Shark

I'm thinking about getting a cab as a Friday & weekend car. My original intention was to get a mid-60s Corvette, but the pricing is just incredibly high.

I think about newer convertibles (Jag XK8, BMW, MB, etc.) but I'd like to get a depreciation free 2nd car. An F-car would be fun, but damn the maintenance costs

So my questions are, where have prices been for driver quality cars over the past 5 years (that would be priced now in the low to mid $20s), and where do you see them going in the next 5-7 years?

Thanks

LuisGT3

You could get into a very nice 3.2 Carrera cab for mid 20's. I think that the air cooled cars will continue to hold their value or depreciate less than say, 3.4 996's for example.

Brett San Diego

I'd say the only cars that have a chance of not depreciating with some miles put on them are 66-73 911's and unworldly condition 1978-1983 SC's. Unless you started with an awesomely low price on an 84-89 Carrera, you will lose some value over the next few years, but less than on newer models.

Brett

911Dave

+1 on the 3.2 Carrera. Prices have held steady for the last 5 years and many of them have actually appreciated a little.

JCP911S

I'd say the 79-89 911 are not going to depreciate much and could actually firm up. It all depends on condition. If the condition is maintained, the price will stay firm. However, if you buy a pristine low mile car for $25K and then drive it and put some wear on it, then it will be worth what a higher mile car would be worth.

If you buy a very nice 95,000 mile car for $17K and put 15,000 on it and keep it in good condition, it will probably still be worth $17K in three years.

Personally Other than a 68-72 Corvette, I can;t think of another car in that range that is more likely to hold its value.

The pre-74 cars are also a good investment, but IMHO they are getting expensive. They're more of a collector/sunday show car than a driver.

Edward

Hi Shark,

Any longhood 911 (pre-74) in decent condition will be pricey; the superb ones will cost you a mint. Its sheer age, the fact that more are ending up at the crusher with each day thus reducing supply, rust, and its "cool factor," all suggest that these cars will only appreciate --when in good trim, of course.

With SC to Carrera, though, still some depreciation happening but by and large prices are holding pretty steady, and with exceptional examples fetching top dollar.

While this is an interesting mental exercise, remember that all cars are common, mass-produced machines and a precious few make decent investments. And anything made within the last 10 years or so is going to continue to depreciate considerably. So if you're trying to stave off depreciation, buy something special (Porsche, Jag, or Ferrari), in superb shape, and don't drive it. But if you want a car that you'll truly enjoy, put miles on, and not stress over every stone chip, then get what you turns you on. And as for 911s, a Carrera in great shape, thus in the low/mid 20s now, will (crystal ball now switched "on") likely be similarly priced 5 years from now ...until that SUV plows into you, then all bets are off. Happy hunting.

Edward

Shark

Ouch

Thanks everyone....remember I'm looking at cabs so I'm thinking '83 on. Not looking to make a mint, but after buying a brand new BMW 540i in '98 for $50k, and only getting $11k six years later I'm really tuned into reducing depreciation. I bought my 996TT for less than $70k (45% depreciated)....no way would I have paid $130k for it new.

I just want something I can buy for $20k now, put in less than $2k of maintenance a year, and be able to get close to $20K in 5 years when the girls no longer fit.

LuisGT3

134 cabs on autotrader alone. (there might be a few targas in there)
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/search...lor=&x=110&y=7

TonyG

[shameless plug]

Shark,

Got the car for you. '84 Euro Carrera (German car, imported into So Cal in '86). 82k miles. Non-Sunroof Coupe. Venetian Blue/Black.

This is the basis for the perfect 80's track car. $19.5k (lowered because I fell down and landed on the car and put a scratch on the front fender with the keys that were in my hand #$^%!^!#$%$@#$).

It was either the scratch in the fender or my head.

If it was my cream puff SC, then it would probably have been my head :-)

TonyG

SKM

Another shameless plug. A friend will soon be selling a 1986 911 Cabriolet, 73,000 miles, dark blue with dark blue top and interior, Nardi steering wheel (beautiful), all original paint, top and interior. Located in the Philadelphia suburbs.

Edward

Hi Shark,

The Carrera cab is an excellent choice, then. And IIRC when I was hunting for my trackmeister, I saw more cab bargains than coupes ...I think you'll do well here. As I had mentioned, I believe that the SC/Carrera will be the next "longhood" in terms of desireability and stable resale in the coming decade or so. Not to mention these are suprememly reliable cars (of course, get a good PPI).

BTW, your 996TT, along with the 993TT, I think represent one of the best values out there (like the 930s of yore) if one can afford the price of admission. They've already taken the lion's share of depreciation, and will probably fall off very slowly from this point forward. Of course, this is all my $.02 prognostication, but I believe the aura of "Porsche Turbo" will always relegate Porsche turbos to a special place in history (and folks' pocketbooks). Enjoy!

Edward

TonyG

Shark,

Sorry... I re-read your original post. I thought you were looking for car to run on the race track, rather than a weekend cruiser. That's why I plugged the coupe I have.

Good luck,

TonyG

GothingNC

I have a hypothetical question:

Say you have two identical 1980 to 1983 SC Coupes.
Paint, and interior in the same condtion which is very good and all records.
Location not important.

A) 110,000 miles, 15,000 miles on top end rebuild and new clutch, brakes, suspension, tires etc

B) 85,000 miles, engine never overhauled, suspension bushings orginal but in decent shape, tires and brakes have about 50% life left. Clutch replaced at 50,000 miles.

How much do you thnk A or B should go for?

Would a top-end overhaul make a differnce in the price?

Thanks !

LastAirCooled

Possibly. Especially if it was done by a reputable shop. BUT, a top end was done on an SC at only 95K? These engines are notorious for lasting a lot longer than that without major work. I'd be more interested in the 85K one. As far as $ goes, high teens maybe?

GothingNC

Mine had the top-end overhauled at 68,000 miles.
Prior owner dropped the motor to change the internal T-stat and then deicided to upgrade the tensioners.
He then discovered a broken valve sping and then sent the heads off to CE for machine work to replace the springs guides etc.
He also replaced all the head studs with steel ones while he was in there, installed JE Pistons etc.

I've heard that there were some issues with a bad batch of vlave springs in the past.