Why do old 911's hold their money so well?

[Bad Sir Culation]

Inspired by the Singer 911 article, I had a look at old 911's in the classifieds. I was shocked to see how well the old ones hold their value. The 996, I knew about, and have already seen these as low as £10995.

But the early 80's stuff, right through are all surprisingly expensive.

Now, here's the thing - yes, these cars are Porsche 911's, yes that makes them special, to varying degrees, depending on model. BUT..... There's f'n loads of them for sale. Surely, in this current financial climate especially, there just isn't the sort of demand for them now that can sustain such prices?

Personally, I'd love either a 993, or a really mint early 80's 911 but I can't see the values ever being reasonable.

[sleep envy]

Bad Sir Culation said:

Personally, I'd love either a 993, or a really mint early 80's 911 but I can't see the values ever being reasonable.

they are reasonable, very reasonable

spend a reasonable sum, enjoy the car, sell the car and get most if not all of your reasonable sum back

what's not to like?

[Bad Sir Culation]

To be honest, when I say reasonable, I mean sub £10k. Never gonna happen IMO!

[al1991]

Bad Sir Culation said:

To be honest, when I say reasonable, I mean sub £10k. Never gonna happen IMO!

I'd like a 355 for £50.

The prices themselves aren't unreasonable, your expectations of them are.

[RDMcG]

One thing to remember is that the older car were produced in much smaller numbers compared to the current production volumes, so over time I would expect a 993 for instance to be a better long term bet than a 996/997

[Presuming Ed]

The only chance of prices for 993's or 3.2's getting to that level are if interest rates go through the roof and people need to bail out of their cars quick style. I suggest you look at 964's as the bargain 911 or the moment.

[sleep envy]

Bad Sir Culation said:

To be honest, when I say reasonable, I mean sub £10k. Never gonna happen IMO!

in that case you may need to adjust your interpretation of what you deem to be a reasonable sum in respect of a 911

[E36GUY]

RDMcG said:

One thing to remember is that the older car were produced in much smaller numbers compared to the current production volumes, so over time I would expect a 993 for instance to be a better long term bet than a 996/997

993s are already a better bet than 996/997 if you ask me. Noone is losing money on 993s.

[vixen1700]

Only thing you're gonna get around the £10k mark will be a 3.0SC, which is supposed to be a decent enough car.

http://www.eporsch.co.uk/ Scroll down for the seventiestastic gold SC 3.0 up for around £10.5k if I remember rightly.

Saw a beauty of a 3.2 Carrera earlier in the year for £9995, and was sorely tempted by a loan for it, don't know why I didn't.

Prices of 3.2s have certainly risen lately.

You might get an '80s Guards Red Targa for less, but that's about it really.

[trickywoo]

Presuming Ed said:

I suggest you look at 964's as the bargain 911 or the moment.

Not so sure about that. Good 993s aren't that much more expensive than 964s and overall running costs on the 993 are likely to be a bit lower.

[plenty]

The cars are iconic, they appeal to the wealthy, there aren't that many of them around, and the air-cooled variants have a huge halo surrounding them.

[AndrewW-G]

trickywoo said:

Presuming Ed said:

I suggest you look at 964's as the bargain 911 or the moment.

Not so sure about that. Good 993s aren't that much more expensive than 964s and overall running costs on the 993 are likely to be a bit lower.

As a former owner of 964 and 993, I'd have to say that as they are almost identical in so many ways (apart from the front bumpers, wings and lights) running costs are near identical, the only real differences comming from age and the older flaws of the 964, which in the vast majority of cases have already been sorted (DMF, distributor vent, cylinder sealing etc)

[stuckmojo]

trickywoo said:

Not so sure about that. Good 993s aren't that much more expensive than 964s and overall running costs on the 993 are likely to be a bit lower.

I agree. Try and find a 964 C2 manual. More expensive than the equivalent 993. I still kick myself for letting the purple 993 with BBS some time ago.

[SEE YA]

Its the classic look of the 911 that people like, the prices of 930's are going to rise and rise for example.

However many people buy them, and never look after them older 911's need money spent on them.


I think I got mine at the right time five years ago, and I paid a bit more than I wanted to as well.
I would not get one now, for the same money that is for sure.
If I sold it I would never be able to buy one again due to the value going up and up on old 911's.
They are becoming out of reach for many people now. IMO

Edited by SEE YA on Thursday 30th June 14:34

[vixen1700]

SEE YA said:

I think I got mine at the right time five years ago, and I paid a bit more than I wanted to as well.
I would not get one now, for the same money that is for sure.

Great looking car you've got there.

[SEE YA]

Thanks like I say EVERY MILE IS SMILE

[unpc]

stuckmojo said:

Try and find a 964 C2 manual. More expensive than the equivalent 993.

Wish I still had mine now, but I did manage to get rid for the same price I bought it for.

[Risotto]

I'd say they hold their value well because in terms of older performance cars (i.e. pre-996) they're about the best all rounders available.

Reasonably quick
Involving to drive
Relatively low volumes produced
Reasonably luxurious
Popular styling
Long heritage
Motorsport pedigree
Reliable & durable
Entertaining enough for a cross country blast
Comfortable enough for long journeys
Small enough for town driving
Vestigial rear seats
Space for the weekly shopping

You only need look at the mileages in the classifieds to see proof of their useability. When was the last time you saw a 20 year old Ferrari/TVR/Lotus/etc with a six figure mileage? Useable cars get used.

Edited by Risotto on Thursday 30th June 14:39

[Parabola]

If you want the classic shape for around £10K, maybe have a look at the Porsche 912
Smaller, 4 cylinder engine. Even their values are rocketing though!

[vixen1700]

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C211323

For under £10k, this looks reasonable if you can live with the migraine inducing interior.