Question on high mileage G50 3.2

wcelliot · 02-19-2008, 06:40 PM

Looking at a G50 3.2 Carrera cab... with about 150k on it, newer paint, and no service records. Moderately clean caxfax (mileage checks out, no emissions failures, involved in a pedistrian accident that may have prompted the respray...)

Normally I would run from something like this but the price is (potentially) too inviting to pass up without a little more thought...

Not knowing these cars, what should I look for in a high mileage car like this?

What would be a "deal breaker" for you if you could get it for say $10-11k? How about $13-14k?

I can handle most of my own work, so I'm not afraid of getting my hands dirty to save a few bucks...

Thanks for any advice!
Bill

911teo · 02-20-2008, 02:24 AM

There is too much you do not know about the car...

At 150k miles you might need a new clutch and a top end. These 2 jobs would be between $5,000 and $7,000.

I would "invest" $2-300 on a PPI professionally done and do a compression/leakdown test. Also check tie rods, bushings, shocks etc....

This car might be right at the point where you need to replace everything. Even though at first it seems attractive you may end up sinking a lot of dollars in it and still own a 150k mile Carrera with no records and not a clean carfax.

On the pelican classifieds there are at least 3 G50s (albeit coupe) that look more promising than this one....

Good Luck

wcelliot · 02-20-2008, 03:10 AM

Thanks much for the info... I agree with doing a PPI... but if I do one it takes away my ability to do a really lowball offer.

Not interested in a coupe, only a cab and those seem to average $20k+ for a 80-90k model and upper teens for a another 100k-125k+ model (about the highest I've seen otherwise)... am I off on the values?

So if I could get the car for say $11k, it seems to me that even using your worst case number of $7k (though I think I could do a clutch and top end myself for significantly less) I'd not really be hurt.

Assuming that you couldn't do a PPI (but the car was otherwise acceptable) at what price point does it become a good deal?

Thanks!
Bill

Macroni · Macroni's Garage

good deal @ 11 if the car is straight under the repaint.

911teo · 02-20-2008, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luke Marano Jr

good deal @ 11 if the car is straight under the repaint.

Agreed, especially if you can do a lot of work diy!

wcelliot · 02-20-2008, 06:34 AM

Thanks.. off to check the car out

Bill

wcelliot · 02-20-2008, 08:48 AM

You always hope when you go look at a cheap high mileage car that it was one carefully maintained and driven lots by a caring, mature owner. This was not that car.

Seller was a curber (cops showed up and towed his truck off the street in front of his house for no registration while I was there... he had a few other cheap higher end (Mercedes, Audi) cars for sale as well. Car was not registered and had not been for over a year.

This car has been ridden hard... it had the full slate of metal pedal covers, loud exhaust with 5" tailpipe (actually sounded pretty sweet), drilled brake rotors, etc...

The paint was of decent quality and really shined, but the driver's door and/or fender was clearly "tweaked" meaning the the carfax pedestrian accident was likely a bit more involved. There was also some evidence of early clearcoat failure in a couple of spots...

The top and interior were tatty (but usable).

It did have a whale tail, had been lowered with nice stiff springs and shocks, but had cheap aftermarket 17" painted alloy rims on large spacers (I hate spacers).

It started up from cold nicely with no smoke, but after it got warmed up it would blow visible grey smoke when reved. Idled warm at 1100-1200. I think the cat had been removed and the car had not been emissions tested in 50,000 miles (and I seriously doubt it would pass). Was dripping oil when running (though did not seem to be when parked/off).

I think the car could be purchased for $11k, but I'm not interested...

Thanks for the guidance!
Bill

don911 · don911's Garage

Sounds like a not so well taken care of care regardless of mileage. For cars now 20 years old, 150K is not really high mileage in my opinion. I bought my G50 in 2000 with 173K on it. It ran great and the interior was as good as any I've seen. It was just a daily commuter in CA so had a lot of highway miles. Personally I would take a 3.2L that's been driven over one that's sat in a garage drying up.