Good driver-condition 944T price check

[pavulon]

Looking at an '89 944T, 71Kish miles. No corrosion. Guards red. Some seeping from rear end half shaft seals and PS pump. A/C non-op. Compressor present. A few scattered, small dings. Original, mostly intact paint. Some bolt-on engine mods from Lindsey and a piggybacked ECU. Aftermarket 17" turbo twist wheels. Big red front calipers. Interior is in decent shape with no cracks in dash or rips in seats. Starts without smoke. Some RPM hunting at cold idle. Shifts well. Drives pretty well. Documentation not available for review as it is packed in a box in an attic.

Any valuation ideas?

[thamlin000]

Couple of things. All 89 951 cars were ‘951 S’ models. This means that they were all 250 HP. These are pretty rare and low production. The odometers broke on most 944s. Can’t trust these without docs/records. At 70k mi and in excellent condition, these car are north of $30k in value. This car sounds like it needs work so I’d guess $15k. Pics would help narrow it down.

[pavulon]

Thank you!

[OK-944]

...and go find that attic...

[sugarwood]

Any seller who says records are in the attic and doesn't offer solutions to retrieve said records is full of **** or hiding something. Walk.
Offer him $15k with records, or $5k without. See how fast he finds a ladder

[MBAtarga]

There's been more than one post on this forum about records being part of the deal on a car, and after purchase, the "records" never showed up.

[thamlin000]

I’m sure it is a really nice car. For the right price it’s a score. Really needs the cup wheels. Considering the work needed, missing records and the dated turbo twist wheels, it’s a sub $20k car.

[zedsn]

I would think if mileage is correct 15k would be a good deal for the buyer. I have a higher mileage 89 and it is still a great car. I have 18" turbo twists on it now but kept the club sport wheels. Maybe the owner still has the original wheels that came with the car.

[pavulon]

Thanks all. The seller's ask is $25K. He seemed to not like my trying to research pricing related to car and condition and decided it wasn't for sale before any offer was made. 2 days later, the ad is back up. He has my contact info but repeatedly claimed "These cars are appreciating in value" so I think I'm unlikely to hear from him.

[zedsn]

They are out there so keep looking if you really want one. I have a couple of reversable mods on mine to make it perform better. They are great cars and I have had mine for probably 15 years.

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by pavulon

Thanks all. The seller's ask is $25K. He seemed to not like my trying to research pricing related to car and condition and decided it wasn't for sale before any offer was made. 2 days later, the ad is back up. He has my contact info but repeatedly claimed "These cars are appreciating in value" so I think I'm unlikely to hear from him.

If he waits long enough he may get his 25k.
2030 is my guess. Anyone taking the under?

[pavulon]

I like the cars. After driving it, I wasn't impressed with the power (at all) but did like the small size, the lines of the car and the German construction/feel/handling. The original wheels are long gone. Being guards red is more minus than plus but it's still not a bad color. If he would take $15-17K, I'd likely buy it. If it had no issues or question marks, I'd be tempted at the asking price. Either way, I think the car needs considerably more power and torque to be completely satisfying.

What do you fellas make of the seller's assertion of 951 price appreciation?

[zedsn]

Timing belt, balance belt, water pump and turbo itself are items that could need attention without records if that car was purchased. My 951 is pretty fast on the highway and brings a smile to my face every time that I drive it still.

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by zedsn

Timing belt, balance belt, water pump and turbo itself are items that could need attention without records if that car was purchased. My 951 is pretty fast on the highway and brings a smile to my face every time that I drive it still.

The seller stated that he did this work himself as well as replacing the front main seal recently. He stated that he has extensive mechanical and ownership experience with 924/944's and seemed credible.

As for power, another car has made me jaded. Now, almost everything seems relatively under-powered.

I think the LS swapped 951's are interesting in several respects but would not want to adulterate a pristine car. The transaxle seems to be the weak link in a build like that.

[NYNick]

I don't think the seller is that crazy price wise. 944 Turbos aren't commonplace, and 250HP in 1989 was something else. You simply can't compare a 31 year old car to anything today.

If the seller is as capable as he says, the car should be top notch with zero issues. $25K may be a little high, but mid to high teens is low.

I think he's right. These cars are just rare enough to be going up in value. Less than 1400 made in 1989.

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by NYNick

If the seller is as capable as he says, the car should be top notch with zero issues. $25K may be a little high, but mid to high teens is low.

That's the thing with this car and this price. It still has issues (those cited at a minimum and those unknown or undisclosed) that need to be addressed...perhaps not urgently but they are there and need to be fixed but are not.

[sugarwood]

leaks, dings , no a/c, paint issues, modded wheels, brakes, ECU, RPM hunting, no records, regrettable red... Forget it.
If a jackass seller told me "These cars are appreciating in value", I'd advise him to keep his appreciating asset, as selling is clearly a mistake.

You'll find better on BAT
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-porsche-944-turbo-26/

The car went thru a new clutch system, new master and slave cylinders, water pump and belt/pulley kit. no leaks on the car. Highly maintained car, ice cold air. no vibrations.

[sugarwood]

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1987-porsche-944-turbo-65/
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-porsche-944-turbo-16/
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1986-porsche-944-turbo-131/
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1987-porsche-944-turbo-61/

Note lower prices (and lower miles) on pre-selected BAT cars with a worldwide audience.
Let that local seller keep smoking his $25k crack pipe.

[thamlin000]

This is the best comp; same year, close (Assumed) mileage and it is likely a better car. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-porsche-944-turbo-16/

The car submitted by the OP IMO is an upper teens $ car. The seller isn’t asking a crazy price but it’s not worth $25k.

Top condition 944/951 prices have gone through the roof in past 5 years. Great and good cars have appreciated but nothing earth shattering. Average cars and beaters remain where they’ve always been.

[NYNick]

Originally Posted by thamlin000

This is the best comp; same year, close (Assumed) mileage and it is likely a better car. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-porsche-944-turbo-16/

The car submitted by the OP IMO is an upper teens $ car. The seller isn’t asking a crazy price but it’s not worth $25k.

Top condition 944/951 prices have gone through the roof in past 5 years. Great and good cars have appreciated but nothing earth shattering. Average cars and beaters remain where they’ve always been.

That looks like a great comp and just about right.