Buying 1989 911 G-50

[flatsixjunky]

Hello guy's,

I just turned 40' and the "menoporsche" has just kicked in. I grew up having a 1980 SC poster on my bedroom wall. I have always wanted to buy an air cooled 911, but now I can. I'm thinking about buying this particular car.

http://www.prestigeporsche.com/inventory/detail.aspx?idinventory=80614

On these link there's another to it's carfax report, please check them out.

I was wondering if anybody might be willing to give me some pointers into which questions are the right ones to ask?

What should I make sure has been done to the vehicle prior to agreeing to purchase it?

I don't know how much this helps but I have read "The used 911 story" by P. Zimmermann and "Porsche 911 buyer's guide" by R. Leffingwell. They don't seem extremely detailed. For example, I have been reading here about compression and leakdown tests to verify on cars, that's hardly mentioned on any of those books. So, if anybody has the time to share some thoughts on my newly demented venture, and how to best go about it, I will truly appreciate it.

Thank you all,

flatsixjunky

[rw229]

First off, welcome.

That is a very nice looking car, last of the generation, 8" Fuchs, LSD and GP White (one of my favorite). Unfortunately, I think the price is at least 10k optimistic. For that kind of money you could buy a fine example of just about any air cooled 911 including 993's.

Take some time browsing the site and search for Pre Purchase Inspection, PPI, etc. and you will have a couple days of reading. Also, I believe there a quite a few well respected independent shops in the tri-state area which to take the car for a PPI.

[Macroni]

Very overpriced. That price would deliver a under 20,000 mile museum quality car. It is closer to the number of a 89 g50 turbo with the same mileage.

[kilodawg]

Concur with Macroni on all points....

[flatsixjunky]

Thanks guy's, I was expecting these type of replies. I know that's a lot of money, but it's a very particular model, and I don't want any other, I mean anything other than a 89 3.2L G-50, not necessarily that one in particular. BTW, I started looking for my car over two months ago and have been looking around this site for a couple of weeks now before I decided to register, and to be honest most of the 89's I've seen have usually twice as much mileage, interior wear and faded paint, and peep's are asking from 25K-30K USD. I thought because it has only 50K miles and a complete record showing oil changes every 1500 miles maybe it was worth like 35K. Maybe my problem is that I don't know how to look, I mean, looking in the right places.

I have one question, my red book say's that on these models the serial number should read "WPOAB091CKS120001 Thru 1156", but in this car the 9th digit is a 4 instead of a C. This particular car has a serial "WPOAB0914KS120112". Why is that?

rw229: Could you lead me to any of those respected tri-state area dealers, I thought this was one of them?

Macroni: I'm all ears for addresses on those "under 20,000 mile museum quality car".

flatsixjunky

[kilodawg]

Okay let's put this in perspective, First not sure why it's that year/model and no other but whatever. Anyway, a couple of years ago I found this car for a friend. I know it's a cab but arguably in Florida that brings a higher value. It's an '89 and he purchased it with 23K miles on the clock. He paid what at the time was top dollar $26K. I don't think it's gone up that much (if at all) in real world purchasing dollars since then....

Remember there is a difference between asking and selling prices. You sound resigned and almost eager to spend your money foolishly......Patience......Unless of course you have and extra $10,000 to $15,000 you just have to get rid of.....

[flatsixjunky]

First, I'm not eager to throw away my money and I don't know where you got that idea. I want that particular model because it's the summit of the evolution from SC thru Carrera, my book say's those are the most reliable Porsche's ever built, and anyway why does that bother you. Also about those prices, I'm just stating what I have seen so far. I wrote that I think I'm not looking in the right places, and maybe that could be the reason I'm not finding any bargains. You can brag as much as you like about your Porsche expertise and show all the great deals buddy's of you have gotten, but it wont help me until someone tells me how and where to look.

flatsixjunky

[kilodawg]

Bite my head off why don't you.....Sorry you don't have your car yet but don't jump my case for it.

If I'd told you I found him the car for $17K and I talked him down to $15 that would be bragging. I told you he paid top dollar...

Besides I don't need to brag about stupid crap like this but I will still offer to help.

Read your own post....You have already begun rationalizing spending $35K for that car (not that you will). My point is that with an attitude like that and frustration over time you WILL wind up spending more than you should. If you spent $35K on that car (as you said you were considering in your first post) you WOULD be throwing money away! The second half of my point was again not to brag but to give you an idea of what you can find and what is possible. In fact even better is possible.

Now on to your second notion regarding reliability. Again recall I said "whatever" I said that exactly because I don't really care what particular year you lust over. However, you would have to argue really well to convince people that the '89 was the most reliable 911 ever built. Not that it wasn't an excellent year but each year has it's pros and cons as well as their passionate followers. In fact the latter Carrera years ('87 thru '89) are all very similar.

Another thing to consider is the fact that after 20 years reliability is probably just as significantly affected by how the car was used and how well it was maintained. You are probably more likely to find that an '84 with 95K miles and excellent maintenance history is far more reliable than an '89 garage queen with only 15K miles. So what I'm saying is that there are significant other factors in play here other than what a book tells you.

Read some more and see if you don't come to the conclusion that you have narrowed your sights just a little too tightly. When you get very specific on what you want you will most likely spend more time looking and pay more as well.

Now to the sad part of the story and the part you really don't want to here. There is no easy way to find the right car. You may get lucky and find one tomorrow and you may wind up waiting 8 months. The best advice like I said before is to be patient.

Aside from the forums (Pelican, Rennlist, PCA etc.), Ebay, Autotrader, and reseller outfits you might want to consider contacting local repair shops. The local wrenches in your area frequently have the best line on cars that are close by are a known commodity. Also contact you local PCA region (not just Panorama).

A key point from my experience (not bragging) is that the different sources you search will have different seller mentalities. The resellers will usually have the highest prices but sometimes the nicest cars. Each, however, should be carefully researched because there are resellers that have bad reputations. Autotrader and Ebay can be hit or miss. I have had the best luck with local sellers. You have to hunt them out but if you find one you can easily determine what they have and in my experience the prices have always been more reasonable. A last option is to get a broker who will do the work for you. For a nominal fee (around $500 if the car is purchased) they will take on the task of tracking down the car you want.....

None of this was meant to chastise you but you still have a lot to learn. Don't get frustrated enjoy the hunt...

[Macroni]

1989 25th Aniversary Ediion 18,235 Original Miles Natl concours prepped.
Luke Bruggeman, Cinicinnati, Ohio 513.793.8084 email: ldbrugg@aol.com asking $40,000.

[Cal44]

flatsixjunky, easy does it. Kilodawg made some fine points. Points I thought helpful. Always remember, a dealer wants you to make his house payment. Dealer indentification, shifty eyes and bad shoes.

[trader220]

I agree with all the others the particular car in question in grossly over priced. Also, the 87 to 89 cars are basically the same car. If you want you can always upgrade the rear wheels to 8’s and them move those 7’s on an 88 or 87 to the front which would arguably make it even more desirable then the 89. In all the usual internet sources there are always a reasonable crop of 87 to 89 carrera coupes. With some time spent working the internet you should be able to find some excellent examples.

A quick look at just eBay shows this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1-OWNER-TEXAS-911-EXELLENT-CONDITION-75K-COLLECTOR-CAR_W0QQitemZ300232176826QQihZ020QQcategoryZ10156Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


I am not advocating that buy it now price or this car in particular but it took all of 30 second on eBay to find one much more reasonably priced.

Here is a 16k mile 87 cab for less then the offer of the one you’re looking at. I realize it’s a cab and you’re looking for a coupe but it’s just a data point.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/911-convertible-Only-16000-miles_W0QQitemZ120271807587QQihZ002QQcategoryZ1015 6QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


There are a couple of other 88 and 89 coupes and cabs on eBay which are much more realistically priced.

For my money, and I have bought and sold many many 911’s I would not even think of the car you posted anywhere near that price.

Auto Trader is also an excellent source with many many 87-89’s always listed. I generally won’t buy from a dealer because I trust my own buying skills and I don’t want to pay the premium that a deal needs to make. That being said as long as you’re not buying from a place like Victory who has a crappy reputation it’s not awful to buy from one of the handful or very reputable used 911 specialists out there.


Just my 2 cents, good luck. PM me if you have some specific questions, on my comments.

[Fishman7]

I bought my 89 G50 in February for $27,000 I agree that the white car is slightly overpriced and maybe mine was also but it was the car I wanted and so I bought it; no I don't regret it. I had my heart set on the color I wanted (metallic pine green) and to boot it had a mahogany interior which is stunning, so what the hell I went for it. I do feel in the future these cars will be what the 72-73 cars are now, keep looking.

[trader220]

There are many many more g -50 cars on the road then early long hood cars. Additionally the later cars dont have the rust issues early long nose cars have. I dont believe you'll see the top top prices early S cars are bringing in a g-50 car for a long long long time.

[Fishman7]

I agree somewhat but I wasn't comparing "s" cars to G50's nor comparing prices; what I was trying to state is that they will be in much more demand in the future. I sold my 73 "E" for my G50 and don't regret it a bit.

[trader220]

I am not sure how much more in demand they'll be as compared to the demand in the long hoods now. Its not easy to track trends in such a niche market. There are many many more to choose from in a g 50 car. I believe they made significantly more 87 to 89 g50 cars then they did in long nose cars. The rust issues have laid many early cars to waste never to return, the whole SC and Carrera ( up to 89 )series dont suffer from the same rust issues.

[kilodawg]

Fishman7 if that 's the car you wanted in a special color combo you did fine. The other side of the over paying coin is that a couple of thousand more for a special car or color combo that you really relate too is money well spent. Regardless $27000 isn't out of the norm. As an aside I concur on the mahogany interior that's what I have in my '88 a great rich color. Good luck finding matching floor mats though. Let me know if you found an acceptable solution.

For flatsixjunky along with Macroni's post also in Panorama is an '89 Cobalt Blue/Linen 62K miles sunroof sounds nice for $23,500 OBO

[Fishman7]

kilodawg sounds like we are in the same boat on the floor mats, no such luck! I fully agree on the special color combo it is worth slightly more but more importantly I think the subtle colors enhance the lines of these cars more than the run of them mill red, white, etc.

[flatsixjunky]

Hey, I didn't expect so many answers, thanks everybody?

kilodawg, thanks for the advice and I'm sorry about biting back, but you could've spared me the "what a fool" treatment, that's all.

So back to the car, I always thought I should stay away from e-bay cars. They have a lot of those bad rep Victory cars listed there for sale. Seems they have the same car I was looking at, bid is now at 23K, I'm going to call them tomorrow to inquire more about the car and maybe eventually bid on it.

link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___60-Pictures-1989-Porsche-911-Carrera-Coupe-Stk-1400756_W0QQitemZ150257659471QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20Tr ucksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item150257659471 &

So, after reading everybody's posts the 89's price actually should be from the mid 20's up to low 30's depending of course on the condition. So, for that 89 Grand Prix White for sale at 37K if I were to bid on it, where you think I should just drop the deal at 29K or maybe 31K. Remember the car was religiously serviced like every 1500 miles, paint looks like it's never seen rain and the interiors are immaculate. What you guy's think, on top of everything the car is in NY state. That really would help me.

BTW, I went also to autotrader and found others, nice, fairly priced in the mid 20K's, but not exactly what I want. Also, this dealer in Pa. has some fairly nice 89's. Anybody from the area who might know if this is a reputable dealer?

http://www.holtmotorsports.com/inventory.php?start=20&filter=recent

One last thing, what is panorama? I feel like such an idiot asking this.

flatsixjunky

[Macroni]

Panorama is the PCA rag. Comes out monthly. Tim Holt purchased my 48,000 mile 87 g50 cab earlier this year. He is a decent guy and a straight shooter. His cars are usually at the top end of the price scale.

As far as the 89 you are interested in. I would think you can get the car for just under thirty. Make an offer if it is the car for you; But.....have it inspected. It is worth it.

[flatsixjunky]

Thanks Macroni, I was expecting Panorama had something to do with PCA, but how can I see it when to be a PCA member you have to already own a Porsche?

flatsixjunky