I will be selling my '80 in the spring and as I am going thru it I'm wondering what is the most important investment I can make to increase the value of the car
and make the next owner enjoy it as much as I do. ( Without going upside down)

Steve McQueen never drove this car

What do 928 buyers look for the most?
1) Color
2) Wheels
3) Interior /seats and dash
4) Manual vs Auto
5) Tires
6) Records
7) Mileage

 

Van, it all depends on the buyer. Most folks look at mileage, auto/manual and color/appearance. A more experienced buyer will look at records and maintenance history first, condition of interior and paint, and a clean carfax. You can't (easily) change color, interior condition, auto/manual or mileage.

What you can do is document the work you have done with detail, parts receipts, etc (in addition to receipts for work done by others under your watch, and any former receipts you have). Clean and detail what you have so that it presents well, and if the carfax is clean then pay the fee to have fresh copies available.

What does the car need? What would you, yourself, take points off for if you were on the buyer's side?

For some good feedback, dummy up an ad with pics and post it here for critique. Folks love nothing better than to tear apart a for-sale ad, it's not fun being "chum" but it will give you some good guidance.

Cheers, Jim

 

Jim's suggestions are right on.

The "Golden Rule" applies here, so think about what you would look for if you were shopping for your car. Grab one of the excellent PPI and maintenance checklists, and treat your car to the same level of evaluation and critique that you would expect any potential buyer to bestow on the car. As a buyer, you can weight the various factors for items on the PPI list, for instance. Would you buy your car for the price you are considering? Test-flying your for-sale package here might be a good idea, remembering that the river is frothing with piranha and crocs, either of which will eat their own just for sport.

 

Clean and detail it to look as good as possible. Make it look as stock and original as possible removing personal touches. Get the tools for the tool kit as that presents well as a loved cared for car. The Headers probably should be taken off as that may make buyers think you hot-rodded the car and drove it hard.
When showing the car do not have your other 928 anywhere in sight or mention that you have it because it distracts the focus and raises the question of WHY you are trying to sell the 1980 ?? and keeping the BETTER car.......
Take really good photos with a nice background an expensive home implies that one could afford to maintain the car.
Write an add which describes the car but try to have it read like you are not an expert or 928 historian.

 

I like the idea of "road testing" an ad here on RL. James point about good photos's with a decent back drop. I took a number of photo's at the Werks Reunion on the golf course. Currently I am cleaning the underside, making sure I don't have any leaks ( hate leaks) The interior is an 8 and the color combo is good. I understand the issue with removing the headers, however I don't think I will mention them. It just passed smog with flying colors.
One thing for sure is to make sure the AC works
I always enjoy the ads on ebay showing fast food wrappers on the floor. Nice touch
Thanks for the tips ... now back to the cleaning ( the other car is in LA )

 

Knowing what I know...

Paint, body and interior condition.

Not only are those expensive to fix they indicate a cared-for or low mileage car. Maintenance records are good but it's more important to be running well. If it's pretty and can be driven away with no obvious problems then it's a winner.

 

Most people decide that they want it based on how it LOOKS as they walk up on it......then they may look for reasons not to buy it but that lust is always the driving force....always Even makes people who want a 5 speed....buy an automatic !!

 

Manual or auto
Mileage doesn't always bother me if it comes with a service history of more than 3 years

Color yes and no. It depends on my mood. If I buy another 944 I don't want black or red

After that I think comes options. When it comes to a classic car like a 928 people do their research and normally know what was available that year and prefer to find a car that is exactly or close to how they want.

 

Condition is always the most significant factor when I'm looking at one. I'd rather have a car with an auto and in a color I don't like that's in great condition than a manual with all the options I like that's a dog.

 

#1 Man/Auto
#2 Receipts
#3 Interior
#4 Color
#5 Receipts
#6 The sellers soul
#7 Interior
#8 Mileage
#9 Recent receipts
engine cleanliness

Haven't had one in ~20+ years, even then some interiors were getting dry rotted and ratty and even now are more costly than a few dings or peeling paint, right?

 

For me, the most important reason to "buy" was being able to talk to a very knowledgeable owner who obviously liked, maintained, and enjoyed the car.
The PO took time to answer my questions,
and we basically treated the purchase transaction as a "hand-off" between caretakers.
Hope this helps?

 

I just sold my V70R to a Swede speed enthusiast. On his shopping list was:

Definitely wanted a manual M66
Local Vancouver bought, 1 or 2 owner car
No accidents, good history
We did a PPI
Then you can fix anything else. Parts are parts.
Miles - depends on how the miles were put on. My V70R had 160K and looked & drove better than cars I've seen with 1/2 that.

 

The two most important ones are condition and originality. Some people don't care about originality so much, but with a car like a 928, it is a major plus because you can really make a mess out of these cars if you aren't damned careful with aftermarket crap. The most reliable (and desirable) 928s are the ones that are loved and kept pristine their whole lives.

 

A skeptical buyer with common knowledge of the 928 will pick it to death, a novice to the 928 will want a NICE looking car, and ready to drive, and usually won't be too concerned with little things.
The buyer needs to understand that a 5k 928 is a project that will always be 5k away from a 10k car.

 

Just watch a few episodes of Wheeler Dealers.

They try to spend the least amount to get the car in shape for the most resale value.