Miles vs. Value?
 

If you were looking and had the opportunity to buy an '78-'79 SC Coupe/Targa, great color, that mechanically and cosmetically was restored to a 1-2 condition but, has 250,000 miles showing on the odo......not looking to steal it, what's a fair value? I'm thinking high $teens or.....could it be worth low$20's? Your advise will be most appreciated!

If the restoration is well-documented, then mid to high teens is a reasonable price. There are A LOT of SCs out there, so there is no rarity factor pushing prices up. Only condition matters, and if you have a refreshed motor, refreshed transmission, excellent paint and excellent interior, then the miles don't matter, except to get you a better purchase price. High miles chase off casual buyers, but Porsche guys know it's the overall condition of the car that makes one car a good buy over another.

Hey Eric,
Thanks or the response....I appreciate your opinion!
db

to me, 250K miles on a targa is worse than 250K miles on a coupe, simply due to fatigue of the body structure. The coupe is the more solid of the two. While I wouldn't focus on miles, per say, I would focus on your intended use (daily driver, weekend fun, track car etc) and consider if there isn't another car that fits your needs at a better price.

your location and supply of available cars also impacts price. If the closest cars are 200+ miles away, price premiums may play into it vs say, Southern Cali where it seems there are Hundreds of 911s to choose from.

I would certainly hope that there is a clear papertrail of work performed.

Well said Racer!
Your point about Targa body flex is well taken. Thinking back....I did own a '71-Targa and I could feel the the difference from a coupe. 200K more miles will make a lot more diference.
Again, thanks for you input!
db

Hum, I drove a 86 coupe for about 5 years and a 87 Targa for about 2 and I would be hard pressed to distinguish a difference in performance or comfort under normal daily driving conditions. The SC platform is so far advanced over a 70s Targa they are hardly the same car. I doubt most people could tell a difference between a SC coupe and a SC Targa unless you're out on a track. Buy the model you like and the mileage as stated above seems pretty irrelevant. Resale might be another story, but again condition is key!

One car's 250K miles is not the same as another car's 250K miles. Chassis flex in Targas is highly variable, irrespective of miles.

If I were the prospective buyer, I'd get the car on a rack and note the rear door seam -- if it opens up more than a mm or so, you have a flexible car. Seat-of-the-pants will tell you the same thing, especially if you've driven a few. Last year, I evaluated a '73 S Targa that felt as solid as a coupe. I've also seen newer cars with fewer miles where the door gap at the rear top doubled when the car was lifted on a hoist.

Mileage is only one factor in flex.

However, mileage is such a big stumbling block to some prospective buyers, I personally approach any Porsche with over 200K miles as if I would have the car forever. Because that just might happen.

Thanks Guys!
I agree with techweenie, inspite of all the $$ spent on recon, the miles still bug me and.....I don't think I want to have that firm a grip on the Targa.
db

I think you have made a good decision.

If I were buying an own-forever driver, a super-high mile car would be my choice. If I'm buying a car I know I might have to give up (for whatever reason), then I'm going to try and buy a car that has fewer miles.