BMW.Nick

So I got a lot of great advice in my previous thread, some excellent starting points.(thanks guys!) I have a new question, Which model is going to hold it's value the most in the long run. Im assuming that coupes will hold more value over time than their targa counterparts, which isn't really important as I am not interested in a targa or a cab.

But what about models? 3.2? G50? SC? help!

Greg D.

I think it'll come down to condition of each car rather than the model, per se... But, not to duck your question, a late G50 will probably always be a littl emore sought after than an early SC.

Actually, I think a long hood - pre 74 - will hold its value best ! There are less of them in good shape, there are tons of SCs and Carreras around and galvanized to boot (so they do not dissolve as fast as the early cars), so they probably will never be rare.

Mike Murphy

Most 993-owners will tell you that their model holds value best. I might agree, but I also agree with the above post, that the condition determines resale. I would be careful about certain models (such as the early 996), but generally speaking, the models with best resale are the ones that are the most rare. And every time you add mileage, you lose money, so keep the mileage reasonably low.

2002M3Drew

I think these cars...all of them in the 3.0-3.2 range...are going to hold their values for a while. It's hard to imagine 911s in this vintage falling out of the 'teens in value on average. When you stop and think about that SCs and early Carreras were around $28,000-$35,000 new in their respective years, and now they are still worth roughly half that more than 20 years later, it's pretty amazing!

Jay H

Greg D. mentions above that the G-50 cars are probably more sought after than an early SC. I'd agree. The offset to that is that you might pay $22k for a typical G-50 coupe for example and you may pay $11,000 for a '78 SC Targa. The '78 may loose zero value since it probably is at the bottom of it's depreciation curve and the G-50 may drop a $1,000 or two over time if the mileage piles up.

However, over the long haul, I don't see any of these cars loosing much value. Back in the fall of 2000, I sold my '86 coupe with 114k on the clock for a quick sale at $15,000. Today, that same car would probably still bring $15,000 in resale. I just can't see any very nice 911 dropping below the low teens regardless of year or model. There will always be dogs out there that are the exception to the rule, but there seems to be a constant demand for nice 911's with moderate mileage. Nice 2.7 cars are even bringing $10k and more now and you couldn't give those things away 10 years ago...

G-50 equipped cars really dropped in the early part of this decade. It was not uncommon to see above $30k asking prices for low mileage, mint G-50 cars in the '99 to '00 era. Now, that's pretty rare for these cars to push over $30k, though since the economy has improved lately, some exceptional examples with low mileage are priced that way at some high line dealers.

In the very long haul (20 years from now or so), I bet these cars will appreciate and some may even expand like the long hood cars are doing now.

Even if you had 2 million dollars to blow, there is nothing new that you can buy that is identical to an air cooled 911. That fact will always keep resale values from really tanking on these cars.

Just my $.02.

Jay
90 964, 84 3.2

Mike Murphy

Also, Targas are generally cheaper by $1-2k than coupes and cabs.

Peter Zimmermann

I'd like to comment that "rare" doesn't always equate to value. For example, the '89 Speedster is not nearly as "rare" as a wide-body Targa, but I don't think any of those Targas will ever bring the money that a like-condition Speedster will. I also think the same as Jay - clean, technically accurate examples will always bring a good return. If the 3.2 cars, especially the G 50s, haven't hit bottom, I feel that they're probably close. And they may stay at this level for years, but then we'll see appreciation like we're now seeing on the long hood cars. Evidence is already out there that suggests that an upswing for short hood cars is in the works, with some recent through-the-roof sales of '74 Carreras being reported. Please remember, those cars are simply Ss with flared quarter panels and a Sugar Scoop, and I've heard that they're pushing $50K. Who could have known that? Not me, but when you think about how much a truly well-done '73 RS clone can bring, why not a "real" '74 Carrera? Can a 1980 Weissach be far behind? I don't think the value of a good '82/83 SC has changed in years, but there are owners out there who aren't totally aware of what they have, which can hold prices at the current level a while longer. 356 B models, always the 356 pretender, have gone up dramtically in the last couple of years - a visually nice one sold on Barrett-Jackson last night for about $40K. That was a $20K car three years ago! Five years ago I had a chance to buy a 90K mile Weissach coupe, in dismal condition, but I just didn't think the asking price of $12K was low enough. If I could go back in time I would have bought that car. In the meantime I will watch some special models, when they start to go back up, the base model with similar features might not be far behind. Good drivers don't always make good investments, and good investments don't always make good drivers. But we're lucky, on one level or another, all good 911s are fun to own, and you can take that to the bank.
Pete

BMW.Nick

Thanks guys. I think I am after a driver and not an investment. I want to enjoy my car! At what mileage would you guys become hesitant when a car is on its original engine? There is a nice white carrera here local, but it has 145k on its original engine, which is a bit scary for me. Its a 2 owner that supposedly has docs from 17k miles to present.

ked

Nick, don't get too fixated on mileage - just get the facts (history & ppi) & negotiate price based on that. Of course it's valid to offer less on an original high mileage 3.2 (not all 3.2s have the worn valve problem, but all high-rev OHC engines need it eventually!) vs a properly & recently rebuilt one. Billy Mitchell at EurAsian Auto in B'ham should be able to do a thorough ppi & estimate valve job & other costs. have fun!

r911

I wouldn't be scared until 200-300k is one the engine, providing it has been well cared for - frequent oil changes, not lugged, not overheated.

BMW.Nick

The only reason I worry is that the rebuilds from what Ive read are not cheap. I understand that the engine will have to be rebuilt in time, but I dont want to drop $20k and then 3 months later have to put another $10-12k right back in it! At least let me make it a year!

r911

the PPI and inspection of the service records should tell you as much as anyone can expect to know about a used car purchase.

Oshin11

Its actually not THAT amazing Drew because you also have to realize that 40,000.00 for my 87 Carrera Cab in 1987 was a lot more money than 40K for a car NOW. Inflation is a bitch aint it. However these cars did do decently well with keeping value, probably as good as a civic.

ebsalem

Datapoint:

1972t purchased in 1997 @ 95k miles for $10 - rust free VIN #1949
same car sold in april of '72 for $6k ?
same car converted to an RS wannabe with two offers of $20k -- both legit buyers
current miles 125k

Personal experience, and I could be wrong, is there is a growing trend to the long-hood cars which doesn't make much sence to me as I commited to trade for a 3.2 coupe but that car didn't PPI. A rust proof car would make life in the Big 12 much smoother. heh heh.

Svaha

Interesting observation Oshin11