Dilemma on what to do - sell as is or not ? '88 Turbo

[mike220]

Afternoon all. In a bit of a dilemma. My '88 Turbo has been with me for some 7 years now but due to work/home life getting in the way I've never really used it as I intended, hence it's covered a relatively small mileage in my ownership. It's not a show car, but it is solid and honest with loads of history. Mileage of 117k, Zermatt silver, belts and rollers all done etc. with a few mods but nothing that can't easily be put back to standard. I'm really struggling with spare time to do the work/have the work done to put her back in perfect shape (needs a few bits and paint) and have come to the conclusion after 2 years of trying that I need to let go and move on in life.

I know if I could get the paintwork done and a couple of minor bits it would be worth a lot more, but I just can't see me getting time to do this anytime soon so it feels daft to keep trying. As said I've played this game with myself/the other half for 2 years now lol, so it's time to be realistic.

So the question/s is - What's she worth done ? Looking at all the recent discussions I would think somewhere in the £12-14k bracket. Am I correct ?
What's she worth as she stands ? I guess this largely depends on whether people are doing any work themselves or paying others. Is anyone out there looking ? I did speak to a really nice guy on here who was after a Turbo but he found one closer to home.

I have a good idea what needs to be done/spent and understand that people will likely want to have a bit of 'profit' in the car after the work is completed, so I'm realistic I think as to what to expect. Question is, does my reality line up to what other owners/people think ?

It's time to move on as I'm beginning to see it as a burden on my ever growing 'to do list', and I've enjoyed the car - I'd rather not have that as the lasting memory !

What's your thoughts guys (and girls if there's any lurking)

Mike

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Hi Mike,

You'd need to list what's been done and when, and what you think (realistically) needs doing now, but that doesn't sound unreasonable as a price. Perhaps on the low side, but depends on seeing more about the car.

It's always nice to buy a car that someone else has put a lot of money in to: they never get back nearly what they spend, particularly if they pay for work at a specialist, so it's a better deal for the buyer.

That said, I do wonder if that only applies to mechanicals and trim. A new clutch or head gasket with a receipt from a recognised specialist would be reassuring enough, but would that ever apply to bodywork?

I think there's an argument that repairs and paint is such an easy thing to bodge that buyers might prefer to buy a car in honest condition and to have it done themselves, to the standard they want? I know that mine had a front end respray and the rust on the wings sorted before me buying it, and that had to be re-done as it was an awful job. The previous owner could have saved his money and sold the car for a bit less. Unless the bodywork repairs are really well-documented with loads of pictures I'm not sure I'd want to pay over the odds for it, over a car needing a bit of work.

I'd be interested to hear other's opinions though. []

 

[mike220]

I think there's an argument that repairs and paint is such an easy thing to bodge that buyers might prefer to buy a car in honest condition and to have it done themselves, to the standard they want? I know that mine had a front end respray and the rust on the wings sorted before me buying it, and that had to be re-done as it was an awful job. The previous owner could have saved his money and sold the car for a bit less.

That statement is exactly where I'm at Paul. I like you have been caught with this in the past and would never buy a car with a 'fresh respray' again, I'd rather buy one cheap and get the work done by someone who I can trust. That reason (and the lack of time) is one reason for selling as is so people can see what they're getting. The question is, what to price it at given the current condition ? It needs LHS rear sill sorting (RHS has been done, completely cut out and fresh metal in. Done by me with pictures to prove so I know it's right), wing bottoms need a little work and the car needs a respray to be 'right' as there is some lacquer peel/scratches etc. from previous paintwork and age deterioration. Like I say I have a rough idea of what it would take paying other people, and I know this figure is in the £1000's rather than hundreds and would obviously need to price the car accordingly. Uncracked dash, belts done, plenty of history and bills dating back to the beginning including nearly every MOT. It's been well loved over the years as the pic of docs shows below :

I don't want to sell myself short on what it's worth, but need the car to go to an enthusiast - it's a good solid car with lots of history. It may never make concours but it has potential to be a great classic ready to be used and do another 100k+ if necessary. I'd just like to see it back on the road being enjoyed by someone rather than making me feel guilty for not using & cherishing it [8|]

Mike

PS - Pics don't seem to work, does the forum not like google drive stored pictures/files ?

 

[Cater_Racer]

You're kidding yourself Mike if you think 12-14k for car that's got few question marks about it? Any potential buyer will be asking why hasn't the current owner tackled these issues?

Put it up for a more realistic 6-8k and get it sold or bite the bullet and get it sorted and ask a premium.

 

[blade7]

It seems expectations have risen, for sellers and buyers alike. Obviously I haven't seen your car but it sounds like it could end up owing someone £14-15k by the time it's bought up to a good standard. After the Turbo S people are talking up the very early and very late cars, not sure where that leaves the 88 220 bhp Turbo in the plans of fickle buyers.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Bit harsh, Gerry? []

Assuming that the rest of the car is spot on, then you'd be looking at perhaps £2K to fix the metalwork and patch up the paint, to something nearer £5K for a glass-out respray with all new seals etc., depending on how far you want to go.

I'm not sure you'd be able to buy a 944 turbo that didn't need £2K spent on the odd few things that all old cars will throw at you.

Mike, it's all in the detail of the advert IMO, and that's something I'm writing on at the moment. Buyers are clued-up on specs and issues with the model, and won't even look at an ad that doesn't address the basics. They all know that a clutch is a lot of money, head gaskets are past their best, brakes need a refurb, sills rot from the inside so want to see pics of them. Put together an ad that shows the money spent, where the car might need money spending, all with good, clear HD pictures, and you'll be top of the cars for sale.

I'm convinced that people would rather pay a bit less for a car in need of some metal and paint work, and have it done themselves, rather than trust a seller to say "it's all been welded and resprayed this week, so it's £5K more expensive". An early turbo in nice spec, all the mechanicals and history sorted, with just over 100K miles? I can't see it under £12K myself, and would say more.

As I say, that would be dependant on the oily bits being up to date and lots of the bigger bills sorted, and no other issues like tyres, interior, water leaks etc.

 

[mike220]

Just to clarify Gents, I in no way think it's worth 12-14k or more in its current condition. I thought that read clear from my posts but I guess not given some of the comments above. If you read the first post Cater Racer it states that figure for 'done' then questions value in 'current condition' so I'm far from kidding myself. I've also stated why I haven't done the work I'm talking about, though plenty has been done in my ownership. Thanks for the constructive helpful feedback though, much appreciated.

My question is what to pitch it at knowing it needs some metalwork and a respray. Exactly as Paul says a fresh respray will put a lot of buyers off and I totally understand why. I fully expect/plan to make it cheap enough to allow all the work to be done I.e well under 10k, just looking for some input on what that figure should be.

Do picture links from a Google drive not work Gents ? Can't seem to get them to display. Just need to know if I'm doing something wrong or if I need to host them somewhere else ?

Cheers,

Mike

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Pictures are best from a hosting site like Photobucket. That way you can put any amount up at full size. Hosting them means keeping the forum smaller, as the large files are not taking up server space at our cost.

Some dogs in a 944. []

 

[mike220]

Hopefully now fixed the pictures :

Mike

 

[mike220]

Yep finally got them sorted [8|]

If anyone's interested (or knows anyone who may be) then please get in touch. Decision made now, so advert will be going live over the weekend - Someone will get a bargain !

Cheers,

Mike

 

[mike220]

Decision now made. Advert live here :

https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=899019

Mike

 

[Ex Skyline]

I agree with Gerry on this one. Defo' 6-8k (without seeing any photo's [8|]). I wish to Hell I never sold my '44 Turbo, but there you go.
Hope you don't live to regret it like I still do. Good luck with the sale (if that's what you really want).
McNutters, shame on you for putting mutz in your Porsche!! (Touch paper lit nicely [])!!

 

[pauljmcnulty]

McNutters, shame on you for putting mutz in your Porsche!! (Touch paper lit nicely [])!!

I put them in all my Porsches! Why not? Use the flippin' cars every day as Porsche designed them to be used. The cars, and the dogs, are going from red to grey....