Help with pricing a 1988 911 Targa please

[diabolical]

I was hoping I could get some honest feedback for a fair value for my 911. I love the car dearly and I've done a ton of work to it and hoped to keep it for years but I think after 300k+ miles, I think my ole' pickup is on her last legs. A truck is a necessity for me. I'm in the construction trades, I use about 5-6 cords of firewood a year, all hauled, cut and split by yours truly. I have a Jeep I could sell as well, but, the wife uses it when it snows to get back and forth to work, and I use the pickup almost exclusively. That old first gen Cummins Dodge sure lasted a long time! As much as it pains me to say it, the P-car is the odd one out, and, unfortunately, I think it may have to go.

The car is a 1988. It has 138k on the clock. It's an all original car, with the exception of the stereo. Originally a well kept East Coast car now in California. Very little maintenance history is available for the car, except for the work I've done. Lots have parts have been replaced- fuel lines, electronic parts, etc as evident when the engine was dropped for a recent clutch job, but with no real proof. There's no evidence of any severe collision damage. It does look like some panels have been repainted in the past, however. The targa top looks newer as well and is in good shape.

The tan color interior is all there, all functional and as far I can tell, all original. No tears or rips in the seats. There is some minor cracking in the leather seats which I assume is pretty normal for a car this age. The light color I think makes it look worse than it really is. Minor cracks on the dash (hardly visible) as well. The floor mats were replaced by a PO, however, the carpet is original as evident by the wear where there should be a dead pedal. (I would like to point out the flash of my camera makes the interior appear much more blonde than it really is. The door panel shot is much more indicative of the cars true interior color. The door panels, seats, etc. all match very well.)

The engine was removed recently for a clutch job. At that point, all the engines oil leaks were addressed (triangle of death, rear main seal, trans input seal, etc.), fuel lines replaced (many of which were already done), sound pad removed, oil lines/breather lines replaced, vacuum lines, etc. The normal stuff everyone does when they drop the engine including any questionable components. Anti-seize used where required, loctite used where required, etc. I have receipts for all the parts and sort of picture catalog of what was done. Since then, this vehicle has been reliable as a wood stove. I had intended to do a step by step tutorial for the forum as my "thank you" for being so informative but I figured anyone who was going to dive into it probably had the Bentley manual and didn't need my help.

At the time the engine was removed, the trans got a fluid change, new hydraulic slave cylinder and hose. It needed nothing else. I did discover the trans has an LSD in it. It doesn't appear it's been apart, not that I'm totally qualified to make that assumption so I've just assumed the LSD was factory.

As for what the car needs- At this point, I'll be putting two rear tires on the car and having an alignment done. The brake pedal recently has become uncooperative when it comes to returning so I'll be ordering the pedal bushing kit very soon. This work will be performed before I sell the vehicle.

There's some minor door dings here and there, nothing a dentless repair man can't massage out. The targa top seal on the windshield should be addressed once a viable solution becomes available but truthfully, if the top can't be off I don't drive the car. The drivers door seal could be replaced as well as it appears one of the cars PO's may have been elderly and possibly couldn't lift his feet high enough to clear the door seal. It appears over the years this action has worn that spot since there's no indication on the bottom of the door that the door itself is rubbing.

Mechanically, the car is great. Suspension is original, but sound. The car handles wonderfully. Steering is good as well. Front brakes appear to have been replaced recently as indicated by my PPI. Slotted rotors were used up front. The rear brakes will need to be addressed at some point. They were 60% at the time of purchase. I don't really drive the car hard and there's very few stoplights where I live so I don't use the brakes often. There's plenty of life left in them, however. Just putting it out there.

There's no rust on the car, at all. The body is very solid. Some of the bolts and suspension components have some corrosion on them. Certainly, the car has been driven. Maybe this is assumed, I don't know but I'm trying best I can to accurately describe the car.

Electrically, the car is good as well. The AC doesn't work- I haven't even been bothered to look into why. The heater works great, vent fan works good, foot well blowers work great. Power seats work, hand brake works, all the gauges work and are accurate, clock works, etc. The stereo is a kenwood mp3 something or other. I rarely listen to it in this car as I like the sound of the car itself.

I don't really know what else to put besides pictures..















I should point out, the car is a little dirty. I drive the car often. It's not a Sunday cruiser. I didn't buy a perfect car for this reason. I didn't want a collectors car. I wanted something I could drive. As a result, yes, there's pine needles in the frunk, dirt on the carpet, probably a few gum wrappers here and there..haha. Just sayin!

TIA for any feedback.

*edit* I should add that I have all new bushing for the shifter as well, I just haven't installed them yet. While the shifter is a little loose feeling it doesn't affect how the trans shifts, and, well, I've been enjoying the car. If this is critical I can get it done while I do the bushings in the pedal cluster, otherwise the parts will go with the car.

[Christien]

I'll be the first to say it - don't do it. Not just for the emotional reasons, but also financial. The targa isn't likely to depreciate much more in value - it should always be worth at minimum 10k, probably significantly more, even 20, 30 years down the road. The truck you're going to buy will eventually depreciate to zero. Probably in less than 10 years, from what you said about what it will be used for. Unless it's absolutely critical for you to keep food on the table, I would keep the Porsche and finance the truck. And that's coming from someone who doesn't finance things, even cars.

That said, if you're determined to sell it, I'd peg its value somewhere in the high teens, possibly low 20s if you're willing to wait for the right buyer. An hour of cleaning will make it much easier to sell.

[vracer]

IMHO - $10-12K, maybe a bit more.

[diabolical]

Wow.. Low 20's to high teens all the way to 10-12k? Quite the spread. I appreciate the responses, but is a fair market value really that subjective?

[Christien]

A lot depends on where you are and time of year. If you want to move any kind of convertible in the north in the winter, you either firesell it or sit on it till spring. On the other hand, in CA there are many more selections, so it's more of a buyer's market. Hit the target market (big area with little selection) at the right time of year (May-July) and you'll get top dollar.

List it at 18 and see what happens.

[GothingNC]

On the east coast an 88 Targa would go for about $18 to $25K.

SC's in the $12K to $15K range

Some comps. on CL

1980 Porsche 911 Targa

84 Targa $22K
911 Porsche Carrera Targa

85 Targa $15K

@ 1985 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa

87 Targa $19K

1987 Porsche 911 Targa

85 targa $15K

Porsche 911

74 Targa $15 K

1975 Porsche 911S Targa

78 Targa $12K 180,000 miles

Porsche 1978 911SC Targa

84 Trage $10K over 200,000 miles

1984 Porsche 911 Targa Carrera

77 Targa $17K

Porsche 1977 Targa S

Not many air-cooled 911's in the market here anymore

I would hold onto it

If you want to get back into an air-cooled 911 a few years form now it will you be able to find a G-50 Targa that need minimal work for under $20K?

[pc100porsche]

$14K ish

[cajun]

Any pictures of the entire car?

[timchar]

14-18. If checked out well mechanically and paint is reasonable closer to 18. I agree time of year and what market you try and sell it in will make a difference...Good luck, Tim

[gregwils]

I think I am going to start buying carrera's in No. Cal and selling back East. You could make a nice living at it. A little hard to tell w/o photo's, but that car as described is $18-22k anywhere east of the Mississippi.