Salvage Title 930

[sigchuck]

Hi guys, I came across a dealer with an '88 930 that appears to be in good shape cosmetically. There are quite a few records dating back to when it was new and it appears to be driven semi-regularly (89k miles) and well cared for based on the records.

The big rub is that it was supposedly stolen and then recovered in 1989, so it has a salvage brand (though current title is clean). The theft does appear as an entry on the Carfax immediately before the entry where it gets the salvage brand, and the dealer did disclose that "the chassis VIN had been altered so it wasn't eligible for export".

To add some more dings, Carfax has a mileage discrepancy. The odometer was replaced at some point in the late 90s, and there are records supporting such that line up with the mileage discrepancy figures, (basically an affidavit from the shop in the late 90s stating then current mileage on old odometer which was pretty close to what Carfax had for the last recorded mileage), and then the subsequent entries with reported mileage seem to align with the odometer that's in the car now. The mileage on the affidavit (supported by Carfax) of the old odometer plus the mileage on the current odometer does sum to the 89k figure.

Assuming the car is otherwise clean, doesn't have a replacement engine (or need significant engine work), and idea what a reasonable haircut should be for value? It appears to be bone stock with none of the typical 930 mods (e.g., factory intercooler, exhaust, airbox, etc. are in place). The dash VIN and door jamb sticker "look" original to my untrained eyes, and are what the carfax is based off of. No pictures of the altered chassis VIN.

The asking price is $87k, which seems maybe a tad high, but that's also using BAT for the sole point of comparison. I'm not looking for an investment piece, but rather something that I wouldn't be afraid to drive, lightly modify, etc. While it obviously has some issues that are alarming on their face, they seem to be somewhat less concerning based on the available records. That's looking at it from the bright side, of course.

[Unobtanium-inc]

Generally a salvage brand can be counted on to discount a car 25-30%, so take what you think the car would be worth otherwise and deduct that. If the value falls within what they are asking you'll probably be ok, but if not know what you're walking into with a salvage car. Diminished value over the remaining life of the car and they can be harder to sell, but other than that they can be great cars. My 993 has a brand from 2005, can't see the brand when I'm driving.

---Adam

[crb07]

87 turbo with a salvage title. Car was abandoned at a shop. No damage ever. original motor and transmission. Did not pay near retail value for car. EFIed it. 550 at wheels. Going to drive it hard.

[crb07]