Salvage title 964

[adeihl]

Hey guys,

I came across a wrecked 964 C4 coupe, and wanted to know your input. I am not sure what it is worth it has a SALVAGE title. I just dont want to offer too much and get ripped off.

Also, any estimates what the damage would be to replace?

thanks!
Andrew

DETAILS:

Year: 1991 Damage: FRONT & REAR
Make: PORSCHE Start: CAR STARTS
Model: 911 Key: YES
Cert. State: Odometer: 82151
Sale Document: SALVAGE Odom. Status: ACTUAL
Sale Document Brand: VIN: WP0AB296XMS410140

[seventythree]

With the salvage title, it is a $10K car at best, that's if properly repaired. I see a lot of expensive work that is obvious. Most likely, there is damage you won't see in those pictures.

I would say $3K if you feel adventurous! You will be rolling the dice on this one. If you don't have the stomach for it, just walk away.

This should not be anybodies introduction to Porsche ownership.

[techweenie]

As these things go, this is a very easy fixer, Probably $6,000 will do it. The market value when you're done is going to be market -30% or so because of the salvage status. So look at eBay to see what '91 C4 coupes are bringing, subtract 30%, then $6,000 and you'll have a bid amount for a car to use and keep. If you were thinking about reselling it, you'll have to bid several thousand lower, again.

Salvage cars like this bring surprisingly high bids because there are people out there with specific parts needs, and they look at it not as a potentially completed car, but as a lot of parts sales opportunities.

The '91 964 engine still had some head sealing issues, and you won't know if they've been solved. The C4 AWD system can be a value liability for some buyers. It's heavy and not as refined as the 993 AWD.

[adeihl]

Hmm thanks guys for the advice, This guy sells cars all the time so i am sure he is going to want at least the value of the engine ( about 7k or so) The way you are speaking, i dont really see this as a good opportunity.

Although:

This Guy sells parts for porsches ( used) so i am sure i could find all necessary parts from him and save some cash.

This is my first porsche purchase, and i am 21 years old so i am looking to save some money where i can ( hence the salvage title and damaged porsche)

I heard one fig of 3k from seventythree is that really accurate? I am sure he is going to want around 8 or 9 since it is a working engine.

thanks guys i appreciate it. Also, here is a car i am looking at on ebay. I offered the guy 13k and he said "not even close" am i missing something?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PORSCHE-911-1990-C-2_W0QQitemZ160035644554QQihZ006QQcategoryZ10156QQr dZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Andrew

[rrsrsr]

Originally posted by adeihl


thanks guys i appreciate it. Also, here is a car i am looking at on ebay. I offered the guy 13k and he said "not even close" am i missing something?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PORSCHE-911-1990-C-2_W0QQitemZ160035644554QQihZ006QQcategoryZ10156QQr dZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Andrew

$13k will probably find you a cosmetically tired, & high mileage early C2 with no engine rebuild history.

That doesn't describe the car in the ebay ad.

[adeihl]

Got ya, I was just going by the KBB.com website. thanks for the information!

[seventythree]

This guy has the car and he has the parts. That car would have been repaired already, if it made economic sense.

techweenie gave good input but he is a semi pro. Leave this one to the pros or the highly experienced.

Like I said before, this should not be anybodies introduction to Porsche ownership. You can easily end up way upside-down!

[adeihl]

Thanks guys, your guidence prob saved me 1000's. I appreciated the advice!

Andrew

[The Donkey]

I am pretty sure the 964 you are talking about is this one

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?threadid=298460

It says it is sold in the Pelican ad but not sold on Ebay. So, I don't know if this is a flipper or the original seller pulled the Pelican listing or I am just way off. Could be any of them.

[adeihl]

good CALL!! i was trying to buy that off of that guy....



thanks for that link

Andrew

[adeihl]

didnt want to clutter the forum with another thread, but i have a question

I saw a c4 on ebay with 94k on it. It is a clear title but has the cylinder head studs snapped on one bank. I have reabuilt many engines ( watercooled) but never worked witha porsche engine. are these throw away if you snap a stud? is it a good buy?

Thanks!
ANdrew

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=250035124111&ih =015&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

[seventythree]

No, that engine is not a throw-away; however, you should budget $4~5K to replace the studs, install head gaskets, and a valve job. Or, $8~10K for a complete rebuild.

IMO, a MY 90 with 94KM and broken head studs is overpriced at $12K. For mid to high teens you can get a healthy example, with as many miles, which MAY not need any engine work until past 200KM mark.

[adeihl]

well I offered him 11k for the car. The hard part for me is finding a black on black coupe at a reasonable price. thank you for the advice!

I have a Porsche Place locally ( Dawes Motorsport Development) I am decent buddies with the owner and he said he would shoot me at cost parts and work with me to rebuild the engine free of charge. So this might be an advantageous adventure. Comments??

[The Donkey]

I don't know about finding a good example 1990 C4 with 94k for mid teens. If so please show me one cause I am looking for it.

[seventythree]

It is interesting how people have the tendency to pick at whatever end of a given range to make their own point! That is fine though.
Here you go donkey:

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/car/213965655.html

I am throwing in, 1 year younger, 20KM less, and a cabrio top, for good measure. Yes, yes, go ahead and point out that it isn't a C4 and it has a tiptronic. But my point is, they are out there. Just gotta find the one that is right for you.

[The Donkey]

Ok, sorry. Let's use the whole range 15k to 19k. Look for a coupe C4 with 94k miles, no tiptronic. Seriously I am asking since I thought you knew where some were.

[seventythree]

Already, how about this one:

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/car/212881531.html

It sounds like a nice car with an asking price that is too high; because, it has been on the Craigslist for quite some time. Most likely, at that price, it isn't getting much interest. I think the situation is ripe for NICELY negotiating the price down, possibly to <$20K.

In some parts of the country, such as most of California, a C4 is viewed as an unnecessary weight/maintenance penalty. Not only they don't fetch a premium, but in fact, I have seen many sold at a discount relative to a comparable C2.

Both you guys, be patient and keep looking. The used car market is very soft, and Porsches are selling at big discounts.

adeihl, the 964 is the car that almost bankrupted Porsche in the early 90s. They had the highest base MSRP, AFAIK, and as a result, not many were sold. IMO, their maladies are overly exaggerated, and therefore, they sell at a discount. However, I don't think it's wise to get tempted into buying a broken, or wrecked, 964 by an even deeper discount. Even a healthy example will keep you plenty busy, albeit with smaller issues, trying to keep it on the road!

It's bad enough to buy early 911's or 914's for DIY projects, and those are relatively much simpler cars. 84~89 Carreras are borderline, but 964 and up are definitely not good project cars, especially for the novice.

[adeihl]

thanks for the advice seventythree,

I really appreciate the kind help in purchaing a 964. I will be sure to be patiant and post up anything i think might look "good" to me and get everyones imput.

thanks again!
Andrew

[seventythree]

adeihl,
Where are you? Jump on this one before it gets snatched up by someone else:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?threadid=310725

It's a much better low-budget 911 than any other you have recently inquired about.

[adeihl]

Seventythree!!!! I WISH i had the extra cash to make that price! what i nice ass looking car!

Thanks so much for keeping me in mind dude!