Spend on current or sell and progress
Discussion
TL:DR
Spend or sell
2004 986 3.2S
Very very tidy, on top, underneath & inside. 68K miles. FSH, MoT to 2025. Much admired and commented upon.
Nothing much seems to be selling and the likely sell price is about £7500 - £8000.
Last service was 18 months/ 3500 miles ago.
Within the next 8 months or so I could end up spending a few ££ - Service, IMS as it's not been done, brake lines as the long front to back has started to corrode at the plastic clip, replace the rear shocks and springs (I have these already) to match the fronts that I did 18 month ago and this will likely include coffin arms etc etc. and the blippers on the keys have lost their sync with the box in the car. Work will be done at a Porsche indie.
Now I could drop the price and put the forthcoming expenditure into a newer car, maybe a 996 Targa with a little more room inside and hopefully some of the forthcoming work already carried out or I throw maybe £4K or more at the current car and it'll still be worth £8K
A dilemma. We've all probably come across similar but what to do.
Spend or sell
2004 986 3.2S
Very very tidy, on top, underneath & inside. 68K miles. FSH, MoT to 2025. Much admired and commented upon.
Nothing much seems to be selling and the likely sell price is about £7500 - £8000.
Last service was 18 months/ 3500 miles ago.
Within the next 8 months or so I could end up spending a few ££ - Service, IMS as it's not been done, brake lines as the long front to back has started to corrode at the plastic clip, replace the rear shocks and springs (I have these already) to match the fronts that I did 18 month ago and this will likely include coffin arms etc etc. and the blippers on the keys have lost their sync with the box in the car. Work will be done at a Porsche indie.
Now I could drop the price and put the forthcoming expenditure into a newer car, maybe a 996 Targa with a little more room inside and hopefully some of the forthcoming work already carried out or I throw maybe £4K or more at the current car and it'll still be worth £8K
A dilemma. We've all probably come across similar but what to do.
996 Targa is going to be have the same potential issues but with a now unknown car and for probably not a lot of different drive.
When you have a car you know, you understand where you are with it.
I think at this price point I’d stay put and enjoy what you have. It’s really a nice place to be.
When you have a car you know, you understand where you are with it.
I think at this price point I’d stay put and enjoy what you have. It’s really a nice place to be.
Had the 986 about two and a half years, took a long while to get used to it/to like it to be honest but a few decent runs out rather than a 20 mile round trip to Tesco, I've got to appreciate it. My experiences of a 911 are a few rattly ones from the 70's and 80's back in the 80's and 90's never driven a modern one. The two rear seats are no more use to the family as they wouldn't fit in the back but I believe there's a little more leg room for the driver.
Lot more expensive age/mileage car for car of course, assume maintenance costs/VED/insurance about the same.
Lot more expensive age/mileage car for car of course, assume maintenance costs/VED/insurance about the same.
Edited by Skyedriver on Friday 11th October 12:01
Firstly, do you need to do the IMSB? If its lasted this long... Personally I'd wait til the engine needs to be dropped for some other reason, or do clutch and RMS at the same time (not sure if the brake lines over the gearbox are a thing like in the 911)
A friend had a 986S, and on drives out there was really nothing in it performance-wise between it and my 996 4S, and I reckon the engine in the Boxster sounds sweeter somehow.
There will be a big outlay to get into a 911 and you need to make sure all the big works have been done, particularly on the suspension, brake lines. The targa roof can be a world of pain and expense too, so check thats in good order. Either way a 996 will still most likely be a work in progress to some extent.
Personally, I think there is a lot to be said for the 'devil you know' in cars, particularly this generation of Porsche.
Unless you really want a 911 that is... they are great cars, and the targa is versatile, not least because of the rear hatch.
A friend had a 986S, and on drives out there was really nothing in it performance-wise between it and my 996 4S, and I reckon the engine in the Boxster sounds sweeter somehow.
There will be a big outlay to get into a 911 and you need to make sure all the big works have been done, particularly on the suspension, brake lines. The targa roof can be a world of pain and expense too, so check thats in good order. Either way a 996 will still most likely be a work in progress to some extent.
Personally, I think there is a lot to be said for the 'devil you know' in cars, particularly this generation of Porsche.
Unless you really want a 911 that is... they are great cars, and the targa is versatile, not least because of the rear hatch.
when i purchased my 996 i had the engine out for the IMS bearing, oil seals between the eng/gbox and had the the brake lines replaced due to age and the engine was already out, yes it was a large bill but is has been odne. if you buy a 911 of this age a good chance the lines will need replacing so have that money spare.
Unless you really want the 911 keep with the Boxster and enjoy it until something drastic goes wrong
Unless you really want the 911 keep with the Boxster and enjoy it until something drastic goes wrong
Well I think that's unanimous in favour of the devil I know.....
Yes looking at 996 prices, I'd still have to add a lot on top of the likely future spend on the 986. Targa is my favourite, convertible with practicality. Appreciate the coupe is the more rigid and more motor sport related. Always had convertibles since my first in 1972 (1966 Midget) right through to a crop of TVRs but never think the 911 shape suits the convertible somehow.
Thanks Guys, I'll probably drop it into the Indie over the winter when it would usually be garaged anyway.
incidentally, if the IMS fails what happens, total grenade? Don't think it's leaking much, more a haze or mist underneath. An earlier report said from the clutch area (so could be IMS) and cam position sensor..
Yes looking at 996 prices, I'd still have to add a lot on top of the likely future spend on the 986. Targa is my favourite, convertible with practicality. Appreciate the coupe is the more rigid and more motor sport related. Always had convertibles since my first in 1972 (1966 Midget) right through to a crop of TVRs but never think the 911 shape suits the convertible somehow.
Thanks Guys, I'll probably drop it into the Indie over the winter when it would usually be garaged anyway.
incidentally, if the IMS fails what happens, total grenade? Don't think it's leaking much, more a haze or mist underneath. An earlier report said from the clutch area (so could be IMS) and cam position sensor..
As we’re past summer and heading towards winter, the market is normally not as strong at this time of year so not the best time to sell (although you could argue that your new purchase would also be down and so could work from that perspective).
If it’s a big service then I would expect most buyers to pick up on it - similar for any major issues that will need rectified soon. Granted you are unlikely to get the full cost of adding in this work back when you come to sell but you will wouldn’t be able to save the full amount of not doing these services/repairs as your sell price will be compromised if that makes sense?
If it’s a big service then I would expect most buyers to pick up on it - similar for any major issues that will need rectified soon. Granted you are unlikely to get the full cost of adding in this work back when you come to sell but you will wouldn’t be able to save the full amount of not doing these services/repairs as your sell price will be compromised if that makes sense?
Redline88 said:
As we’re past summer and heading towards winter, the market is normally not as strong at this time of year so not the best time to sell (although you could argue that your new purchase would also be down and so could work from that perspective).
If it’s a big service then I would expect most buyers to pick up on it - similar for any major issues that will need rectified soon. Granted you are unlikely to get the full cost of adding in this work back when you come to sell but you will wouldn’t be able to save the full amount of not doing these services/repairs as your sell price will be compromised if that makes sense?
Yes, get what you're saying about time of the year etc., what I'm finding when I enquire/offer on something (not just Porsche) or watch an online auction (like H&H during the week) folk aren't prepared to drop their expectations of prices which 18 months ago were significantly higher. Maybe I'm the same to some extent but a realist. As a result little is selling (again see H&H or look at stuff on the internet that's been for sale for an age.If it’s a big service then I would expect most buyers to pick up on it - similar for any major issues that will need rectified soon. Granted you are unlikely to get the full cost of adding in this work back when you come to sell but you will wouldn’t be able to save the full amount of not doing these services/repairs as your sell price will be compromised if that makes sense?
My concern with the current car is that I could easily throw a few £K or more at it in the next few months and it not be worth any more than what someone has tentatively offered (without seeing it) but there again I'd have a damn good car myself.
Re a Targa, I've heard the roof/tailgate are problematic but feel it would suit me best, there are however very few for sale.
Edited by Skyedriver on Sunday 13th October 09:06
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff