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Yes, I completely understand what you are saying, but it is not what I am asking.
Let's assume that the value of the 996's skyrocket with completely original cars commanding the highest prices. If you had this car and desired to leather cover the center console, with valuation and originality in mind, would you?:
1.) Cover the console that came with the car.
2.) Spend $600 on a console and ebrak panel, cover the new pieces in leather, then indefinitely store the originals in a safe place.
It's my understanding that people who buy old cars at top dollar want it all original.
Don't sweat the value in 10-15 years. There are lots of 996's still on the road and there will be almost as many in 10 years. Our cars are to be driven and most of them don't have anything special about them that would make them collectable (X51, targa's may be exceptions). They will always be desirable because they drive well and are generally well engineered and fabricated.
With that out of the way, 996 interiors are distinct and are different than newer interiors. There isn't much you can do to modify the existing look without spending a lot. You can remove the center console, you can paint some parts, you can add leather. Thing is the interior still has that 996 look, just with a change in the details. My recommendation is to fix the scratch and spend the rest of your money on gas and tires.
"Is it worth it to spend $500 on purchasing a second center console to have it leather wrapped so that I can SAVE the original console for future valuation purposes?"
In short, no.
There really isn't a 'purist' market for non-Turbo 996's. The prices have been beaten to dust. Ones that look good and run well will always sell before crap boxes. On this generation 911, 'originality' is not a factor and I suspect it will never, ever be a factor. Except of course GT2, GT3 and perhaps turbo models.
(eg: you will NEVER see For sale: 996 survivor... Last one on the planet with original factory genuine IMS bearing!)
If what you do ends up looking good, your ahead. If it looks like amateur boy-racer mods, your behind. Besides, you can always buy the replacement parts after you fark up the interior
OMG! Do anything and everything you want to it...and do it now. Who the hell cares what happens 20, 30 or 40 years down the road. Life is too short for that crap. It's a car and it's yours. So do what you want to make it even more yours. Love it, enjoy it, modify it as you like. Janis Joplin's highly modified/painted Porsche just went for millions. Pick your battles in life, because there are many. But make it yours. Do I care what somebody is going to think because I put an LN oil filter adapter in and magnetic oil plug? It's called "personal enhancement" and I love it. Go forward, modify away, keep it tasteful and there will be no regrets.
BTW - everything I replace, modify or take off the car goes in the trash. I'm not saving anything for the next guy!
I hear you, but I tend to hang on to things and am going through this right now with a car that I bought and modified 20 years ago and am trying to sell. It's precisely why it is on my mind.
I spent the last year redoing my interior. Very happy with it. Especially the new shifter, console & delete section. There's another thread about a guy that's done some impressive, quality work to his interior. You might be able to solicit a bid for work on yours.
There really isn't a 'purist' market for non-Turbo 996's. The prices have been beaten to dust. Ones that look good and run well will always sell before crap boxes, 'originality' not really much of a factor.
(eg: you will NEVER see For sale: 996 survivor... Last one on the planet with original factory genuine IMS bearing!)
If what you do ends up looking good, your ahead. If it looks like amateur boy-racer mods, your behind. Besides, you can always buy the replacement parts after you fark up the interior
Might as well make it your own...
Thank you for actually answering my question. I don't know that I agree on the prices. If I were to guess, I'd say that the near term prices of the 996 are going to be flat at worst. I made a post the other day stating how I bought the car after looking for a year straight. I've looked online and I bet I could tell you a bit about every car for sale. I'm a pretty analytical person and I've watched the prices on the good ones start to rise, not a lot, but they aren't depreciating.
I spent the last year redoing my interior. Very happy with it. Especially the new shifter, console & delete section. There's another thread about a guy that's done some impressive, quality work to his interior. You might be able to solicit a bid for work on yours.
old interior
new interior
Very nice, did you paint the horseshoe and dash trim yourself? Buy it?
Right... because the prices have already been beaten into dust. What did you pay for yours? Mileage/options/condition?
Mine is a 2000 C2 with 19,900 miles. I had a few color/interior combo's that I wanted, this one being top of list. It's pretty bare bones but it is has exactly the options I wanted, full leather interior and the draped leather seats. It's got a couple others, stainless tips, 8 way heated seats, and the BBS 2 piece wheels in the picture. It doesn't have anything more to break, if you can look at it like that; PSM, HID lights, etc. Minus the scratch in the center console that started this thread (caused by the seat belt dragging), the car is pretty flawless. There are 4 minor tiny rock chips on the hood and the right rear wheel has a scuff. I had looked at thousands online and a good number in person. When I'd call they'd say it was perfect, flawless, etc, you'd get there and it would be a turd. I talked to this guy and he said it was "bar none the best 996 C2 in the country". Whatever, I didn't believe him. I'm glad I took a look at it, when I saw it in person I just couldn't disagree with him. I paid $26,000.
Very nice, did you paint the horseshoe and dash trim yourself? Buy it?
Thanks - all parts added are OEM.
console - L.A. dismantler on eBay ($250), think it was from a 986
console delete - Suncoast... couldn't find one much cheaper, but there are some that come up for $150 every now & then
horseshoe - part from a GT car found on eBay for ~$200
trim - Suncoast.. don't ask how much, it was too much
gauge backsplash - $150 on eBay from a different 996 or 986
Patience + consistent searching are the keys for OEM parts. There are several vendors out there that do a great job, as evidenced by others in here that have had parts redone. GL
Every one of the people here telling you to PlastiDip the car because it'll be worthless in 15 years would be suicidal if they'd done the same to a similarly "destined to be worthless" 911/912/914. Not saying they're right or wrong...but nobody has ANY idea what people will want to buy in another 10 years. Remember pogs? Le Car? McRib? Trojan Magnum? All seemed like such good ideas, but in reality, I don't need a pog, a McRib, or... well, let's leave it at that.
Could be worthless in 40 years...do what makes you enjoy it the most!
Remember that every piece of rubber or plastic in the engine bay/suspension will need replacing due to age and not mileage...I would focus on those first.
I've had my car for 11 years and have often thought about this issue. At the end of the day if you want to do it, just do it. Unless it's absolutely atrocious, I can't imagine it will affect any future resale.
Yes, I completely understand what you are saying, but it is not what I am asking.
Let's assume that the value of the 996's skyrocket with completely original cars commanding the highest prices. If you had this car and desired to leather cover the center console, with valuation and originality in mind, would you?:
1.) Cover the console that came with the car.
2.) Spend $600 on a console and ebrak panel, cover the new pieces in leather, then indefinitely store the originals in a safe place.
I don't have an expert opinion on the matter, but I would agree you have OCD, which makes owning a Porsche perfect for you. Good luck with your decision(s).
05-04-2017, 04:03 PM
with completely original cars commanding the highest prices. If you had this car and desired to leather cover the center console, with valuation and originality in mind, would you?:
