[flash]

i agree.  what this is going to come down to is a buyer who wants the ultimate expression of what a 968 would be like, if they made one today.  it's tighter, faster, better appointed, handles and corners better, and sounds better than probably any other 968 out there.  they guy who is looking to get a car for $20k is not going to be the buyer for this car.  it's going to be the guy who recognizes that in order to have one that can keep up with today's cars, he is going to have to spend money.  like i said, if you were to duplicate this car, it would cost over $70k.

 

if i can come up with a storage solution, an ability to fire it up now and again to keep the seals tight, and i work out a steering wheel control solution, i may yet keep it.  that's a lot of "ifs" though.

 

then again, i could just part it out

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[ds968]

$ 50K  Ferraris  are not a bargain  ( the upkeep and cost of parts makes your 968 look like child's play )  

 

I wonder if the stick shift is a blessing or a curse nowadays; on one hand, you'd think anyone with a passion for driving will seek to have that feature and with your car offering just about all the other modern conveniences PLUS that, it would provide a compelling factor.  However, on the other hand, it seems the older we get the more we migrate toward hassle-free driving / comfort ( I'm ashamed to admit that even I who not too long ago swore I'd never drive an automatic if I had a choice, after what is still a very enjoyable shift driving experience in the blue car, I'm nonetheless starting to get quickly "tired" of going through the motions, after about an hour or so and think how much more convenient it would be if the car had a paddleshifter.. ugh, sad but true ) so maybe the marketing demographic for your car is the younger generation, many of which don't want to or don't have more than $ 20 K to spend for a used car, no matter how unique.   That's why I'm thinking an exotic car dealer, or auction where collectors and old car fanatics with plenty of disposable cash are looking to add to their stable of unique cars, and use it as a weekend driver.  Just thinking out loud..                        

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[Rap]

Ds, say it ain't so. A paddle shifter. You of all people. What is the world coming too? Maybe if you are getting quickly tired you need some sort of exercise regime, vitamins and go go juice. There has to be a solution out there for you. I'm already at a paddle shifter but of course I still have two manuel 968's. I use to drive the one to the shore. Stopped doing that when the traffic coming of the island became a lengthy  start and stop. Drove it to DC one time. Same thing-never again! Flash if I may be so bold. How are you marketing your car? I drove it once and could never get it out of 2nd because of traffic!

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[lbpesq]

When I will be driving in traffic, I take the Highlander with the automatic.  When I'll be traveling on open highway or other roads without traffic, it's the 968.  Simple equation. 

 

I don't get paddle shifters.  I've had a number of rental cars with the option of paddle or straight on automatic.  The paddles just seem like they embody the hassle of a manual while filtering out the fun aspect.

 

Flash, your main obstacle may be that almost everyone who really appreciates your car is already a 968 owner who has updated their cars with all the great Design 1 stuff.  That being said, if you decide to part it out, I'll take the zip up rear window.  lol

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[ds968]

Depends on the car the paddle shifter is in - drove a Maserati GT and an Aston Martin DB9 with paddle shifters, and I can say just the opposite : the paddle shifter adds the fun ( although I do agree it's not quite the same as the on the floor shifter and clutch pedal mode ) in an otherwise mundane automatic transmission. It just has to be in the right car ! But that's a moot point, I don't think flash can convert his 968's transmission ..OR CAN HE ?! Lol, can anyone say PDK retrofit job ? :-)

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[flash]

lb - i agree

 

ds - too funny - not going to happen

 

paddle shifters - i have them in the X5 - HUGE advantage!  normal driving i don't use them, but it's great when i stick it in sport mode and romp on it.  the turbo kicks in and the V8 gets roaring, and that puppy screams.

 

i've been looking into a few things today.  i may continue to tinker for a bit, since it looks like the car will be here for a while.  who knows what will happen then?  i may keep it.  i don't NEED to sell it.  the money really isn't that much of an issue.  sure, it would make things easier, but frankly it's only the difference of a couple of months before i replace any funds that would come from the sale.  if i wait that long, it's a moot point.  it's really about whether or not i would drive the car, and the storage of the car.  i think it's a waste to have it and not use it.  i also think it's a waste to use valuable storage space.

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[pbc1548]

While the car is no doubt incredible, at the end of the day it's still a 968. Don't get me wrong, I would love to own Flashes car and would burn my Cabrio if I did. However, the basic question is what kind of premium will the market bear for the very best of what is a $15-20k car - $30k, $40K, $50K or more? The lower end of this scale seems more likely as opposed to the higher end. The higher end is starting to enter a whole different realm of vehicles with far greater appeal than the 968 has - now or ever. The 968 is a niche vehicle with a limited following and no/little collector value, except to all of us, which basically means we all get to own a great car for the price of a Miata.

Good luck selling the car Flash - I hope you get lots for it!

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[Waylander]

It's the Clubsport that really pulls the cash, low miles 40k totally original CS sold here for close on 30 grand GBP, which I guess is close to $45K dollars


The coupes and cabs just don't get a look in, and the UK only car the Sport sits in between


The biggest thing that affects price here is originalallity.

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[Rap]

You're right in defining Flash's potential marketplace as being small. That's to his advantage to some degree. He's not looking for those who are hoping to get a deal. There is no dealing here. This person is a well defined marketplace/collector who is a car person that understands the value of Flash's improvements. This car is essentially a one off. There is the value.

I run across numerous people at the track and on the street who wax sentimentally about the 968. These are not the prospective buyers for Flashes car. It's the buyer that has either a couple of cars or a collection. This car would be added to his collection. The value is there is no work or mods needed to bring it up to anyone's standards. There a lots of these people out there. You read about them in the mags or see them on TV at the auctions.

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[flash]

you guys are right.  this is not really a 968, at least not in terms that most 968 buyers would think about.  it's really more what a 968 would be like, if porsche built one today.  it would be like every other car, with heated seats, one touch windows, full nav, bluetooth, great sound, awesome drivability, and at least 10:1 lb/hp.

 

that precludes interest of the "normal" 968 buyer.  if it's anybody interested in a 968, the buyer of this car will be looking for the ultimate expression of the 968.  more than likely, it will be somebody like me, who didn't care who made the car, or what model it was.  it will be somebody who is looking for a particular level of performance and features, and knows what it will take to have that.

 

to put this into perspective, when i was first looking for a 968, it was not because it was a 968, or even a porsche.  in fact, i almost didn't buy it because of that.  i wanted a specific type of car, with a specific set of traits.  in the end, i had to build it.  i just started with a 968 as a platform, and set a "budget" of $75k to get there.  if i were to do it again, i would need to spend more than that to get what this car does and has.

 

the average 968 buyer is not at the level of buyer for a car like this.  the level of buyer would be somebody shopping for a 355 or something like that.  it's going to be the kind of guy would buy a customized 50 mercury, and not care that it's not original.  frankly, the guys who look for originality on cars like these, which have no collectible value, and never will, tend to do so because they really can't afford the car, and look for excuses to get the buyer to lower the price.

 

regardless, i'm not in a hurry.  i don't NEED to sell this car.  storage space is an issue, but not the end of the world.  i could easily keep it.   i just don't think it's ever going to be capable of what i want.  that makes it illogical to keep it.

 

that being said, i am diving in, seeing about bumping up the power a bit more, and adding in some more creature comforts, to make it easier and better to drive.

 

in the end, it will only drive the price up, as it becomes more and more like cars of today, distancing itself farther and farther from the 968, which will only become more and more outdated and tired.  the 968 will be relegated to weekends and going to the local car show.  that's the way of all such cars as they become old, tired, and inferior.  when is the last time you saw somebody commuting a 65 ragtop pony interior V8 mustang?

 

we can all wax nostalgic all day long about the 968, and think back fondly to yesteryear, but in reality, we would all rather be driving something better appointed, faster, and more fun, with no reliability issues.  well, guess what?  i built that.

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[ds968]

 the level of buyer would be somebody shopping for a 355 or something like that.  it's going to be the kind of guy would buy a customized 50 mercury, and not care that it's not original.  .

Precisely ! And I believe there are quite a few of those buyers picking up various esoteric cars at specialty / unique car dealers in the greater L.A. area. In a world where you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a " me too " brand new Ferrari or Lamborsgini or Aston Martin or any given Porsche 911 of the 21 varieties they produce, lol, there is a thirst for unique cars, and originality is not that big of a deal to those guys. At auctions originality may count more so than anywhere else, but on the street ( at least in SoCal ) modified / customized classics is still in demand by those with a decent amount of disposable cash ..


Then again, after the new tweaks are done, you may realize the errors of your ways ( yeah, you flash ! ) and keep the car for at least another two decades, after all...

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[flash]

LOL - could happen.  been there done that.  historically i keep cars for a LONG time, and before i moved to LA, i just added the new cars and kept the ones i finished.  it's purely pragmatism that is driving this.

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[ds968]

Check this out ; never thought I'd see the day when people put $ 1 million ++ cars for sale on friggin' eBay !!! https://www.yahoo.com/autos/s/mclaren-p1...11829.html

While I still think placing it in a SoCal unique and collector cars showroom is a good idea, I wonder if eBay might not also be a good place for much greater visibility ?

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[williamoss]

If you sell it at 30K at a consignment store, how much would you get after they take the commission. So what about just offering it at that net price. YOu might get more real offers.

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[ds968]

IMHO, at a collectors and unique cars dealer showrooms in Beverly Hills, or Newport Beach, etc you would generally attract more potential buyers in a demographic which has both the knack for, and the ability to pay the kind of money flash's car deserves, than you would trying to sell it yourself . So he may come out ahead even after the 15%-20% commission is subtracted ( I read that's the average take on those type of cars ) . In addition to wealthy folks who are on a mission to add to their unique cars collection, you'd be surprised how many other wealthy folks who are not necessarly looking for a car just walk by, walk in and end up buying a car simply on a whim from those places. The " market value range " of 968s would be of no relevance whatsoever to those buyers ; I'm not implying they're stupid but rather that they probably can justify paying 2x or 3x or more for a unique car they discover which they instantly like and have no interest in doing a comparable search for other 968s...not that you could find any others in flash's car class / league, lol.

Then again, eBay could be a shot in the dark which might just work ..

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[flash]

nobody ever said i would sell it at $30k.  in fact, i said i was painting a picture specifically to scare off anybody who would try to offer me something that low.  this is a one of a kind car.

 

there are cars popping up lately that are priced higher than that, and don't get anywhere near being as complete or in the shape of this car.  i have no fear of being able to sell it for a reasonable number.  i am scheduled to work on prepping it this week.  i anticipate taking it to the consignment shop in the next 2 weeks.  based on what i have seen of other similarly prepared cars of other makes, i also expect they will probably put a price tag on it somewhere north of $60k.

 

we'll see

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[ds968]

From the "comparable" cars I've seen at those type of dealers in SoCal , I tend to agree that a $ 60 k - $ 65 price tag is a very reasonable expectation ( and I've spent a lot of time browsing at those showrooms and lots, so I have a pretty good frame of reference ) If you buy a Ferrari 355 or a 550 or an Aston Martin in that price range you might get the marquis name, but you're buying a virtual Pandora's Box ; that car will be in the shop after every other drive outing, and the maintenance cost will double the price you paid for it in just a couple of years. Furthermore, you can't swing a dead cat in SoCal without hitting a Ferrari ..

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[flash]

agreed.  i too have spent entirely too much time in those places, and think i have a pretty good read on what they would do.

 

like i have said, while i probably won't drive the car, and really have gotten to a point where i am ready to move on, i'm not desperate to sell it either.  i think i can work out long term storage, i have already absorbed the cost, and have now pretty much made up the funds i would need for the targa purchase.  so, i have time on my side.

 

this would be a lot easier if i didn't like the car, but i'm also no longer wedded to it, so it's not that hard either.

 

we'll see how it goes.

 

one thing i do know is that after i get these last little things sorted out, i will drive it for a week or so, just to get the "last harrah" stuff out of the way

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[flash]

well, i am now just about done with everything in prep for the car going to the showroom.  i have to use the car next wednesday, so i'll have it that long, but i think i am scheduling the detailer for thursday, and then drop it off on friday.

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[wildcat]

"92 Porsche 968 Turbo RS" went for $346,500... sure sure and all that but at $70k Flash's beast is a steal.  B) (I just threw that figure out there because you'd mentioned it.)

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