What is wrong with my 911 ?

[CMDR Perry]

I simply cannot sell my 1979 911 SC for some reason. I do not think it is overpriced based on condition, mileage and upgrades. Bruce Anderson says it is worth between $15,000 and $23,000 dolllars. Is it the mods, the color, the location or the general economy? Ad is now titled "911SC dual purpose sports car".

This bugs me, I have had over 6,000 ad views and just 1 guy look at the car.

Do I need to take it back to stock or add some racing stripes? What is the problem with my car in terms of marketibility. I have never had this issue with any other make in the past. Granted in those cases I was not asking $15,000.00 for a 31 year old German sports car set-up for track events.

Looking for constructive comments, thanks. DP Lindman

[trader220]

IMO it looks like a pretty decent car. Some people may be turned off that it has no heat or ventilation. The fact its been tracked also may be a sticking point for some people. You might want to note that you have records for the rebuild. Maybe its just a bit too track oriented for the casual buyer. For the miles and with the rebuild the price is not all that out of line. I just plucked an 82 targa with 89k which is very clean and straight but no rebuild for 10.5. I would pay a bit more for a coupe with a rebuild.
Sounds to me like it should sell in the area of what you’re asking. Good luck sorry I am not more help

[Matt Monson]

It's the current market. You're selling a luxury item in a recession and have it listed at pre-recession prices. the general consensus around here is Anderson's prices are high. I don't follow the national market closely, but comparible cars are being advertised here in the Rockies for 10-15% less than your asking price, and the assumption is they almost always sell for less than asking.

If you aren't forced to sell, I suggest you sit on it for another year and let the economy recover a bit. In the current environment I don't think you can get more than $12,000 for that car. There's lots of $9000-10,000 SCs changing hands right now because of the recession and there are many sellers who have no choice but to get out of them. It's definitely a buyer's market and forced sales are bringing prices down.

Though given the "thrifty" nature of most Pelicans I am surprised you haven't been hit with the usual lowballers starting the negotiation at less than $10k. The number of views without contact is a bit strange and may be related to details. Who rebuilt the engine? What exactly was replaced? People here also want under-chassis and trunk photos, among other things. Flesh the ad out some more and you might get some more conversations started.

[DanielDudley]

That is a nice looking car. I really like it, but I'm not sure what the current market will bear.

IMO, it could be worth what you ask, but 13.5 is a more appealing number. Have you put an ad in Panamera ? Listed on Ebay ?

IMO, the market for 911s is worse than last year. However, it only takes one buyer. I would also encourage you to stick by your guns unless you must sell.

[spuggy]

Presents like a nice, thoughtfully sorted car to me. More pictures wouldn't/can't hurt. Bruce's numbers are often considered unrealistic - but you might get them somewhere. You only, after all, need one buyer...

It probably also wouldn't hurt to explain who/why the top-end rebuild - when you hear of SC's going 300,000 miles without engine work.

I'm no expert, but it seems to me that you've turned-off the crowd who want it entirely original, with the service history, plastic gloves in the factory toolkit with the spare belt etc. They're the ones who want to pay bigger bucks for low-mileage (and let's face it, 2500 miles a year is low-mileage) time capsules.

That seems to be a fairly large market, and the thought of people actually driving cars - especially on a track - seems to bother them.

Someone who wants a track weapon wouldn't be bothered by the lack of heat/air or a good rebuild - but they probably want something more heavily modified/more power and are less interested in cosmetic appearance/low mileage (or paying for it).

That turns off another group.

So the people left looking at your ad are the ones with similar ideas about the trade-off between stock/modified, what constitutes a "good" modification and the trade offs between street/track usage as yours. Which might be a small group - and they might well be looking for a "driver", fair weather or otherwise.

Matt's advice about the economy and more info/pics seems pretty sound.

With that mileage you might be better off putting it back to stock and playing up the time capsule aspect. Should be able to get a fairly good return on selling the sporty bits separately.

[CMDR Perry]

Wow I am impressed. It really helps to get an outside point of view. Yes I know Bruce is generous when pricing of 911's but I am not ready to take a financial beat down on this car. Note I did the top end myself last summer because of broken head studs & the heads were professionally done. I have all the receipts and photos to document the work.

As Matt said it is a luxury item and without heat not really suited for a DD. My big mistake was auto-crossing the car in 2005 and then wanting to prep it for DE's with a high level of safety and competence. I traveled the slippery slope for 4+ years prepping and restoring the car and now have lost the fire. Trader and Spuggy are right, in my efforts to improve performance I created a car with a very limited market.

You guys have all made good observations that can guide me forward. I think I will try Ebay next month. Should that fail the car may go back to near stock and the performance parts will be up for sale on PP. Thanks everyone for the intelligent and well thought out responses.

DP Lindman

[Matt Monson]

If you don't mind me asking, what's your reason for selling?

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by CMDR Perry

... but I am not ready to take a financial beat down on this car. Note I did the top end myself last summer because of broken head studs & the heads were professionally done. I have all the receipts and photos to document the work.

Don't; take a financial beat down

Do; post the details of the rebuild

Carry on, dismiss or as you were;

[CMDR Perry]

Matt I have many reasons; The roads here are very rough and the current suspension very firm. I also have lower back problems and I am just getting too old to keep such a high maintenance warhorse. It is a great car but it is time for something less complex and easier to maintain.

[Cal44]

Could be your section of the country. I recently bought a Boss 302 from New Mexico. The guy could not get anyone to come and look at the car. The price was fair so I bit the bullet and flew out and we came to an agreement.

I had a 356 and a 911 I wanted to sell and couldn't........for a year. Then, both cars sold within two weeks. Go figure.

My 911 buyer was of same mind as me. Bone stock required so I had what he wanted.

I have one 911 left to sell as my old Sunbeam Tiger may be returning to me. I also cannot get a bite on mine. Ahhhhhhhhh, whata' ya gonna do?

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by CMDR Perry

Matt I have many reasons; The roads here are very rough and the current suspension very firm. I also have lower back problems and I am just getting too old to keep such a high maintenance warhorse. It is a great car but it is time for something less complex and easier to maintain.

Well then I think that kind of sublets my follow up question. I am your exact buyer type. Your car is exactly what I want. I've been passively looking for someone that wants my pretty much bone stock low mileage '68 911T in return for an SC and some cash in my pocket. I am guessing that wouldn't interest you. If, on some off chance, that does interest you, let me know and we can discuss further in private.

[bpu699]

Looks pretty nice to me... In this economy most sc's seem to be $10,000 cars...

I love Bruce Anderson's values...and if my car ever gets totalled, its the first thing I plan to whip out for the insurance agent. But his number seem way high, even in Chicago...

Remember, in this economy you can't get car loans for cars like this... so you are looking for a cash buyer.

Not only that, but you are looking for a cash buyer who wants a track car...

I also do most of my own work on my cars. But realistically, buying a car where the motor was rebuilt by a PO is probably a turn off for the typical buyer...

You might be better off advertising in the SCCA newsletters...

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by bpu699

... I also do most of my own work on my cars. But realistically, buying a car where the motor was rebuilt by a PO is probably a turn off for the typical buyer...

... the need to post pics, invoices and details of the re-build.

[CMDR Perry]

New ad is posted under "911 SC dual purpose sports car" with a lot more detail and engine pics. Thanks again for the good advice. DP Lindman

[DanielDudley]

THAT is a good ad.

[JJ 911SC]

D.P.

I definitely agree with D.D. review above.

The last 2 pictures should remove any doubt about how the engine was look after during the re-build.

Bonne Chance Commandant

J.J.

[Matt Monson]

Much improved ad.

[racer]

I admit I didn't read the ad... HOWEVER... reading your sig tells me a bit right from the start

I had a similar SC for sale a few years ago. Heck, my ad should still be listed on here if you search for threads started by me.

IIRC, it took me about 8 MONTHS to sell what I thought was a great "track ready" yet DD capable car that should have sold "right away" and had lots of "views".

Second point. Minnesota. Not Geographically desireable (GD) for likely 80% of your potential buyers, who seem to live on the coasts. That means for many, needing to factor in 1) PPI - at a shop a buyer doesn't know 2) Transport costs (either flying in and driving home or arranging a pro to move it. Eitherway, lets say thats $1500 for a potential buyer, a not insignificant sum when they could put that same money towards upgrading a more local car.

Third possiblity.. Making a jump into a 30 y/o track car is hard, expecially when so many newer cars are quite a bit quicker and can be found for similar money.. Add in the Spec Boxster and 944 series alternatives.. or Spec Miata, and your car is up against quite a bit of competition.

I wish you well on your sale, and if the money offered doesn't make sense, then don't take it.

[CMDR Perry]

Racer you make some good points, Bruce is old and he really cannot compete with modern cars & technology. Especially when you factor in the high cost of parts and maintenance. Even the great and powerful SCCA treats the 911SC like an illegitimate kid for Solo II classing.

I live in fly over land so the market for old 911's is small and transport costs high. We do have 4 very good independent Porsche shops in the metro area so decent PPi's are available.

I guess we will grow old and rusty together. I might as well drive the hell out of the car and enjoy since it ain't goin nowhere. Maybe I should put on some SSi's and turn it into a Rally car. Then I can ICE race it and roll it into a ball. Does my insurance cover that?

[aigel]

Here the link to your ad:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cars-sale/552553-911-sc-dual-purpose-sports-car.html

You are simply asking too much. Otherwise it would sell.

The car appears to be a track toy built to your likings but doesn't meet a PCA Club racing or SCCA spec. Most people on here that want a fun track car buy a $8k SC and fiddle with it themselves. People that want a stock SC will be turned away and people that want to go racing want a certain spec to be met.

So, my suggestion is to return the car to bone stock, if you have the time and energy. It will maximize your returns. Otherwise lower the price and get it over with. My stuff is always gone in a few days. I want to believe I am a good salesman, but in the end it is my realistic price that does it every time.

George