Warning

[jagman]

Went to look at this today.

http://www.pistonheads.com/SALES/1468550.htm

It states that it is a 1990, its a 1989.
It has had four owners, its had eight, present one nine.
Has aircon. it's been removed.
Excellent body, rust round windscreen, rear wings and back of wings, worst I have seen.
Has six months MOT, has two days. expires 14/02/10.
With engine running ABS light on and diff 4x4 light on.
As they say caveat emptor.

The search continues

 

[mr pg]

Not sure they're original cup 1's. Look more like the reps I have, and they're not sports seat either.

 

[Steve Brookes]

To be fair, at that price it was unlikely to be a good one. However, I agree that the advert makes it sound better than what you have seen in the flesh. I remember the wasted trips I did myself 3 years ago....good sounding adverts and priced attactively....cars often turned out to be a duffers.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

As Steve said, given the asking price it would be foolish to think it was a pristine example although I think some of the criticisms are a tad harsh. The car is advertised as a 1990 car - and it IS a 1990 registered car even though it's a 1989 model year, but that not so unusual. There are plenty of 1991 cars around registered in 1993!!

The issue with sports seats is strange since the seller goes to the trouble of listing the option codes. Agreed, they are not sports seats, but maybe they have been changed. Unless you were very aware of the differences you may be fooled.

On the road tax question, perhaps the seller had intended to tax the car for 6 months once it was sold. There is little point renewing the tax if the car is going to sit waiting for a buyer.

The rust and bodywork issues are probably the reason it's offered at the price it is.

The PDAS/ABS lights are a common issue and, most often, sorted easily.

The aircon removal is certainly a shame - and regretable that it's not mentioned in the ad. A/C is something that a potential buyer will have already decided they want or don't want. To view a car advertised with it only to find it's been removed is just frustrating.

Given the issues mentioned and considering the asking price I reckon it may be worth a haggle on someone's part. If you don't need/want the a/c and build in the £2/£3K you might have to spend on getting the bodywork issues sorted you might get a bargain for under £10K.

Regards

Dave

 

[jagman]

It had six months tax Dave, it was the lack of MOT that I was annoyed about. Tax is a fixed price, to get the car through an MOT would be an unknown cost. I also would not be able to collect and drive home.

It had it's first service in Dec 89 so must have been registered in 89

I expected the bodywork to be bad its just that everything added up to a car that was not as advertised.

I offered him £9k he said he would take £10k. At £9k it would be worth a punt, at £10 I would rather pay more and have less work to do.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

ORIGINAL: jagman

It had it's first service in Dec 89 so must have been registered in 89

That's a strange one because the Vehicle Enquiry at DVLA reveals a first registration date of 11th May 1990!! Reproduced below:

The enquiry is complete
The vehicle details for G884 VGG are:
Date of Liability 01 08 2010
Date of First Registration 11 05 1990
Year of Manufacture 1989
Cylinder Capacity (cc) 3600CC
CO2 Emissions Not Available
Fuel Type Petrol
Export Marker Not Applicable
Vehicle Status Licence Not Due
Vehicle Colour BLUE
Vehicle Type Approval
Vehicle Excise Duty Rate for vehicle 6 Months Rate £104.50 12 Months Rate £190.00

I agree with you. At £9K it would have been worth it provided it came with a new MOT.

Regards

Dave

 

[jagman]

Very strange about the year.

Mr 9K offer was on the understanding that it had a current MOT.

 

[mcgc0]

For a 1990 interesting that the centre console switch panel only has the 4WD and not also the rear spoiler switch. Mine was first registered in Feb 1990 (on a G plate) and has both. I guess the only way is the chassis check with Porsche themselves.

 

[polar964]

If there's a service stamp in 1989 and the DVLA have it registered in 1990 either it's a genuine mistake or it's a tip to leave well alone [&:]
In fairness also it's not advertised as stunning .... it's only the colour that is described as stunning!

Dave ... they are sport seats! the side balsters are alot deeper than comfort seats.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Marcus, it's NOT a 1990 car. The '89 model year (K in the VIN) only had the diff lock switch, the spoiler switch is under the engine cover. Your car (obviously an L in the VIN) is a 1990 MY car (build date from Sept 1989 onwards) and would have both switches on the console.

Paul, I don't know about the seats. They just don't look like sports seats to me - they look very much like mine whereas these LOOK like sports seats. Maybe it's just the angle of the picture. I'd be hard pushed to understand why the car would have sport seats optioned and for them to be changed.

I'm sure the seller must be pleased that his car is getting so much attention!!!

Regards

Dave

 

[polar964]

ORIGINAL: Dave Wilkinson

Paul, I don't know about the seats.  They just don't look like sports seats to me - they look very much like mine whereas these LOOK like sports seats.  Maybe it's just the angle of the picture. I'd be hard pushed to understand why the car would have sport seats optioned and for them to be changed.
I'm sure the seller must be pleased that his car is getting so much attention!!!
Regards
Dave

Hmm, I see your point Dave. Comparing the two; the balsters definitely look bigger in your example. Perhaps as you say its the angle of the photo. [&:]

 

[jagman]

Could I just say a big thankyou to all who have posted, it has certainly added to my knowledge of 964's

Cheers

Keith

 

[Steve Brookes]

What's your ideal spec Keith? As you've no doubt seen there's not an abundance of coupes on the market but there are 2 or 3 on PH that might be worth a look, though they're all more money than this one.

 

[jagman]

Hi Steve

Looking for a manual coupe with reasonable miles. Have veiwed a few that are on PH, would rather not comment as it could get personal.

The problem I have is that as soon as I start looking at cars that are £15k plus I start looking at 993's and thinking for a little more I could get a lot newer car. Also looked at kettles.

The reason that I looked at this particular car is that I an semi retired and want something to do some work on, but would be happy just to polish and service.

 

[Steve Brookes]

The only advice I can give you Keith is set your budget and keep looking at ones that crop up in your budget. You'll need patience. From personal experience I know it can be disheartening when you go and see one that doesn't match up to expectations. Especially if it involves a round trip of two or three hundred miles. Been there and done that. Like yourself I wanted one to work on, learn about and improve. I think I've done that with mine but have ended up spending far more on it than I expected to!

 

[jagman]

Thanks for the advice Steve.

I will keep looking, I am not in any hurry. I am still learning and that is where this forum has been an imense help

Thanks again

Keith

 

[iangray100]

Drop in to see Roly at Eporsche (http://www.eporsch.co.uk/0101for_sale.htm)

Over 5 years ago I dropped in to see what he was about ...I came out for 911 4hrs later ;-)

Roly will find you a Porsche or I bet he has one in stock already or one coming in.

I've still got my one, and no its not For Sale .... ;-)

PS: 964's are not cheap to run even if you do the work yourself ( as i do ). Parts are pretty expensive as Porsche are getting canny as to whats wearing out or not so part prices are going up, but 99% of the parts are still available, not bad for a 20year old car. But as they say 70% of old Porsche's are still on the road so Porsche has a captive market to make money.
I've spent a fortune on my one and use to go anywhere even though its the 3rd car in the house.

 

[Sifly]

Maybe some of the service book pages are from another car? They are easily swapped about due to the spiral spine used!!
They are not Sports seats. It looks like the backs have sunk slightly (especially the drivers side) whick makes the sides look deeper than they should be. It is the side profile of the seat which makes it obvious they are comfort items.

Keep looking, I had just about given up on my search after trawling around all over the country for months when I suddenly got lucky!!! []

 

[jagman]

Well, the search is over I have bought Colin's (vitesse) 964, collect at the weekend.

Is without doubt the best one I gave looked at and also my favorite colour and interior. Have had an insurance quote of £312.67 with breakdown cover from Classic Line. They will also do agreed value for £15.00. I thought that was quite a good deal. I have also contacted Hagerty and am waiting for them to get back to me.

Thanks again for the support

Keith

 

[Steve Brookes]

Great news Keith. I think you made a good choice there. Welcome to the club. []