Value of RS America

[DGW]

We have not decided yet, but we are thinking of selling the RS America. I am having a bit of a problem determining what it might be worth should we decide to sell it.

it is a 1993, 30th RS America according to the VIN number, manufactured in March 1992.

Its Grand Prix White with white wheels, black interior with red trim. It has limited slip and sunroof, no A/C. Its located in California and recently passed smog.

It also has about 160,000 miles, not quite a daily driver but close to it.

[trader220]

Here is the RSA site market place for some ideas:
www.RSAmerica.net: Market Place/vehicles
The prices on that site tend to be higher than the actual market value. Values have slipped a bit in the last 12 months.
Depending on how fast you wanted to sell it you would have to set your price accordingly.
I think if you’re looking for a relatively quick sale somewhere in the 28 to 32 range. If you want to put it out there at 34 to 38 it may be a long long wait if at all. Just my 2 cents and I watch the market pretty closely.

[DGW]

Thanks Trader, I am aware of that site but had not looked for a while. The last time I looked it seemed like most of the cars were low mile garage queens or heavily modified, and my car is neither of those.
I did however, pick up a few more things to add about my car.
No race or AX
mostly highway miles (my daily commute was 100 mile round trip, almost all on the freeway)
showroom stock
third owner

[trader220]

Good luck with the sale my RSA was one of the few cars I really regret selling.

[DGW]

thats one of the reasons we haven't decided yet, but the garage is full and another car will be showing up in the spring, so something has to go.

[GregB7S4]

If the engine has 160k miles on it and no top end rebuild you will have a difficult time getting much more than $25k IMO.

[trader220]

Oops I didnt see the 160k or you added it later... Greg i totally agree with you, at 160k its a much lower priced car.

[racer]

At 160K miles, has the LSD been rebuilt? Can't imagine it lasting that long. I would guess a "regular" C2 at that mileage is a mid teen price.. so if one is "hung up" on the RSA goodies, maybe a low 20s price?

post if you dare a few pics. They sometimes speak better than a sellers words. How's the interior? seat bolster wear? (and other touch item wear like shift knob, steering wheel, switchgear etc?) Original shocks? clutch? How much "maintenance" and how recently?

[DGW]

Is there something special about a 964 motor? 160K on a Porsche motor doesn't seem excessive to me for a well maintained car. No top end rebuild, I see no reason to do that when the car is running perfectly fine.
The car has seen my Porsche wrench every 15K miles and oil change every 7K. I have all the receipts.
Flywheel, pressure plate, clutch TO bearing all done at 75K
alternator at 82K
shocks at 136K
fuel pump at 163K
Distributor Ventilation Kit added early in life


"post if you dare a few pics." I find this rude and offensive. If I had anything to hide I certainly would not be asking for opinions here.

I'll post pictures in a day or two, the car is dirty right now, daily driver you know, and its started to rain here. As a seller, I think the interior is fine. There are some wear marks on the leather part of the drivers seat bolster but I don't see anything on the cloth part. I love these seats, I will miss them.

[racer]

so.. a potential buyer would have to consider

1) LSD is toast
2) Original clutch failed at 75K.. so the "new" one has 85K miles (and by extension, may need replacement soon)
3) Alternator failed at 82K miles.. so the "new" one has 80K miles (and may need replacement soon)

Those are all "big ticket items" in my mind, especially if done by a shop. LSD is what, $1500 part? plus R&R. Clutch is at least $500 plus R&R (of course, you could tag team LSD and clutch at the same time by dropping the entire bottom of the car at one time and tend to any "while you are in there " stuff.

Posting pics isn't meant to be offensive. The bottom line is, Pictures sell a car nowadays and seeing is believing as they say. What may be fine to you as an owner may be a glaring issue to a potential buyer. It happens.

To many potential buyers, the appeal of the RSA is its track worthyness. To others its the scarcity (collectibility angle). At 160K miles, the collector isn't interested. So, now you are left to "bottom dwellers", cheap "Do it your-selfers" , or fanatics looking for a deal.

Seeing the condition of the paint/body panels, wheels, headliner/interior, trunk, engine from pictures help a buyer (or someone asked for an opinion) to form a better opinion for you.

[dave m]

A California car is worth more to me, all other things being equal, than one from some place that has salt on the roads etc. But a sun-roof delete would be worth more too. Just my view.

I'd agree the 160000 miles will put off many potential buyers. On the other hand, I think there's one for sale currently with over 500000.

I've had a few 964s (including an RSA) and they are great cars. Had no problem selling any of them. Of course, the market's weaker right now than I've ever seen it..

A clean, well maintained (w/documentation) RSA as you described will probably sell in the 25-30 area now IMHO.

Good luck.

[Matt Monson]

If I were a prospective buyer, I would be thinking about more than just the LSD being rebuilt. I'd factor $5000 into my future expenses budget to properly go through the whole gearbox. That engine may have another 50k mi in before it needs a rebuild, but 160k is the upper limit of what I would want to be running on that gearbox without a major service.

[GregB7S4]

As data points my current C2 had its engine rebuilt at 103k and my previous 964 C4 had a rebuild at 125k miles. These were both $12k jobs, thankfully paid for by previous owners.