3.2 Carrera - fix AC and high pressure hoses before selling?

[Jonny042]

Hey all,

I have a nicer than average 87 that I'm planning to sell in the spring:



It's stock with the exception of ride height and 17" wheels and tires. All new brakes, suspension bushings, full engine rebuild and new clutch in the recent past so no need for the future owner to mess with anything in the near term.

However, two things could be improved:

AC blows cool, but not cold. I figure $1000 worth of barrier hoses and maybe a condensor upgrade etc. with R34 would bring it up to snuff.

High pressure fuel hoses are original. Car is low miles and has had a pampered life and they LOOK good, but it seems to be something on peoples minds. Not a small job.

Would I be further ahead to take care of these things before the sale, making it a truly no-excuses car? Or leave them to the future owners discretion?

[ab1752]

I think it really depends on how you plan to market the car. If you're going with word of mouth say through a reputable air cooled specialist mechanic then they can easily discuss and address this with the buyer. If you're going through bat or the like, the peanut gallery will use the mediocre ac performance to tee off on potential other issues, relevant or not.

Given the choice I would 100% address the fuel lines regardless and leave the ac lines for the next guy.

Nice looking car!

[Matt Monson]

Don't fix it. It's "original". Just sell it.

[DerkPerk]

Cut the AC out and call it a “hot rod”! BAT loves that shiz.

Honestly, I think I’d let it ride and sell as is.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Macroni]

I would fix it...... I fixed the one in my 86 use it and love it. It is not cheap if repaired properly.

I would also put back on the original Fuchs......

[Jonny042]

Originally Posted by ab1752

If you're going through bat or the like, the peanut gallery will use the mediocre ac performance to tee off on potential other issues, relevant or not.

I've been envisioning selling it on autotrader.ca or BaT. Two different marketplaces. I know selling on BaT will require compression and leakdown and cold start and driving videos and god knows what else.... I watch the 911 market on there and it's pretty obvious what the peanut gallery wants but hard to say what actual buyers are looking for.

I guess fixing it to "needs nothing" state will be best rewarded on that platform.

Since you're a fellow Canuck - do you find there's a complete lack of reasonably priced cars in Canada?..... I only see 2 G50 coupes for sale in the country and they are both $90K plus ($70k cdn). Good luck with that!!

[Jonny042]

Originally Posted by Macroni

I would fix it...... I fixed the one in my 86 use it and love it. It is not cheap if repaired properly.

I would also put back on the original Fuchs......

I've considered re-installing 16's but they are 6" and 7" and quite frankly I hate the way they look - am I alone in that? Or you just figure I'd get points for originality?

[Macroni]

" needs nothing" original ..... I would be returning to stock including original Fuchs.

[blucille]

if it blows cool, but not cold, why not top it up with R12 and sell as-is. The R12 cools better and leaks less. Of course you should divulge that it has recently been topped-up, but that the system performs fine. The buyer might want to keep the R12 based system, or the buyer might want to eliminate the AC--by converting to R134 and swapping all the lines, you might be doing the buying a disservice.

[Mehoff]

Originally Posted by Jonny042

I've considered re-installing 16's but they are 6" and 7" and quite frankly I hate the way they look - am I alone in that? Or you just figure I'd get points for originality?

You are not alone, but it will absolutely have a negative impact on value if you don’t put the Fuchs back on.

Leave the AC alone; you won’t recover the cost of the fix in the sales price unless you try to do it “on the cheap”, which could also royally screw you on BaT if one of the armchair experts fixates on it.

[bpfordfan]

If someone loves the car, the wheels won't stop them from buying it! I just went thru it on BAT
Leave them, they look great!!

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by blucille

if it blows cool, but not cold, why not top it up with R12 and sell as-is. The R12 cools better and leaks less. Of course you should divulge that it has recently been topped-up, but that the system performs fine. The buyer might want to keep the R12 based system, or the buyer might want to eliminate the AC--by converting to R134 and swapping all the lines, you might be doing the buying a disservice.

This. I spent a couple grand on updating the AC in my car before I sold it and the new owner wanted to immediately remove it to drop the weight.

[Transcon]

Stock AC sucks anyways in this era of 911's, I agree with others to just leave it be and disclose it when it comes time to list. Since my R12 ran low I've just left it that way and don't even bother with the AC. Cycle the fan every once and awhile just to keep things moving but nothing cold coming out these days. That said, I am lucky enough to live in a place where no AC is ok during the summer months save for a few days a year. If I ever decide that I really need AC in the car I plan on taking the plunge and installing an electric version. Had the chance to ride in a friends 1985 that put it in and I was very impressed with the output

PS- Beautiful G body, GLWS

[Macroni]

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-porsche-911-carrera-78/

$74,000

There is value in that car.....

[ab1752]

Originally Posted by Jonny042

I've been envisioning selling it on autotrader.ca or BaT. Two different marketplaces. I know selling on BaT will require compression and leakdown and cold start and driving videos and god knows what else.... I watch the 911 market on there and it's pretty obvious what the peanut gallery wants but hard to say what actual buyers are looking for.

I guess fixing it to "needs nothing" state will be best rewarded on that platform.

Since you're a fellow Canuck - do you find there's a complete lack of reasonably priced cars in Canada?..... I only see 2 G50 coupes for sale in the country and they are both $90K plus ($70k cdn). Good luck with that!!

There are few, if any, 87 to 89 911s around up here. Weissach in Vancouver had an 88 GR on black coupe for $88,0000 Canadian in the fall which seemed very high to me and they sold it without any issue. I saw an 84 for sale here in Vancouver for around 70 but it seemed to be hanging around longer. After the 88 just sold on bat, a diamond blue 87 appeared yesterday and shot up to 50,000 in the first few hours. Mine is an 89 slate grey metallic on black that has been gone through end to end and as the prices for these cars increase, I find myself less interested in selling as it seems like it will be increasingly difficult to buy back in. When I bought mine in 2016 it was not easy to find a nice car up here so that seems consistent today. I think you'll have no problems selling yours north of the border for very strong money. Are you sure you want to part with such a beauty?

[996AE]

All of the talk about 1988 911s whats mine worth?

1988 911 Cab Grand Prix White with Marina Blue top and interior. 160k mi bottom up motor build by Sleepers Speed Shop all done right. Suspension refreshed, axles, all lines and hose, books, records, spare, jack, tools, etc...

Same. AC condenser and compressor removed as it blew cool not cold fans do more and three small cracks in dash.

Strong car SoCal from new.

Thoughts on value?

I am not going to fix AC but parts come with car.

[1979-930]

Originally Posted by Macroni

I would fix it...... I fixed the one in my 86 use it and love it. It is not cheap if repaired properly.

I would also put back on the original Fuchs......

This.


But how much is the AC fix going to cost?
You won’t get more for the car, but it will sell before the car without AC. Not everyone wants a stripped down sweat box.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ab1752]

I did the full Griffiths kit and I needed a condenser that i had to buy a new one from porsche. It was horrifically expensive in the end but I wanted that functionality. As for fuel lines, I also went with len's kit and that was expensive too but to me, I felt it had to be done due to the age of the lines. You can live with out AC but a carbbq is not something I wanted to experience haha.

[blucille]

I went both ways. In one car, (72) I replaced the compressor and filled the ac with r12, cost was $500.

On the other, a 3.6 powered 83 SC, I did the full griff upgrade, the car is black on black and often used for summer excursions with my wife in the northeast with extreme humidity to contend with. Spent $5k. Did all the labor myself.

Both systems work great. The 83 is amazingly cold. But then again, the 72 is no slouch. It keeps me completely comfortable. R12 is a better/more efficient refrigerant.

[hcoles]

I'm working on getting my 89 3.2 ready for sale. I recently (3 years ago) installed a "complete" Griffiths kit. New front condenser, added two condensers, new evaporator/exp. valve, new pump, all new hoses, variable fan speed control. I blows cold - sometimes under 40F. It was a big project for me to do the DIY install. Not difficult but requires some hours under the car and into the smugglers box. IMO - if you want to be comfortable in a moderate or hot climate with the windows up you need good AC. I hope the new owner appreciates it.