When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
The falling dollar means exports will be more expensive. This means P-car parts will go up in price noticeably in the next few months. So, let's buy a bunch of used 993s at the current bargain basement prices and start parting them out for a profit. Hell, with the prices on some of the higher mileage 993TTs you could be in the black after parting out only half the car. Who's in?
I think you are on to something ! All we need is a cutting torch and a "Sawzall". With all of Kim's spares, we might already have a starting inventory...
Ya know, if we get know far and wide, just maybe we can land a spot on Monster Garage with a chopped 993TT made from our own junk that dismantles other 993's as its trick, sort of a black widow theme ! We can then compete with those water pumper boys on the cable channels...
You fail to take into consideration that the more 993's taken off of the road for parts, the higher premium you'll pay on future 993 purchases.
Hey, not a bad idea. Manipulate the 993 market to the point that our own personal 993's become priceless.
I am only half joking - based on current pricing, the number of 993s made, and the inevitable increase in parts costs, I really do think someone could make money doing this.
Also, only speaking half jokingly, when my dot-com, dot-bombed, I made quite a nice living for a couple of months parting out high mileage or wrecked BMW "real" M cars. They too were failing in price and still in a niche demand. I see 964's and 993's in a similar light right now as I think your post seriously suggests.
Two issues follow the idea. One, it takes about two days per vehicle to dismantle and catalog the valuables. Two. You need to be able to effectively filter the good stuff and know when to flush the junk.
Also, "Sawzall" blades are not cheap. Neither is welding / cutting gases. The first few cars are fun. Then it is just hard work.
One needs to be really "scrappy" to make any money at this stuff. However, the net has made it much more viable ! As I parted the cars, it was amazing to see how wide spread the stuff got shipped out to. You gotta think internationally too !
Movong forward...we just have to find the cars. Kim ???
My childhood friend made his fortune in used auto parts and retired at the age of 30. He flies around in his sea-plane like Jimmy Buffett. Don't underestimate the parts business... I sure don't- especially when my buddy flies past the window of my office!
Where have you guys been. Guys have striping 993 & other cars for parts for many years. It just isn't a long term business ever since the cops got involved <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
There is a 97 Turbo on Autotrader.com $29500 is the ask price. There was also another one by the same dealer (was a Turbo S) for the same price. I don't know how many parts could be had or even if the engine is in the car. I couldn't evaluate the engine at much over 20K since they do sell for that fairly commonly.
I have a few basic questions:
1) What is the size of the potential market reachable via the web for 993 used parts? How is this market size achieved?
2) What size of this market do you realistically expect to achieve?
3) What would be a good selling price basis for the parts? Is 50% of dealer price reasonable?
4) Why just 993s? Market seems pretty big for Boxsters/996.
5) There are a few companies that do this now...would you want to take away their market share? If so how would one plan this?
I'm only asking these questions because I'm a bit curious/interested. I have no backround in the car part business....but it might be fun. And I'm looking to get into something. I live in Canada so I might become the 'Canadian Distributor' of the '993 parts bin company'
Boy I've got a ton more questions if this actually generates enough interest....
-Steve
Great idea, but probably not something if you already have a full time job. Worse if you have wife and kids. I had a friend who tried to do it part time. Time alone to dismantle, catalog, market, pack, sell parts is very time consuming. Eventually he lost his job anyways due to the the SF Bay Area .com fallout, so he eventually did get the full time to do the used parts. He mainly did hondas and acuras, and now he has shop in Sacramento that is doing pretty well. He makes 5 times more money than he did in his .com start-up. If you do this, you'll really have to dive right in and do it full time.
Theon Goes Full Carbon Fiber With Stunning New Build
Slideshow: Built around a carbon-bodied 964 and a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six, this bespoke commission highlights how far the restomod formula has evolved.
Tuner Is Converting Porsche 911s Into Shooting Brakes
Slideshow: A Polish Porsche specialist is moving ahead with one of the most unusual 911 conversions in recent memory: a shooting brake version of the 991-generation sports car.
This Coachbuilt Creation Is A Modern Take on the Legendary Porsche 917
Slideshow: A Porsche Carrera GT has been transformed into a one-off coachbuilt machine that blends analog supercar engineering with styling inspired by the legendary 917 race cars.
Is This Convertible Cayenne A Steal, Or A Returnless Investment?
Slideshow: A heavily modified Porsche Cayenne convertible with faux wood trim and a long list of flaws recently sold at auction for surprisingly little money.
Porsche's Top 5 Most Questionable Naming Decisions
Slideshow: For a company obsessed with engineering precision, Porsche has occasionally named its cars in ways that left even loyal enthusiasts scratching their heads.
Pogea Racing's 964 Porsche 911 Reimagination Stands Out in a Crowded Field
Slideshow: Pogea Racing's latest Porsche 964 project blends carbon-fiber construction, modern chassis upgrades, and up to 500 horsepower while keeping the air-cooled 911 experience firmly analog.