Valuation advice

[Fen]

I have been mulling this over for a while and though far from a definite decision I think the time may be approaching to move on - partially at least - in that I'm about ready to sell my cab. I know what I'd like to get for it, but I'd like to hear from impartial people (you) what it might realistically be worth.

Basically then:
Jan '92 (J) S2 Cabrio in Glacier blue metallic, MoT Feb 2005 (but I'm happy to get a new one) and tax the same
cobalt blue hood (replaced February 2002), with tonneau cover. Back window is very good
cobalt blue leather sports interior
178,000 miles (today) and just had a 48k service (belts, front oil seal, all lubricants changed and new starter motor) yesterday
brand new tyres will be fitted on D90 rims with crested centres - not perfect but OK condition
stone chips will be repaired before sale because I have the cosmetic ding I was given at Le Mans to sort
standard mirrors will go back on along with the standard wheels and dash surround without tacho rings
Blaupunkt DAB/radio/CD/MP3 head unit with Sony 6x9 front speakers
otherwise standard except it has a K&N panel filter and a BlitzChip.

The only nasty bits are that the driver's backrest bolster is split, the legend is worn off the windscreen heater button and the carpets have faded a little.

I bought the car at Easter 2003 with 142k and a FSH - it has 4 owners plus me. I had the camchain, tensioner and camshafts plus all belt rollers and front oil seals replaced at 145k. All the suspension was replaced at 149k, clutch master and slave cylinders replaced at 170k (ish). The battery was replaced at around 172k. As I say above the belts and main oil seal plus starter motor were done yesterday at 177,700. Aside from that it's had regular 12k services with 6k oil changes in between and all sorts of niggles like the alarm and central locking fixed when it played up. I probably have bills for over £3k that I have spent, plus the history with a fair bit more.

Somone could easily buy it and throw some more money at the car but there is no real need to - everything of any consequence has been addressed. Only the seat bothers me but I really don't think I'd see the cost of a repair back in terms of the extra I'd get for the car.

I would like to sell soon, but I know the timing isn't on my side (like we'll notice when this Summer turns to Autumn! [8|]) so I'm prepared to keep it until Spring if that would make a difference, but by then it could well have over 200k on the clock - is it worth more now then with a fresh 48k service?

Discuss...

 

[John Sims]

There are 8 Cabs for sale in this months 911&PW:-

'90 Red 111K £9,250
'89 Black 107K £8,350
? Red 42K £11,000
'90 Red 66K £10,850
'91 Tahoe 86K £5,995 (damn that's cheap I fancy that myself)
'90 Red 83K £8,995
'90 White 89K £11,499
'90 Baltic 107K £7,750

Perhaps now isn't the time to sell?

 

[Fen]

I haven't got my copy yet this month...[8|]

Maybe you're right, but I'd probably take any of those figures bar £5,995 for mine. It just gets old pretty quickly paying to maintain a car you no longer want and I wonder if it will actually be worth less with 200k and 12k old belts when the weather starts to improve. I wonder if it has any novelty value as the highest milage cab in the UK?

 

[richthomas]

If your not sure about weather to keep it or not, what about putting it up for sale at what you would like to get for it now and wait it out?? If it goes then it was the right time, if you don't get much interest or offers that are too low hang on to it until spring. It can't hurt.

So what are you looking at getting instead?? putting the Turbo back on the road or a VX220[:-]

 

[Fen]

The Turbo will definitely be getting fixed but that is an independent thing to selling the cab i.e. the cab sale isn't going to fund the Turbo rebuild. I might well put the cab on sale or return with someone once the Turbo is running so it can go if anyone wants it - that worked out well for me with a 911 a few years ago.

I still haven't driven a VX220, but I'm not sure I want to spend £20k+ and that's what Turbos go for. I wouldn't want an n/a knowing that the turbo exists. Much as I like the open-top idea I can't think of anything that fits the bill (don't even think of suggesting a Boxster - I've tried but I just don't like them). Most are too slow (MX5, MR2), too girly (Z3, SLK), too Jap (S2000), roof too fiddly (Elise), too unreliable (TVR) or too flexible (any 4-seater). I think a car with a roof and air-con is next then. I have seriously considered going back to the dark side with a 964 but I think they might cost too much to run for 25k/year. I'm thinking Audi and specifically RS2 at the moment, but that could change.

You did ask!

 

[Fen]

The Turbo isn't going anywhere though, Andrew. It's my daily driver slot that is coming vacant.

I think my comfortable budget is £12k-£15k which rules out a lot of the desirable choices. I did consider Northway's yellow 3.3 Turbo at £17k for a couple of minutes, but I think only a 964 or later would be civilised enough for every day (I have owned a 3.2 Carrera before so I know what they're like).

I'd love a Tuscan but I can't look at £900 every 3 months to service it, never mind an engine rebuild every year as well. Also I'm strangely put off TVR as a badge now it's gone TVRski - don't know why.

 

[944Turbo]

I thought Honda NSX, but had a quick look on autotrader and the cheaper end of the market is all auto (yuk, why?). Not really sure how practical it would be daily but it is a Honda.
Tony

 

[Guest]

So really in conclusion the 944 is the best car in the world and theres no point in driving anything else. Well glad we sorted that out...
[]

 

[944Turbo]

P.S. I bet most of those other s2's haven't got new cams, chains, suspension recent hood etc. so in theory yours should be worth more - Its just finding the buyer that appreciates that - I do and think it is a lovely example anyway, but dont have the cash (or the space) at the moment.
Tony

 

[944Turbo]

1998 HOLDEN HSV Clubsport 5.0 V8
FSH, Tax and MOT Nov, Twin Air Bags, ABS, AC, Remote CL and Boot Release, 6 Speaker CD Stereo System, Cruise, 5.0 Litre V8 (300HP), LSD, Sports Seats, 17" HSV Alloys, 250 MPH HSV Dash, 12 Function Trip Computer, SS Extractors, Big Bore Exhaust, Cat A Security System, A11 HSV Plate, Nokia Hands Free Kit, Alpine Component Speakers, + many more enhancements. It is priced low as I'm returning to NZ in August and need to let it go. 64000 miles. £15500
(Might need an LPG conversion to help with the running costs)



or


maybe not


Yes, Slim is right a second 944T is the only way to go []

 

[Fen]

Hmmm, a second 944T - makes sense:

Quite fast for the money, Porsche build quality, leather Recaros, air-con, decent boot, can be chipped to increase performance quite cheaply resulting in a 300bhp car.

Sounds good, but wait; Audi RS2:

Quite fast for the money - similar to a 964 Turbo, Porsche build quality (it was actually built by Porsche whereas the 944 was actually built by Audi [8|]), leather Recaros, air-con, huuuuuuge boot, can be chipped to increase performance quite cheaply resulting in a 370bhp car.

I'm really warming to the RS2 idea - one of 180 RHD cars to reach the UK as well, so little chance of seeing too many others around.

 

[John Sims]

I'm really warming to the RS2 idea

And spares will be how much? []

 

[wedgepilot]

What's the cost of a good RS2 compared to the cost of a good 944T? In both initial outlay and ongoing maintenance?

(sounds like your mind is already made up though [] )

 

[Fen]

There's no way I'm having 2 944T's - what would be the point? I already have a problem that every time I want to buy something I want 2 of them without having a pair of identical engines to mod.

A good RS2 is about £15k which is much the same as they were last time I looked so I think residuals are pretty solid. In terms of spares everything is either Audi S2 or some sort of Porsche part. Rear discs are a 951 part for example, albeit that I think the bells have to be machined to reduce the track on them. Callipers are 993 and front discs 964 I believe.

My mind isn't made up yet because I haven't driven one. Assuming I like it when I eventually do drive one then I think that will be the decision made.

Edit - I forgot maintenance. I *think* it should be much the same as a 944T, possibly less. Tyres are cheaper, cam belts less frequent, fuel economy similar.

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: Fen

There's no way I'm having 2 944T's - what would be the point? I already have a problem that every time I want to buy something I want 2 of them without having a pair of identical engines to mod.

A good RS2 is about £15k which is much the same as they were last time I looked so I think residuals are pretty solid. In terms of spares everything is either Audi S2 or some sort of Porsche part. Rear discs are a 951 part for example, albeit that I think the bells have to be machined to reduce the track on them. Callipers are 993 and front discs 964 I believe.

My mind isn't made up yet because I haven't driven one. Assuming I like it when I eventually do drive one then I think that will be the decision made.

Edit - I forgot maintenance. I *think* it should be much the same as a 944T, possibly less. Tyres are cheaper, cam belts less frequent, fuel economy similar.

THats a shame you could have saved me a fortune by buying mine before i spend any more money i dont have on it!!!!![]

 

[Guest]

I know they are ugly, horrible interior etc but there is just something about Lotus Carltons that would stop me from getting an audi 80.

Actually no scratch the carlton it would be too much effort parking down the road so nobody sees you turning up in it. How about a Maserati Ghibli Cup, in a nice dark green with tan interior?

 

[944Turbo]

Just testing [] I always liked the RS2 especially in Blue, sounds like you need to get it out of your system.

Personally, I would like to try an NSX though and I think the senna connection will help future values. It would have to be in addition to my turbo though.

Tony

 

[Fen]

ORIGINAL: woots

I know they are ugly, horrible interior etc but there is just something about Lotus Carltons that would stop me from getting an audi 80.

Actually no scratch the carlton it would be too much effort parking down the road so nobody sees you turning up in it. How about a Maserati Ghibli Cup, in a nice dark green with tan interior?

I had a GSi3000 24v a few (8) years ago. Nice car as it went and the Lotus must be fun, but it's a saloon. That car alone put me off saloons for life. I couldn't fit a chest of drawers we bought in it one day. We went home and swapped for my wife's Citroen AX and the drawers went in that no problem. Had there been a Carlton GSi Estate I'd have bought that and kept it for quite a while I think.

There is the image thing nowadays though - I still think the Audi Avant is pretty classy but you definitely can't say that for the Carlton...

Tony - I originally wanted a blue one, but I've come to decide that any colour would do - they came in metallic black, silver, red and dark green (my least favourite) as well as RS blue. I would like a blue one with blue alcantara though [8D]

 

[chrisr]

Carnt disagree about the RS2 - had a look at one prior to the purchase of the S2 - liked the car just not the one that this garage had for sale - wrong colour , high mileage , patchy history etc, personally woudnt touch the VX220 - especially the Turbo's - heard nightmare stories of supplying VHall Dealers - re flooding, ignition probs etc.

Would stick the cab up and personally think a sub 200k car will sell even this time of year when cab sales tend to slow down and hey if you dont sell it straight way - life could be worse than owning 2 Porsche's []

 

[Diver944]

Fen I'm personally ignoring this thread as both me and the Missus would like to try an S2 Cab [8|] and I know that yours is a looker and that you have maintained it excellently because of the mileage you do.

I would never be put off a high mile 944 if the owner has obviously maintained it well

Someone make this thread go away [:-] Do you want a black S2 Coupe?