What to do with this 87 cab

[Ramp]

I’ll try and make this short. *I have a ’87 Cab with 142k miles.
Red/black. *Well maintained/excellent driver. *I bought the car two years
ago from the second long time owner and have many but not all maintenance
records from new. I’m a natural tinkerer and absolutely love working on the
car. *For this winter its on the lift for the following: oil return tubes,
cv boot, valve adjustment, heat exchanger/exhaust removal and clean up,
various gasket changes. *Last summer it got a new clutch (only because we
had the engine out to replace the starter and starter gear). *It’s all
original, no accidents, no rust and has had minor repaint in spots to clean
up road rash/scratches over the years.

Here’s the dilemma: *I don’t love having a red car – although I don’t hate
it either. *I like that its classic and original but would also love to do
cosmetic mods (front/rear bumpers, rims, maybe side skirts). *Possible new
paint in the future but am not fond of changing a cars color. *I also would
love a wide body.

Should I leave this car original (and then sell and buy a widebody in the
color I want) or is the value already gone due to mileage and just let
loose and do whatever I want to it.

I’m torn and the fact that this car is in really good condition despite the
miles makes me hesitant to deviate from its originality.

What say you ?

Thanks

[COLB]

I expect the general sense of the community is: "It is your car -- do what makes you happy."

There is a pretty wide swath that supports customization to make it your own -- like the old Outlaw cars. But as values have skyrocketed, the mood has tended to lean toward keeping it stock -- and focus mods on things that are reversible.

Some of this is trauma from seeing all the shoddy, and now derelict, 1980s conversions of long hood cars that are now very desirable. Slant noses, body kits, flares, etc -- are all out of favor.

I think most would still say to do what makes you happy, but do it with your eyes open when it comes to the costs and effects on value after the fact. In general, cosmetic modifications have significant negative effects on value -- while mods that actually improve power & performance are positive, provided the streetability is not seriously reduced.

Frankly, 142k is not crazy high mileage for a properly maintain '87. You have 18-20k miles before I personally believe market value (or at least salability) takes a serious hit.

Taking your straight, well maintained red cab and converting it to a quasi-turbo look will likely add up to you spending $10k to make a $25k car into a $20k car.

If you do a high quality repaint, you are in close to $40k (including the base car value you started with) -- which is approaching Turbo-look Cab money. But the residual value is about half what you have invested.

Personally, I wouldn't do it. But I like the stock look.

If you get enjoyment out of the project -- and that is your main concern -- then fire away, and have fun. But price Turbo-look Cabs first, and think it through before doing anything with a cutting torch.

[Ramp]

Thanks for the detailed response. To be clear though I would not do any torch work - ie, try and convert it to a wide body - was thinking more in line with euro bumpers, wider rims- thats about all I can do with it.

I was under the impression that based on these miles this car is out of any future appreciation curve - maybe that's not the case

I would be interested in a nice turbo look cab if I could find one at a decent price.

Thanks

[christiandk]

If you want to sell it then just put it up for sale! All this "feeler" thing is just...... bwahhh.

Sounds as a nice car, though.

[Ramp]

Originally Posted by christiandk

If you want to sell it then just put it up for sale! All this "feeler" thing is just...... bwahhh.

Sounds as a nice car, though.

Grouchy today ?

This is not an attempt to sell- just not sure which direction to go.

[PushingMyLuck]

I'd put out a feeler and sell it if you got a decent price.
There is no reason to invest time and money into a car you only half-heartedly like.,
I'd feel silly driving around in a red car too. I would not buy a red sports car for even $1.

[christiandk]

Originally Posted by Ramp

Grouchy today ?

This is not an attempt to sell- just not sure which direction to go.

Sorry, not at all. Just looks as a very very nice original cab. Keep it as is or sell it.

All the best,

Christian

[Matt Monson]

I think the value of this car is being underestimated. And if you can find a nice factory turbo look cab for $40k buy it because it is $10-20k underpriced, maybe more if pristine and low miles.

That said bumpers are totally reversible. Keep the stock stuff in the attic and don't worry about it. You'll get 50 cents on the dollar when you sell used aftermarket bumpers, if that. But the value of your car will be secure. I call it modding a car consciously. It's what I'm doing to my 912.

[COLB]

And if you can find a nice factory turbo look cab for $40k buy it because it is $10-20k underpriced, maybe more if pristine and low miles.

Maybe so -- I don't actually know what they are going for. I threw $40k out as "approaching" M491 money.

This one is going for $47,500, and has been sitting for a while.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cars-sale/793248-1986-911-carrera-m491-m470-cabriolet.html

Moot question given your followup post. Rims are small potatoes -- unless you are talking around 9" Fuchs -- in which case that is serious money…especially once you put tires on it.

The rear bumper pieces bolt on. Don't know what you would do to the front.

[Matt Monson]

I've been accused of being overly optimistic. I figure the Carrera cab being discussed is closer to $30k even in red. And I assumed if he went shopping he wouldn't be buying another red one since he expressed not really being a fan.

[COLB]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

I've been accused of being overly optimistic. I figure the Carrera cab being discussed is closer to $30k even in red. And I assumed if he went shopping he wouldn't be buying another red one since he expressed not really being a fan.

I wish it was worth $30! Then my silver car with 85k would be a fair bit north of that.

Hard to say -- Spring is Cab time.

I wasn't proposing a red Turbo look as an alternative -- it was just the only recent comparable on the website -- and I posted it as an example of the "neighborhood" of M491 prices.

[Ramp]

Originally Posted by christiandk

Sorry, not at all. Just looks as a very very nice original cab. Keep it as is or sell it.

All the best,

Christian

No worries, all good.

If I could get something close to $30 I would likely sell - with 142k not sure that's realistic.

Thanks for all the good feedback. Some good comments here make me think I want to keep it as is (maybe some tires and rims) and keep my eye out for a black wide body - definitely 87 and up with the G50. Never know . . . I could end up with two !

Pushingmyluck hit it on the head - I'm just not that fond of red cars so it will really never really satisfy me long term (I bought the car in an impulse when I came across it by accident and realized the car was in great condition, records, right price and near my house)

For now, I guess I'll continue to have fun working on it and driving it.

Here's a pic of the car.

And what really gets me going

[Matt Monson]

If you really like having a cab and think you might keep it for ten years, paint it.

Next time my car needs paint I will return it to its original Polo Red because that's where the value is. In the meantime I love that it is Ossi Blue.

[christiandk]

ramp, there is a reason that P sold so many GR cars. now a cool retro color if you were Young in the 80s. Rare colours cost.....GR is not rare.

cab is not popular neither is GR. But I like your car apart from the Colored calipers.

Sell it to me Before you give it away for 1 Buck.

book tools and all?

cheers from Hamburg.

Christian.

[Matt Monson]

Christian, the wider market disagrees with you. Cabs of equal condition of coupes and targas are worth more, not less.

[MMiller]

Originally Posted by Ramp

Here's a pic of the car.


g]

I think your car looks great Red and all. I almost bought one like it except it did not have a tail and the Fuchs were powder coated all black....it had real curb appeal to me. I know the purist poo poo anything that deviates from stock but I'm no purist. Plus like Matt said do things you can reverse.

What about some 17" Fuch reps in 7" and 8" width. Looks like you might still have the 6" up front? What about a vinyl wrap for a temp color change? If the paint is as good as it looks in that pic....no way I'm painting that car.
I also think your mileage is low enough that the car would bring good money as is...not sure about 30 but I would think north of 25.

I really wish people would quit beating on Red...you don't like it fine, but to come right out and say it's not worth owning seems a little silly. Taste always come around full circle.....Red will be back.



regards,

[Ramp]

The values you guys are using surprises me when I see some cars in the teens

The paint is not perfect - subjective but I would say a fair 8 maybe a 7 to someone very critical. From 3 feet it looks new, a little closer there are some nicks and swirls

Not about to give it away Christain - sorry (anything to trade?)

Not about to paint it any other color - if I end up keeping it longer term and see appreciation maybe treat it to a respray

Don't hate red, just not fond of it as an every day car - some days I'm fine with it - I can be moody - on the other hand there are only 2 cars that should ever be red 70's/80's Porsche and Ferrari

It does have 6's up front, 7's in the back - maybe move the 7's up front and put 8's on the back and lower stance

Will keep my eye out for a black or gray wide body coupe or was thinking of a 997 (another reason for the uncertainty is I want something I can drive all winter as a DD)

Will continue to enjoy it for now - starting tomorrow when I reinstall everything -- cv boot, oil returns, cam adjust, valve covers, exhaust, fresh oil ) and get her back on the road - just got all the new parts from our host)

[NewfieMZ3]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Christian, the wider market disagrees with you. Cabs of equal condition of coupes and targas are worth more, not less.

I agree with Matt, the Pelican population are real driving enthusiasists and prefer a coupe. But the population as a whole see Cabs as more favourable.

[COLB]

Over the long term, convertibles outperform coupes on every model other than Gullwing 300SLs and '63 split Windows, and the latter is a one year design fluke.