Turbo for sale
- Thread starter sutters
- Start date
sutters
Member
See that's the big question, is there a set mileage where engines fail? If is had for argument' sake (I don't know if it has btw) new belts, head gasket and a regular service and not been dragged could it run for another 100k miles? these aren't 911esk where a full rebuild is needed at 80k surely?
I saw the car last summer and it is certainly a very nice example and I'm sure Frankie can tell you all you need to know.
DC911SC
New member
ah the age old debate, I sold my 1991 turbo 250bhp 78k mile last year for £9k full main dealer s/h, garaged every day of its life immaculate. IMO that is a benchmark, I started out looking for £12k. I have had one with 270k miles so I know, the desirability drops rapidly over 140k miles no matter what the condition. If he is keen to sell I would expect to be looking at a price around £5-6k.
This looks interesting and the price is where I would put the above car: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201503191870295/sort/ageasc/postcode/cf398fe/make/porsche/usedcars/model/944/radius/1500/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/page/2/channel/cars?logcode=p
pauljmcnulty
Active member
But to be fair this doesn't look a patch on Frank's turbo, and the advert tells you nothing. It's the classic 944 advert, where it might be a lovely car, or you could be in for the purchase price again to make it good? Franks' car is exceptional, and anyone who's seen it at numerous shows and events will testify to that. Caveat emptor, of course, as I can't be sure it hasn't fallen apart since last seen! [&:] I've said before that buyers fall in to two categories. The collector won't be as interested in a high-miler, and you can't ever change the mileage whereas you can put money in to restoring a low-miles car. If you're looking to buy an early 944 turbo, and don't want a load of hassle or expense, you are better off buying one where a lot of work has been carried out already, it doesn't have rust issues or need paint, has a nice spec and history etc. Paying a few grand more for an exceptional car is better than trying to restore one, unless you want the project and can DIY everything? This is a car for someone who wants to jump in it and use it, not lock it away and hide it, and as such looks a bargain at that price. It'd be a real shame if on of the nicest examples out there went for the same money as an average one, just because people are hung up on mileage. Chances are a lot of the ones with patchy histories are clocked anyway!
You know the car Paul, good point regarding clocked cars, buyer beware etc. The silver car is only 30 miles from me but I've never been interested in re-visiting a 944 turbo, posted for comparison. In terms of the original ad, as a seller I would want to test the water in terms of price but as a buyer the mileage is just so high that it is very difficult to justify top book especially for a quick sale. You don't even see 911's fetching strong money above 150K As you rightly say it's only a couple of grand. However, good luck and I hope the seller gets what he wants for the car.
DC911SC
New member
that is a point well made re clocking, my 270k mile car was better than some sub 100k cars I have seen, however you do start to hit some engine wear to major components at that point to things such as the oil pump, cam shaft, bearings, liner score is always a prob etc etc. If they haven't been done then I would think twice about putting that couple of £k in work into a car that has either had the work done or is lower mileage. Besides at £10k you are in 968 / decent Boxster territory and not far off early 996 / Caymans - know where I'd put my money!
sutters
Member
Exactly.. falls down to what you want from you car, 996s are now going up in price, any engine issues would have happened and been remedied. Early Boxster's aren't cosmetically appealing as the later ones and Caymans still sit slightly more expensive (I have a 2007 2.7 Cayman tip). Magnus Walker has just imported a 924 CGT, not trying to be the bearded Legend that has been a driver in the spiralling rise of early 911 prices but I see my 951 220 as a very cool investment and one that will be worth more than a 996 in 5 years time for sure. Ian
I very much doubt all 996 and 997 engine problems have been resolved, why would Porsche suddenly be selling new short units at £2500, even my local general motor factor had two on order last week. The 996 engine woes will hang over that model for years to come just like Triumph Stag overheating and TR7 rust.
Diver944
Active member
Yes, easily. Frankies car has been looked after and unlike a lot of Turbos is completely standard. I last saw it a couple of years ago at The Surrey Rolling Road day where it made 220bhp with no fuss or bother and looked better than many with a genuine sub 100k on the clock. Unless the car has deteriorated dramatically, you could easily wind that speedo back to 115k miles and it would look better than most others and more importantly it would be full of many more new parts than its contemporaries still on original 30 year old parts. Also, at an indicated 115k miles no one would bat an eyelid at the price.
That's my point, not all were affected but the label stuck then and is always mentioned now when Stags are discussed, as by chance on The Classic Car Show on Channel 5 this evening, this will be the same for the 996 IMS, RMS and bore scoring. I owned 6 TR7's .....the rust issue was justified [
]
pauljmcnulty
Active member
Top end for an un-molested early turbo would be easily £15K for a sub-100K miles car. That would be a car that you couldn't drive much, as every mile nearer the "perceived" cut-off points like 100K would de-value it, so they end up sitting in a garage un-used until the owner cashes in. Sad way for an everyday car (I know [
]) to end it's life IMO, I'd rather see them broken on a track than locked away. Less than £10K, and you get a car that's probably, in many ways, in better mechanical condition than some ultra-low-miles cars. It's never going to be the £15K car, but you could buy it, pretty safe in the knowledge that it's had a clutch and some oil seals, and enjoy doing 5 or 6K miles every year for the next 20 years. When I was asked to source a turbo for a magazine article it was the first car I thought of. That isn't an endorsement, as I haven't been underneath the car this week, but it's always been one of those 944s that stands out in all regards.
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