Price Check - 993 C4 Cab

[akhan]

I am thinking of buying a 993 C4 cabriolet and am considering 2 cars, a 1996 and 1997. I have not seen the cars; both have mileage in the low 60K.

Both have the OBD II codes show Secondary Air Injection. However, CEL has not come on again after the spark plugs were replaced the other had the diverter valve replaced.

All maintenance was performed timely, nothing major was repaired on the 1997 model, and the 1996 had the clutch replaced at 56K miles and the diverter valve replaces at 60K. Both cars will need the tries replaces in the next 2000 miles; the windscreen is chipped in one, though repaired.

Both are accident free stock with standard set of options, still have the original top. Both are described in excellent condition, not daily drives, and owners claim to have good documentation from 25K onwards. I will of course have a PPI done prior to purchase.

The 1997 is priced at $36,500 and the 1996 at $37,000.

What are the current price ranges for 1996 and 1997 993 C4 Cabs in good condition?

Thanks for your input.

Asif

[kang]

I would guess that both are going to need the SAI issue addressed soon. Sure, no CEL's recently, but they'll come back, for sure!

[Don Plumley]

The clutch replacement is a plus. I believe you mean the SAI Check Valve. How long has it been (miles) since the SAI CEL was cleared?

Where are the cars located? Where and how they were driven can also be a factor for SAI issues.

[c4993cab]

I also wonder where the cars are located, this figure shows none in the US

[akhan]

Thanks for your input; from what I can tell, both the cars were purchased in the US, one in California and the other in the Chicago area; the next owners are now on the East coast.

I am really curious about 1996 & 1997 sales numbers from Excellence. In the January 2008 magazine, the Market Watch section (P. 103) had C4 Cab pricing data which included 1996 & 1997. I will further investigate.

In the absence of any other benchmarks, is the Blue Book/NADA used car prices a reasonable baseline these days? Do these prices factor in the inevitable SAI issue?

I would appreciate any input.

[aigel]

SAI issues are not a given on these cars. And they can make getting the car smogged very difficult. While both cars sound like decent low mileage examples, they both have missing records, several owners, run down tires and SAI issues. They are not $36k examples. They are sub 30k material right now, IMHO. C4 as well as Cabrio both deduct value as well - a C2 coupe otherwise identical would demand more $.

Summary: At 36+k you should be looking at a one owner full documented car with minor cosmetic issues but no SAI or other maintenance issues or mechanical problems.

Hope this helps,

George

[nsolomon]

My car is in great shape, I had it lowered and all records are kept. Slight rip in top back passenger side (typical place to tear). It has approx. 43.5K miles on it.

Looking for $43K. I am located near Atlanta.