Carrera Deal of the Century...???

[Fly911]

I have been looking at the advertised prices of (84 to 89) Carreraīs and SCīs, and am wondering if the cars really sell for those prices. A year and a half ago I bought a ī87 Carrera in guards red over black.

The car was in exceptionally good condition, exterior and paint probably a 9.5 out of 10, the interior an 8.5. Inside of the wheel wells and underbody the car looked like the day it left the factory. Inside the driverīs seat had some signs of use, but no cracks, rips or tears, everything whole and original. And not a spot of rust.

I bought the car from the second owner (for 7 years), a lawyer in Louisiana, the first owner was a lady in Austin, Tx. The car has close to 150k miles, but the first owner had done a re-seal/top end rebuild at some point. The engine is completely dry, not a single drop of oil on the garage floor.

As far as I can see, the car was 100% original, with 16" Fuchs wheels, rear Carrera spoiler with wiper, etc, etc. The only thing that was not original was the radio, that at some point had been re-newed.

All records from new were with the car, oil changes, tires, wiper blades, service, etc, etc came with the car. The car was meticulously maintained over itīs 24 year history.

I paid $14k for the car! Was that the deal of the century, or are all other Carreraīs (and SCīs) ridiculously overpriced?

[Six Gun]

Originally Posted by Fly911

I have been looking at the advertised prices of (84 to 89) Carreraīs and SCīs, and am wondering if the cars really sell for those prices. A year and a half ago I bought a ī87 Carrera in guards red over black.

The car was in exceptionally good condition, exterior and paint probably a 9.5 out of 10, the interior an 8.5. Inside of the wheel wells and underbody the car looked like the day it left the factory. Inside the driverīs seat had some signs of use, but no cracks, rips or tears, everything whole and original. And not a spot of rust.

I bought the car from the second owner (for 7 years), a lawyer in Louisiana, the first owner was a lady in Austin, Tx. The car has close to 150k miles, but the first owner had done a re-seal/top end rebuild at some point. The engine is completely dry, not a single drop of oil on the garage floor.

As far as I can see, the car was 100% original, with 16" Fuchs wheels, rear Carrera spoiler with wiper, etc, etc. The only thing that was not original was the radio, that at some point had been re-newed.

All records from new were with the car, oil changes, tires, wiper blades, service, etc, etc came with the car. The car was meticulously maintained over itīs 24 year history.

I paid $14k for the car! Was that the deal of the century, or are all other Carreraīs (and SCīs) ridiculously overpriced?

I think key to your story is when you bought it. Eighteen months ago the 83-88 model year cars were priced lower.The 150K on the clock contributed to the pricing also. From the way you describe the car, sounds as though you did well.

This just my opinion, but the pedigree (records) are as important as the miles when considering a car. Good luck and enjoy!

[G450X]

For some reason many people don't want a 911 with high miles, say 120K+ or so.

I think they are the best deals out there (well maintained high mile air cooled 911's), but they are getting harder and harder to find. The stock components are very high quality and last a long time. The air-cooled 911 community is very helpful with all things 911 - a great resource to tap for repairs & maintenance.

Records (maintenance/registration) are critical to verify miles. With multiple owners the chances for odometer "hanky panky" increases, thus the well deserved premium that most people will pay for a one owner car. I picked up a new BMW e46 M3 in '05 and dearly love that car - I hope to drive it as long as I can operate it. If I ever did sell it though, somebody would get a well cared for gem. I did not pick up a 911 at the time (glad I did not with all the RMS/IMS and other issues on M96/97 engines) due to cost and practicality comparisons.

Congrats and enjoy that G50 coupe you picked up at a great price. One thing about a high mile 911 is that you don't care if you drive it - I feel sorry for low mile owners who feel like they can't enjoy it for fear of "decreasing its market value," what a crock....

[techweenie]

You stole it. Prices have been rising for over 2 years on the 3.2. The seller was months behind in tracking values.

Having said that, I have noticed that in some markets, red is a deal killer. It can knock 10-15% off the value for some folks (in my anecdotal experience, this is primarily true if there is a female involved in the buying decision).

YMMV

[McLovin]

I paid 16K for my '88 Carrera Targa 3 years ago, 72,000 miles, all original and perfect.

Found it on Craigslist, went and paid with cash immediately.

It's been a great car, one of my favorite 911s I've owned over the past 25 years.

[techweenie]

I just sold an '87 coupe for $12,900. 189K with cosmetic "issues." I've seen them sell for $13K more in great shape. Condition is everything.

[Unobtanium-inc]

Originally Posted by McLovin

I paid 16K for my '88 Carrera Targa 3 years ago, 72,000 miles, all original and perfect.

Found it on Craigslist, went and paid with cash immediately.

It's been a great car, one of my favorite 911s I've owned over the past 25 years.

I think your car would be in the low $20k range today, for sure. If I had unlimited funds I would buy up everything I could find and hold it for 5 years. Then again, if I had done that with Ferraris in 1985 I'd have lost my shirt in the 10 years that followed. Hmmm...

[ASD]

if the economy goes further south there may be bargains on all sorts of stuff. Cars and more.

[whiterabbit]

I recently bought an excellent 84 with 60k miles for 19k cash of this board. Was the best I have seen in a year or so looking. I consider it a bargain as it was a Euro and had sport seats.

Good friend just paid 28k for an 88 with circa 50k miles in Atlanta.

Not sure if there are any bargains out there anymore as the cost of restoration is getting very high. Try pricing a dash recover, door pockets etc. It can easy cost 20k to bring an average condition car to excellent/perfect (paint, trans and engine) and it will still be high miles.

Prices are only going up now on these cars however the US economy is. They are moving from day to day drivers to collectors cars just like the long hoods. The ROW's are also now selling for more that US cars all things being equal.

Anyone noticed how Sloan is now asking over 60k for some 3.2's. he has upped his asking 10k or so since last year and he ain't stupid.

[SilberUrS6]

I think part of the reason is that there is big demand for cars over on the other side of the pond. All else being equal, cars the require less input to get them into the final buyer's hands will be the first to go. If I were a broker with a Euro reseller on the other end of my purchases, I'd be looking to scoop up anything that is reasonably priced. And some stuff that isn't, if it's in great condition, and there's a buyer on the other end. When the dollar climbs against the Euro, the market to cross the Pond may dry up a little.

[6300 RPMs]

This one just sold for $17.5k and sounds just like the one you bought a year and a half ago.

Porsche : 911 Carrera Coupe 2-Door in Porsche | eBay Motors

[Arne2]

I paid $15k for my '84 coupe about a year and a half ago. (http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/636192-picking-up-carrera-week.html) If I had to replace it with something equal right now, it looks like the asking prices are $2-3000 higher than when I was shopping. Prices do seem to be on the upswing.