crossroads

[CA_WhaleTail]

I've got a 87 g50 coupe, 210K mi, that I got as a tired car and started fixing up. Fun to drive, but needs a new headliner, nicer carpet, and needs oil every tankful of gas. Been looking at engine rebuild costs and have started thinking of buying up to get a similar car with 100K (or more) less miles that has been attended to.

Does this make sense? Seems the nicer cars are in the 20 to 22K range and my car is likely in the 11 to13K range. After taxes and other fees (Republik of Kalifornia...) is getting close to a 10K differential. Or not?

I was thinking of a 993, but prices seem to have gone nutty this year.

thanks!

[Matt Monson]

I think it partly depends on what you paid for your current car. If you got into it for $8-10k, then it might be worth spending 10K on major maintenance. If you're into it for $15k, you might be better off cutting your losses.

[racer]

Figure out what a 993 would cost that you'd actually buy... then figure it needs another 10% thrown at it.

You don't mention, in either part, whether you ENJOY your current car. If you do, then fix it up. If you don't, then consider selling it. Sounds like you are willing to spend money on either choice, no?

[G450X]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

I think it partly depends on what you paid for your current car. If you got into it for $8-10k, then it might be worth spending 10K on major maintenance. If you're into it for $15k, you might be better off cutting your losses.

+1, Pure logic.

IMO, It will take many more years before high mile (but straight/rust free) air cooled pre '90 911's will start to appreciate - but they will eventually. Just look at driver quality mundane 356 B's (arguably the least desirable of the 356's) which bring nice coin these days.

If you dump 10k into engine/chassis repairs/maintenance, don't expect to have a marketable $20k - $22k 911 - I would split the difference and say with 210k miles maybe $15k-$16k after the repairs (and that's with decent paint/interior). If you really want a 993 this might be the opportunity. G50 911's bring decent coin even in "needs" condition....

[bwall]

"If you dump 10k into engine/chassis repairs/maintenance, don't expect to have a marketable $20k - $22k 911 - I would split the difference and say with 210k miles maybe $15k-$16k after the repairs (and that's with decent paint/interior)"

+1

At 210k miles, there won't be much appreciation in value for the next 10 years or so.

Spending this $$$ won't improve the re-sale value by much. It's like replacing the roof or a water heater in your house--these things should work anyways. I'd say cut your losses, sell it to a gearhead who would enjoy fixing it up and get the car that you like.

[Matt Monson]

The only way I personally would spend that money on the maintanence would be if I intended to put the next 100k mi on it myself. To me that's preferable to buying someone else's 100k or 125k mi car that hasn't had the service work done on it. While a lot of these 3.2l Carreras run forever, you never know what the service life of an engine or a gearbox (even with a stack of reciepts for the last 20 years) is going to be.

[CA_WhaleTail]

good input. Its a fun car, enjoyable even with the higher miles. And yes I'm good spending some more money, just hesitant to drop 12K sooner or later on an engine rebuild on top of cosmetics. But its still running good so I'm thinking ahead while the economy is down.

It does seem the prices really change once these cars exceed 70 to 80K miles. Some seem to be strong to 150K+, others are done at 100K. The uncertainty is clearly an issue.

993s are out there for a bigger price (and maybe +20% to be safe), but it seems seller expectations are high. Based on the 'at least I'll know how its put together' logic, perhaps its time to look for a fairly fresh 3.6 engine. there were a lot of 87-89 911s imported into the US, so its not going to be a rare collector car anytime soon.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by Jay Jones

Based on the 'at least I'll know how its put together' logic, perhaps its time to look for a fairly fresh 3.6 engine. there were a lot of 87-89 911s imported into the US, so its not going to be a rare collector car anytime soon.

That's the same kind of logic I use. I actually own two 3.2l Carreras. One is a really nice "cream puff" '86 with 105k mi and some special order features. The other is a somewhat visually rough but mechanically sound 125k '85. When I first acquired the '85 it was supposed to be for my dad and I've put several grand into cosmetic and functional refurbishment in the last few months.

Then I started to think about it more. I want to flog on the car for a while. My '86 isn't appropriate for that. So, I'm sending it off to dad, and taking the '85 and starting to go rat rod with it. It needs paint, but I'm not going to bother. But I am going to throw some RSR bumpers on it and replace the heavy stock whale tail with a fiberglass one. Then it will get a new gearbox, and some suspension work (mainly bushings and fresh dampers). Add in fresh seats, a harness bar/half cage and safety belts and I'll take it to the track for the next few years. With how long it's gonna be before these sorts of mediocre cars start to have more value I figure why the hell not play with it for the next 5 years. As long as I don't put it into a wall, it can always be restored later.

[CA_WhaleTail]

Matt- in some ways these 25 yo cars suffred from the early smog years. Add 91 octane to the mix and its hard to match modern cars for performance. But they can be fun to drive. Shedding 400+ pounds will make a lot of difference...as Lotus does by adding lightness. And with a better gearset you'll have a lot of fun. Also consider a older R&P set for the rear. (A few $100 for a US car. a fw $1000 for a Pcar)

latest $ $s- probably need to spend $25K+ to get a good $18K- car. Never thought of it as an investment, and never should. De Nile is a mighty big river....