1988 911 Carrera Valuation Question

[usurpah]

Hi everyone,
Long time PelicanParts forums user, infrequent poster. I've been thinking about parting with my G50 Carrera. I just don't drive it enough, and thinking about moving into a 997 or new Cayman S as a daily driver.

However, I'm not sure if it's the right time to part with this car, or even what it's actually worth. I see G50 cars going for anywhere from the low 20's up to (unbelievably to me) high $30s/low $40s.

So I thought I would turn to this board to help out with a realistic valuation. Here's the goods:

1988 G50 Carrera Coupe. Black on black. Front & rear spoilers. Sunroof. Car sits on genuine 7" and 9" Fuchs, and I have the original 6" and 7" Fuchs as well. I've owned this car for 14 years. Car has 110k miles on it. Car is 100% original with no modifications*. New clutch in 2012. I rebuilt the front suspension with Koni adjustable shocks probably about 5 years ago. I removed the original steering wheel for an aftermarket wheel w/ Porsche logo. I have the original wheel. Paint is original and gorgeous with normal dings on the lower part of the front hood. No rust, no goofiness or bull**** to this car. Front fender lips are rolled to accept the larger 7" wheels. Car has LSD. Steve Wong chip installed (I have the original -somewhere-). Seats are in great condition. Carpet is sun-faded just a tad, but good. The elbow pockets are bent and sit a bit into the door pockets just like all good used 911s (hah). Just a clean Carrera. Car is in Pittsburgh.

Known issues:
Driver side window switch is temperamental and needs to be cleaned or replaced.
* The original owner (I'm the 3rd, I believe), installed a car phone antenna(!) in the passenger fender. So there's a small nub of the original antenna there.
Windshield gasket needs to be replaced as the beading in the lower passenger corner is pulling back.
Radio is aftermarket and terrible. Speakers make you yearn for silence.

These pictures are a bit old (5 years), but you get the idea. Car looks exactly the same.

So, realistically, what's it worth today? And which way are these cars headed?

[whiterabbit]

I'd say between 32k and 35k. Prices are going up and if it were me I would not sell after owning so long.

[christiandk]

What rabbit said...maybe even a tad more. You will probably regret selling it in a couple of years when the 997/Cayman is just an old car and "Nein" is even more sought after than it is today.

Freaking cool numberplate....how did you get that idea?

[SilberUrS6]

Upper 30s.

Sounds like you have a keeper. Sure, you could just about trade it straight across for a low-mileage Cayman, but why? DRIVE IT. Insure it for $40k, and drive it, just like it was designed for.

[usurpah]

Originally Posted by christiandk

Freaking cool numberplate....how did you get that idea?

I'm not an optimist? haha

[X JBM X]

I agree with what most of these guys have said - mid 30s...

but, keep it and drive it!!!

[Sox Fan]

Great looking car! G50 coupes getting harder and harder to find. I would also encourage you to keep it if you aren't 100% sold on getting a modern P car.

I am amazed at the rise in prices. I bought my 89 coupe a year and a half ago. In great shape and only 39k miles for $32,500. At the time I was paying a premium. I now think my car may be worth $40-$45k? based on what I see out there. Seems crazy but my guess is these prices will either flatten out or go up a bit more.

I agree with the other posters - your car would probably go for 30-35 easy.

[sm70911]

If you don't drive it sell it, No air cooled car benefits from sitting. At the end of the day its a common color, and while it has desirable wheels and the rear wiper option it already has a few very minor mechanical & cosmetic needs and this list will grow the longer you keep it.
Get a car you want to get in and drive and do that while its practically still a straight swap across. Let someone else who wants a hobby car enjoy working and driving the G50.
I think ask mid thirties, lower 30's is realistic dependent on the PPI results. At that price you'll know the car is going to an enthusiast.

[NYNick]

There was a Cayman R for sale around here for $55k recently.
That car is a Porsche 'sleeper' price wise and would eat just about any G50 for lunch.
I certainly wouldn't blame you for selling your 88 and buying that future classic!

[christiandk]

Originally Posted by christiandk

What rabbit said...maybe even a tad more. You will probably regret selling it in a couple of years when the 997/Cayman is just an old car and "Nein" is even more sought after than it is today.

Freaking cool numberplate....how did you get that idea?

Originally Posted by NYNick

There was a Cayman R for sale around here for $55k recently.
That car is a Porsche 'sleeper' price wise and would eat just about any G50 for lunch.
I certainly wouldn't blame you for selling your 88 and buying that future classic!

Cayman R a future classic. What about a Civic R?

Come on Nick.......are you tired and confused of thinking about the WTL?

[NYNick]

Just got up Christian!
I don't know, I'm thinking those R's will be very desirable down the road.

And hey, leave PML's DD out of this!

[christiandk]

Originally Posted by NYNick

Just got up Christian!
I don't know, I'm thinking those R's will be very desirable down the road.

And hey, leave PML's DD out of this!

Good one Nick,

I think that the problem with the newer limited edition cars is that there is a new limited edition model every year. Add to that the fact that you have to be a car electrician to repair a car like this in 20 years from now.....nothing like working on the old cars that almost everyone with a little mechanical skill can do.

[speeder]

You mean like the 1988 "Signature edition" 911 and then the 1989 "Anniversary Edition" 911? You're re-writing history if you want to put 3.2 Carreras in some collectible category...you're off by a few decades.

[vracer]

I just drove my '89 yesterday evening after about 2-3 months of driving very good modern cars. I had forgotten what GREAT drivers these are. I really do understand 'newcaritis', but think carefully before you go, because you can't come back unless you're willing to spend a lot more than you will get for this one.

If you do decide to sell, I think that every dollar invested in repairing those minor issues will increase the value of the car twofold. (But when you look at the car with the zits cleaned out, you may not want to sell.)

[Reddy Kilowatt]

I think the market decides what the attractive niche items are, and those items deemed to be rare and limited edition by the manufacturer often don't become "collectible."

And Caymans are great, but will always be there, and will continue to depreciate for a few years at minimum.

[usurpah]

Hi everyone,
Thanks for the great discussion. I think trying to purchase any modern car based on what's going to be "collectible" down the road is a large gamble. Rarity doesn't necessitate valuable. And just because there are anniversary editions or some other manufactured form of limited supply, that creation of "special" doesn't dictate any future value (in my opinion, although there are buyers out there for everything).

I think I just helped side-track my own thread.

Back on topic, and as for my G50, I think it's going to stay put for a while, but I may add a 997.2 or new Cayman S to the stable. That GTS looks great as well, but $. Thanks to everyone for the insight and fair valuation. Now to go fix that door switch and window seal...

[PushingMyLuck]

What did you pay for the car back in 2000 ?

As is, I think you’ll get low 30s.
To get mid 30s, it seems like you really need to be under 100k miles.

This is now a high dollar car, and I would not sell it with any issues.
Fix the windshield, radio, and window switch.

Glad you’re keeping it.
I think it’s time you drove and learned to enjoy the car again.

[pavulon]

PM sent to Eric.

[kalawao]

i take the plate if you would sell it