3.0 3.3 turbo values

[tonypeoni]

will these cars go up in value or hold their current value if there unmolested cars?

[Wayne 962]

The Turbo is a unique beast - I think a lot of people buy them and then sell them after a while when they realize that they are not quite what they expected. You can't get rid of the turbo lag really, without going to twin turbos, and these cars will always suffer from the fact that they may not be friendly to all drivers.

I've seen turbos sell for $12K, and I've seen them sell for $30K - I think that records and maintence will be the big factor with these cars...

-Wayne

[trader220]

I agree with Wayne here big time. Having bought owned and sold a couple of turbos they’re a unique situation and condition along with records play a HUGE roll in their value. I have also seen some owners run for the hills once they learn what its like to live with these cars. I am not saying they can’t be perfectly good daily drives, but you have to live in a place and have the right kind of commute for that sort of thing. Also I think most (notice I didn’t say all) people who are just looking for a toy would be happier with a n/a 911. I don’t see a huge collector market in these other then something like the one year only 1989 g50/50 or the 1994 3.6.

As far as holding value it’s so subjective but as with all these cars they’ve decayed in value so much at this point you’re not going to get burned on outright value decay if you buy the right one backed up by condition and records.

[gilach]

for the most part, they will go up in value. you'll notice that there are a number of turbos creaping up on Barret Jackson these days, which is predominantly a forum for American made cars, especically the muscle cars. I think that the turbos are a natural extentions for a muscle head...it was for me. I've noticed that the 30 year mark for such specialty cars marks the turn around for increased value. This is not true of all 30 year old cars, but low production specialty. This fit's the description of the early 930's, e.g. 78 930's production #'s for the US were 461. Your hardest problem will be finding an unmolested Turbo. Virutally eveyone has changed something on them to get more power. Mostly bolt on mods are an attractive option to increase hp. Personally, turbo lag doesn't bother me-my car has plenty of power for me. It's part of the car, engineering and history. It took me 3 years to find my 78, it still has the original SW radio, nothing has been modified. I think you'll pay a premium for an unmolested turbo, with records and documentation, but you will be able to command a premium when you sell. Remeber, they ain't making these no more!

[Ed Bighi]

There isn't a single Porsche I have heard more untruths about than the 930. Lag? I've only felt serious lag on K26 cars. It's a non-issue in my book. Driving in the city? Excellent. If it's a 4 speed it's almost like driving an automatic car. Why? Drive one while talking on a cell phone and you will understand. You barely shift. Put it in first to start, second for streets, third for the freeway, fourth to haul ass on the freeway. Easy, just one shift since second is so long, third can wait. I have always found it to be the easiest K-series Porsche to drive slow and the most challenging to drive hard. Perfect. Jekyll when cruising around, Hyde when called for. Again, gotta drive one around a while to understand. But getting back to the lag, it's what makes it fun. If I wanted a turbocharged car to feel normally aspirated I would get a normally aspirated car. Or maybe bigger balls. Look at the prices of 930's than look at Boxsters. There is a reason for that relatively high 930 price. It's because the cars are like heroin. Once you do it, there is no going back. Sell it and you will think about getting another one. To the naysayers, I'm sorry but I have to disagree when it comes to the 930. Having driven every type of turbo Porsche, stock or modified, I feel that there is no substitute to the 930's boost delivery. Especially with a couple of relatively cheap modifications to increase the boost and decrease the lag. But not too much to spoil the experience. There is more fun per dollar after doing those mods than any mods in any car. Porsche or otherwise. I feel this way and I don't even own one. But lately I have felt the need for a hit of 930 every morning. So I'll be picking one up. 5-speed? Nope. Too much shifting and not enough head calculations before the apex. I'll take a 4-speed.

[tonypeoni]

Amen

[pu911]

I agree that the 930's are a different beast than a 911. Overall if you can find a well maintained car they are very reliable and great to drive. I also think they are a lot of car for the money, they had fairly low production volumes and excellent examples are getting more valuable.
They are difficult to sell and the prospective buyers are a different animal than early 911's buyers.
Phil

[Ed Bighi]

930's are sort of scarce right now. I could buy maybe ten Carreras in the span of time it takes me to find the turbo I am looking for. I see one on the street about as often as I see a 308 GTB nowadays. That isn't much. I don't think they made as many turbos as people think they did. The other thing to consider about all these cars, Carreras and SC's included, is that when they were made, there were no buyers for them in China, Russia, Croatia, Serbia, India, etc... Things are different now. It can be argued that newly acquired wealth always goes toward the new stuff first. But after a few years, some of those folks become more knowledgeable and start to dig up the classic stuff. Who knows, maybe these new markets or just basic population increase is the reason some cars are becoming a little tough to find nowadays. Right now there aren't a whole lot of E30 M3's and M6's for sale. Less than a page on Autotrader nationwide. Want a 3.0 CS or CSI (E9)? And I'm not even talking rust-free here. Forget it. Not a single one for sale in this entire country. Cars are getting scarce real quick lately.

[gilach]

i agree with all of the above...just wanted to shed some light on the differences between 3.0 and 3.3 liter models. Aside from the obvious changes ie intercooler and 4 piston brakes the list that shows differences between these models is really quite extensive. I would suggest checking out Peter Morgans Original Porsche 911: The Guide to All Production Models 1963-98 book as well as Paul Frere's "911 story" to get a good sense of the differences that might help you in your decision.

best, paul.

[WERK I]

The 3.3l versus the 3.0l is the better of the lot in terms of engine construction. The case is better, oil sump pump is second only to the GT3 pump in terms of scavenging ability. The 3.3l are intercooled which help extend the life of the engine and increase power levels. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find an unmolested 930. Keep the old parts when updating. It will increase the value of the car.
IMO, the cars are extremely easy to drive......when not at the 100% limit.

[Don Cothard]

Turbo lag????I replaced the original turbo with a K27HF from Imagineauto and there is no turbo lag to speak of--it's a very linier boost curve, it pulls like a frieght train all the way up to red line. I totally agree that the 4 speed is the way to go everyone wants a five speed and I don't understand why second around town is perfect like an automatic, i love the four speed.
Don

[Ed Bighi]

Just bought a 930 four speed. After a week I think the four speed is the way to go. Yes, I have tried the 5 speed as well. Drive a four speed for a while and you will understand. I'll take this four speed over the G50 in my carrera any day. Same for the 50-50 in the late turbos. Bulletproof, easy shifting, but most of all, never having to shift. The gears are long so there is just so much range to them. Makes the car feel incredibly long legged, if that is a good description. Feels perfect. I have finally found the perfect 911 for me. Why I waited so long, who knows? Maybe it was all the bull***** out there. Who knows, maybe the bs is all good. Keeps the prices at discrete levels.

[Black968]

As Bruce Anderson says. When times a good, 930's are worth a lot of money and when times are tough, you cannot sell them. 930's with low mileage are creeping into the forty thousand dollar range. Buy a good one with some miles on it and a history. As far as the trans, I didn't like the four speed at first, but after a couple of weeks driving it, I concur with the above comments.

Cheers

[Hayabusa]

Originally posted by Ed Bighi
Just bought a 930 four speed. After a week I think the four speed is the way to go. Yes, I have tried the 5 speed as well. Drive a four speed for a while and you will understand. I'll take this four speed over the G50 in my carrera any day. Same for the 50-50 in the late turbos. Bulletproof, easy shifting, but most of all, never having to shift. The gears are long so there is just so much range to them. Makes the car feel incredibly long legged, if that is a good description. Feels perfect. I have finally found the perfect 911 for me. Why I waited so long, who knows? Maybe it was all the bull***** out there. Who knows, maybe the bs is all good. Keeps the prices at discrete levels.

I totally agree! I love my 930 and the four speed. It is an acquired taste, but once you are feeling this car and are in the groove, it is like a fine wine, SIMPLY SUPERB!

[sand_man]

I agree with many of the points being made here.

-The four speed is indeed a fantastic transmission that does fit the engine...there is no need to change it or look for a more expensive 1989 model
-The lag really isn't that bad with the addition of better headers (B&B) and gets even better with a K27-7200 turbo, and even if some lag is still present, that's part of the experience
-These cars can be made very dependable...my neighbor has an '84 model and has put well over 60,000 daily driven miles (rain or shine) on his rebuilt engine - first engine was sabotaged by his ex-wife

In regards to the 3.0 vs. 3.3, I think the 3.3 is the better choice.

I've had a troubled relationship with my '87: bought it last year to be my daily driver with 38,000 miles and at 42,000 miles have had to build a new engine. As with anything there's a story and in short, my car was lovingly cared for, but not driven enough. The complete rebuild probably wasn't required, but that infamous nickle and dime spiral of death spending was beginning, and so I felt it necessary to start from scratch. I'm still in love and after the connection of a few simple wires plan to fire it up soon!

[Les Paul]

I'll chime in here. I just got my old 76 back from Imagine. I've had the car 21 years now. The first year it got an IC. Then several years later a K-27. Then 3.2 pistons, cams, headers, big reds etc.

Then through a very unfortunate set of events it needed a new rebuild. So it went to Imagine. He couldn't believe that K-27 I had on there was nearly 20 years old. It now has the K-27 high flow S the 7006 to be exact. Then to top it off the Fabspeed single out exit right wastegate left.

The car is transformed. I've given a few rides this week and even though there is big boost at 3 there is a lunge from 4-5k that has to be felt to be believed. Amazing. At 2600 lbs it is like a rocket sled. I'll bring my camera out here tomorrow night and post some pics.

My wife was on my case about selling but that isn't going to happen now.

[Bruce M.]

I'm in the minority, I guess. I really like my G50 conversion in my 930, complete with a WEVO shifter. Yes, there's more shifting, but I prefer the hydraulic feel to the cable one, and for the track it's much easier to keep the car in the right part of the torque curve.

Another reason more unique to my car is that because I have a 935 pure puck clutch, launches with the stock 930 box were tough with its long first. Easy as pie now with the G50.

And, on the larger point, I gotta say this--a turbo significantly hampers one's ability to appreciate NA Porsches. Except for a GT3, maybe. After tooling around in my 930 for a year or two, I test drove a very nice 993 for a friend. Nice balance to that car, but no zing in comparison.

[sand_man]

Originally posted by Bruce M.
I'm in the minority, I guess. I really like my G50 conversion in my 930, complete with a WEVO shifter. Yes, there's more shifting, but I prefer the hydraulic feel to the cable one, and for the track it's much easier to keep the car in the right part of the torque curve.

I didn't mean to say or imply that the 4-speed is superior to the G50, just that often times people who are not in the know (never driven a 930 with the 4-speed), often make an assumption that the "original" gear box can, in no way, be a good thing. You know: more gears must be better. I get it all the time when people (non-Pcar) ask if it's a five or six speed! They are truly shocked to learn it's "only got four"...

[9dreizig]

Hey is it just me, or are there suddenly not alot of turbos on the market??

[kailuadog]

Glad I have read all the reply's, because I have a 77 930 with the original 4 speed, and I have always wondered what a g50 would do for the car. Thanks for the thoughts & imput. I live in honolulu and the lack of shifting is great. Although first gear is slow off the line......well until the k-27 kicks in then Wow.
With regards to the turbo lag.....b&bs, 911sc cams, & the upgrade to a K-27 took care of that.
I think I will go for a drive right now, Aloha.