1988 911 Carrera 3.2 Fair Market???

[carrera_chuck]

Greetings Gentlemen,

Just joined, been reading quite a while.

Been looking (from a distance) at 911's for 15+yrs, got serious recently.
(I know, during quarantine/rising prices, but... here I am with my less than
perfect timing ).

Looking at 87 and 88 Carrera coupes.

How the heck does one best determine fair price?
I've followed Hagerty for quite a while as prices went up (though they show a small dip recently).

Found an '88 Carrera 3.2, 57,000mi, $69,000.
Haven't seen it or had PPI yet, but it appears very clean.
Trying to figure out whether to proceed.

Would be my first Porsche. With a good PPI, I would travel a couple days to test/buy.
What do I say to the dealer's price?

Hagerty has #2 Excellent $66,000, #3 Good $42,000.
Are those numbers accurate, or is there no firm ground on Porsche prices?
This Carrera could be Excellent, definitely Very Good+ if pics are accurate.

Thanks in advance for all feedback!

[KNS]

$66,000 - $69,000 might be right but it would have to be a very clean, very nice example. A PPI should show a healthy engine with no (or a few minor) issues. No accident history.

If you're thinking about buying to drive (and rack up miles) you might want to find an a car in "good" condition.

[ab1752]

Don't ignore the 89s down the end of the production run too. I have had mine for 5 years and when I dont drive it much, my mind wanders and thinks hey time to sell. Then I go for a good drive and those thoughts are gone. These cars have a ton of heart and soul, even more so when the ac works haha

[carrera_chuck]

KNS- thanks much. I am thinking of buying to drive, though not huge miles (could be famous last words...) At 57,000mi, should I expect no engine/tranny work to have been done yet? Maybe brakes, or what?

ab- I was just trimming the last year off to keep the price down, but yes, 89's should probably
be in the mix.

And A/C? I live in Miami, so hoping for the best of... the mediocre?
Seriously, what is the best I can expect of the air? And while I'm on air, can you do partial replacement (say, compressor) with improvement, or should everything be replaced?

[teeitup]

If your price range is high 60’s you could get into a 964 with better a/c.

[Macroni]

88; 57,000miles, $69,000 is market if in good condition.

That is a low mileage car and should be sweet. Verify service records. Cars with that low of mileage are normally well cared for.

How many owners?

[carrera_chuck]

True tee, and I like the 964 bumpers much more, but hate the spoiler at 50mph, unfortunately, which all 964's have, correct?.
(don't want rear spoiler at any speed).

Macroni- 3 owners. "Some service history". Need to pin that down...

Any further thoughts on '88 A/C? Unrealistic pipe dream???

Thanks guys!

[Macroni]

Don’t worry too much about it. They at best are mediocre.
Today there is better replacement technology if you need serious AC.

[carrera_chuck]

Unfortunately I'm worrying up a sweat, Macroni, haha!

Is replacement A/C around $10k?

And 3 owners- is that relevant or not? Thanks!

[HugoBear]

The A/C systems are not good and drain power.
It’s probably 3-5k for Griffiths improvement but the lack of good A/C just prompted me to sell my
87.
That price is high, at that price it better be perfect.

[KNS]

At that mileage, if the car was driven somewhat regularly (and not abused) there shouldn't be any engine or trans issues. If it needs brakes (pads), that's pretty simple and cheap on these cars. Doubtful it would need new rotors.

Three owners in over 30 years is perfectly acceptable. Don't expect the AC to work like a 1988 Honda.

[carrera_chuck]

Thanks Kurt!

[Mocker]

You can get a mack-daddy Griffiths AC kit for ~$3500 (plus installation, so add another $1k or so, unless you wanna DIY), and it will keep you cool, even in Miami.

It will put some additional load on the engine, so you'll want a good oil cooler setup if you're driving in stop-and-go traffic.

[sugarwood]

Best bet is to look up comps on BAT, not Hagerty.
Adjust the price 20% lower, if buying locally.
You will always pay top dollar for the convenience of a dealer.
Dealer asking prices are probably higher than BAT sales.

Offer the dealer $55k and work from there.

[creaturecat]

70K?
i'd be checking out some 964 cars.
sheesh 70K will get you a nice 993.

[NYNick]

Listen to Sugar. He knows everything, or at least thinks he does.

[trader220]

I have two 88 coupes that I am considering selling. I am on the fence right now

White with red, 40k miles
Red with Linen 70k miles

No paint work on either.
Both cars have spoilers
Both had recent valve adjustments
Both have all maintenance up to date get in and drive.

The white car has every record from new. Just had a ton of work to correct anything, and also had compression / leak down numbers which it passed with flying colors. The Conti's have less than 100 miles on them, AC even blows cold. Needs nothing. The only thing non stock are some stainless door entry guards which I left on. Car purchased from Tim Holt 15 years ago by the second owner. OEM headunit original to the car.

The red I picked up 3 1/2 years ago. It had been used sparingly and not neglected but not used much in 10 years. Went through the car from head to toe. New Bilstiens all around, new bushings, lowered nicely, 17 inch euromeisters 7&9 Hankooks with 5k on them. AC not blowing cold. Super well sorted. Non OEM headunit.

Every time I decide I am ready to move on, I change my mind and decide to keep em.

[sugarwood]

Chuck,

Here are recent sales of 1988 3.2 coupes with low miles
Based on these ads, what do you conclude about the car you're considering?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-porsche-911-carrera-70/
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-porsche-911-carrera-72/
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-porsche-911-carrera-67/
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-porsche-911-carrera-65/
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-porsche-911-carrera-61/
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-porsche-911-carrera-60/

Some Targa data points
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-porsche-911-carrera-targa-21/
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-porsche-911-carrera-targa-26/
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-porsche-911-carrera-targa-22/
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-porsche-911-carrera-targa-19/
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-porsche-911-carrera-targa-22/

[juanbenae]

im thinking about going to beauty school and learning how to cut hair... wonder if the sweet stump hooks me up with links? stacks of links...

[Macroni]

Originally Posted by NYNick

Listen to Sugar. He knows everything, or at least thinks he does.

Come on Nick.....