Mileage ceiling

[stevep2000]

Following on from separate thread on annual mileage, wondering what thoughts are as to whether there's a ceiling on total mileage for a car to be still sale-able. Have had mine up for a while, and although I though I'd priced it sensibly for the mileage, of those few queries I've had people are always put off by the mileage, regardless of recent work done, and no-one has actually been to see the car. It's just recently ticked over 248k, being in daily use - is it now un-saleable as anything other than scrap? (see add link below)
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/631689.htm

The only person who seems willing to consider it is some kind of trader who has no idea what it is, offers a figure over the phone & will probably negotiate that down futher when he turns up. He'll probably then clock it & sell on at a big profit!

 

[James_G]

Steve

I sympathise with you, and indeed have been trying to sell your car to a friend of mine, unbeknown to you. He came along to a Bedford track day with me recently and I let him have a few laps on his own in my S2. Had you been in the pit lane at the end of his session I am sure he'd literally have bitten your arm off, especially as he likes white cars.

In answer to your question, I don't think that there's a mileage ceiling, as there are always 911s with mega miles about and with the work done so far it's probably in far better condition than some much lower mileage ones out there. As I once read on this forum if it were £1 we'd all buy it, and if it's £5k then it's too much so there's a price in the middle that suits, I am sure.

Personally I would love to have the space to buy it, store it and turn it into a track car, but equally it would make a great road car proposition for somebody who was happy to work on the oily bits and take a chance.

Either way, good luck with the sale.

 

[Diver944]

You will possibly struggle to sell it to someone who doesn't know 944's, but those who have had one for a while would not be overly put off as long as you can prove the required maintenance items have been done. At that mileage it will have had some things changed so many times that the parts will be far newer than a low mileage sub 100k car. If it looks nice it's possibly one to sell at a big Porsche show so people see it first before noticing the clock.

It's like the old adage 'This broom is 50 years old, it's had 4 new handles and 10 new heads but it's still the best broom I've ever had'

 

[944Turbo]

Maybe some photos of the rust areas that have been treated - is it just the bottom of the front wings or sills etc. More photos generally would help, direct side views, the rear etc. Details of service history if its reasonable or a photo of reciepts laid out,
Tony

PS the mileage wouldnt bother me especially as the costly cams have been done - isnt there someone looking for a car at around that budget (ok we may have talked him into a lux)

 

[stevep2000]

Thanks for the thoughts all. I'm planning to pick up a 911 this Saturday, and half tempted to keep the S2 as well as every time I drive it I'm gutted at the thought of letting it go for so little money. It's not perfect by any stretch, but totally usable & miles more interesting than most things you could get for this money. Would just have to find somewhere to keep it......
I think the other problem is that most of the people who know 944's & are less concerned about the mileage already have one!

 

[Black_JPN]

Under bad points the first one you have listed is 'high mileage'! No wonder people are put off. This would be the first thing I'd remove from the ad. State the mileage clearly but don't put the negative angle on it, back it up with all the major work done recently nearby. As Tony has said more pics would help as well as how long you've owned the car etc. I think it's priced bang on the money even in the current environment, so fingers crossed. Also try more sources, we've come to rely a lot on the web but many people still don't have web access so buy the paper version of autotrader, maybe worth giving it a go? It may cost a bit but it'll be worth it when you get the highest possible value for it. Good luck.

 

[Paul Fraser]

If your car had been local I would have come and viewed it. However, to be blunt, what puts me off in your ad is:
(a) as above, just put down the actual mileage and let people make up their own mind. At least you won't have people getting in touch and then saying they aren't interested.
(b) bolster: this is a relatively cheap but time consuming job. You can get the material from Southbound and get a local repairer (I'm sure there are plenty of good ones who can do an OEM job in your neck of the woods) to sort it. Big cosmetic difference.
(c) the rust: repaired but is now showing through. So it was a bodge job then? The problem with this kind of thing is you can't even get a clear view of how much more of the iceberg there is for the previous repairs. You would have to try and give a lot more detail/photos of this. If the sills are on there way out and require welding it isn't a cheap car.
PS As for price you are up against the likes of this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=270260724496&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=017
Good luck with the sale.

 

[morris944s2john]

I quite like the look of that car, how long is the MOT and how long ago was the clutch done, ditto wishbone ball joints?? If the rust is bad, as said above, would you be open to lower offers?

 

[stevep2000]

Hi John, I need to check the history back at home, as haven't had to do either in the two years I've had the car. MOT is up to 30/5/09. I'll PM you my mobile no. if you want to call me.

Steve.