What's my Porsche Worth???

[Westy]

Bear with me, it's been a long time since I've been on this site.

I have a 1981 SC Targa that I've had for over 10 years. In that time I don't think I've put 1500 miles on it (I know,,,,,for SHAME!!) The color is Anthracite (basically coal black).

It has around 135,000 miles on it, and I have no receipts indicating any diving into the motor. The valves are adjusted and it has the Carerra covers and a couple of new rockers. The tranny was gone thru and I have the receipts for that. The paint is 9.5 plus, and I have a 3-piece Porsche bra and a Porsche car cover. I also have a complete and separate FI system as well as a new electric antenna (not installed) and a new fuel pump. The stereo is older, but it is a great AM/FM/CD system with 6 speakers. The Targa top, dash, door panels, and seats have all been redone and are in perfect condition. I replaced all o-rings on the injectors, and also a few gaskets.

It was lowered by Denny Khaler (sp?) in Dublin Ca, and also has upgraded torsion bars. The Fuchs are great. The tires have lots of tread, but they are old, and if it were me I would put new ones on. I have books, FI books, and misc parts. There's more, but you get the idea.

The car was always a SF Bay Area car until I bought it. The owner of Poboys Porsche in Oakland was the one who completely went through this car and made it what it is.

The downside. I need to put a new battery in it. It passes smog no problem. I'm Wuhr poor as I have three. The vehicle struggles to warm up. Once warm, it runs like a top. So far my mechanic up here hasn't found out why. I'm gonna try him one more time, then might have to move on.

So what should I ask for a fairly quick sale? I'm not looking for top dollar, I just want a fair price that someone would look at and think to themselves that's a great price.

I know it's difficult without pics (somewhere in the dust of this forum server I posted some) but if folks can give me a ballpark number it would be greatly appreciated. I haven't kept up regarding these cars, and I don't know what to ask. And of course, if you need to verify the condition, VASH is my friend, but will honestly attest to the condition of this car.

Thanx in advance for any help you can throw my way. Brian

[techweenie]

Current makret would probably be mid-$20s. If you can get it to start/warm up nicely, it's probably going to result in a value bump greater than the cost of the fix. So, call it $25-28K depending on whether the cold running issue is resolved plus/minus a myriad of condition details.

i just appraised a flawless 83 Targa at $32.2K partly because of a documented full rebuild <9000 miles ago and near show quality interior. They can cross the $30K boundary...

[Westy]

I was thinking 16-18K. These have really appreciated this much? I'm in a state of shock. Hope my wife doesn't read this!!!

[techweenie]

Yes, they were barely breaking $20K 2 years ago. Things have changed.

[Westy]

OK, thanx. Guess I'll try and get the warm-up issue fixed and post it for sale. Thanx again for your input. And of course if you know anyone who wants a really nice SC Targa............................................. ......................................

[Rick Brooklyn]

I'm a complete noob but based on my limited observation of the market, a lowered car with upgraded suspensions etc. and old tires would probably trade a little lower than an unmolested one. I think 28k based on that description is one or two grand too optimistic but good luck with sale.

[Westy]

I realize there are lots of variables. I'm just looking for a ball park figure. I appreciate the responses. It'll be a sad day when she goes, but it is what it is.

[COLB]

You can deal with the battery and new tires for 700-800 installed.

If the interior and exterior are as good as you describe, market is probably low 30s. But that is a retail number, not a sell it quick number.

Clean it up nice, do the tires and battery, takes lots of detailed pics, and put an ad up here and it will sell quick if it is a quality car. Put a price under 30k on it and you will likely get inundated. That might leave a little money on the table, but your time is worth money too.

That being said, pictures are worth a thousand words. Pristine cosmetics and no immediate needs add a premium.

[Westy]

Thanx for the responses guys. Dusted her off and put a new battery in today. Organizing the receipts and figuring stuff out. It's difficult when you've been off the forum for several years, so the input is more appreciated than you know.

B.

[RSTarga]

check for loose hoses or other vacuum leaks. That may be the cause of your cold running problems. Rubber gets old.

[Westy]

So........hijacking my own thread....What hoses would be suspect? The car ran as smooth as can be today when I started it and after it warmed up. About 1 minute and it was 70 or so degrees. What hose (s) would only affect warm-up and not normal running? Maybe I should start a separate thread!!!!!

The problem up here is,,,,,There aren't much in the way of mechanics, and the one I have seems to be...well....nuff said. It would be a 2 hour drive just to get it to a guy that knows what he's doing. Then 2 hours each way to go pick it up. I think it would just be better to sell it to a guy who has knowledge about these systems and give him a price break. What's labor nowadays....$125-$150 hour???

Maybe I SHOULD take advantage of the geniuses on this forum. This has to be a simple fix!!!

[spb350]

I think those are some pretty optimistic numbers. I'm thinking more like $20-23K. I know 135K miles is not really high miles for these cars but a lot of the people jumping into the market and paying the higher prices start to balk once they get over 110 - 120K miles. I just sold an 85 Targa with 169K miles for 21K and it was a really nice driver and everything worked well. I think the 3.2 cars are bringing a good 10 - 15% more then a comparable 3.0. Good luck with the sale though I'm sure it will sell sooner or later and you can always start high and bring it down. I know a lot of people here don't like the Ebay numbers but if you watch the private sales I think you will get a good idea of a true market value, check the completed auctions too.

[Westy]

I took it to my mechanic yesterday for smog. Told him I was going to sell it and initially was thinking 18-20k. Before I could continue he says it's worth a lot more than that. He added he's been selling customer's cars, and if we work out the little bugs it would fetch 30-32k. Much as TechWeenie has stated. So we'll see. He suggested Ebay as he's had great luck there. I'll stick with Pelican for a month or so, and if it hasn't sold, I'll post it on the Bay.

[76_rookie]

"1981 SC Targa (Das Moneypit)"

That the name of the car?

[Westy]

Yup. Named it in 2004. Seemed appropriate at the time as I was buying up anything I could get my hands on. But fixed it.

[Rick Brooklyn]

Any pictures yet?

[Westy]

Rick...it's up at the shop getting smogged and squared away B4 I post it for sale. I also think the fronts are flat spotted, so when I get it back I might have to put front tires on it. Or maybe they'll settle out. But I should be able to post pics next week some time. PM me if ur interested. If you're not interested,,,,well,,,I suppose you could PM me anyway!!

[Westy]

Wifey found some pics on her computer. This is what I have.

[Westy]

And some more....

[spb350]

Looks good.......................... may go $22 - 25K