964 C4 - to sell or to do up?
964 C4 - to sell or to do up?
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Discussion

stillfirm

Original Poster:

16 posts

242 months

Tuesday 4th September 2012
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I've owned my '90 C4 for 6 years and have always maintained it nicely. It had a full engine rebuild at 150k (happily before I bought it) and has covered about 20k since. it's had new koni adjustable front dampers, (+ teardrops, white lenses and all those little mods pre-me) so it's not exactly original but not un-doable.

the paintwork - well there's no major rust but it has had a dodgy respray *regret* and there's lots of little scratches. It needs a full proper respray job I think.
Interior wise - its ok stitching on the driver's seat needs attention but other than that ok.
Sunroof doesnt work, aircon doesnt work (does it ever in these models?), central locking's playing up and a few other minor irritations - like it needs a new n/s/r light fitting as this one keeps filling with water and shorting the indicator).

I bought it for 15k 6 yrs ago, so the question is - do I sell it and "wipe the slate clean" or do I spend the money to get it refurbed. Will it be a good investment?

thoughts??

andy_roe

78 posts

260 months

Tuesday 4th September 2012
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I think you need to work out how much it'll cost to get the car back to how you want it, and compare this against what it would cost you to buy a new one versus what it's worth right now.

If you're attached to this car then you already know what you'll do!

Andy

Johnboy Mac

2,666 posts

208 months

Tuesday 4th September 2012
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New engine, in overall good condition? Spend the money. Say five grand all in without full respray and seven with - yes real rough figures, but I'm sure you get my drift. What are you going to buy for 5-7k? As for the investment bit...don't know & wouldn't care provided the car is driving well, in tip top order and you're enjoying it.

shoestring7

6,194 posts

276 months

Tuesday 4th September 2012
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There's no good reason why the a/c on a 964 shouldn't work effectively. The technology is pretty straightforward and all the parts are available - as well as more modern alternatives. Try a search to find a local company with the necessary experience.

SS7

marky911

4,434 posts

249 months

Tuesday 4th September 2012
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Hi stillfirm,

I was in exactly the same position as you with my 964 Turbo. I'd owned it for 4 and 1/2 years and had had a lot of work done such as engine rebuild, brakes all-round inc. caliper refurb, wheels, a bit of body work etc, etc.

Anyway, my paintwork was slightly faded (under the laquer so it wouldn't polish up) and the only way I'd be happy would be a full windows-out respray this winter. The cost of that and all the relevant new window seals, headlamp lenses, foglights, etc, coupled with the prospect of crawling around the garage floor in the winter, wasn't filling me with joy. Plus the fact I've never been happy with a single bit of paintwork I've had done in the past.

I sat and made a list of how much I'd have to spend to have the car done to my standards (I'm a fanny), so I could just use it and polish it and it came to over £10k. I decided to let it go as that £10k when added to the money from the sale of the car would open the door to a lot of other cars.

I really liked that car and I won't know if I've made a mistake until I've tried some newer stuff. I'd developed an itch for something else though and when a guy contacted me through a forum and made a fair offer for it I thought "Sod it, let it go".

If I had to advertise it and put up with all the knackers, I'd probably still have it, as I just couldn't be bothered.

My point is, only you know how much you like the car. Ask yourself "Could another car I can afford make me as happy or happier?"
In my case I think it definitely could. The 3 prospective next cars all excite me and I can't wait to see what I end up with.

I'd say, try and sell it and save yourself a load of time fiddling and carting the car round to have things done, etc. There are a lot of cars out there to try! smile

PS. I don't want to start a C2 vs C4 debate, but I think most people agree the C2 is the sought after one. That's not to say the C4 won't be over time, but it will always play 2nd fiddle to the C2. So unless it has real sentimental value I'd try and shift it on.

ETA - Jeez! That post didn't seem as long while I wrote it. Sorry. smile

Edited by marky911 on Tuesday 4th September 10:17

andy_roe

78 posts

260 months

Tuesday 4th September 2012
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I agree.

My aircon managed very well in this years very hot summer without any problems (I'm in Italy) - it's actually colder than my wifes Toyota!

The problem with the system is that it has lots of places where it can leak, but once it works, it's good.

stillfirm

Original Poster:

16 posts

242 months

Saturday 8th September 2012
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hey guys thanks for your valuable thoughts. I do fear that though i do love the car when I get in and drive it, i may be missing out on others approaching 20k if roll up potential purchase price with chucking a load more money at it.

interesting the comments about the a/c though - i did have it regassed at some point but i read in a copy of 911 world (i think) that various stuff can go wrong with it.

Insurance is up in a fortnight so I ought to get a move on if I'm gonna flog it...

douglasgdmw

536 posts

249 months

Sunday 9th September 2012
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May not need a full respray, a decent detailed can get a lot of scratches out without the need for a respray.

Polished Bliss (in North East of Scotland) are an example of a high quality detailer and this shows how they can work their magic on an older Porsche
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.p...

George

douglasgdmw

536 posts

249 months

Monday 10th September 2012
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Forgot that they also did the following on a very tired old 993:
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.p...

acme

3,034 posts

228 months

Monday 10th September 2012
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douglasgdmw said:
Forgot that they also did the following on a very tired old 993:
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.p...
Any ideas on the rough cost of that detail??

Cheers