Price advice on first buy.

[markmalin]

Hi all. I'm relatively new to Pelican. I've been "lurking" in the Porsche For Sale forum for a couple months now, and have read several books (Pete Zimmerman's, The "Porsche Red Book" and another buyer's guide along with just finishing "The Gold Plated Porsche"). If I can I'd like to be able to get an 87-89 Carrera...would like to have a Targa or Cab but like the coupes profile better. So I've been checking the FS forum for a couple months and it seems the prices I find there are above what others are saying the going rate is for these cars. Just curious - can anyone offer any advice here?

I'm wondering, where should I look? And if the Pelican FS forum is a good place, anyone care to comment on prices there...or better yet, what I should expect to pay for a later Carrera?

Thanks a lot guys. It's been pretty fascinating reading!

Mark.

[racer]

There is no hard fast rule on prices. The cars are all old now (20+ years) so judging mechanical history, color, overall condition etc are the more important players to come to a price. Also depends how handy you are when it comes to fixing stuff.

I'd look here, rennlist, craigslist, ebay, local city paper.. look everywhere you can think of. There are some resellers more reputable than others to consider as well. Not sure how many cars you will find "local" to you, so be sure to consider costs to fly/inspect/transport etc if needed. Also keep a 10-15% cushion, of the purchase price, available to help "fix" or "improve" any issues in the car you do find.

At least 4 years ago a general rule of thumb for the SC/3.2 range cars is that they "are all $20K cars.. just depends on how you want to get there"

I'd try to drive as many local samples as possible, even if you know you won't buy them, to get a better feel about the cars and how different samples can be. Since you seem a bit open to style (coupe, cab or targa) you might find yourself willing to go beyond the '87-89 year cars if the "right" one came along. SC's, early 3.2 and 964s all seem to overlap in the $10-20K price range these days.

BTW, what is your price range?

[markmalin]

Thanks for the input. I appreciate the 10%-15% price cushion idea. That's something to consider. Just to clarify, I am pretty handy. I've owned BMW's for years and have done everything from replacing clutches to head gaskets to debugging ignition and fuel injection issues to parting out cars. That said, I realize the 911 is a different beast, but I hope my background will at least be helpful.

You mentioned my price range, and that the SC's, early 3.2's and 964's were in the $10-$20k range. I'm thinking I'll have between $14K and $16K by mid March. Maybe another 1000 in the bank for repairs/upgrades. I'm hoping that price can get me into a G50 transmission, maybe in a cab or targa (since prices seem lower on those?). Hopefully I'm not off base on my price range. I would certainly consider a later SC, but the G50 seems desirable (for an old BMW guy).

I would certainly consider a 964 if I can find one in my price range! Though, this is kind of an iside, but it seems from P. Zimmerman's perspective these eary 964's are time bombs(?). (Perhaps I misread - perhaps he just meant there were early teething pains - another author's perspective was "by now most of those things have been repaired by the previous owner..." but to be sure the engine is leak free and not using too much oil).

Mark.

[racer]

Early 964 motors did have some issues, but in the intervening 20 years, you'd be hard pressed to find one still original.

Targas seem to be the cheapest imho. Cabs have a price spike by spring when folks want to get out and enjoy the warmer weather, a convertible really fits the bill.

I'm not sure most G50 owners want to admit where their cars should be priced. Many feel they are worth a premium over older 915 trans cars. To me, I'd simply want to find the best example in my price range, G50 or 915 wouldn't matter to me.

[markmalin]

Originally Posted by racer

Early 964 motors did have some issues, but in the intervening 20 years, you'd be hard pressed to find one still original.

That does make sense. This is what the one author was saying, and it seems reasonable to me.

I'm not sure most G50 owners want to admit where their cars should be priced. Many feel they are worth a premium over older 915 trans cars. To me, I'd simply want to find the best example in my price range, G50 or 915 wouldn't matter to me.

Good advice. When I start driving them, I'm sure the best example in my price range will win out. That's the most important thing to me - getting a solid car.

It would be interesting to drive the two transmissions back to back. Hopefully some will show up for sale around here in the spring so I can do some test driving. I have a close friend with an '80 SC coupe and he's let me drive his - I have to admit, shifting was not easy to get used to - that's what got me thinking of the G50 option....but certainly I can learn.

Mark.

[Macroni]

Originally Posted by racer

To me, I'd simply want to find the best example in my price range, G50 or 915 wouldn't matter to me.

IMO, the best buys currently are targas and cabs. In the 964 category, it is very tough to find a nice coupe available. Yet targas seem to pop up regularly at very attractive prices. If you aren't hitting the track regularly targas and cabs are a great cars. I also think minimally $15,000 is what you will spend for a nice example of any model SC, Carrera or 964.

As I see them I will attach to this thread.

[wgwollet]

Mark:

I would love to buy a 3.2L 1987-89 for the 14k to 16k.

You are surely looking at the right car, the 87-89 cars are great. But here is the problem for that amount you get someone's worn out junk. I am not fully saying you can't get a car for that price, but lets be honest, you can look for years or days and find a low mileage car under 80k for that amount, but not likely.

Owning BMW's will tell you it isn't cheap to repair and replace German parts. You can get very nice cars in the 20k range with great bodies and good repairs and upkeep. But the challenge for some is to get a whale of a deal, and its possible. I own a 1986 930 model, and wanted the 87-89 model but found this one and I am finding that working on these cars is fun if your a motor head, have time, the area to devote to working on the car and the money. The big negative for me is parts are very expensive and releying on the forum helps.

I do not find much for sale here, and it will take some time to locate a nice 3.2 L for 14-16k

[maxnine11]

a 915 trans car - I know, but :

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cars-sale/585400-another-tom-amon-creampuff-86-911-carrera-3-2-16-500-a.html

[markmalin]

Originally Posted by maxnine11

a 915 trans car - I know, but :

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cars-sale/585400-another-tom-amon-creampuff-86-911-carrera-3-2-16-500-a.html

Wow, that's a nice one. Thanks for the link.

[wgwollet]

Great looking car........I like the no tail

There was a 1987 cream color Targa on here about 2 weeks ago for $14,700.

That's about the best I seen for a long time.....ask around for it maybe someone can tell you more.

[Macroni]

This is a well priced car but it is a triptronic.


Porsche : 911 - eBay (item 220724713611 end time Jan-20-11 11:18:40 PST)

[Macroni]

Porsche : 911 - eBay (item 160532477892 end time Jan-24-11 17:00:00 PST)

Its at a dealer so I assume $17,000 is opening price.

[markmalin]

Wow - interesting points of reference! Too bad the one is triprtonic...

[Macroni]

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cars-sale/587187-84-porsche-911-carrera.html