Check on pricing of 911's
 

So we have here a 911 targa that is agreed to be worth about 10K, its value in parts http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-used-parts-sale-wanted/877069-help-pricing-car.html

We have here a similar 911 targa but ready to drive worth only 10k more than the parts car. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cars-sale/876704-1979-porsche-911-sc-targa-20k.html

To make that 10K car into the 20K car would take a lot more than the 10K difference in purchase price between the two.
We all know that and yet this is the market reality.

20K should be the floor on a drivable 911, but we have this car http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cars-sale/876620-1983-porsche-911-sc.html

There is a unrealistic thin margin between a parts cars and running cars.
are we entering the point where 20K car owners would be better off parting their cars out when they need to sell?

Yes. The roughest drivers of all years have always been worth more if you part them out. There's a cross over point at the bottom where the sum of the parts exceeds the value of the whole.

Good points Matt, that also helps explain why people get hung up on matching numbers, otherwise it is the value of the assy parts and the work to duplicate it. But if it is "matching numbers" it has a larger value than non matching numbers or in buyer's mind "assembled parts"
Also the "value" of a car is worth more in buyers minds if the Vin number is a 911 or 912 when building 911 hot rods, same with 930's.
When cars go beyond the sum of their parts it becomes a mind game of the buyers and their notion of value.

There was a show a few years ago where the commentator and team tried to sell a whole car vs. part it out. For their case they didn't get half the value of parts vs. the whole car. Granted, it wasn't a 911, but they were trying to disprove the notion of parts vs whole.

You have to take into the equation labour involved in parting, storing , shipping and other costs associated with parting out.


MattR

That's my 911. I priced it low to move it. I think I could get more if I waited, but I am happy to move it on. It's a nice car, rips, sounds great. The PO gave me a deal on it, I loved working on it and I am happy to give the next guy a deal. I hope he loves it and doesn't turn around and sell it, but after it's sold, I DON'T CARE!! SmileWavy

Hopefully people realize there is some deals out there and you don't have to pay crazy prices all the time. Don't buy the hype!!

My comments are 911 specific. A lot of that it tied to the continuity of the models. When we used to buy $6-10k SCs and part them out most of the mechanical would end up on 2.7 cars and longnoses. Other than model specific trim, historically the parts went backwards towards making older ones better.

It's changed a bit in recent years as guys try to put the right parts on cars they are putting back together. That was always true in some respect with the qtip crowd but now that is also the case on just driver quality cars. Hell, I'm spending 5 figures right now to remove the slopenose kit and repaint a middle. That wouldn't have happened 5 years ago unless the car was a Euro Carrara.

I paid about $17k for the gold SC Targa that was on BaT in June and drove it about 1200 miles immediately after buying it - it's a ****load of fun! Sometimes patience and luck and research will get you a good deal.

Otter,
You got a great car and by thevvime you go to sell down the road the branded title probably won't matter. But I do believe it is the reason that you got the deal you did.

And that is why flippers can make money and are needed by people like you, they can see past the ad and look at the car then write a good ad so you can buy it.

Matt, you are probably right, but there is absolutely nothing particular wrong with the car, so in practical terms it still serves as the kind of opportunity that does come along. And, given the other cars on my short list, I think that the above mentioned patience, research and luck can get you a good car (better than that '83 Coupe appears to be) for 20k or not much more. :)

Although the weak ad -- and no interior pics -- are letting the car down, I think the horrible wheels on that car are what is keeping it for selling at or near the current ask. It also looks like the paint is toasted the hood and roof. Still, if the owner put some time in trying to sell the car, it would sell.

Not surprised that the black Targa mentioned above sold in very short order. Someone got a deal.

Either people have no imagination or the cost of new wheels makes it too much $$$ for prospective buyers.

What's the cost of a set of Fuchs with rubber? $1500? $2000? Makes a $20k car into an $18k car because I'm going to discount my offer to cover the cost of the wheels.

Aparently the flippers are not as stupid as we think they are and are buying more quality to flip, even if the ad is writing poorly.

I'm not defending the logic... just hypothesizing like everyone else. I've seen people walk away from good houses because they needed $5k in flooring. Some people just don't like to spend a few more bucks to make the it into what they want. There is also the possibility that there are other shortcomings we are not aware of.

Not surprised. He broke the bump it too often rule.