Financedog

It seems that the 944 buyers today are bifurcated, and this is a good thing!

You have some, as seen in this thread, that won't pay much for a 944. Why? Well, they aren't worried about repairs, because they have the ability/skill to work on their cars and enjoy doing it. This is a much needed group as they have the experience to spot solid cars that need some TLC and bring them back to former glory. This reduces the less desirable inventory left in the market and helps push prices up.

The good news for any market is that there are also buyers like me that prefer the cars you guys have already sorted 😀

Folks like me don't have time/ability to work on our cars. We prefer cars that have been babied and ready to enjoy. I bought my one owner Turbo last fall and it has been rock solid. It is not a daily driver......just something to take for a spin on the weekend. I paid around what this guy is asking and have not thought twice about it. I know the price will go up over time and I will continue to baby and maintain it at a local reputable shop.

So if the car is as described, it sounds like a win to me too.

theporscheguy

Just the belts alone I was quoted $500 to $600 from two shops in the US, if you include the water pump another shop quoted $1750, another $2000 to replace belts, water pump, rollers, check for leaks etc. 9 years would outweigh the low miles. I have personally seen belts with low miles go 10 years and they looked ok but I think it's a gamble to not replace in my opinion.

Low mileage cars are getting harder to find so keep that in mind. Good luck with your decision.

Matt O.

You should be able to get away with a water pump/TB job from a good indy shop for around $1000. Depending upon your locale.

Again, unless $1000 will make or break you, don't sweat it too hard. This 951 looks pretty solid, cared for. 3 years ago you might have been able to get it for $12,000. In 5 years that will be a $20,000 car. Someone bookmark this page so you can come back and tell me I'm wrong.

I "overpaid" for mine in 2010 but I knew I would keep it forever. It's probably worth double what I paid now, at least what I've seen them "go" for on final eBay prices, BAT prices, etc.

My best friend "overpaid" for his 89 in 2009, and is sitting pretty right now.

I write overpaid in quotes because "experts" here or on Pelican would have told me I paid too much.

It boils down to what YOU value. This one doesn't look like condition 1, or even 2, but its a very clean 3 likely, and if you reference hagerty's you'll see you're in the right ballpark (granted, hagerty's is not the end-all be-all, but a good indication at least). Especially if it is a 3 or a 2.5 condition car.

Good luck.

Dkritz944

I'm with you guys on paying a little more for a low mile car with all the maintenance up to date. I decided to take the "lower price car and work on it over time" method. Either way is good!! The guys at pelican are living in the year 2000 with there pricing structure. 🙄

Dave951

One thing to note on the valuation chart is the parabolic rate of change over the past year or so. At this point it would not be unreasonable for prices to stabilize or drop some on aggregate. With that tool you can also index vs SP500 as a general proxy for speculation capital.

gpr8er

Personally I'd pay 9k for a decent '88 but that's just me.

Someone that's new to the 951 world and doesn't realize what it takes to keep these old cars going are in for a surprise. If you're asking how much for a timing belt job I'd venture a guess you're in that group.

So you take your car in for the TB job and the mechanic tells you AFTER he opens it up, ahhhh...you need a complete front engine reseal, and BTW looks like the cam tower gasket is also leaking. So now you've went from $1200 to ??. 6 months later the clutch starts slipping and you're back at the mechanic's shop....IMO you really need to go into the purchase of a 951 with your eyes open. If you don't do your own work and don't realize that mechanics that know how to work on these cars are sometimes few and far between, well..

Matt O.

Valid points, all. And yes, as with anything that appreciates, it can also depreciate. I don't see a low mileage 951 ever being a $5000 car again, but I could be wrong.

chouwalker

Thanks for all the great input and help.

I think the existence of this forum and all the great members who contribute to it increase the value of 951s. You folks are awesome!