Question on 911 price

[chiefsalami]

I hope this type of question is allowed here, but I'm considering going from my 2002 Boxster S to a 1996 911 4S. I've always loved the 993 Carreras, and having an AWD one would be great, especially having been spoiled a bit by my supercharged R32 and the stability of the Box. There is one in my area that has been on sale for a while, and had multiple unsuccessful listings, and I'm wondering what is a fair price for the car. They are asking $55k, and according to edmunds and kbb it should be around $40k. For you guys in the know, please give me some insight. Obviously, I know this is one of the rarest and sought-after air-cooled 911s, but what should I offer to pay for it? Here is a link to the most recent auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=007&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=170046223253&rd=1,1 . There have been no bids in the previous auctions for $40k or more - I think the highest I've seen was $38k.

I would then need to sell my 2002 S (red, black, black) which is kind of tough in the NW because of the color and weather.

[ohioboxster]

Sent you a PM

Unless you absolutely love that year and style, dont trade down years. As a general rule that is. Like, I wouldnt trade an 06 911 for an 85 lamborghini, not a good example, but the luxuries we are used to might not be in that older car. Like I said, unless you love it, dont waste your time. I can sympathise, I love the 73 carreras, super sweet retro styling to me, I will have to wait 30 years, but its all personal preference.

[chiefsalami]

I completely agree - I fully recognize the interior is not there in that car compared to my Box, but it's the exterior styling and love for the 993 "rawness" that's making me consider this. Plus, given my desire to always be pushing my cars, having AWD is a lot more confidence-inspiring than a tail-happy 911 would otherwise be.

Granted, I could get the interior equivalent with a water-cooled 911 (1999-) and for less money but I don't care for the 996 styling much. That's why I'm happy to see the 997s have gone retro a bit. But in the end, I don't mind a raw feel and a harsh ride. I've had worse, the R32 included (with harshness, I mean).

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by boggtown

Unless you absolutely love that year and style, dont trade down years. As a general rule that is. Like, I wouldnt trade an 06 911 for an 85 lamborghini, not a good example, but the luxuries we are used to might not be in that older car. Like I said, unless you love it, dont waste your time. I can sympathise, I love the 73 carreras, super sweet retro styling to me, I will have to wait 30 years, but its all personal preference.

I actually completely disagree. I prefer the more direct feedback and lighter weight typical of older sports cars. I've driven a 911 from each decade and they get heavier, less direct, and more luxurious with each successive year. Even though they are faster in a straight line. The earliest 911, for me, is the most entertaining sports car. It all depends on what you're looking for.

As for price, these things are somewhat regional. Check your newspaper, autotrader.com and cars.com to get an idea of what should be a reasonable price for the car.

[chiefsalami]

I'm with you in that assessment, and which is why I'm looking at doing the 993.

As far as price, there is are only few other 993 C4S models in the area, one is at another local (generally quite overpriced) specialty dealership, they are asking $53k, and another is a private party also asking $55k. Yet another dealership has a black one (and I would really prefer not to have black) and twice as many miles for $40k. It seems to me like the private seller is basing his price on the asking price of the dealers, but like I said edmunds (which has been more accurate in Porsche values for me) takes into account region, color, options, etc. and calls out $33k for this car (KBB is at $40k).

Anyone work for a dealership or have a contact who could steer me to what I should pay for this car? A more expert opinion?

[Brucelee]

In cases where you have a somewhat rare car like this and with few around, the guides are not very useful at all. I have NOT found Edmunds to be of much value here.

I would suggest you use Auto Trader and use the advanced sort feature to figure out what asking prices are on a national basis.

If no one is listing a car for anywhere near what Edmunds says, you have your answer there.

Assume that the asking is $2-4K over the real selling price.

The 993 has increased in price quite a bit of late. To me, that is simply Porsche buyer nonsense but hey, these car prices rarely make sense, esp. Porsche prices.

Your Box will be hard to sell but you know that.

Good luck.


PS-if that car on EBAY is not local, I would forget it.

[pale rider]

Originally Posted by chiefsalami

I hope this type of question is allowed here, but I'm considering going from my 2002 Boxster S to a 1996 911 4S. I've always loved the 993 Carreras, and having an AWD one would be great, especially having been spoiled a bit by my supercharged R32 and the stability of the Box. There is one in my area that has been on sale for a while, and had multiple unsuccessful listings, and I'm wondering what is a fair price for the car. They are asking $55k, and according to edmunds and kbb it should be around $40k. For you guys in the know, please give me some insight. Obviously, I know this is one of the rarest and sought-after air-cooled 911s, but what should I offer to pay for it? Here is a link to the most recent auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=007&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=170046223253&rd=1,1 . There have been no bids in the previous auctions for $40k or more - I think the highest I've seen was $38k.

I would then need to sell my 2002 S (red, black, black) which is kind of tough in the NW because of the color and weather.

What has become of you? Here you are driving a car that most reviewers says is a must drive before you die and others have described as better handling than a 911 and you have wanderlust!!

I feel your pain- I don't own any P-car but I am on the hunt and recently (like 24 hrs. ago) drove a 993 and have totally had my hunt dislodged. So here I am getting sucked into the Church of 993 with all that goes with it: visceral, last of the great ones, the true Porsche, not a wannabee- and the rest.

In the last two weeks completed sales are all over the place on ebay- the lowest I could find for c4s was 29K and the highest was 80+k for turbo. I think Edmunds is only a rough guide (very rough) for this kind of vehicle (good for a smart looking used Camry though!). Again this price seems good (of course you are not going to tell them that) if it is a one owner car not bought at auction with all service records and no accidents AND you will do your own PPI. After all that you need to add on the possibility of engine failure (not just with the P-cars but with any car). I think the engine replacement is something like 7-14K. Again just my conservative head.

Which leads me to this-why would you and I pay this for a car when we can get a 06 used Boxster S or Cayman S (minimal options) for about the same amount? Particularly when everyone is saying that THOSE cars are a throwback to the great days of P-car driving and , as one reviewer said of the new Boxster, an "out of body experience with telepathic steering and handling."

Reason- totally irrational and emotional. As one person said, you got to love it.