Dilemma - shall I do It? (buy a high miles expensive 3.2)
Discussion
Guys, i took a 1987 Carrera 3.2 for a test drive today and liked it a lot. Now the car is a bit unusual in the sense that it has 150k miles and asking price is 17.5k. That's the bad stuff (subject to inspection)
the goooood sides are that it is totally original, had only two owners (10 years and 8 years), the latter being a nice young lady who's daddy is a track day mechanic, it just had an engine re-built and a new clutch, the bodywork is in top condition, etc etc. And the asking price could be very negotiable.
assuming I could get it for 15k - would that still be a crazy price for such a high mileage car?
(while i write this i am fighting the surge of go-and-buy-this-car-feeling... you may have experienced this...)
the goooood sides are that it is totally original, had only two owners (10 years and 8 years), the latter being a nice young lady who's daddy is a track day mechanic, it just had an engine re-built and a new clutch, the bodywork is in top condition, etc etc. And the asking price could be very negotiable.
assuming I could get it for 15k - would that still be a crazy price for such a high mileage car?
(while i write this i am fighting the surge of go-and-buy-this-car-feeling... you may have experienced this...)
When you say the engine has been rebuilt how far did they go? New pistons and rings, new cams, chains and tensioners, all bearings, seals and gaskets, have they done anything with the gearbox? syncros and dogs etc?? When were the brakes last done? If they have done a complete rebuild and spared no expense then it'll be good for another 18 years, i wouldn't care about the mileage if it's been looked after
david58 said:
Mileage means nothing its just a figure buy on condition, condition and condition end of.
And to that end, I think I'd be figuring that with those miles, and that money he must have some hard evidence of a chassis restoration.
>> Edited by dilbert on Sunday 21st May 11:56
>> Edited by dilbert on Sunday 21st May 11:57
david58 said:
Mileage means nothing its just a figure buy on condition, condition and condition end of.
I would agree to the extent that mileage is a only a very guide to usage, and a re-build engine should give the car a new life.
However -and that's more a question than a statement- are there not hundreds of parts in a car that just getsomewhat used up over time and miles? I am not thinking of the obvious wearing + replaceable elements, more in general (even seats and carpets get used...)?
I have recently gone through the barrage of questions and decisions and trauma of trying to find a decent 3.2 Carrera.
With less than 100k, a minter, and I mean minter MAY be worth £17k. One at 100k in simply very good condition may command £15k if the seller finds the right buyer.
The mileage only becomes a non-issue if you plan to keep the car for an awfully long time, because whether you are bothered about the mileage or not, you can bet the next person will be.
I remember there was one supposedly minter about (I never actually saw it) a few months ago for £17k, and it had 43,000 miles. Strasse has another A1 condition one in, guards red/linen leather with 53,000 miles for £17,995... and they are a respected dealer.
Basically, I think £17k is way over the top. Sorry
With less than 100k, a minter, and I mean minter MAY be worth £17k. One at 100k in simply very good condition may command £15k if the seller finds the right buyer.
The mileage only becomes a non-issue if you plan to keep the car for an awfully long time, because whether you are bothered about the mileage or not, you can bet the next person will be.
I remember there was one supposedly minter about (I never actually saw it) a few months ago for £17k, and it had 43,000 miles. Strasse has another A1 condition one in, guards red/linen leather with 53,000 miles for £17,995... and they are a respected dealer.
Basically, I think £17k is way over the top. Sorry
[quote=burriana]I have recently gone through the barrage of questions and decisions and trauma of trying to find a decent 3.2 Carrera.
Burriana - sounds familiar. Did you find the right one? Any suggestions based on your experience? Thanks!
>> Edited by freemax on Sunday 21st May 20:44
Burriana - sounds familiar. Did you find the right one? Any suggestions based on your experience? Thanks!
>> Edited by freemax on Sunday 21st May 20:44
Here are a few shots of mine.
I know I have been very very lucky with mine. I bored everybody witless on both here and the PorscheGB forum, swaying between RHD or LHD, 3.2 or 964 and eventually I decided, because I was only planning on having it as a stop gap so would need to sell within a year, it had to be RHD, and it had to be around 80k miles, so that i could drive it for a year and still be under the 100k.
After a lot of research and questions and conficting opinions, I would have gone to say 110k IF the price was right. I also wanted the G50 gearbox because the throw is a LOT shorter than the 915 box (pre-87 model year, late 86 reg).
Eventually I found mine in AutoTrader and only 60 miles up the road in Darlington! It was white, which was my first choice, and it was in very very nice condition with full history and a file to back it all up with receipts going back nearly its whole life. It had 87,000 miles on and it cost me £13,500 ... INCLUDING the plate 911 SXP.
I think that a) the guy needed a fairly quick sale and b) he didn't really know what he had. My first job would have been to get it on a rolling road and then get it chipped, but it appears to have already been done. It goes like a train and by using GPS I am content in the knowledge that it goes faster now than it was supposed to when it came out of the factory
It also handles sublimely - I run Goodyear F1s and it is like they have superglue on the rears!
There are good ones out there, you just have to run the risk of being a bit of a pain on forum with all of the questions and eventually you'll find one. Like I said, visit the PCGB forum and get your name known - both here and there is an invaluable source of help and info.
Finding a decent 3.2 with around 100k on the clock should be doable for £12,500 to £15,000. Like you will hear many times, condition and service history is crucial.
I got mine for far less than it's true worth, Glynn, who was General Manager of Specialist Cars in Malton for 10 years came round to Zymol it about 6 weeks ago and said that if it was on their forecourt it would be up towards £20k. So if you take mine as being an example of a very good one I could probably sell it privately for £15,000 without too much trouble. The values of good 3.2s do seem to be firming up though so it's worth being fussy and finding the right one.
Good luck, and questions, give me a shout or email.
al.
>> Edited by burriana on Sunday 21st May 21:41
I know I have been very very lucky with mine. I bored everybody witless on both here and the PorscheGB forum, swaying between RHD or LHD, 3.2 or 964 and eventually I decided, because I was only planning on having it as a stop gap so would need to sell within a year, it had to be RHD, and it had to be around 80k miles, so that i could drive it for a year and still be under the 100k.
After a lot of research and questions and conficting opinions, I would have gone to say 110k IF the price was right. I also wanted the G50 gearbox because the throw is a LOT shorter than the 915 box (pre-87 model year, late 86 reg).
Eventually I found mine in AutoTrader and only 60 miles up the road in Darlington! It was white, which was my first choice, and it was in very very nice condition with full history and a file to back it all up with receipts going back nearly its whole life. It had 87,000 miles on and it cost me £13,500 ... INCLUDING the plate 911 SXP.
I think that a) the guy needed a fairly quick sale and b) he didn't really know what he had. My first job would have been to get it on a rolling road and then get it chipped, but it appears to have already been done. It goes like a train and by using GPS I am content in the knowledge that it goes faster now than it was supposed to when it came out of the factory
It also handles sublimely - I run Goodyear F1s and it is like they have superglue on the rears!
There are good ones out there, you just have to run the risk of being a bit of a pain on forum with all of the questions and eventually you'll find one. Like I said, visit the PCGB forum and get your name known - both here and there is an invaluable source of help and info.
Finding a decent 3.2 with around 100k on the clock should be doable for £12,500 to £15,000. Like you will hear many times, condition and service history is crucial.
I got mine for far less than it's true worth, Glynn, who was General Manager of Specialist Cars in Malton for 10 years came round to Zymol it about 6 weeks ago and said that if it was on their forecourt it would be up towards £20k. So if you take mine as being an example of a very good one I could probably sell it privately for £15,000 without too much trouble. The values of good 3.2s do seem to be firming up though so it's worth being fussy and finding the right one.
Good luck, and questions, give me a shout or email.
al.
>> Edited by burriana on Sunday 21st May 21:41
burriana said:
There are good ones out there, you just have to run the risk of being a bit of a pain on forum with all of the questions and eventually you'll find one. Like I said, visit the PCGB forum and get your name known - both here and there is an invaluable source of help and info.
Good luck, and questions, give me a shout or email.
al.
burriana - your car looks absolutely fantastic on the pictures. looking at it (and the white 2.7 RS that was idling below my window yesterday afternoon) i even start to like white as a color
it looks great!! really many thanks for your offer to help, i will certainly get back to you on this one... the search continues....
burriana said:
i even start to like white as a color
it's the new silver doncha know
i reckon that must be true! the car i have seen and which sparked this thread was silver metallic which the owner (truthfully) described as very modern looking. however, looking around both at 997s in white and burriana's great looking car I have to say that white today (both on a 3.2 or on a 997) just looks more striking than silver...
supersport said:
Al - what did Glynn use on your spoiler/belows and rubber bits to get them so black?
Not sure mark ... I remember at the time thinking "bloody 'ell they look good, wonder what it is" then i forgot to ask.
I presume it is just the standard Zymol rubber/tyre dressing, but I haven't seen it in any shops. Drop Glynn a line via his profile and ask ... then tell me where I can get some.
I usually use Amorall on the tyres and inner wheel arches which is pretty good.
burriana said:
Al - what did Glynn use on your spoiler/belows and rubber bits to get them so black?
Not sure mark ... I remember at the time thinking "bloody 'ell they look good, wonder what it is" then i forgot to ask.
I presume it is just the standard Zymol rubber/tyre dressing, but I haven't seen it in any shops. Drop Glynn a line via his profile and ask ... then tell me where I can get some.
I usually use Amorall on the tyres and inner wheel arches which is pretty good.
I have used the Swissol Tyre stuff and it works a treat on the tyres, but doesn't bring the other plastic bits up anywhere near as black as yours!
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