I have the opportunity to buy a 1987 Carrera Coupe with the M491 option from a private seller. 35k miles, all original except for the stereo. Realizing how uber-rare a G50 M491 coupe is, how much would you pay?

I'm tempted to buy it just to taunt the Richard Sloan's of the world with a $60k asking price

 

Looks sweet!

Only problem is that it looks like a 930 turbo... but doesn't go like one. As gorgeous as it is, I personally would rather my narrow body 3.2. Or an actual 930.

 

I like it !
Why not if the price is reasonable,i would guess in the 30-40 K range ?

Cheers
Phil

 

Looks very nice, good color, go for it....not sure what they are worth tho.

 

I like it! I'd be interested if you decide to pass on it...Let me know!

 

Buy it. That car looks sweet! Good luck.

 

Nice. I will be interested as well if you pass.......Thanks

 

That has always been my philosophy too.

 

Skinny is always better.

 

The market is crawling with "rare" Porsches, I would forget the rarity value but as far as 911 coupes it has almost all of the good things you would want stock and that is good.
But most importantly would you have fun, be happy with it, is it in good shape etc. and without those details I would guess an interior at 8/9 out of 10, guess no major mechanical problems and go up to 35K if you really want it. Then drive the hell out of it. Good luck

 

$38k- $45k

 

+1000 on "Buy it!"...if the price is halfway reasonable.

There were only 114 G50 M491 coupes imported into the USA by PCNA in 1987-89. Even if you don't love the car, it is an excellent investment. I searched long and hard for a G50 M491 coupe and ended up settling for a 33K mile M491 '89 cabrio which I sold a year later...because I just don't care for the looks of a 911 cab. It brought considerably more than I paid for it, BTW.

The M491's have 930 suspension (except for the tie rod ends...??) and those wonderful brakes that evolved from the 917 race cars, in addition to the wide bodywork that most love, some hate.

Here's the correct list of USA M491's. Note that M470 denotes the "spoiler delete" ones.



Fact: Not everyone wants or needs the complexity and higher upkeep costs of a 930. The M491cars are plenty quick on the street.

Note that the ones that are advising you not to buy seem to be the narrow body owners. You'll find the same thing on the "915 vs. G50 transmission" threads.

Believe me, if you don't buy this car quickly (assuming it passes the PPI), there will be others waiting in line to buy it - including Sloan.

 

Thanks for all the replies, gentlemen. This M491 is in concours condition, and I am seriously considering it. Only the cognescenti (or the foolish Porsche fan boy!) can appreciate the rarity of a G50 M491 coupe. I won't disclose the location or the asking price, but let's just say if you think a M491 with 35k miles can be purchased for less than $40k....you're never going to own one!

I would hate to see this car get into the hands of the likes of Richard Sloan, Road Scholars, or any of the other well known Porsche resellers. I guarantee they would flip this car for $55k+ in a minute.

Dean

 

Just because not everyone is drooling over this, doesn't mean we're saying don't buy it. Investment, cars. They don't go hand in hand with me.

The M491 doesn't do it for me, but I'm not sure a Turbo does either, except for the lump in the back with a blower.

Personally, I'd sooner buy a well-sorted car, and spend the money to make it how I want it, and not be afraid to drive it. Many of these "rare" 911's are going to stay in the garage more often than not, as people are going to be afraid of driving their "investment".

I can afford most any car I'd like, within reason, but I view the price paid is somewhat inversely proportional to the enjoyment I'd get, knowing how I like to enjoy the cars.



Each to their own.

 

Thing is, an M491 is a better car to drive. On the street. Raise your hand if you've run a stock 930 as a commuter, or even an occasional driver. Bonus points if you didn't have a (nearly) intimate relationship with your shop.

(I'd guess less than 10% of my 930 customer base wouldn't have been better served with an M491, if the look was what it was all about. Oddly, in that 10% I do remember a woman who owned one who used it for what it was worth. And then there was my old girlfriend ~20 years ago, who did appreciate the everything-but-the-VIN 930 I cobbled together for her.)