Value of 83 944 w/ 30,000 miles

[Crazy Horse]

I am a union technician and am going on to a long-term construction project up in central Washington state desert territory. I cannot drive a nice Porsche onto the dusty/dirty job site for obvious reasons.

I purchased this car with 29,000 miles from a Bankruptcy in south Florida. The car is perfect with no known issues.







The paint is perfect, with one rock chip that was professionally touched up. Interior is a 10. Visors are tight with no waves. Antenna works great. Windshield washer works perfectly, etc. Original floormats look brand new. Seats are perfect front and back. Original Fuchs in perfect shape.

Dash is perfect with no cracks whatsoever. Radio has been updated to new CD/radio unit.

I am a stickler, so when I got the car I replaced:

- Both belts and complete FOE service (had been previously done at 28,000 miles five yrs ago).
- Front crank seal (old one taken out looked perfect)
- Water pump
- Radiator
- Upgraded 3-blade fans to later 6-blade fans
- Lower temp T-stat and fan switch
- New coolant cap (& coolant w/ Water Wetter)
- Turbo tie rods
- Tires
- Front stone guard decals
- Four wheel alignment

- Car came with "high-dollar" rebuilt DME unit.

This car has manual steering. Underneath looks like it has not been driven much in the rain. Zero leaks - not one drop on garage floor in five months.

I would get in and drive this car to Alaska tonight without a worry.

What do you think I can get in this market? Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

[s_morrison57]

What are the obvious reasons you can't drive a foreign car onto the job site, I don't get it , you say you could drive it to Alaska but 1/2 way to a job site doesn't cut it. Are you afraid to own something other than a Ford pick up? Does belonging to a Union mean you can't drive an import car? What Homo Union are we talking about? Your car looks nice I'll give ya $1,000.00 for it if you deliver. PM me and I'll give you the details

[Crazy Horse]

Go away - I am interested in serious advice, not political drivel.

That was completely uncalled for. The "Homo" reference was particularly ugly.

[Rot 911]

Wow, it is rare to see a low mileage 944 especially one as old as yours. These are normally $3K-$5K cars in good condition. With the maintenance you performed it should bring around $8K if and that is a big IF you can find the right buyer. Most buyers want post 85.5 944's for the updated dash. Your best bet might be ebay to get the wider audience they have on there.

[jjflash]

Nice-looking early car. I think Kurt is pretty spot on. $8K if you can find the right buyer. $6K would probably sell it pretty fast. I know that's about where I would start to talk myself into it ;-).

As a data point, I have an '88 924S in very good mechanical shape, needs paint. I can't get a buyer at $3K...so it's my daily driver and a lot of fun.

[nota]

worlds nicest 84 944 is still a 84 944
and limited in value by the later cars

8k will buy a 944s or maybe a turbo
or even a 944S2 [granted in need of work]

maybe there is rare person who really wants perfect 84 944
have own a 84 944 and the reason pay big bucks for one plum escapes me
I say 4k
as this is not and will never be a sought after collector car

[Crazy Horse]

Wow - I was interested in preserving this car because it was so nice. At $4,000 it's not worth washing, much less keeping it off of a construction site.

Thankfully, Ebay shows an average quite a bit higher...

[nota]

E-bay ASKING prices mean squat

look at the sold prices

[Crazy Horse]

I have been with Ebay since 2000. I know the difference. What are you trying here? I asked for some advice and get one crazy poster and another that says my car with 30,000 miles is worth less than my 99 Saturn...

[kilodawg]

Let's see if I can add anything helpful for you.

I picked up an '84 last December with 72K miles for $2K at what I thought to be an excellent deal. Not as nice as yours but with some clean up work and about $1K invested in parts for service items I now have a solid 944 that I would guess I could sell for $5K.

Your car I would obviously value higher, $6K for sure. Now here is where the problem starts as I see it and as was alluded to in an earlier post. When you get over $6K you run into buyers who can also consider a 951 or later model 944. There are pros and cons to the '83 but I think it is the competition you face with the later, faster cars that will ultimately rob you of high end buyers. If you wait, you might find the right person who is willing to pay a premium for your car since they don't want the hassle of the turbo and just want a clean low mileage car. It will likey take finding that special buyer though. Personally, I think Ebay is a good choice to get wide exposure. I would also try advertising it with your local shops and local PCA region newsletter.
These cars make great candidates for entry level autocross and DE cars. That's what I'm using mine for and with low mileage and good condition you might find a buyer looking to start down that path. Good luck!!

Gratuitous pic

[nota]

Originally Posted by Crazy Horse

I have been with Ebay since 2000. I know the difference. What are you trying here? I asked for some advice and get one crazy poster and another that says my car with 30,000 miles is worth less than my 99 Saturn...

here in miami a 99 saturn is a 1000 dollar car

[Crazy Horse]

I was in Ft. Meyers a few months ago - looks like the economy is worse there. Many retail shops empty. Whole strip centers empty.

Go and play your Bob Weir records....I've already got a $6,000 offer.

[ecostellodo]

I bought my 83 with 42,xxx miles on it two years ago for 7600. My car is similar in condition to yours. No issues, no leaks, everything works like it is supposed to, interior is great, etc. I think (bias) that your car is worth between 6-8,000.

The higher end number would depend on the options the car has. My car has sports seat, LSD, manual rack, rear wiper. Look at the sticker in the trunk. Hope this helps.

eric

[GothingNC]

Originally Posted by Crazy Horse

I was in Ft. Meyers a few months ago - looks like the economy is worse there. Many retail shops empty. Whole strip centers empty.

Go and play your Bob Weir records....I've already got a $6,000 offer.

I would hold out for more, 8k to 10k

I've been seeing 944's with over 100,000 asking 6k and higher.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listin gId=28176050&listingRecNum=2&criteria=sf1Dir%3DDES C%26alMdId%3D20577%26mkId%3D20081%26mlgMx%3D40000% 26stkTyp%3DU%26mdId%3D20577%26rd%3D100000%26crSrtF lds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-mkId-mdId-pseudoYear-pseudoMileage%26zc%3D27616%26rn%3D0%26PMmt%3D1-1-0%26stkTypId%3D28881%26sf2Dir%3DASC%26sf1Nm%3Dpric e%26sf2Nm%3Dmiles%26yrMx%3D1990%26alMkId%3D20081%2 6rpp%3D50%26feedSegId%3D28705&aff=national

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listin gId=17368143&listingRecNum=3&criteria=sf1Dir%3DDES C%26alMdId%3D20577%26mkId%3D20081%26mlgMx%3D40000% 26stkTyp%3DU%26mdId%3D20577%26rd%3D100000%26crSrtF lds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-mkId-mdId-pseudoYear-pseudoMileage%26zc%3D27616%26rn%3D0%26PMmt%3D1-1-0%26stkTypId%3D28881%26sf2Dir%3DASC%26sf1Nm%3Dpric e%26sf2Nm%3Dmiles%26yrMx%3D1990%26alMkId%3D20081%2 6rpp%3D50%26feedSegId%3D28705&aff=national

[Crazy Horse]

After a lot of thought, I have made the decision to keep the car.

Going out and buying a new car for $20,000 plus or a $500 plus monthly payment doesn't make much sense if I already have an almost new car. I would expect to get more than 150,000 miles out of this one and, with my recent work, the car has been very reliable.

Over the last few days of driving, I have encountered numerous "nice car" comments and "thumbs up" gestures.

The pics I posted don't do it justice and I really enjoy driving the car.

[GothingNC]

Good move.

Do you know when the timing belt was last changed?

[Crazy Horse]

Yes - I performed a full FOE service (w/ water pump) 300 miles ago...

[racer]

Prices for NICE 944's will rebound. They almost have too . Think about it though. There are plenty of 100K+ mile cars.. needing clutches, being parted out, being turned into racecars etc. The percentage of low mileage, unmolested examples is very small. Is the car in question worth $6K? I think it could be.. but it may take more time than you wish to find that buyer.. why? because the lure of the low $$ example that can be bought now and "fixed up" over time vs a higher entry price, but is better to begin with.

I imagine that, much like "SC"s all being "$20K" cars.. you either spend the money up front or in the upgrades, a 944 (n/a) is a "$10K" car.

Keep it and enjoy it. Use it how you want too (dusty conditions or wrapped in bubble wrap).. just be happy.

[jjflash]

Originally Posted by racer

Prices for NICE 944's will rebound. They almost have too . Think about it though. There are plenty of 100K+ mile cars.. needing clutches, being parted out, being turned into racecars etc. The percentage of low mileage, unmolested examples is very small. Is the car in question worth $6K? I think it could be.. but it may take more time than you wish to find that buyer.. why? because the lure of the low $$ example that can be bought now and "fixed up" over time vs a higher entry price, but is better to begin with.

I imagine that, much like "SC"s all being "$20K" cars.. you either spend the money up front or in the upgrades, a 944 (n/a) is a "$10K" car.

Keep it and enjoy it. Use it how you want too (dusty conditions or wrapped in bubble wrap).. just be happy.

+1 on all your comments. There are always exceptions and bargains around, but in general I think the concept of "$20K" SC's and "$10K" 944's is a pretty valid one. The only added note is that I am pretty sure the number of propspective 944 buyers is quite a lot smaller than SC's. As I mentioned in a previous post, $6K is where I would start to consider this car a bargain, and if it were local, I'd buy it and "upgrade" my '88 924S daily driver.

I think Crazy Horse's decision is a good one. I don't know what he paid for this car, but if he can't recover his purchase price, or make a profit, in the current market and if he likes the car, then it's a great car to USE. Maybe not all the bells and whistles of a modern car, but still a LOT to like.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by Crazy Horse

I have been with Ebay since 2000. I know the difference. What are you trying here? I asked for some advice and get one crazy poster and another that says my car with 30,000 miles is worth less than my 99 Saturn...

I bought the nicest 944S you could buy for 8,000.00 when the market was high, and it was a perfect show quality car. I also sold it to a dealer for 8K, who was able to get 16 for it from a collector.

I am being straight here, no bull. I like your car BTW, but I have also owned a 944 turbo that was equally pristine. The ones people want are S2s, good Turbos and 968s. More grunt, great track cars. If your car is nice, take care of it. They are great cars, and they should always go to someone who can appreciate them.

8K.