1986 Carrera coupe value?

Matt Monson · 08-09-2019, 09:19 AM

One owner car, every record since new. 96k verified mi. Never had engine or gearbox gone through. It's never needed it. Only driven intermittently the last ten years, but never allowed to "fall asleep" as I like to call it when they sit too long. In a climate controlled garage in the NE. Not a spec of rust or chipped paint beyond typical minor hood and front lip chips. One cracked foglight. Annual visit to the shop in the spring for a once over. This year it got new tires and a few hoses and belts.

I can buy the car. It's a family friend. Looking for the kind of number that would be fair to both of us. And no, I'm not posting 40 more pictures of the car so you can vet my opinion of it's condition. Call it a really nice 3 or maybe a 2-.

specialtyoneinc · 08-09-2019, 09:27 AM

Car is worth upper $30s at the least.

Locker537 · 08-09-2019, 10:04 AM

By NE, I'll assume you mean Northeast.

I've been shopping in this area for a year. If I came across that car and it was as you describe (full history, original paint, engine and trans never out, strong evidence of proper maintenance) and it did not need anything significant I would be comfortable with a purchase between $40-42. I'd call that a fair and happy deal for both.

Mocker · 08-09-2019, 10:21 AM

Gee fiddy?

drauz · drauz's Garage

I have a similar ‘87 & have tracked the mkt since I got it in 2001. The numbers above are about right, though one could work the mkt for awhile & might see mid 40s. To me (maybe just me) it would matter if you were re-selling soon or not.
If it hasn’t had a clutch yet, will soon be due. As we all know, in the 100k miles / 30 yr old zone they start needing attention to long term wear items (susp, HVAC fans & the like), “depending”. Just let your friend drive it on occasion & buy him drinks (but not at the same time). Btw, cork interior? & what color / color code is it? cheers,

Matt Monson · 08-09-2019, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mocker

Gee fiddy?

Nope. 86, 915. Last of them, with the factory short shifter now standard equipment and lower seats. It had the clutch around 60k mi. It's never had valve guide issues.

The sunroof is a problem for me. I'm too tall and I've broken my back twice. I have to sit perfectly straight up. Even with the low seats, I have to slouch ever so slightly if I don't have the sunroof open. A slicktop has enough extra I'm fine. I swore I would never buy another sunroof coupe and I really should stick to that.

Mocker · 08-09-2019, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Nope. 86, 915. Last of them...

Cool--couldn't remember the exact changeover year for these.

Macroni · Macroni's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by specialtyoneinc

Car is worth upper $30s at the least.

I agree..... I paid $34,000...... was not as nice.

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

$40K more or less, depending on details.

Locker537 · 08-10-2019, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Nope. 86, 915. Last of them, with the factory short shifter now standard equipment and lower seats. It had the clutch around 60k mi. It's never had valve guide issues.

The sunroof is a problem for me. I'm too tall and I've broken my back twice. I have to sit perfectly straight up. Even with the low seats, I have to slouch ever so slightly if I don't have the sunroof open. A slicktop has enough extra I'm fine. I swore I would never buy another sunroof coupe and I really should stick to that.

It doesn't sound like you should buy the car to enjoy. Buy to sell? Buy to collect? Connect the seller with a friend that's looking?

Matt Monson · 08-10-2019, 06:04 AM

I decided to pass because of the neck issue. I don’t need to be buying a car like this that I can’t really drive the way I want. That was a big part of why I sold my own 86 last year. I’m gonna just keep driving my ratty targa and work on the 74 coupe and 914 as my health and time allows.

I’ve connected the seller with a few of my east coast contacts. I suspect it will end up in consignment somewhere.

pmax · pmax's Garage

Yup, that's the nice thing about targa's, you can granny drive them and not be guilty, like the cap is, of "why the hell are you not driving these cars like a true caveman ? " !

Matt Monson · 08-10-2019, 09:02 AM

Granny drive? My little 2.2l on caveman Webers sees 6k every time out.

pmax · pmax's Garage

It's not about where you get to, take the 6k for instance, but how quickly you get there.

0-6k taking a coffee break vs WOT like a true caveman would ...

specialtyoneinc · 08-10-2019, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Nope. 86, 915. Last of them, with the factory short shifter now standard equipment and lower seats. It had the clutch around 60k mi. It's never had valve guide issues.

The sunroof is a problem for me. I'm too tall and I've broken my back twice. I have to sit perfectly straight up. Even with the low seats, I have to slouch ever so slightly if I don't have the sunroof open. A slicktop has enough extra I'm fine. I swore I would never buy another sunroof coupe and I really should stick to that.

How tall are you? I'm 6'4 and just fit in a 86-89 Sunroof Coupes. Brushing my head if I sit perfectly straight. Helmet would never work without custom seats.

Matt Monson · 08-10-2019, 01:06 PM

6’3” but I have the torso of a 6’7” man. My dad is 6’6”. When he sits in the seat as straight as I put it he just barely clears. I’m talking straight straight up. I’ve broken my back in 7 places.