Pricing help? Low miles 99 looking for advice?

[shuanx]

Wanted to start out thanking you guys for a great forum! that is been very informational.! Hoping somebody can advise me on what I should price my Boxster for?
I love my car but it doesn't accommodate the second dog I just rescued. Need something a little bigger. I know I'll never get my money back out of it but would like to have it priced fairly. And to see if I'm even in the right range? Thanks in advance!!
Shaun
https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/d/porsche-boxster-low-miles-65k/6675534883.html

[husker boxster]

Price depends substantially on condition for older Boxsters. Sounds like you've done a lot of work, so you should get more than the 'average' 99. Have you used some of the pricing guides (NADA, KBB, etc) to see what an ave one prices out for?

I'm a Wheeler Dealer and buy / sell Porsches for a hobby. When setting a price, I generally use NADA and go with half way between Clean Trade and Full Retail. I will adjust up or down depending on condition and maintenance. Here are my observations / questions / suggestions:

1. You say it has a dual row IMS. Yes it does, but have you changed it? You don't say so I'd assume you haven't. If you haven't, don't mention the IMS in the ad and tell customers when talking to them that it's a dual row and has a low chance of failure. But if it hasn't been changed, you'll have to discount the price to accommodate the seller having to spend for it. Don't try to fool the customer.
2. You might want to list the cost of the maintenance that's been done and state you have the receipts to prove it.
3. A tiptronic will be a bit harder to sell than a manual, so you may have to discount the price a tad for it.
4. Don't think I'd mention that you've only owned it 1 mo. That could be a red flag to someone. Boxsters are impulse buys and don't always fit your needs after buying them, but 1 mo ownership is a bit low unless you bought it to fix up and sell. The dog story might be true, but I see 2 other cars in the driveway that would hold 2 dogs.
5. Speaking of pics, take it to an EMPTY parking lot and take pictures of it there on a SUNNY day. Too much clutter in the garage and not good light. You want the car to be the focus of the pic. The selection of pics you've taken are good, just duplicate them in a better location.
6. It looks like the front bumper cover has been repainted. Not a cardinal sin on an older car, but if it's not a quality match, you'll have to discount the price a tad.

Hope this helps and good luck with your sale.

[78F350]

+1 to everything Husker said; he does have the experience to back it up.
-emphasis on getting the car out of the cluttered garage into the sun for some better pics.


If I was in the market and area, I'd probably look at it with the $9,100 asking price, and make a lower, but non-insulting offer if everything checked out.

I sell on Craigslist. It is often frustrating, but eventually gets results without having to pay a premium to sell.
I have not tried 'Bring a Trailer', but as mentioned in another thread recently, it looks like well presented and cared for 986's can bring a top price there.
This one is not a direct comparable, but similar
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1999-porsche-boxster-12/
Look at "Solds" that are similar to yours and brought a good price: How they were described. How they were pictured. You have a nice car. Present it as the buyer's dream car. GLWS

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by husker boxster

4. Don't think I'd mention that you've only owned it 1 mo. That could be a red flag to someone. Boxsters are impulse buys and don't always fit your needs after buying them, but 1 mo ownership is a bit low unless you bought it to fix up and sell. The dog story might be true, but I see 2 other cars in the driveway that would hold 2 dogs.

Saw mine on Craigslist, owned it 3 hours later. Complete impulse purchase. The photos accompanying the ad had the car posed in front of a "really nice" residence.

I don't see many ads illustrating the engine. If it's cleaned up... that would be a plus. Take a pic of the engine.

The 1 month, and the 2 other cars, quickly caught my attention... and up went the flags.

Best wishes on the sale! Nice ride.

[shuanx]

Just wanted to follow up. And like you guys very very much for your guidance/suggestions! I don't think the front end was painted but you never know? does not show any accidents on the carfax. Right, I just bought that Volkswagen gti four-door and plan to swap the plates when I sell this. Wife doesn't want them in the Lexus in the Prius needs work. Believe it or not the dog story is 100% percent true.I will definitely get better pictures on the listing. I had already had people come to see and are interested so apparently you guys are right on the price. Just now had brand new tires all the way around and swaybar link replaced as well. And entire center consule. Thanks again!!

[husker boxster]

Originally Posted by Starter986

Saw mine on Craigslist, owned it 3 hours later. Complete impulse purchase. The photos accompanying the ad had the car posed in front of a "really nice" residence.

I don't see many ads illustrating the engine. If it's cleaned up... that would be a plus. Take a pic of the engine.

This is not my house (or my dog).





To the OP - nothing wrong with asking a premium price if your car is worth the extra $$$. You just have to prove to the buyer it is worth more than the junker '99 that's also listed in CL for $6K.

[BFeller]

Do you happen to have the center console lid? There is a easy and quick fix to put a new hinge on it. It might help with the sale.

[shuanx]

Thank you guys for all the great advice! Did exactly what you told me.
And I wish I did still have the lid I read about how to fix it but I bought the car it didn't have a lid so I just bought a whole used center console. Drop the price a little bit and got the outdoor pictures etc.
https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/d/porsche-boxster-low-miles-65k/6675534883.html

[garv214]

Hey Shuanx

A couple of notes, you may want to edit the text of the CL ad as it still has your asking price of $9250 in the body of the ad vs the $8800 asking price in the title of the ad.

You may want to take the outdoor pics in an area with fewer distractions (e.g. family cars in the background, family members in the background...). Be as anal with your picture background as you would in addressing the known TSBs...

You may want to list out the items that you updated in a bullet format (vs having them in a paragraph form). It's easier to read and tends to hold the reader's interest longer...

I will admit that I did enjoy seeing the dogs in the pics though...LOL