Porsche 944 GRM poll: make it pretty or sell as-is?

I've got an 87 944 that I own really right and it's got a long list of new parts. Virtually every known weak spot or common failure point has been addressed and/or upgraded. It has 51k showing, but it's probably 151k. Im trying to decide if I should sell it as-is for $1500 or spend +/- $2000 to make it cosmetically excellent & try for more money? Does anybody really still pay $4500-5000 for nice ones?

If you cant craigslist and or find sold ebay auctions reaching the price range you would want to target as a "nice" car I think you should just sell it. Unless the visual improvements are really easy wins like a good cleaning and a buff out

In reply to Jaynen:

It needs a windshield, seat side bolsters redone and some spot repairs to the paint. I can get it damn-near perfect for $2000

I have never made money on any car making it pretty, the best is coming out about even and selling faster.

If it won't safely and reliably make it out of eyeshot, then fixing it to that point usually makes the value go up enough to cover the work. If the buyer can hop in it and drive it home, price for the cosmetic stuff and kick it down the road.

Replace the windshield and sell.

The rest is just old car stuff

oldopelguy wrote: I have never made money on any car making it pretty, the best is coming out about even and selling faster.

I've made money where making it pretty involved a buffer and touch up paint. Doing much more than that is a usually a loosing proposition. Spending $1.5k + time to increase the sale price by $2.5k is a hard way to make money.

In reply to M030:

I'm just glad you're not closer, because an ugly/mechanically sound 944 for ~$1500 seems like the perfect idea to me.

NADA and Excellence Magazine list "clean retail" as $6500-8000. If there was a "print check" button on their page, it would be easier, but I haven't paid more than $3000 for a 944 since I bought my 944 turbo in 1995. Bottom line: price guides make it look like a winning idea to make it pretty before offering it for sale, but price guides don't buy cars. So my real question is what a pretty & mechanically excellent 1987 944 n/a 8v is worth in the real world.

Sell it, rather than opening the whole bodywork can of worms.

M030 wrote: So my real question is what a pretty & mechanically excellent 1987 944 n/a 8v is worth in the real world.

$5500 if you can document that both the clutch and timing belt are fresh, $4000 otherwise. Anything more than that, I'm looking for a unicorn or survivor car... some reason to pay a premium.

In reply to bludroptop:

Thank you!! It's got a new timing belt, water pump, balance shaft belt, front & rear main seals, new clutch, new starter, new motor mounts, shocks/struts, steering rack & tie rods, alignment, tires & fresh fluids throughout, including the transaxle. You really could drive it anywhere but it sure is homely. Some of that stuff was done as maintenance and some was done just because I had a parts car that was loaded with brand new parts like the rack and the starter.

Stefan (Not Bruce) wrote: Replace the windshield and sell. The rest is just old car stuff

This!

I say let someone else take the risk.

Do only the lowest-effort fixes (power polish the paint, 303 the dashboard, organize records, clean up what you can) and then try to get the most return for it. Replace the windshield iff it's cheap.

It sounds like you already have a lot riding on the car so spending a lot more to make what you've already done pay for itself doesn't make sense.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I've decided to make it pretty. I used to be a wholesaler of used cars and I've got connections to get this stuff done both well and cheaply. I spoke with my former boss who had this insight, "because they've been so cheap for so long, few nice ones exist, and the average 944 buyer isn't planning on using it daily. It's a toy, and as such, he wants it to be shiny so he can show it off to his buddies...the $4500 customer for a shiny one is much easier to find than the $1500 guy who cares more about its mechanical condition." that from a guy who sells over 100 sports cars a year. And so, I'm going balls deep & making it pretty. I'll post the eBay link when it's all shined up & listed. Unless one of you wants it as-is before I get the ball rolling.

hope it works out well for you. Post link when done

Hummmm 1500 ....... Will you take a complete 87 944 motor in partial trade????

Oh. I have someone that will do the windshield for $225. I will text you his contact info.

In reply to dean1484:

I'd consider it, if you had one, but I do believe your injector rail is installed in my 944 project car I will, however, take you up on your $225 windshield lead.

I have replacement rails and injectors.

I will get the contact information re the windshield.

I may be interested @ $1600 after the windshield is replaced and otherwise as-is.

Pics? How's the rust?

These are almost all galvanized steel so there should be little if any rust. If you ever find a rusted one it is a really good indication that it has been damaged previously and repaired.

Also on a side note I have known the OP for years and done numerous business transactions with him. He has always been very accurate in his descriptions of things.

I will have to get the info on Monday. His card is at the shop.

Thanks for the kind words, Dean! Bluej, I can't do 1600 after the windshield. There is no rust that I saw, except on some fittings like where the fuel line threads onto the filter and things like that. It's structurally very solid. I was originally planning to make a track car out of it, but my "lame ass" stock 2.5L Boxster is a significantly faster car, so I binned that idea.

Well, you were going to take $1500 w/ the busted windsheild. I added half the cost of replacing it per dean's contact. Is that so out of line? Honest question, not trying to needle you.