Miles vs. Value?

DLBRUNDAGE · 05-22-2012, 08:31 AM

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!

SilberUrS6 · 05-22-2012, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DLBRUNDAGE

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.

DLBRUNDAGE · 05-22-2012, 04:55 PM

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

racer · 05-22-2012, 05:18 PM

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.

DLBRUNDAGE · 05-23-2012, 04:50 PM

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

Robert Adams · Robert Adams's Garage

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!

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

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.

DLBRUNDAGE · 06-06-2012, 07:03 AM

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

SilberUrS6 · 06-06-2012, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DLBRUNDAGE

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.