Love makes blind: the story of buying a car for parts
06-02-2003, 08:35 AM
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Love makes blind: the story of buying a car for parts
Some time ago I came across a parked 944. Obviously it was parked there for some time. Weed was growing around the tires. When looking over the car it became clear to me that I worked on this car it when I was employed at a local garage.
My boss there was a real nice guy and he knew I was nuts about Porsche. So he always let me service them. In fact if I had the day off he would set the car aside for a day just so I could work on it. In the case of this 944 my boss told me the owner bought it some time ago for a lot of money, obviously the owner didn’t know anything about cars in general because the car was in very bad condition. My boss told my the car had all sorts of problems and in the last few months the owner had to spend thousands just to keep the car running.
After intensive (expensive) work on any car, it is policy in the garage were I work, to vacuum and wash the car. This for free just as extra service. The sunroof was leaking badly during the washing so we taped it. After the wash we pulled the tape off and the paint came right of. The car obviously had a very bad re-spray some time ago. Door rubbers etc. were all covered in paint, but the car hadn’t even been sanded down before the re-spray. The original paint finish was still there on the roof! (note: the cars roof did get a good re-spray because of the damage we made. Insurance can come in handy sometimes)
Knowing the owners address, I decided yesterday to contact the owner. I can always use a parts car, and in my opinion a sane person couldn’t possible ask more than 600$. So I meet him in his house and we talk a little about Porsches. In the meanwhile we walk to the car, I ask him if the car is a runner and he confirms this. He can’t prove this because the battery is flat. So we take a closer look, by the way the owner is talking about the car as if it is in concourse condition (this wasn’t a sales talk, he really believed the car was in perfect condition)
He tells me proudly the cars from 1987, the car is a type 1, so I tell him they were only made till 1985½. “Yes”, he replies, “but this is an American car”. (No point in arguing, so I just said okay) He now opens the door, a smell of fungus is eminent. Door panels, seats etc., are all covered in white fungus, probably because of the leaking sunroof. He then continues his praises; “because this is an American car (I already noticed this because of the bumpers) it has all sorts of extra’s: sunroof, electric windows and mirrors, power steering and A/C”. “There were just a few problems”, he tells me (this was actually quit honest) He explains that one window doesn’t work, and the A/C, PS and sunroof are all shot (sunroof hinges are actually broken off along with the cable)
Then he pops the hood, the engine bay looks terrible, all the metal is corroded, and there are numerous additional electrical cables routed through the engine bay. I take a look inside the coolant reservoir and it has the dreaded chocolate shake. Panel alignment around the front of the car is terrible. Huge amounts of filler is used at the front panel and left front fender.
The owner stares lovingly at the engine bay and claims the engine recently had a complete overhaul. So I ask him for receipts. “Well I don’t have that”, he says, “but the previous owner guaranteed me the engine was professionally overhauled”. So I tell him honestly what my opinion is about the condition of the car and what fixing it would cost if he would have somebody fix it for him. Of course he doesn’t believe me and tells me he will never sell for the 600$ I offered. He wanted at least five times that amount. He tells me he wants to stall the car and have the car fixed in a couple of years. “Well, parts and labor prices will certainly not fall in the future” is my reply.
It became clear to me he wasn’t going to sell and I for sure wasn’t going to buy for more than $600. So I made some friendly conversation and left my phone-number just in case he changed his mind (wives can be very persuasive) Shook his hand and said goodbye.
Cycling back home I wandered if I was as blind as he was when I talk about my car to somebody. I believe my car to be in pretty good condition. Maybe other people to think it’s a wreck. Conclusion: love makes blind
My boss there was a real nice guy and he knew I was nuts about Porsche. So he always let me service them. In fact if I had the day off he would set the car aside for a day just so I could work on it. In the case of this 944 my boss told me the owner bought it some time ago for a lot of money, obviously the owner didn’t know anything about cars in general because the car was in very bad condition. My boss told my the car had all sorts of problems and in the last few months the owner had to spend thousands just to keep the car running.
After intensive (expensive) work on any car, it is policy in the garage were I work, to vacuum and wash the car. This for free just as extra service. The sunroof was leaking badly during the washing so we taped it. After the wash we pulled the tape off and the paint came right of. The car obviously had a very bad re-spray some time ago. Door rubbers etc. were all covered in paint, but the car hadn’t even been sanded down before the re-spray. The original paint finish was still there on the roof! (note: the cars roof did get a good re-spray because of the damage we made. Insurance can come in handy sometimes)
Knowing the owners address, I decided yesterday to contact the owner. I can always use a parts car, and in my opinion a sane person couldn’t possible ask more than 600$. So I meet him in his house and we talk a little about Porsches. In the meanwhile we walk to the car, I ask him if the car is a runner and he confirms this. He can’t prove this because the battery is flat. So we take a closer look, by the way the owner is talking about the car as if it is in concourse condition (this wasn’t a sales talk, he really believed the car was in perfect condition)
He tells me proudly the cars from 1987, the car is a type 1, so I tell him they were only made till 1985½. “Yes”, he replies, “but this is an American car”. (No point in arguing, so I just said okay) He now opens the door, a smell of fungus is eminent. Door panels, seats etc., are all covered in white fungus, probably because of the leaking sunroof. He then continues his praises; “because this is an American car (I already noticed this because of the bumpers) it has all sorts of extra’s: sunroof, electric windows and mirrors, power steering and A/C”. “There were just a few problems”, he tells me (this was actually quit honest) He explains that one window doesn’t work, and the A/C, PS and sunroof are all shot (sunroof hinges are actually broken off along with the cable)
Then he pops the hood, the engine bay looks terrible, all the metal is corroded, and there are numerous additional electrical cables routed through the engine bay. I take a look inside the coolant reservoir and it has the dreaded chocolate shake. Panel alignment around the front of the car is terrible. Huge amounts of filler is used at the front panel and left front fender.
The owner stares lovingly at the engine bay and claims the engine recently had a complete overhaul. So I ask him for receipts. “Well I don’t have that”, he says, “but the previous owner guaranteed me the engine was professionally overhauled”. So I tell him honestly what my opinion is about the condition of the car and what fixing it would cost if he would have somebody fix it for him. Of course he doesn’t believe me and tells me he will never sell for the 600$ I offered. He wanted at least five times that amount. He tells me he wants to stall the car and have the car fixed in a couple of years. “Well, parts and labor prices will certainly not fall in the future” is my reply.
It became clear to me he wasn’t going to sell and I for sure wasn’t going to buy for more than $600. So I made some friendly conversation and left my phone-number just in case he changed his mind (wives can be very persuasive) Shook his hand and said goodbye.
Cycling back home I wandered if I was as blind as he was when I talk about my car to somebody. I believe my car to be in pretty good condition. Maybe other people to think it’s a wreck. Conclusion: love makes blind
06-02-2003, 09:53 AM
#2
Rennlist Member
What a story! Sometimes it's sickening how people can be "blinded by love."
At first I thought this car was in the U.S. but then I realized that they're considerably more abundant in the States than here in Europe, and you're in Holland. However, they're still worth the same or less here than in the U.S. and from the description you've given of the car, I'd say your price sounds about right!
At first I thought this car was in the U.S. but then I realized that they're considerably more abundant in the States than here in Europe, and you're in Holland. However, they're still worth the same or less here than in the U.S. and from the description you've given of the car, I'd say your price sounds about right!
06-02-2003, 09:54 AM
#3
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You are correct sir. The owner of the $600 car is a slow learner. Unless the car is a turbo or real low milage, I would place your $600 evaluation as about right. Even if you do the work (for free), you're probably looking at least another 3 to 4000 dollars to bring it back. For an NA (in this country), the finished value is probably in the neighborhood of $4500 (and that might be on the high side). To me and you that is a fun & justifiable project, but for most it would be the project from hell. My .02$...B
06-02-2003, 07:21 PM
#4
Nordschleife Master
Sounds like a parts car to me!
- Julie
- Julie
06-03-2003, 03:54 AM
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It's not only private persons that think the car they have is made of gold. When i was looking to by my 944 NA, i went to a dealer who mostly sels used american cars, but he had a 83' 944 that looked nice on the picture an the internet. So i went to see it.
When i arrived the hood was open, and a charger was on to charge the battery (so it havent been running lately). The front valance/bumper didnt fit right, so it have had an little accident. The paint was mat with some rust stains here and there, and the wheel arc edges were started to go from rust. The A-arms where very rusty and bent.
Half off the electric did'nt work, like the power windows and rear wiper. When i lifted the carpet in the passenger side foot well, it was so rysty, i could literally put my finger through the floor. And off course the upholstry was torn and faded.
NICE CAR ! asking price $14.200
(because of the Tax system in my country, all cars cost about 3 times the price in usa, a perfect 84' 944 cost $21.400 at the local Porsche dealer)
He said to give him an offer, but did not want to give him one, i did'nt want that car for anything but for free as parts car. He obviously thought that because its a Porsche he could make some Big money.
PS: The 84' i'm drivin now cost me $13.100, and was i good shape, no rust, Koni suspension, A/C and so on.
When i arrived the hood was open, and a charger was on to charge the battery (so it havent been running lately). The front valance/bumper didnt fit right, so it have had an little accident. The paint was mat with some rust stains here and there, and the wheel arc edges were started to go from rust. The A-arms where very rusty and bent.
Half off the electric did'nt work, like the power windows and rear wiper. When i lifted the carpet in the passenger side foot well, it was so rysty, i could literally put my finger through the floor. And off course the upholstry was torn and faded.
NICE CAR ! asking price $14.200
(because of the Tax system in my country, all cars cost about 3 times the price in usa, a perfect 84' 944 cost $21.400 at the local Porsche dealer)
He said to give him an offer, but did not want to give him one, i did'nt want that car for anything but for free as parts car. He obviously thought that because its a Porsche he could make some Big money.
PS: The 84' i'm drivin now cost me $13.100, and was i good shape, no rust, Koni suspension, A/C and so on.
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06-03-2003, 04:25 AM
#8
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944zen, that sucks (huge car taxes, that is)..! I thought we had it bad over here in Finland, but you just made my day a lot better 
j/k
(an approx. price for a good '84 944 would be something like 7-10k$ in here, I think)
j/k (an approx. price for a good '84 944 would be something like 7-10k$ in here, I think)
06-03-2003, 06:04 AM
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Sami951, YES it sucks, thats why i dont drive at a 944/968 Cabrio yet.
A 91' 944 cabr. cost about $37.000 in Denmark, thats out off my league (money wise). :-(
A 91' 944 cabr. cost about $37.000 in Denmark, thats out off my league (money wise). :-(
06-03-2003, 07:20 AM
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In denmark you have to MOT your car before getting license plate's, and all car's has a Danish registration attest, that you can only get by having your car inspected and valuated by a team of one Tax person and a Car expert. Then they set the Tax you got to pay, depending on car, age, mileage, a.s.o. and you got to pay in advance a deposit before you get the car inspected.
Theres no way aroound.
also its illegal for Danish citizen to drive a car with foreign numberplates, so no trick here either. :-(
The tax alone on say a 91' 944 Cab. with 125K miles on the clock , will be around $25K.
THAT SUCKS !
In our neighbour country Germany (original country) you get an 91' cab for like $15K.
Theres no way aroound.
also its illegal for Danish citizen to drive a car with foreign numberplates, so no trick here either. :-(
The tax alone on say a 91' 944 Cab. with 125K miles on the clock , will be around $25K.
THAT SUCKS !
In our neighbour country Germany (original country) you get an 91' cab for like $15K.
06-03-2003, 12:07 PM
#13
Rennlist Member
944ZEN, or you could turn it into a "truck" like that resourceful Dane did to register a 928GTS in your country without forking over the luxury tax. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />