Folks,

I could use some opinions regarding the car pictured below (there are more pictures in the link at the bottom). It's being advertised as an original owner(!) bone-stock 87 with 25,600 miles, and this is the first "good" look I've had at the car (there were very few photos in his ad).

I've been passively looking for 930s for the past two years, and this one has caught my eye; however, there are a couple of things that are a little unusual. First off, is that a stock Blau head unit in there? The speakers look stock to me, but I know the Blau isn't a Monterey, and I think everything else may have been an option. Any guesses as to the three cable hookups (audio visual?) hanging from below the passenger side of the dash? There also appears to be some sort of amp under the bonnet. How about the shift boot looking a bit "hiked up?" I know that's a nice air freshener in there, too... I'm past the car looking a little dirty (does the guards look oxidized to you? The fuchs will need some vasoline as well ) as not everyone is a nut about keeping your engine bay sparkling... but any other thoughts as to general condition?

This will be my first 930 purchase, and if I bite on it, will be a long-distance transaction (I'll be coming from Ohio, most likely). I'll be buying it to show at local-level concourse events. Other than the standard PPI fare, questions regarding the validity of "stock" components and getting a good carfax, etc - I'd appreciate some good advice from folks "in the know." The owner claims he has turned down 37K for the car.

Thanks!

Micah








Additional photos:
http://pictures.aol.com/galleries/micahjones/

 

How often is the car driven, or at what time were all the gaskets replaced. Many low mileage cars can become leaking faucets as soon as you start driving them. Also, for a price in the high $30's, I would hope the tires/brakes and other miscellaneous wear items are like new.

 

i purchased a 1986 930 with 21,000 on it. they guy i bought it from was the second owner and had purchased the car 6 years ago with 19,000 miles.

so it obviously sat for a while with no driving.

car is bone dry and does not leak at all even after going to mobil 1 synthetic.

my experience, though very limited is go for it and dont worry.

 

micah im down in centerville.

i wouldnt worry about the boot running high on the shifter. those things are just big leather baggies that do not fit tight.

looks like hes either missing the left and right carpet in the trunk, or he took em out for posterity to show you how clean it is. My assumption is the latter. But short of that, I dont see those pieces of carpet. You shouldnt see any of the cars gizzards when you open the trunk.

it doesnt have sport seats which are somewhat desirable, but the seats it has are in great shape. The steering wheel looks in good shape and those are a pretty good sign for wear on a car thats been driven quite a bit.

the rockers are stained/chipped to black a bit under the stone guards. this is pretty typical. Ive had mine repainted.

$37K is right in 5spd 930 territory. If you want mileage that low, Id say the price isnt way way off. Maybe $1500-2000. Assuming the car is all that and a bag of fritos. If you plan to drive it and 25K miles doesnt sway you any more than 45 or 50K, I think youll be able to find a car in as good condition with more miles if you keep looking. That could save you another $2-3K. Like anything, youll know its the one or not in your gut. And, the time to look has a cost too. If your time isnt worth looking for another 6-12 months, then it may make sense to get the best deal on this one and drive home happy.

 

just a word of advice bc I have gone threw it if the car is not driven much check for dry rotting in all the lines under the hood oil lines etc. I had to have every line replaced and it got pretty costly. Im also very crazy about how the car looks so im sure that added 1 or 2 thousand lol. If you have the time and pasionce something will come up wit a better price tag but go with your heart as these cars are deffinately loved by all of us.GOOD LUCK

 

I bought mine with low mileage too...it was also an 87...I had to replace a lot of vacuum lines that had hardened, corroded connections...re-do the front brakes....rear tires dont' last very long on these...look at the shocks and suspension; the shocks can go bad just from sitting around and seals leaking.

The front trunk is curious....if you intend to concours this car, I would have expected it to show a bit better. The white plastic card with all the printed circuits and labels for what and where fuses and relays go seems to be missing from the black cover of the front fuse box. It appears that there may have been an upgraded stereo unit in there that was taken out....hence the RCA cables under the dash and dishevelled look of the front trunk carpeting. I personally would never have taken a picture that showed the trunk area in this condition. I dont' see the tool kit which is usually shown opened up in a picture along with the opened compressor to show all the parts are there. Make sure all the right tools are in there. Mine had a couple of Craftsman tools in it. What's the spare like? Is it functional or dry rotted in there? Check the electric mirror switch on the driver's side window ledge...do the mirrors both work? That little toggle switch is $78. Same with the window washer pumps, seat controls, seat heaters if present, and all the other misc switches, bulbs etc.

Overall the car looks good....but there are some nagging little things showing there that need to be looked at a bit closer. If the PPI is good and all the necessary "goodies" are there that would present well at concours, (so you don't have to go buy them) then the price isn't out of line. BTW...if it has Michelin Pilot Sport tires on it...they don't make them anymore so if you need either new fronts or backs...you won't be able to match them and will have to buy a whole new set. The staggered OEM 16 inch wheels can be a pain to match tires on....the companines discontinue them. Make sure you have a good set on there that's STILL being manufactured...otherwise you'll be buying a whole new set.

 

I think that you can get a 930 for 25-30,000 all day long.

If you want to spend MORE than the 37,000 he declined, personally I would get a 89' 5 speed tranny. That will be MUCH more valueable, regardless of mileage (within reason). Like an extra 10 grand valueable.

You will want to have about 2-3,000 left over just in case something turns out wrong on the car, unless you are a DIY type with plenty of Porsche know-how.

Plus, bone stock is only good if you want a collector car, and this car doesn't appear to be in concours condition.

The first thing most of us would end up doing is getting a real intercooler, putting in a 1 bar boost spring, headers and sport muffler, ect. In which case you a better off starting with a cheaper car.

But buy the car if it feels right and everything checks out and that is what you want, just don't rush into it just because this guy claims he is turning down hard cash. Which sounds a little fishy to me..... Check EVERYTHING out for that kind of asking price!

 

I wouldnt worry too much about the rca cable stuff. all the dashes are open underneath and look like hell if you break your back and bend down to take a look. its like spaghetti dinner down there. out of sight out of mind. the germans didnt think anyone would notice (we do).

 

What is that thing hanging out of the radio area that looks like an old condom?

 

Rudy,
That keeps the air fresh. I simply forget what they call them... there is a name for it..mmmmmmmmmmm. damn just can't remember.. hahaha!

 

Micah,
That looks to be a very nice 930.. I have a 79 930 with 15k on the clock.. I live in Centerville just about 4 minutes from you.. If you buy it i'll be seeing you at the shows..
Later.
Good luck on what ever you do..

-EM

 

The brake and accelerator pedals look a bit worn for 25k miles. Take a close look at them.

 

I say get a 930 for sure .. we could use another good 930 in the area.. there are not many of them here.. lots of P-cars.. just not many "Brutish" 930's! I hope to see you in one soon!

 

It would be interesting to see what kind of service records come with the car so you can trace the mileage with the date of service.... just to verify that it is indeed a low mile car.

 

Guys,

Thanks for all of the great advice; I knew I could count on all of you. A couple of things.

Mileage-wise, I have a couple of thoughts that are leading my thought process in this case. Bob Farmer, my mechanic for 6 years (out of Indianapolis) told me 2 years ago to either pay a premium for a one or two owner local (to it's area, at least - i.e. stayed in the same state) car with less than 30k and regular mx, or buy one with over 60k, but less than 100k that had recent major work from a good shop in addition to the regular mx. His logic was to get a car that could be enjoyable for the maximum amount of time before requiring non-scheduled mx. Because I'm interested in showing the car (I didn't give him that as a stipulation at the time) and don't feel like chasing my tail, I'm trying to simply focus on one end of the spectrum to "keep it simple." Therefore, the lower-mileage spectrum is just where I'm trending.

This is where price comes in. A lot of folks seem to think that the mid-$30s are the range for these cars with lower mileage. What are we defining as lower mileage? My perspective is kind of skewed, I suppose - because in the 944 world, it's anything less than 90k (no kidding). For the 930, I am trying to find a car with less than 30k, per Bob's advice. Honestly, this is one of the few I've found with less than 30k miles that is "lower" than 40 grand (he's actually asking $40,900).

Most sellers are asking about $45k for a car with miles in this range. The G50 cars with less than 30k are all well into good to excellent 965 driver range ($50k). Is my pricing off? Are any of you guys seeing 20-30k 1986-88 cars for 35 thousand dollars? Direct me there, and I'll come to your house in the car wearing my birthday suit to personally thank you

Anyway, thanks again for the great commentary. Chris, your comments about shaving 1.5k off or so seem pretty good, too - I think that's resonable provided that everything checks out. The guy hasn't written me back yet regarding my e-mail to him about all of the individual, nit-picky details that get us all so worked up. Until then, I can't start to really verify the mileage, either - so that's pretty frustrating. I'll post his responses here as soon as I get 'em.

Thanks again.

Micah