gordo993

Hi, guys, I found a '89(?) 944 Turbo Guards Red with a broken timing belt. The current owner states 100k miles and was sitting @ stoplight three years ago,when the car died. She states it has been confirmed as a timing belt. The car has been sitting outside in the elements since, so the paint is faded, the dash has cracks, and the interior is faded. The body is in good shape otherwise.

Owner said the car was bought for her 6 years ago by ex-husband and she never really liked it. I'm thinking about throwing her a low-ball offer to see if she takes it. How much should I offer?

Thanks for your help!!

testarossa_td

Start at $2500 and go from there...it is only a 4 cylinder and .....plus it reminds her of her ex, do her a favor.

MattS2Turbo

This really works...

kennycoulter

come on. people complain of low costs of 944's when they go to sell theirs, which this just makes the average lower for a rare car. and i think itll make you fall into the typical mechanic type that would charge more a repair because the girl doesnt know what youre talking about. im sure you would givbe the car a better home, but for honesty's sake, let her know what it is, let her know that you would fix it and that the car will be in good hands with you. i say if she trusts you with that, maybe she would realize youd be the better owner and offer to sell it to you for a good price.

silverBean

I second Kenny.

gordo993

I agree with you guys on the moral issue - I never planned on screwing her out of her car which is why I posted this question. She is a body shop owner, so she knows about cars and she knows what she has - she just didn't realize that it has a zero clearance engine which results in at least bent valves when the timing belt breaks. Since the car has sat in this condition out in the elements, rotting away for three years, it's pretty apparent that she has no interest in it.

It's easy to find the value on a mint condition 944 Turbo, but what about a rough one that needs a top-end rebuild? What would you pay for it?

Techno Duck

Assume the car was running and you wanted to buy it. Then subtract a rough esitmate of what it would cost to rebuild the top end of the motor. And i would suggest taking the higher end of the rough estimate, this way you arent kidding yourself.

Matt H

Honestly, it probably isnt worth more than 2500-3500 dollars. Non running cars just arent worth a whole lot. Unless you are thinking about making it a track car I wouldnt even bother with it.
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Bluesky4x4

I wouldn't pay more than 1500 for it. Sure if you part it out its worth more than that, but then she has to part it out. Selling it in it's current state is going to cost 1500 to fix, and for 3000 you can get a running 944 in ok shape. I'm all about low balling her, why pay more when you can pay less. If she was a little old lady with a mint 944 stuck in the barn, I would have some sympathy, but this isn't the case.

PorscheDoc

1500-2000 tops. With it not running, you can't tell if there are any other engine issues, or transmission/clutch issues etc.

michaelathome

I would offer her 2-3 knowing that there was 3K in repairs if it has been sitting that long. Let me know if you decide not to go through as it could make for another good wrenching project

Good luck and pictures soon please!

Michael

2bridges

Figure minumun head job and throw in one other common repair... say clutch or rear main and brakes. Just parts alone starts to really add up fast and gurantee you will end up with more problems than you think up front.
I'm not for screwing over anybody, but I also don't feel bad about offering wahtever "I" am willing to pay... even if that is lower than percieved value.... It's worth what you can sell it for period!
For one in this shape assuming rest looks OK = 2K absolute most if I really really wanted it bad.

you should not feel bad to look anyone in the eye and offer whatever it's worth to you $1000, $1500, $2000, whatever

Legoland951

If I can find 89 turbo with S specs for $2500 to $3000 with bad top end, I would buy 10 of them. It takes a day to replace the head and costs around $400 including head gasket set, machine shop costs, and a few valves.

ehall

I agree with Doc 1500-2000 TOPS. You are going to have A LOT of work to do at a pretty strong cost, to get the car back running. She owns a body shop. She's no little old lady. Make a deal.

Auto_Werks 3.6

I don't know anything about this car or the perticular lady in question, but you might want to be cautious of a car owned by a body shop owner. Sometimes they like to buy smashed cars, and "cost effectively" create a decent car. Just a thought, as I know a body shop owner who has had his eyes peeled for a wrecked boxter for a while now.