Anybody want to comment on my car's worth?

Doug&Julie · 12:21 PM

I'm thinking (again) of selling my car before too long. It's a good car, but far from perfect. I keep seeing and hearing how these early car values are jumping up there, but then every once in a while I see an example like mine that is only listed around $10k or so? So I'm wondering what I could realistically get for my car? ...or to put it more generically, what can a person get for an overall good early car that has a few worn synchros and a bad paint job?

The link in my sig has a lot of pics and info. It will have more before too long. (..hopefully with a video as well..)

All thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks so much!

rrsrsr · 04-19-2006, 01:28 PM

I definitely think you can get more than $10k.
Excellence Magazine Market Update:
low-$11,730
good-$13,343
excellent- $17,860
Sports Car Market magazine had a recent feature on the 911T. They claim $15,000 is about right for a 'decent' 911T (i.e. not rusty, no smoky engines, no trashed interiors)

Maybe start at $13k-$14k and take offers.

Doug&Julie · 04-20-2006, 03:01 AM

Thanks. I was thinking of asking $15k, but truthfully I was hoping to get $15k. Looks like I'd be good with the high $13s to $14k. I'm not sure at what point I don't want to sell it!

coldstart · 04-20-2006, 06:50 AM

Doug: Firstly, I think you have a beautiful car. That said, I think you would have difficulty selling for $15K with a non-original engine. The car loses some of its 'collector' value and a 2.4 with Zeniths does not fall into the high HP engine into a light weight category (not dissing the 2.4 with Zeniths-- the same is in my car).

I think that all older P-cars are due for a decrease in value if oil prices are maintained at their current level. People are already moving into econoboxes and hybrids in Canada in droves. This will hurt older car values as older cars are not exactly fuel sippers.

Doug&Julie · 04-20-2006, 06:55 AM

Thanks coldstart. I agree that my car would not be good for "collector" value...there's far more on this car that isn't original! I guess that's what makes the early car values such a guessing game. While mine isn't original, all the changes are "like" original or original "style" (as in the seats).

So are buyers looking for original collector cars or just cool early Porsches? If the former...I'm screwed.

(..if you can call having a cool early Porsche being screwed!

)

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

I disagree with the "collector" angle. It's a 911T, and they just aren't really "collectible", in the same sense as a 911S or 911RS or a Speedster. A non-original engine in a 911T probably won't hurt the value, and it will maybe increase the value if upgrades or a more powerful engine is installed. With this car, condition is everything, in particular, the paint and interior and rust. The difference between a $5K 911T and a $15K 911T is the condition. Cars with near-perfect paint, a very clean interior, and a strong engine will fetch $15K. The good cars always do well, as they are in demand from people who know...

-Wayne

Doug&Julie · 04-22-2006, 04:39 AM

Well she's officially up for sale...so we'll soon find out!

PorscheGuy79 · PorscheGuy79's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Doug&Julie
Well she's officially up for sale...so we'll soon find out!

Sigh, I love that car but I know its for the better Doug.

Doug&Julie · 04-23-2006, 04:01 PM

Thanks Matthew...it won't be my last early car.

SandyI · 04-23-2006, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by coldstart
I think that all older P-cars are due for a decrease in value if oil prices are maintained at their current level. People are already moving into econoboxes and hybrids in Canada in droves. This will hurt older car values as older cars are not exactly fuel sippers.

I have to disagree with this. Here in the U.S., no one is choosing between 35 year old sports cars and modern econo cars to achieve better gas mileage. In fact, I don't know anyone besides myself who uses their early 911 as their primary source of transportation. For most, it's a second or third car.

AbbyAk · 04-23-2006, 07:11 PM

As usual, condition are what these cars are all about. Doug's car sure looks good. His market in Ohio may limit his opportunities some, although these cars do bring alot of attention from all over, because although Wayne is right regarding the T's actual collectability, they are still great values for the money and good ones are still very desireable. What else has the shape, the class and the style for 15K? Value all depends on condition and what is yet needed to make the cars "right" to many buyers...

Sunroof · 04-24-2006, 12:24 PM

Collectibilty? How do we define that on older Porsches and with such a wide market? When I think of collectibility I think of a Shelby Cobra, a Lotus Europa or a Saab Sonnet! A Porsche 911T to an enthusiast is a Porsche 911T. The key is, its a survivor! That to me makes it potentially a collectible.

No doubt their were a zillion "T"s made, but there is less t han one-quarter remaining alive and counting in the world today. Something that is over thirty five years old is certianly collectible, either is be a Pontiac Catalina, a Chevy Biscayne or a 1970T. The issue is condition. If its decent its worth the higher end and your certianly at 15K. We're talking dollars in the mid teens folks, not Barrett-Jackson dollars or megabucks. I doubt a new owner is looking to drop 40K is total restoration and keep it under glass. Compare 15K to what you can buy today and it equates to a used Corolla or Beetle.

Doug, I would take the prices recommended as stated (Excellence for example) with the notion that these cars will retain value if not increase in value. You have it in print. I was personally surprised you got rid of the Boxster after the engine issue, so I am of the opinion that your going to hang onto to this one for awhile. Perhaps you should. Nice car.

Good Luck
Bob
1973.5T

superhighperf · 05-03-2006, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Doug: Firstly, I think you have a beautiful car. That said, I think you would have difficulty selling for $15K with a non-original engine. The car loses some of its 'collector' value and a 2.4 with Zeniths does not fall into the high HP engine into a light weight category (not dissing the 2.4 with Zeniths-- the same is in my car).

interesting? i too believe that an all original car cas more value but in the musscle car world there is a market for the clone.
i think this is a good topic.

pwd72s · 05-16-2006, 08:27 AM

Seems to me that Doug's car would be a good beginning point for an early 911 hotrod project...

Doug&Julie · 05-16-2006, 08:32 AM

Well that was my plan. ..and it still may be since I've had very little interest in the car. I suspect my asking price is just too high. Not that eBay is an indicator of the market, but I've seen a few 1970s in comparible condition struggle to get more than $10k. For that much (..that little?), I'd rather just keep it.

What do you think Paul, can I drive the old girl daily in Oregon?

pwd72s · 05-16-2006, 09:21 AM

In the Portland area? A daily driver early 911? Only if you love supporting body shops. The streets are mean in that city. Then there is the rainy season. Long ago, I learned the benefits of having a cheap ol' daily driver, saving the P car for fun runs. I know a guy in Portland who has NEVER spent much on a driver, yet he still gets around. Police seizure auctions are his bag, picking up under $500 cars that last him for years...A GOOD early 911 hotrod can quickly turn into some pretty high numbers Doug...
but you've been hanging around here long enough to know that. But with a cheap daily driver as backup, even a working stiff can end up with a nice early car toy, given enough time...

coldstart · 05-16-2006, 09:23 AM

The cars on e-bay don't compare to yours, Doug. Camera tricks and lies. You are open about the deficiencies in your car and would take your car over an E-bay car any day of the week.

With 35+ year old cars, IMHO, collectibility is an issue and non-original cars lose out on certain buyers. That said, in terms of the engine, I would prefer to either have a 911T with a well-sorted 3.0 or 3.2 over the original 2.2 or 2.0 but I wouldn't pay more for a non-original 2.4 (actually I would pay less). Still condition on these cars is paramount and yours seems like a really good example. And you have killer seats with proper seatbelts!

I think if you are patient you will get around your asking price ($13-15K). Coupes make better hotrodders than targas (big understatement) even though I love targas (better looking than a convertible, more fun than a coupe).

I guess the price of gas doesn't affect Porsche owners as much as the poor folk. But my car and your car are not exactly at the high end of the Porsche cost spectrum, so the major rise of price of gas may affect our cars' values. I know I drove my car less when gas was at $1.30/L last year (USD$4.30/gallon) and I would consider selling/parking it if gas prices were to stay near that level.

GothingNC · 05-16-2006, 10:10 AM

Have patience.

It seems to be a strong buyers market right now.

Quite a fewP-cars on the market by me have been listed for 6-8 months before they sold.

Doug&Julie · 05-16-2006, 10:14 AM

Yes, well...I do seem to have a problem with patience. Once I decided to sell this car, I wanted to move it! If it sits around here for too long, I'll spend more and more money on it and want to sell it less and less.

Oh wait...that's probably a good thing...

pwd72s · 05-19-2006, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Doug&Julie
Yes, well...I do seem to have a problem with patience. Once I decided to sell this car, I wanted to move it! If it sits around here for too long, I'll spend more and more money on it and want to sell it less and less.

Oh wait...that's probably a good thing...

NOW you're thinking!