What's my car worth when finished?
 

I'm in the middle of fixing up my Boxster S, and I'm trying to decide how far to take it, financially. Not trying to profit at all on the car, but likewise I don't want to dig a huge unrecoverable hole either. When the car is finished, here's what it will be:
2002 Boxster S
106000 miles
6 speed trans
Black, with Savannah Beige interior
New top with glass window, on 2003-2004 frame with larger window
High end multiple amp stereo with nav, etc, with Bose box converted to high end sub.
New IMS bearing
New clutch and flywheel
New rear main seal
New Ben's short shifter kit installed
New brakes - calipers painted with decals, rotors, pads, steel braided lines, fluid
New engine and trans mounts
BBS/Porsche 986 wheels, Pirelli P-Zero Rosso tires
Heated leather memory seats
New AOS with all tubing
New water pump

Anyone have a rough idea what this car is realistically worth?

I'd say around $10k.

Which sucks... but probably about right.

Market and season will impact as well.

The right buyer comes along, you might creep that up to close to $12k. But that's a perfect-world sale.

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I've said this before, but will do so again. Lol. Why be concerned about how much money "could" be lost years down the road? Unless you are buying a car solely as an investment (and is stored and never driven, plus it's a car that "might" increase in value), you will lose money...it's a given. I guess I see the purchase as a cost, and whatever is recouped later is a bonus. Sure, the bigger the bonus the better, but I paid for the car, I drove the car and I enjoyed the car...all of which were reflected in the initial purchase price; if I sell it later, and get something in return, bonus.

Look at it another way...if you treat yourself to an expensive dinner, should you be concerned that the resale (in say 24 hours) is going to be far, far, far, far less than what you paid? (That's assuming you could even find a buyer. If you do...bonus, I guess).

Another good analogy is going to a casino...I always take what I plan to spend (lose) and if I actually win, bonus. If not, I paid for the experience and enjoyment.

Point is...have fun. Spend what you can afford to lose. Don't worry.

KBB says around $10-11K. Use this as a guide and you probably won't be disappointed.

With the IMS and maintenance done, you might get $12's from the right buyer (who is specifically is looking for a car with the IMS already done).

If someone offered more than $13K, take it and run, because that kind of money will typically buy the same car with >30K fewer miles.

Of course, this assumes that the overall condition is Excellent.

Thanks all - just trying to set a realistic budget to get the car from where it is to where it is as described above. I guess it all depends on what it costs to get the intermix resolved. The intermix thing is such a bummer, because the engine runs so damned good. It's really a strong engine.

I'm glad that I bought it really cheap. Gives me quite a bit of room to work financially without getting buried.

Well bought! Glad to hear that you're still in a decent financial position.

Very few people seem to understand that profitability is ultimately determined more at the buying phase than at the selling phase. :)

I have to agree wholly with MWS on this, not that I get you. But some things you spend money on are for the pure enjoyment they bring to you. Based off our what did you pay for your boxster thread $10K to $11K sound about right for an S with those miles. In my opinion the boxster is about bottom out value wise, but wont really increase in value either as so many were produced. Best thing is fix it the way you want it and enjoy the car. :cheers:

They will come up... might be awhile, but they will. It’s your clock that is killing your value, but for a well sorted car, 11-12 I think. Farmers totaled my first 02S with 85 on the clock at $13.5. Bought my current car for 12ish. A bargain really. Given these cars are basically considered “throw aways” to some, good ones will start to diminish. They are definitely on the bottom of the curve. The 356’s were considered throw aways in the 70’s, now look. Even the lowly 914 is getting some crazy money. Anyway, as others have said, keeping any old car on the road is generally a loosing proposition. So it’s really a labor of love, and chalk up the cost of ownership over the years and drive it till it explodes.

I’ve been buying worn out sports cars since the 70’s. Started with Alfas and Brit cars. And it was all about buying as cheaply as possible then drive the car for a few years and hope to recover enough to buy the next ratty car. Usually paid around $2k. I probably came close a few times, but not by much. Then I moved up to worn out 911s in the mid 80’s. First one was a faux ‘72 S for $5k. I didn’t even know how to tell a T, E or S. Turned out to be an E with after market webers. Glorious sound. Sold it a few years later for $4700, but put some $$ in it. After regretting the hell out of selling it, I bought a ‘69 E. Great body and interior, marginal 2.0L Motor. Found a real ‘70 S motor a year later and swapped it in. Again, not a real healthy motor but it sure roared. Paid $4900 and sold for $6100. Given the cost of S motor ($2800), I fell behind there too. Next a ‘78SC for $10k. Rebuilt motor and 80k mi. Was great for a few years, then developed leaks along the cam towers. Sold it for $7800.

En Toto, given how all of these cars have appreciated, I could have probably stored them all and sold them today for a profit. In the 911 cases, a lot of profit.

My take. No suspension updates. Engine and brakes done but top end of motor tired. Tires nice spec but how old. IMS but what parts kit? $10-11k. But it all depends on the location and the time of year. Look on local Craigslists. Some may actually be put off by the car needing so much work. Reminds them of how old the car really is and how much work it can need.