Does cheap $ ever equal good deal? -'86
11-19-2002, 09:19 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Does cheap $ ever equal good deal? -'86
Hi folks,
This is my first time posting on this board, I'm an earlier 911 and past 944 owner, but I have a father who, every five to ten years, really gets in a fix for a 928.
Well - it happened again this past weekend. He spotted a US '86 928 with 85K miles parked at an auto garage.
He only spend a few minutes with the owner and doesn't yet know if their are any records, or specifics concerning when belts were done etc. If fact, he didn't even find out yet if it was an automatic or five speed.
The car's been damaged - he says if looks like if was "gently" driven under a rail - the hood and both front fenders have dents above the lights. Note that the damage was apparently not enough to damage light assemblies.
At first, I advised my dad to stear clear of a "fixer-up" and offered the typical advise of: drive many models, buy the best you can afford, wait for a spotless PPI, etc.
However, I can't stop thinking about this car because when pressed for a price (the owner hadn't yet committed to sell yet) the initial asking price was $4K - and that price includes two replacement fenders and possibly a hood.
If you take the $4K and add fifteen hundred for a belt and water pump replacement (if records can't be located) and add $2,500 for body work and front end repaint, you still end up with a price that's at the "poor" end of the range of the recient Excellence market update!
According to practical mom - other than the damage, the car has beautiful paint and perfect interior; it *looks* like it's been well cared for.
So - should I talk some sense into dad and have him steer clear? - or advise him to go for it? - or forget about dad and buy it for myself!
In terms of background, my dad grew up rebuilding Corvair engines and generally fixing all his own cars...
Thanks guys,
Scott
ps - thanks for the faxed reprint George!
pss - My big concern is - why is a garage willing to sell the car at this price instead of investing some of thier own winter labor in body work and then putting it on the market for a much higher price?
This is my first time posting on this board, I'm an earlier 911 and past 944 owner, but I have a father who, every five to ten years, really gets in a fix for a 928.
Well - it happened again this past weekend. He spotted a US '86 928 with 85K miles parked at an auto garage.
He only spend a few minutes with the owner and doesn't yet know if their are any records, or specifics concerning when belts were done etc. If fact, he didn't even find out yet if it was an automatic or five speed.
The car's been damaged - he says if looks like if was "gently" driven under a rail - the hood and both front fenders have dents above the lights. Note that the damage was apparently not enough to damage light assemblies.
At first, I advised my dad to stear clear of a "fixer-up" and offered the typical advise of: drive many models, buy the best you can afford, wait for a spotless PPI, etc.
However, I can't stop thinking about this car because when pressed for a price (the owner hadn't yet committed to sell yet) the initial asking price was $4K - and that price includes two replacement fenders and possibly a hood.
If you take the $4K and add fifteen hundred for a belt and water pump replacement (if records can't be located) and add $2,500 for body work and front end repaint, you still end up with a price that's at the "poor" end of the range of the recient Excellence market update!
According to practical mom - other than the damage, the car has beautiful paint and perfect interior; it *looks* like it's been well cared for.
So - should I talk some sense into dad and have him steer clear? - or advise him to go for it? - or forget about dad and buy it for myself!
In terms of background, my dad grew up rebuilding Corvair engines and generally fixing all his own cars...
Thanks guys,
Scott
ps - thanks for the faxed reprint George!
pss - My big concern is - why is a garage willing to sell the car at this price instead of investing some of thier own winter labor in body work and then putting it on the market for a much higher price?
11-19-2002, 11:07 PM
#3
Racer
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Commerce, Mi
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If the only damage is to the fender and your getting the replacement part, this could be a good deal. Once you drive it, the venum will race through your blood and your wallet will fly open. Have an independent shop give you the PPI.
Ell
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
Ell
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
11-19-2002, 11:15 PM
#4
Three Wheelin'
Fenders=paint. Add in timing belt /water pump and suddenly your over $6k and havent even driven the car yet. IMO, if you but a car with little maint. int the previous 3 years, you will be in for another $2-$4k within the year. Look at the basic thins as well such as tires, brakes etc....these can set you back an extra $1k.
Doug M
'89 GT(for sale)
Doug M
'89 GT(for sale)
11-20-2002, 03:27 AM
#5
Drifting
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Redondo Beach, CA>>>>Atlanta,GA
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Scott,
Here's my story I bought an 86.5 1 year ago in Tennessee for 6K no PPI and not much maintainence history. I replaced the timming belt and had all engine seals replaced then 6 months later sold it for $10500, which was full asking price and about what I had in it, in 1 week. It was a very good deal for me when I bought it. With the work I did it was a good deal for the person I sold it to. I sold it to buy an 87 S4 107k mi for 9k which had very good maintainence history very good exterior, good interior but seemed to have a transmission problem. The transmission problem was actually a radiator problem so I replaced it for $600, and now have a very good S4 for $9600. Maybe I have been lucky twice. I would be lucky 3 times if I found an 86 for 4k including the parts to fix it, in just about any condition.
Andy K
Here's my story I bought an 86.5 1 year ago in Tennessee for 6K no PPI and not much maintainence history. I replaced the timming belt and had all engine seals replaced then 6 months later sold it for $10500, which was full asking price and about what I had in it, in 1 week. It was a very good deal for me when I bought it. With the work I did it was a good deal for the person I sold it to. I sold it to buy an 87 S4 107k mi for 9k which had very good maintainence history very good exterior, good interior but seemed to have a transmission problem. The transmission problem was actually a radiator problem so I replaced it for $600, and now have a very good S4 for $9600. Maybe I have been lucky twice. I would be lucky 3 times if I found an 86 for 4k including the parts to fix it, in just about any condition.
Andy K
11-20-2002, 02:01 PM
#6
Instructor
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In my experience, cosmetic condition and mechanical condition are often closely linked - guys that take care of their car's interiors and paint, typically take care of the mechanicals as well.
85k is fairly low miles for an 86. If it's an 86.5, so much the better - now you've got the big brakes and upgraded suspension.
If it has been sitting, you can bet on some expenses in the first few months - my 86.5 had been sitting for a few years so I promptly blew out the seals in the water pump (timing belt/water pump job: $1000) and steering rack ($700). Those were beyond my abilities so I paid for the labor. All the other maintenance items have been simple enough for me to do on my own with help from the nice folks online, so I really haven't put that much into the car.
$4k is sounding like a pretty good deal to me unless the PPI turns up something major.
85k is fairly low miles for an 86. If it's an 86.5, so much the better - now you've got the big brakes and upgraded suspension.
If it has been sitting, you can bet on some expenses in the first few months - my 86.5 had been sitting for a few years so I promptly blew out the seals in the water pump (timing belt/water pump job: $1000) and steering rack ($700). Those were beyond my abilities so I paid for the labor. All the other maintenance items have been simple enough for me to do on my own with help from the nice folks online, so I really haven't put that much into the car.
$4k is sounding like a pretty good deal to me unless the PPI turns up something major.
Trending Topics
11-21-2002, 03:40 PM
#8
Nordschleife Master
Intial Cost 4k - with replacement hood and Fenders.
According to NADAguides the car is worth
Used Car Consumer Prices
November 21, 2002
1986 Porsche 928S
Coupe 2 Door
100,000 miles
Low Retail Average Retail High Retail
Base Price $9,350 $11,200 $12,325
Mileage Adjustment
100,000 miles add: $0 $0 $0
Total Price $9,350 $11,200 $12,325
Now if you take into consideration the damage and work needed for cosmetic and mechanical maintenance. I would say you would still be ahead of the game. But first, take her to a 928 Tech and have the ispection done.
According to NADAguides the car is worth
Used Car Consumer Prices
November 21, 2002
1986 Porsche 928S
Coupe 2 Door
100,000 miles
Low Retail Average Retail High Retail
Base Price $9,350 $11,200 $12,325
Mileage Adjustment
100,000 miles add: $0 $0 $0
Total Price $9,350 $11,200 $12,325
Now if you take into consideration the damage and work needed for cosmetic and mechanical maintenance. I would say you would still be ahead of the game. But first, take her to a 928 Tech and have the ispection done.