911 Buying Advise Please
Discussion
I am about to step back into 911 land (hurrah!) and would appreciate some views on a couple of options I am considering.
Basically, I am looking for a 993 C4 Cab that will then be heavily breathed on - so much so that even DeRestrictor might have a second look at the dyno. But more of that once I have started the project.
I have seen two very different cars, both on an R plate. The first is a damaged/repairable that has done 50,000 miles and has not been registered as damaged. I could get it fixed up for a total cost of £25k, but the big drawback is that the service book and history has been taken/destroyed (?) by the insurance company.
The second option is one that has a full service history, but has covered 100,000 miles. This is not really an issue for me personally, as I would be geting the engine rebuilt as part of the up-grade work. Similar price as the other one. What I am unsure about is the resale effect in a few years time.
So, lower mileage job with no service history (explain that to a potential buyer) or the high mileage one that will have had a full rebuild? Which do you think would have the higher residual - remember that whichever one I choose, it will be heavily modified?
Thanks,
Dave
>>> Edited by Grifftastic on Sunday 13th June 22:38
Basically, I am looking for a 993 C4 Cab that will then be heavily breathed on - so much so that even DeRestrictor might have a second look at the dyno. But more of that once I have started the project.
I have seen two very different cars, both on an R plate. The first is a damaged/repairable that has done 50,000 miles and has not been registered as damaged. I could get it fixed up for a total cost of £25k, but the big drawback is that the service book and history has been taken/destroyed (?) by the insurance company.
The second option is one that has a full service history, but has covered 100,000 miles. This is not really an issue for me personally, as I would be geting the engine rebuilt as part of the up-grade work. Similar price as the other one. What I am unsure about is the resale effect in a few years time.
So, lower mileage job with no service history (explain that to a potential buyer) or the high mileage one that will have had a full rebuild? Which do you think would have the higher residual - remember that whichever one I choose, it will be heavily modified?
Thanks,
Dave
>>> Edited by Grifftastic on Sunday 13th June 22:38
Grifftastic said:
The first is a damaged/repairable that has done 50,000 miles and has not been registered as damaged. I could get it fixed up for a total cost of £25k, but the big drawback is that the service book and history has been taken/destroyed (?) by the insurance company.
service book destroyed by the insurance company and not registered....Have you HPI'd the car on its chassis number to check it's not been registered. It's also possible that the vendor hs chosen to lose the history - perhpaps the car has done 150k miles or been damaged before or even stolen and ringed. I'd not touch the car with a bargepole.
As to resale on a 100,000 mile plus car - I'd worry more about the resale on the back of the mods you intend to do. You'll never recoup the cost of the mods when you come to sell the car, regardless of the mileage. With 100k miles on the clock, your car is never going to be the number one choice of any potential purchaser.
>> Edited by rubystone on Monday 14th June 08:42
Wouldn't it be better to "do a DeR" and start off with a 993 Turbo? I know the TT isn't a drop top, but the 993 cab looks somewhat pram-like.
I would steer clear of both cars you mention for the reasons you gave. For 27 grand you can get a decent FSH 993 with reasonable miles. If the TT isn't a goer, then that's what I'd do.
I would steer clear of both cars you mention for the reasons you gave. For 27 grand you can get a decent FSH 993 with reasonable miles. If the TT isn't a goer, then that's what I'd do.
And Rubystone knows I can find 993 Turbos in Germany for 28k (www.mobile.de) - much easier to tune when the car has been made for that kind of power in the first place...
johnny senna said:
Wouldn't it be better to "do a DeR" and start off with a 993 Turbo? I know the TT isn't a drop top, but the 993 cab looks somewhat pram-like.
I would steer clear of both cars you mention for the reasons you gave. For 27 grand you can get a decent FSH 993 with reasonable miles. If the TT isn't a goer, then that's what I'd do.
Don't want a 993tt as I have had two before and really want a convertible. If I thought I could get a decent C4 Cab for 27k then I would go for it, but I can't seem to be able to find anything......
rubystone said:
The first is a damaged/repairable that has done 50,000 miles and has not been registered as damaged. I could get it fixed up for a total cost of £25k, but the big drawback is that the service book and history has been taken/destroyed (?) by the insurance company.
service book destroyed by the insurance company and not registered....Have you HPI'd the car on its chassis number to check it's not been registered. It's also possible that the vendor hs chosen to lose the history - perhpaps the car has done 150k miles or been damaged before or even stolen and ringed. I'd not touch the car with a bargepole.
As to resale on a 100,000 mile plus car - I'd worry more about the resale on the back of the mods you intend to do. You'll never recoup the cost of the mods when you come to sell the car, regardless of the mileage. With 100k miles on the clock, your car is never going to be the number one choice of any potential purchaser.
>> Edited by rubystone on Monday 14th June 08:42
HPI has come back clear. I take your point about the mods, which is one of the reasons I was less phased about a high mileage car. In the middle of checking the VIN with Porsche GB, so we'll see what happens.
Dave
The mind boggles. A nice straight car in good condition with evidence of proper maintenance or a car that`s been fighting, smashed up with untold - as yet undetected - mechanical faults from the impact, (hairline cracks in suspension links, gearbox casings and so on). Oh yes and it`s got no service history !!
All right folks roll up, we`ve got a special on this week. No service history but all our cars have done 23,000 miles from new - honest !!
You are about to embark on a madcap process to throw money which you`ll never see back again at a car. You want the best foundations you can find. Build your dream car on a bannana and things will be going downhill from day one.
As has been correctly mentioned already the proposed mods are likely to bother a potential buyer the most, but to then say your donor car didn`t have any history and had taken a bit of a kicking by the armco barrier rather smacks of someone being a cheapskate and you are going to struggle to convince someone you haven`t cut corners with your embelishments.
Rule number one when buying a used car. Buy on condition.
Henry
All right folks roll up, we`ve got a special on this week. No service history but all our cars have done 23,000 miles from new - honest !!
You are about to embark on a madcap process to throw money which you`ll never see back again at a car. You want the best foundations you can find. Build your dream car on a bannana and things will be going downhill from day one.
As has been correctly mentioned already the proposed mods are likely to bother a potential buyer the most, but to then say your donor car didn`t have any history and had taken a bit of a kicking by the armco barrier rather smacks of someone being a cheapskate and you are going to struggle to convince someone you haven`t cut corners with your embelishments.
Rule number one when buying a used car. Buy on condition.
Henry
henry-F said:
The mind boggles. A nice straight car in good condition with evidence of proper maintenance or a car that`s been fighting, smashed up with untold - as yet undetected - mechanical faults from the impact, (hairline cracks in suspension links, gearbox casings and so on). Oh yes and it`s got no service history !!
All right folks roll up, we`ve got a special on this week. No service history but all our cars have done 23,000 miles from new - honest !!
You are about to embark on a madcap process to throw money which you`ll never see back again at a car. You want the best foundations you can find. Build your dream car on a bannana and things will be going downhill from day one.
As has been correctly mentioned already the proposed mods are likely to bother a potential buyer the most, but to then say your donor car didn`t have any history and had taken a bit of a kicking by the armco barrier rather smacks of someone being a cheapskate and you are going to struggle to convince someone you haven`t cut corners with your embelishments.
Rule number one when buying a used car. Buy on condition.
Henry
Henry,
Thanks for the advise.
What do you think would be a fair price for me to pay for a 993 C4 Cab with 50k miles or less? Incidentally, the reason that the damaged car apeals is that I intend putting on turbo arches and the damaged car would need a new rear quarter anyway. so saving money. And I trust the Ninemeister to deliver to his usual high standards.
Of course, another option would be to go for a C2 cab and add the four wheel drive mechanicals. I know that I can get a decent C2 for high twenty's (possibly at some virgin company!), but would need to check out the additional cost of work.
Also forgot to mention that the car has not been registered as damaged, so as long as I can dig out the service history and (9m does a good job?, then it could be a good buy?
Dave
>> Edited by Grifftastic on Tuesday 15th June 13:14
>> Edited by Grifftastic on Tuesday 15th June 13:21
Domster,
I wish I could find one for £28k - seen a few C2's for that money, but no C4's.
Yes, I have already considered the fact that the 993 Cab is not the stiffest of cars, but the general view from people far more knowledgeable than I am, is that it will be ok unless I am into serious track work. Might try a few track days, but that's my limit, so shouldn't be a problem.
Dave
I wish I could find one for £28k - seen a few C2's for that money, but no C4's.
Yes, I have already considered the fact that the 993 Cab is not the stiffest of cars, but the general view from people far more knowledgeable than I am, is that it will be ok unless I am into serious track work. Might try a few track days, but that's my limit, so shouldn't be a problem.
Dave
Griff, if the car has any OPC service history you can get a replacement service book and get the stamps. However, one dealer doesn't know about history from another unless they are in a group (ie (ex) AFN, Lancaster etc.). Turbo arches sounds a bit mad and will definitely limit your market for resale, but wtf you only live once. Good luck.
mikejt said:
Griff, if the car has any OPC service history you can get a replacement service book and get the stamps. However, one dealer doesn't know about history from another unless they are in a group (ie (ex) AFN, Lancaster etc.). Turbo arches sounds a bit mad and will definitely limit your market for resale, but wtf you only live once. Good luck.
Mike,
Why do you think that Turbo arches are mad? The S versions came with these, so all I am looking to do is replicate this on the cab.
Dave
Re: chasing history it`s not always that simple. Computer systems that have been changed, miss-placed info, etc, etc all combine to hinder your quest.
Re: the 993 cab search why 50k miles ? Just concentrate on buying a good car. The number on the speedo has no bearing whatsoever on the mechanical condition of the car. It only conspires to make the car more expensive. You`ll be knackered when it comes to re-sale, the guy who will currently pay a premium for low k`s certainly won`t have an interest in a car with "mods".
I see no point in turning a 2wd car into a 4wd car. A massive undertaking especially when there is no need to trouble yourself; a. because it won`t make the car drive any better and b. because even if you did decide 4wd was your chosen platform then Porsche already make a C4
I too would question the merits of breathing on a cabriolet rather than a coupe.
Re: the damage not being recorded that isn`t the issue, the issue is that there is damage on the car that may extend deeper than you imagine. If it just wants some plod smearing on a rear quarter then getting the paint roller out then I`d imagine it would already have been done. "Salvage" is rarely economic to repair and the people usually end up spending far more than they originally anticipated.
Henry
Re: the 993 cab search why 50k miles ? Just concentrate on buying a good car. The number on the speedo has no bearing whatsoever on the mechanical condition of the car. It only conspires to make the car more expensive. You`ll be knackered when it comes to re-sale, the guy who will currently pay a premium for low k`s certainly won`t have an interest in a car with "mods".
I see no point in turning a 2wd car into a 4wd car. A massive undertaking especially when there is no need to trouble yourself; a. because it won`t make the car drive any better and b. because even if you did decide 4wd was your chosen platform then Porsche already make a C4
I too would question the merits of breathing on a cabriolet rather than a coupe.
Re: the damage not being recorded that isn`t the issue, the issue is that there is damage on the car that may extend deeper than you imagine. If it just wants some plod smearing on a rear quarter then getting the paint roller out then I`d imagine it would already have been done. "Salvage" is rarely economic to repair and the people usually end up spending far more than they originally anticipated.
Henry
Henry,
On that basis, it sounds like it would be a better option to go for the high miler I have found. On the plus side it is a '98, so one of the last made. On the downside it has done 100,000 motorway miles, but looks in great nick (inspection still to be done).
If I went this route, the engine would get a complete rebuild. I reckon it's probably worth low twenties?
Dave
On that basis, it sounds like it would be a better option to go for the high miler I have found. On the plus side it is a '98, so one of the last made. On the downside it has done 100,000 motorway miles, but looks in great nick (inspection still to be done).
If I went this route, the engine would get a complete rebuild. I reckon it's probably worth low twenties?
Dave
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