Screwynewy

Hello everyone. This is my first post here at Rennlist. I was hoping to get some advice about this car that I am considering. It is a 1988 944 turbo in mint condition with only 22k actual miles. Exterior is Stone Grey w/ burgundy leather interior. Several upgrades include 18" RAD wheels (265/35 rear, 225/40 front), stage II Authority chip, euro foglights, Stereo, built in rader detector.

Here's the catch......The car was stolen in 1988 with just over 3k miles on it and sat in a warehouse until it was recovered ten years later in 1999. When it was recovered everything was done to bring the car up-to-date and driveable. Since then it has had several owners and been driven 19k miles. All service records and documentation support this story. It's just that there is are no records of the car prior to 1999 when the car was stolen w/ 3k miles. CarFax shows the first record in their database being 12/99 with 3,258 miles. The condition of the car leads me to believe that this is all true. I just don't want to be a sucker and overpay for the car.

Assuming this story is true, what do you think the car is worth? Would you buy it? I am having a Porsche specialist check it out tomorrow. If all goes well I might make an offer. Thanks for any advice or suggestions.

Mighty Shilling

Hmmmm...i'd be cautious of the "stolen" thing...but other than that sounds good...

Oh yes, and Welcome to Rennlist....

Eyal 951

well, depends on the price of course... whats the price?
~Eyal

theedge

Price, pics, and list of what was done to it in 99?

josephsc

First off, is it a regular 88 951 or an 'S'? The 'Turbo S' is worth a little more.

Second, I'd approach the vehicle as if it was a salvage recovery -- you're not going to be able to resell this car for much in the future, so the fact that the car has low miles doesn't get a premium. Moreover, this car is known to have been neglected -- sat around for ten years? And several owners -- if the car is so good, why is it resold so frequently. Personally, I'd stay away unless it was a bargain -- I wouldn't pay a penny above $6K.

Screwynewy

Ok, I'm holding back some details trying to see what price you all think is fair. Right know he is at $13k. If the car is legit and the background is a stated I think it is a fair price, if not on the high side. I would like to get it for $12k. The maintenance and repair receipts total $12,000 since 1999. It's a long list and I don't have the records in front of me but all of the things that could need doing have been done. As far as the maintenance goes, I feel real good about the car. What makes me wary is the fact that I have nothing documented prior to 1999. As I said, CarFax shows it in 12/99 w/ 3,258 miles.

Sam Lin

That sounds like a great way for us to provide an accurate price

Sam

89magic98

Don't insurance companies indicate theft recovery on the title?

Riff

Unless the car was crashed and a near total, I would not worry about the inital 3K miles on the car. Looks like you have all the current maintenance history and that would be far more telling of how the car has been treated.

Then agan, as Joe noted above, unless you are planning on keeping the car regardless, it might be worth it to make sure that the title doe not say salvage. It will hinder your chances selling it in the future.

Screwynewy

Thanks for the input. I have seen the title and it is clear and there has never been a salvage title from its previous owners state registration. I tend to believe that the car sat idle for 10 years but the problem is who else will if I decide to sell down the road? Thanks again everyone.

944Fest (aka Dan P)

Do you know if it is a Turbo S or just a normal turbo? That would make a few grand difference in the price. The engine code on a TS is 52, vs a normal 51, but there are other differences. Usually the wheels will tell, but those have been swapped. Find this out before continuing your negotiations.. Both TS's and regular turbos were built in 88, the S's were mostly Silver Rose but not all of them.

Screwynewy

I am pretty sure that the current owner would have told me if it was a "S" but I will find out for sure tomorrow when I have the car for a few hours getting it checked out.

jcb928

That car was on Ebay 1-2 months ago. I think I might still have it in my watch list.

faithless

$13,000.... IS WAY TOO HIGH!
If you ask me. The car did not sit around for 10 years. WHO THE HELL lets a Porsche sit around for 10 years?!?!?! That's a ripe old sweaty pile of bologne!!!!

You need to really inspect this car from top to bottom. I wouldn't start higher than $9,000. If the car was such a jem, why has it been swapped around so much???
Hot potato hot potato!!!!

CPTdooberhead

For $12K, you can find a REALLY good example of a 951 that hasnt been neglected... I would rather have a car that has been reguraly maintained and driven everyday, then a car that has sat in a time capsul and never driven- with the latter, you will find a LOT of problems that need to be dealt with. Find yourself a good 80K mile 951...