Valuing my '81 SC

[wnsolomon]

BLUF: I'm in the military and gone from home ALOT (I'm deployed even now). My wife doesn't like to drive the SC, so it's seeing it's share of neglect these days. My question is, if I can't drive it for the foreseable future (It'll be at least 18 months before I'm behind the wheel again), should I think about selling? And if so, what's a fair asking price?

Specs:
81 Sunroof coupe
I'm about the sixth owner but have all records since new.
137k w/ topend rebuild at 80. Big stuff done by Chapman Auto Werks in northern, VA.
Original paint, 6/10
PO painted the Fuchs, so that's not original and added 944T seats
Euro ride hight, all the usual SC mods (Tensioners, Turbo valve covers, tie rod ends, tower brace, short throw, Low-restriction muffler[no cat], etc.)
Basically, it's a well maintained but not preserved or restored SC...

What do you think?

[elvisaves]

Looks like a nice car! If you don't need to sell it I would have your wife drive it at least once a month and keep it.

[gshiwota]

Agreed. Unless you need to sell it, don't.

The market has been rising on these cars considerably so I'd update the insurance value on the car and keep it in that garage until you get back if I were you. If your wife doesn't have time to drive the car occassionally, maybe you can have her get prepped for long term storage. I'd suggest having the fluids changed (including brake fluid) then store it in the garage with the battery disconnected and Stabil in the fuel tank. This should be enough to prevent problems when you get back.

Once you're back you can figure out if you want to keep it or sell it then.

Thanks for serving our country and God Bless!

[Patrick3000]

Originally Posted by gshiwota

Agreed. Unless you need to sell it, don't.

The market has been rising on these cars considerably so I'd update the insurance value on the car and keep it in that garage until you get back if I were you. If your wife doesn't have time to drive the car occassionally, maybe you can have her get prepped for long term storage. I'd suggest having the fluids changed (including brake fluid) then store it in the garage with the battery disconnected and Stabil in the fuel tank. This should be enough to prevent problems when you get back.

Once you're back you can figure out if you want to keep it or sell it then.

Thanks for serving our country and God Bless!

X2

Thanks for your service

[Hoppe]

Based on recent purchasing experience, $23-25K

[KNS]

Find some way to store it - don't sell it for 18 months away.

Thanks for your service.

[Colour me gone]

Hello

Now I'm a Canuck but I agree with all of the guys here on the forum. If you don't need to sell the car keep it. Another rule of thumb is to never sell anything unless you know what you're going to do with the money.
Being away for 18 months is quite a while but the Carrera is certainly not going to cost anything sitting in the garage.

Give the car all the required things for long term storage and decide when you come back what you want to do. Right now in Ontario Canada where I live that car would sell in a week for $30-$35K cdn.

All the Best to you and Thank You for your Service.

John

[Nick Triesch]

Go to NADA classic car guides on the web. They just updated their classic car values and seem to be about right.

[amg463]

the first person to show up with cash will tell you how much it's worth. you don't need to ask on the forums

[COLB]

Originally Posted by amg463

the first person to show up with cash will tell you how much it's worth. you don't need to ask on the forums

yeah. I'm sure the first guy rushing to your door with cash has your best financial interests at heart.

Did amg463 pm you with a 15 grand offer?

[NYNick]

I think the $23-25k plus is a tad low, but in the ballpark.
Again, list it somewhere, and watch your email server crash.

[ShopCat]

If you decide to sell it, I would be seriously interested at 24k. Pending PPI of course. Ive been searching for a more unusual color (minerva, petrol blue mostly) but to the point where I am looking at just finding a solid car almost regardless of color, just anything but red!

[wnsolomon]

All,

Thanks for the responses, I believe I will be keeping it after all. I just needed to be talked down off the ledge. Mostly I read threads about technical issues and don't pay attention to the valuation or cars for sale threads. I had no idea that my car had doubled in value in the last five years! I'll definitely be upping the insurance value.

Thanks!

[Speed Buggy]

Good for you and thank you for your service.