1996 993 value

[motobrox]

I've got the chance to buy a 1996 993 cabrio (air cooled), and I'm looking for a bit of advice please?

Firstly it's not really pretty, that said it would look awesome with some significant TLC.

A brief summary would be: Bodywork is solid, but needs some paintwork / interior is probably needing replaced / wheels are original and in top condition / engine has 25k and runs great (no service history, as the car had to be "repossessed" from the owners brother) / needs a new rag top and probably a long list of other bits and bobs.

Are there any specialist breakers out there I can pick up the parts I'll need?

And how much should I be pitching for this?

TIA

 

[nickgardner]

lack of any history at all is bound to kill its value even if you sort it out, unless of course you intend to keep it indefinitely

I'm not personally sure that 993 cabrios are so desirable versus other variants though that may be my prejudices

values of 993s generally appreciating and my own inclination would be to invest in something else with decent history, unless you get this one so cheaply its a steal

but I hesitate to express a view on real cash lest I get flamed - but here goes- it has to be worth more than 15K assuming it is all straight, RHD, runs OK and basically sound but I'm not sure its worth over 20

don't underestimate costs of parts/work for restoration. cant help on breakers. speaking also as a 944 owner its amazing what is out there on ebay etc and most stuff can be found but it all costs

hope this helps

 

[motobrox]

Thanks Nick, that is helpful.

The guys talking 15k, I'm looking more at 10k

 

[clyde]

With no service history I would suggest you'd be looking at between 15 and 20 K if it was in pretty good condition inside and out. With bodywork, a new interior and a new hood needed I would expect it to be much less or it's just not worth spending the necessary money on it.

I would also want to know how a car with only 25K miles on it has got into that state. Doesn't sound like a particularly caring owner to me.

Spend your money on something with a bit of history that's in better nick.

 

[Rotorhead]

Has it really only covered 25,000 mls ?

 

[motobrox]

Yes, the guy who had it got 12 years inside. His brother took loan for 15k, he paid it, but his brother contributed nothing. He wouldn't say where the car was stored. It was found recently and taken away on a low loader. The V5 has always been in the sellers name.

 

[clyde]

Interesting story but I don't see how that confirms the mileage. In fact, if anything it would just make me more suspicious.

If there's no paperwork I personally wouldn't trust anything about this car.

 

[motobrox]

Yes, unless it's going cheap, il give it a miss

 

[T911UK]

Discussed on 911Uk I believe

 

[Gordon Attar]

Presumably engine hasn't been turned over for 12 years either. May need stripping £45.

Parts, eBay is a good source especially for seats, carpets from southbound, don't ignore OPC as some parts are not that expensive.

You can re dye leather seats with Glipton. Roof about a £1000.

If you buy it get a letter to cover the lost 12 years

 

[jboult]

I bought my 993 as a 'project' some years ago. If I knew then what I know now, etc. etc. Yours may not need as much doing, but don't underestimate the costs involved, especially in a good respray. If you can do a lot of work on the car yourself then it's not so bad, but these are not cheap cars. Take a look at how much a set of decent leads will set you back, for example, and how long they take to fit...

Given the lack of history and the current state then unless it's very cheap and you're looking on it as a hobby project I'd walk away.

 

[oxford_hippo]

Hi,

you can often retrieve a huge amount of history with a bit of searching.

I used DVLA for contact details of previous owners, had to get past some security etc. - but copy receipts from old garages where servicing had been carried out, and old registration documents,
I think this is harder to do now ( I did this for my old 3.2, and for our 993 ).

I'd echo what's been said above - if you can do LOTS of the work yourself, and/or are viewing it as a 'keeper' then it sounds worth a look; bit if it's to be a 'doer-upper' to try and move on for a profit then I'd be wary.

As above - e bay for lots of parts, though Porsche parts are always a premium.

Naturally given the missing history - then couple hundred on a really thorough pre-purchase inspection would be worthwhile ( or if you know your way around the 993, then on a budget a 'harsh' MOT testing station if you can have a chat to them ).

Hope that helps,
T[&:]

 

[Robert Teague]

I'd be interested on folks opinion on the relative "value" or "devalue" of the key 993 variants.
As an example let's fix a benchmark car as a 100k miles 993 Carrera 2 coupe with manual transmission.
Now add or subtract a % for the following:

-every 10k mile
-varioram
-auto/tip
-targa top
-cabriolet
-4 wheel drive
-wide body

Of course the list could go on and cover other aspects but for me these are the key elements most likely to alter values.
Whilst fashions change I suspect that the relative % don't alter so much. I've not included the turbo or rarer variants so here goes with a suggestion:


-every 10k mile > + or - 5%
-varioram > + 2%
-auto/tip > - 10 to 15%
-targa top > -10 to 15%
-cabriolet > - 15 to 20%
-4 wheel drive > - 5%
-wide body > + 40 to 50%

Anyone like to comment or apply it to their car or for that matter set the benchmark price for today?

Rob

 

[Rotorhead]

I don't think there is a price variance between C2 and C4 - just individual preferences.

I drove a 993 C4 last week and was surprised that it actually felt nicer than the C2. The front end felt better balanced with crisper and more direct turn-in, yet no feeling of additional weight or mechanical intrusion as in the 964 C4. Also slightly better directional stability.,

 

[clyde]

So a 4 wheel drive cabriolet with tiptronic is worth 30 - 40% less than a C 2 with a similar mileage and other spec Rob? I don't think so. Spec is very much a personal thing, if someone wanted it from new, someone will want it used.

As for the over inflated prices of the over inflated S models, don't get me started on them.

 

[Mark Elder]

Rob, it is hard to fault your list or indeed the percents you have suggested except I have to agree with Clyde that these are not additive. For example, once a car has "lost" 15% for being a tip, it's not going to lose any more for being a targa.

Perhaps colour is a factor. I suspect some of the rarer colours (and colour combos) command a little extra.

And everyone values the features differently. I just would not buy a 2 wheel drive car, so a C2 would be minus 100% for me!

 

[Robert Teague]

Hi guys, I wasn't suggesting that the percentages are added together, rather that the figure is reduced by this amount each time.

Having said that it does seem that generally a Tip cabriolet is probably valued at about 30% less than a C2 coupe,in manual trim. If you check the small adds that's what you seem to find because the C2 manual sells for what it's advertised for whereas the cab/tip probable sells for less because less people are chasing it.

I have neither by the way because I valued colour and condition ahead of gearbox for the coupe I was chasing. And after 5 years ownership I still do!

Rob