Should i fix the AC
 

So im selling an 87 cab with 45k miles. I already fixed the mechanical top to tune of 1700 bucks.

The AC is problematic in these cars and I think most buyers get that. However, a fixed AC couldn't hurt.

Should I set a max price to fix it and don't go beyond that?

If so what should that be?

Personally, I think you should try to sell "as is" and see if you get what you want for it without fixing the a/c.

Depending on who buys it, a properly working, stock 911 a/c is not good enough for duty in hot climates (needs to be extensively modified), so a buyer in a hot climate, and that actually wants to use the car more than a month or two out of the year, is likely to "un-fix" the work that was just done in order to build a proper system.

On the flip side, many people that buy these cars don't care about a/c - especially when it comes to Cabs and Targas . . . non-working a/c would be of no concern for them.

Are all the parts there, and do you know what components are inop? If so, you could include that in your listing.

I imagine that a car with functioning a/c would bring more money, but probably not enough to make the expense of repairing the stock system worthwhile for you.

you make excellent points thanks for the reply :)

I presented the car to a dealer today and he tried to use the lack of AC as bargaining leverage. Your comments convinced it's not all that necessary to fix.. Thanks again!!!

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Fixed, PhatMatt, wiff yer "post then delete" shart going on!!!

the 2 of you guts must've had a stroke.. my condolences.

What? Fix that 911 AC! I went on a trip to our local mountains today and my AC cooled us down some but it was better when we opened the windows. Hey! My car is black OK!!!

I'm a fan of fixing the A/C, but agree that it probably doesn't make financial sense unless it is in good shape as is, and you can DIY it.

That being said, it is worth figuring out what it wrong with it when you go to sell. I hate seeing ads that say "A/C doesn't work -- it may just need a charge".

Almost everyone is going to ask why it doesn't work:

- Is the compressor still good? Are the condensers and evaporator in good shape? Do they leak?

- Is it just old non-barrier hoses and old-style leaky o-rings?

If all the components are intact and working, you can get a serviceable R134a system that will not leak just by replacing old hoses and O-rings, the receiver-drier, and expansion valve.

It is a DIY job you can do for about $800-900:

$550 for the hoses
$30 for expansion valve
$60 for receiver drier
$180 for vacuum pump and gauges from harbor freight
$10 for PAG oil
$30 for R-134a
$30 for R-134a conversion kit (fittings, piton o-rings)

It is a day of work on jack-stands.

This is a best case. You can get 38-40 degree vent temps, and it is fine up to around 90 degrees provided the car is not parked int he sun all day.

If the compressor is blown, and the system components are trashed, it isn't worth it to get it fixed, as it is more like $2-3k to get everything fixed.

I had a bad compressor that was replaced with a new denso one. Had system flushed, drier changed. $1300 including new accessory belts.

It is worth every penny when u do need it. The car is limited in use when you don't have a working ac.

However, OP is selling so in his case, I would just sell it as is. The buyer can decide if it is worth fixing.

fortunately I just spoke to my mechanic and he said it just needs to be recharged every season. Their is a leaking part that's too expensive to replace. So rather than replacing it my mechanic suggested I just recharge it every season.

So are you actually selling it or just looking at future resale? :confused:

There was a thread a while back where it became very clear to me that there's one segment of the market who will not even look at a car with broken AC. I'm serious, they felt that strongly about it. I would estimate it was half of the people who posted. The other half of us didn't care. and it was a long thread with lots of participants and not just half a dozen of us chiming in.

Based on that, if you are actually selling it, you may be ruling out as much as 50% of your potential buyers. Maybe it's less because your car is a cab and not a coupe. But I still am convinced that you will kill off a big group of buyers. I didn't believe that when the thread started. The pro-AC guys convinced me of this even though it doesn't matter one lick to me.

i think it has more to do with this obsession of originality that classic car guys have nowadays. Frankly i don't blame em. I like the idea of a completely original car suspended in time and enjoying it just as intended by the brilliant engineers at Porsche. However, I think the educated buyer understands that even when fully operational carrera 3.2's have ****ty AC's. The guys that don't get that aren't likely serious buyers. At least that's what i tell myself to help me sleep at night.

^^^

Guys that obsess over originality are not "classic car guys"; they are dweebs that do their high performance cars a real disservice by leaving them in the overly neutered, full of compromises, states that they left the factory (not what the Porsche engineers wanted people to do with these cars at all). Butt each to their own, buttofcourse :)

And the a/c system in a Carrera functions very well in temps below mid 80s in stock form, and is an excellent platform to mod for serious, southern climate duty, as well.

MountainManMatt, the main, knitting circle (as you hilariously called that thread) issue was not with present, butt inop a/c, butt with cars whose previous owners had removed the a/c components entirely (the infamous, "a/c delete" cars), as doing so makes it much more difficult to build a functioning system (even if the old gear is in a moldy, U-Haul box and is included with the car).

I will learn you a thing or two about a a thing or three, bro!!!

unfortunately when selling a relatively desirable car such as mine "dweebs" are who i have to deal with

If your clutch will engage on your old 911 AC, it does not cost thousands to get it working if you are going to sell it. New expansion valve, new dryer, gauges, vacuum pump, refrigerant would be only about $228. Even if you needed a rebuilt Denso compressor that would add only $200 more. So for under $500 you could get a lot more buyers to look at your car if you wanted to sell. Do the easy stuff first, you may be surprised. Or if you are rich, don't read this.

You've confused me with someone who cares to learn. All that junk is still on my 74. I will rip it all out when I do the fuel lines this winter.

What's this "winter" you speak of?

Johnny, he was a great guitar guy

I'm deleting the AC on my car if you need stock parts. 87 Carrera with all functional parts