Big price drop? Newbie question.

[m962b]

I'm stalking a local 88 911 targa with 126k. Paint is new but not professionally done. They dealership who is selling it as a consignment was looking for 19,900 for it which was just stupid. But now it's on eBay for 13,900 BIN.

I have been looking at these things for a long time now, waiting to pounce on the right deal, but a price drop this big is suspicious to me. I value the car at 12 or so when I first saw it. May 10,500 if you aren't local.

So what do you guys think? Just a guy hoping to get a wanker to buy his car for way too much, or is this a stay away kind of car?

Sorry if this is a stupid question...

[whiterabbit]

Well a 88 targa is worth easy 19k in decent condition or more so it makes no sense unless there is something seriously wrong with the car.

I have never seen a decent 88 for the kind of prices you are mentioning.

[m962b]

That's My problem. It's in decent shape. Not showroom at all. But a good river quality car. Seats are covered and the paint isn't great at all.

Seems suspicious.

Might get a ppi just to see. Would you put full faith in a ppi from a good p car mechanic?

[m962b]

Here's the link. Please don't steal it from me!

Porsche : 911 2dr Cabriole in Porsche | eBay Motors

[whiterabbit]

Yes get a PPI for sure.

If its the one on ebay in Stuart it looks like an incorrect rear bumper as well.

It doesn't really make sense for a dealer to sell so cheap IMHO unless its a salvage title etc.

[914agogo]

Originally Posted by m962b

That's My problem. It's in decent shape. Not showroom at all. But a good river quality car. Seats are covered and the paint isn't great at all.

Seems suspicious.

Might get a ppi just to see. Would you put full faith in a ppi from a good p car mechanic?

decent shape can still hide a major engine rebuild coming up or poor maintenance ($10-12K+)

[mpetry]

I checked out the pics, they look OK but I think it sat outside for a while, there is some evidence of rust in the front pan and the underside does not look great. At 11-12k it might be a OK value but do not kid yourself, you will need to put some money into this car to get it into good driving shape. Things like pedal clusters, shift linkages, and all suspension bushings will drive you nuts until they are replaced / renewed. And new paint can hide a lot of things, most of them bad.

You could also pay a bit more and find a car that has been well maintained with some documented updates.

Before you buy one of these cars, ask yourself if you are willing / able to do at least some of the work on it yourself. If you're not ready to do oil changes, fix balky power windows, replace brake rotors etc, then paying someone else to fiddle with it can be quite expensive!

The basic car is quite simple and well made, the engine is complicated but reliable if well maintained, but this car is 25 years old and if you want to get the "Porsche driving experience" you want your car to be in as good a shape as possible.

There are lots of used cars out there - I'd say keep looking unless this one is "just the one you want". Definitely get a PPI and pay $250 - $500 for that additional insite.