it at what today was a great price! Sure it needed work but like you, he got it done himself and I dare say, that car isn't going anywhere anytime son and is a rocket ship!

Good luck. Put the word out.

Nick

I have a pretty good relationship with my local shop and have put the word out with those guys and some friends from drivers ed. I'm confident that, as you say, something will turn up- I was just hoping to expedite the process.

Originally Posted by SalParadise

This is a great start to a great thread. You'll get something. You seem to be able to sniff them out. It's a fun thing that you're doing, just be careful of the owners that have guns and dogs..

Good luck, you'll get one. They made and imported tens of thousands and you'll find the right owner willing to let her go - or his widow.

Agreed! Thanks

Originally Posted by sugarwood

I'll take a different angle, and dig a little deeper.

You've been looking for a 911 for over 10 years ?
That means there is an issue.
Something tells me that you don't really want a 911.

You pestering owners of neglected cars that will cost you more than a nice $30k car?
Why are you bottom feeding? That is the question.

Are you interested in a car, or are only looking for some sort of OCD caliber "steal of a lifetime"?
My guess is that you seem to have gotten caught up in buying a steal that you've lost sight of your goal.
Why did you never buy a car in '06, when they were a dime a dozen? That is the question.
When the cars were $12k, I have a hunch you offering $6k.

You're all over the place, so it is unclear what your goal is.
Are you looking to flip a car and make a quick buck?
Are you looking for to fulfil your Porsche dream and own a nice clean 911?
Are you looking for a restoration project?

These are all very different things.

I could have purchased back in '06, but picked up an e36 BMW instead. That car I paid 11k for is now worth maybe 4. Hindsight is 20/20 and I was into both cars back then. I was afraid of the 911 maintenance back then (though the BMW isn't better) and the BMW made more sense with split/folding seats and enough room for 5 teenagers and getting stuff to college and back.

I havn't been shopping for 10 years. Since '06 I finished high school, college, got my first and now second job. Now I'm back at the point that I can get in the game.

Definitely not looking for an OCD steal of a lifetime, the only flipping I'm interested in doing is flipping that might get me closer to owning a coupe worth restoring (trade, etc). My goal is to own a car I can drive, have fun with, work on and return to, as Coastr said, "its former glory".

Originally Posted by manbridge 74

Are you in law enforcement? Or did you pay a service for finding the owner through plate? That would turn me off from calling you back. Sorta creeper.

Hate to admit that I did pay for the service, and I don't disagree that it was a creeper move, but the car was sitting in a parking garage in a big multi-tenant building, so there really wasn't another way to figure out who owned it besides using the plate.

Originally Posted by mykle57

If you're going to approach an owner be sure you can:
Accurately make a fair market value assessment of the vehicle on the spot.
Make a convincing/compelling offer for the vehicle
Have a pocket full of cash to pay on the spot
And a tow vehicle standing by to haul it out of there immediately
Otherwise, your offer just became the 'ridiculous lowball offer' story he'll be telling the next buyer who knocks on his door.

I'm not driving around with 15-20k in my truck hoping a 911 will pop up but I do have a tow vehicle and a trailer ready to go and I'm liquid. I could definitely pull off a same day transaction, but I'm not willing to risk having that much cash on me at all times.