Tom R.

you contradict yourself there. Perhaps it wasn't the buy the newest mentality because it was new, but rather the 'buy the best' mentality.

once the 944 came out did people get rid of 924s because the 944 was new or just plain better in every way? Was it much different with the 911s?

I got rid of my 77 celica liftback with addco sways and bilsteins and got a new 83 RX7 because out of the box it was better than my celica. sure it was new, but it was better!

KuHL 951

Hey Tom,
That 67 326 HO we talked about a few years ago is still under covers waiting for a victim. After seeing Transformers I think that car is calling to me. I figure as nice as the body and interior is the power train options are the easiest part. It is already worth more than my black 951 sitting under covers.

82-T/A

326? I didn't see Trans Formers... I mean, I watched it when I was like 12, but I haven't seen the movie yet. What car did they have that had a 326 in it? I know they had some old 1976 Chevrolet Camaro LT-350, but other than that, were there any other older cars? I figured they were all newer GM cars.

I know my Solstice is in there, hehehe..

Did you mean a Chevy 327? Pontiac had a 326 back in the day.


Todd,
2006 Pontiac Solstice
2004 VW Beetle Convertible
2002 Ford Crown Victoria LX-P74
1987 Pontiac Fiero SE / V6 (3.2)
1984 Porsche 944
1981 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 (Olds 455)
1973 Volkswagen Type-2 Transporter

tifosiman

Actually, most of the early guys aren't really about making their cars more modern, but making them into something akin to an R, RS, RSR, etc, etc from the same period. Some of the coolest projects IMHO are where people take a later car like a 78-83 911SC and backdate it to look like a 73 RS. Although I really like the RSR copies with their huge fenders and mary stuart collar spoilers. Take a look here for some interesting fotos: http://www.rgruppe.org/gallery/

Anyone ever read the article in 911&PCar world about the "912R" ? It was a car that never existed from the factory. But someone took a 912, lightened it up in the manner that the factory did with the 911R cars, massaged the 4cyl motor a little bit, and came up with a great rendition of what could have been.

KuHL 951

67 Firebird 326 HO

Tom R.

You knew it was only a matter of time until the needle had to go into the arm. The car is an original HO, not the most desireable of all, but one of the more desireable. with the provenance of yours, I say go for it. clean it up a bit and see what you get.

reality is you own a 944, that means you take in stray dogs, help old ladys across the street, and generally have a soft spot for leftovers. go for it!

82-T/A

I noticed this too actually, and I've noticed it on a more recent level too.

I remember looking at Porsches on eBay and other car sites just 3 years ago even. I remember seeing older 911s that ran fine, didn't need much to be a good driver, and they were going for like 2 to 3 grand.

Along with that was a much lower value for the 912s. I remember seeing 912s going for $1,200-$1,500 bucks in running and driving condition, basically ready to go.

I remember seeing later model 356s that needed work, going for around 4-5 grand in average condition.

The prices are no where near that, they're basically double that right now.

I watch the Porsches on eBay frequently, and I just saw a SHELL of a 912 with no motor or anything go for around $3,000 bucks. It was nothing more than a shell, a windshield, and paint.

I collect ALL the underdogs... just look at my sig. I suppose the Trans Am isn't really an underdog, nor is the Solstice, but the others definitely are underdogs. The 73 VW Bus, for a while there no one wanted them except hippies, vagrants, and surfers, the Pontiac Fiero, etc... and on ALL those lists I'm on, the "car value" post comes up time and time again.

The one thing you CAN say about these cars (any of the underdogs or unique cars), including the vehicles listed in original article posted... they WILL go up in value at some point.

I'd NEVER recommend to ANYONE to buy a car BRAND NEW to store away... it's just not worth it. Anyone that does this either just really doesn't NEED the money for an investment, or they're crazy.


But, every car has it's low point in value (or more than once). The time to buy those unique and rare cars is when their value is low. This is pretty much the fundamental rule of investing. The 924 and 944s are pretty much at their lowest value right now. I mean, the only reason why there are so many around is becasue the bodies are so rust resistant. However, in 20 years, the Porsche 944 will "come of age" so to speak, and you'll probably see a pretty decent market for it, in particular the turbo models. Granted, it won't be as sought after as a 911, or a Hemi Cuda or something of that nature, but probably more akin to something like a classic Z car from the 240/260 days.

Anyway, now is the time that, if you plan on keeping one for the long haul, to be stock-piling parts. It can't hurt to have a spare motor either (if you want to keep it stock and you've got the space in the garage and / or shed).


Todd,
2006 Pontiac Solstice
2004 VW Beetle Convertible
2002 Ford Crown Victoria LX-P74
1987 Pontiac Fiero SE / V6 (3.2)
1984 Porsche 944
1981 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 (Olds 455)
1973 Volkswagen Type-2 Transporter

lovemyp-car

"1982-91 PORSCHE 944 The years have not been kind to the values of Porsches from the 1980s. As an investment by an original buyer, the saddest case of all may be the 944, a front-engine water-cooled 4-cylinder car that followed the tepid 924 in both design and execution. At introduction, the 944 cost $18,980. Today, one in good condition is worth $4,100, according to Kelley Blue Book."


CRAP!!! Why didn't anybody tell me this!!!!

*hehe*