993 Buying advice / value question??
10-18-2018, 08:38 AM
#31
Rennlist Member
If you're going to drive it I don't see the point in paying a premium for a low mileage car. I get the seller's remorse you are feeling (see my sig) but I think you should keep shopping.
10-18-2018, 10:35 AM
#32
Three Wheelin'
I think a high mileage, well maintained car, is almost always going to be a better bet as a driver than a low mileage car that was diaper-wiped but mechanically not where you want it yet.
The driving condition of these cars tends to be more about care and maintenance than miles. Lower mile owners, in general, tend to do less maintenance, since they are using the car less, which means there will be more for you to do after the purchase.
I know I’m biased, my car is at 135k, but I also happen to think it’s true
.
The driving condition of these cars tends to be more about care and maintenance than miles. Lower mile owners, in general, tend to do less maintenance, since they are using the car less, which means there will be more for you to do after the purchase.
I know I’m biased, my car is at 135k, but I also happen to think it’s true
.
10-18-2018, 10:48 AM
#33
Rennlist Member
I think a high mileage, well maintained car, is almost always going to be a better bet as a driver than a low mileage car that was diaper-wiped but mechanically not where you want it yet.
The driving condition of these cars tends to be more about care and maintenance than miles. Lower mile owners, in general, tend to do less maintenance, since they are using the car less, which means there will be more for you to do after the purchase.
I know I’m biased, my car is at 135k, but I also happen to think it’s true.
The driving condition of these cars tends to be more about care and maintenance than miles. Lower mile owners, in general, tend to do less maintenance, since they are using the car less, which means there will be more for you to do after the purchase.
I know I’m biased, my car is at 135k, but I also happen to think it’s true
.
10-18-2018, 11:02 AM
#34
Three Wheelin'
I’m sure you do!
My experience is that lower mile cars tend to have some deferred maintenance based upon time, rather than miles. The important ones are:
- Plug wires
- Distrubutor belt and bearings
- All of the rubber suspension components (bushings and shock mounts) as well as the shocks themselves
- Clutch and DMF
- Engine and transmission mounts
- Lifter cartridges
I’m sure there’s more I’m not thinking about right now.
Point being that it is rare to find a lower-mile car with all of this work already done. If it hasn’t been done yet, it’s going to need to be done as you drive and add miles.
If you want a driver, a higher mile car that has had all of this work done is going to give you the lowest cost per mile in my opinion. Entry point will be lower and the major work is already completed.
My experience is that lower mile cars tend to have some deferred maintenance based upon time, rather than miles. The important ones are:
- Plug wires
- Distrubutor belt and bearings
- All of the rubber suspension components (bushings and shock mounts) as well as the shocks themselves
- Clutch and DMF
- Engine and transmission mounts
- Lifter cartridges
I’m sure there’s more I’m not thinking about right now.
Point being that it is rare to find a lower-mile car with all of this work already done. If it hasn’t been done yet, it’s going to need to be done as you drive and add miles.
If you want a driver, a higher mile car that has had all of this work done is going to give you the lowest cost per mile in my opinion. Entry point will be lower and the major work is already completed.
10-18-2018, 02:07 PM
#35
Rennlist Member
I get your drift but that's like saying if an old man has had both knees and hips replaced, a hernia repair and a heart by-pass, he's going to live a long, healthy life and not spend much on health care. In reality, there are no guarantees or warranties for old people or old cars! 
10-18-2018, 02:11 PM
#36
Three Wheelin'
Haha, too true. Best, and most expensive, case is a low-mile car that has also had all the work done - totally fresh. That might be what you have in your garage.
Last edited by Tlaloc75; 10-18-2018 at 03:27 PM.
10-18-2018, 02:29 PM
#37
Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by NC TRACKRAT
I get your drift but that's like saying if an old man has had both knees and hips replaced, a hernia repair and a heart by-pass, he's going to live a long, healthy life and not spend much on health care. In reality, there are no guarantees or warranties for old people or old cars!
10-18-2018, 04:46 PM
#38
Regardless these cars are money pits. Nature of the beast with a performance 'toy' auto that is 20 plus years old and wears a Carrera badge. Something is either broken/aged/worn out or on its way. Some of it is self inflicted via 'slippery slope' (the fun stuff!) items. Condition is everything. One thing continually mentioned here - every pc of rubber is at least suspect if not already shot. Can't stress that point enough.
Still it comes down to what you want and how close to tip top shape you require the car to be. Either at point of purchase or the amount of additional monies you will or won't throw at it to fix/maintain/upgrade common wear items for improved performance (suspension for example).
Still it comes down to what you want and how close to tip top shape you require the car to be. Either at point of purchase or the amount of additional monies you will or won't throw at it to fix/maintain/upgrade common wear items for improved performance (suspension for example).
10-21-2018, 12:21 PM
#39
Pro
Thread Starter
Regardless these cars are money pits. Nature of the beast with a performance 'toy' auto that is 20 plus years old and wears a Carrera badge. Something is either broken/aged/worn out or on its way. Some of it is self inflicted via 'slippery slope' (the fun stuff!) items. Condition is everything. One thing continually mentioned here - every pc of rubber is at least suspect if not already shot. Can't stress that point enough.
Still it comes down to what you want and how close to tip top shape you require the car to be. Either at point of purchase or the amount of additional monies you will or won't throw at it to fix/maintain/upgrade common wear items for improved performance (suspension for example).
Still it comes down to what you want and how close to tip top shape you require the car to be. Either at point of purchase or the amount of additional monies you will or won't throw at it to fix/maintain/upgrade common wear items for improved performance (suspension for example).
10-21-2018, 12:42 PM
#40
Three Wheelin'
Totally agree. I know I'm going to get flamed but I've said it many times... people who have low mileage cars, all original cars and claim they drive well are just plain wrong. I would go so far as to say U.S. spec cars did not even drive great brand new. Ride height was absurd and the whole suspension is WAY to soft.
As an aside, that was even more true for the 964 IMO. When I got my first 964 I was appalled at how it handled. My second (the RSA) was better but still not great. Needed a lot of mods and setup to handle well.
10-21-2018, 01:23 PM
#41
Instructor
Regardless these cars are money pits. Nature of the beast with a performance 'toy' auto that is 20 plus years old and wears a Carrera badge. Something is either broken/aged/worn out or on its way. Some of it is self inflicted via 'slippery slope' (the fun stuff!) items. Condition is everything. One thing continually mentioned here - every pc of rubber is at least suspect if not already shot. Can't stress that point enough.
10-21-2018, 01:49 PM
#42
Totally agree. I know I'm going to get flamed but I've said it many times... people who have low mileage cars, all original cars and claim they drive well are just plain wrong. I would go so far as to say U.S. spec cars did not even drive great brand new. Ride height was absurd and the whole suspension is WAY to soft.
10-22-2018, 03:51 PM
#43
Pro
Thread Starter
OK, I may have found another car but now it's the question of value goes the other way. It's a '96 polar silver on black and has everything very well sorted (motion control suspension, top end rebuild, super clean and very well maintained)... BUT the car has approx 120K miles.
What do you think it's worth? I'm not worried about the mileage but if I keep it for a long time, put lots of mileage on it will hit 150-200k miles and then no one will want to touch it?
What do you think it's worth? I'm not worried about the mileage but if I keep it for a long time, put lots of mileage on it will hit 150-200k miles and then no one will want to touch it?
10-22-2018, 04:21 PM
#45
Originally Posted by alexl911
OK, I may have found another car but now it's the question of value goes the other way. It's a '96 polar silver on black and has everything very well sorted (motion control suspension, top end rebuild, super clean and very well maintained)... BUT the car has approx 120K miles.
What do you think it's worth? I'm not worried about the mileage but if I keep it for a long time, put lots of mileage on it will hit 150-200k miles and then no one will want to touch it?
What do you think it's worth? I'm not worried about the mileage but if I keep it for a long time, put lots of mileage on it will hit 150-200k miles and then no one will want to touch it?
Depending upon whether it's NB or WB, the car you describe could sell in the 60s, easy, especially if it's WB.