Do 911s ever go for under $20k?

"WiscoProud" (wiscoproud)
08/07/2015 at 11:18 • Filed to: None

I am perennially on the hunt for a fun second car. Lately, in addition to classic BMWs, have been thinking about older 911s. Like most of you, they were among the first cars I would geek out over as a small child. Anyways, I am having a hell of a time finding any vintage of 911 for less than $20k. Ideally, I would like a 964 or 993, due to the air-cooled engine, relative lack of electronics, and improved handling over the older widowmakers. I don’t even care if its a turbo.

However, it seems almost impossible to find a coupe with manual in my price range. I’ve also looked at 944s, 928s, 924s, 912s, etc., but they just aren’t as exciting. Are used 911s really this expensive, or is there somewhere special I should be looking?

DISCUSSION (23)

jkm7680 > WiscoProud
08/07/2015 at 11:21

Yes they do, but I lay claim to every single one because I said so.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > WiscoProud
08/07/2015 at 11:21

Back when I lived in AZ I found quite a few in the $16-18k range. They probably required a bit of work, but ran and drove and looked decent.

Try searching out there. Would be worth the plane ticket and drive back!

Cherry_man1 > WiscoProud
08/07/2015 at 11:22

Yes, there is this one that everyone hates.....the 996. Also if you look at the Mid 70’s and 80’s ones there are some sub 20k or around it.

Turbo74 > WiscoProud
08/07/2015 at 11:24

They're some of the most sought after cars right now.. You can find them for 20k but it will be on Craigslist and you'll have to bring cash immedieately before someone else does.

Laurence > WiscoProud
08/07/2015 at 11:24

They can, but usually 70’s/80’s targas that have lead a tough life

Jagvar > WiscoProud
08/07/2015 at 11:25

Under $20K? Not often. Exactly $20K? Sure:

http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/cto/516057…

http://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/5142850231…

http://charlestonwv.craigslist.org/bks/5113806773…

http://boulder.craigslist.org/cto/5136371012…

Master Cylinder > WiscoProud
08/07/2015 at 11:28

The best place to look for an affordable air-cooled 911 is 10 years ago. They’re caught in this ridiculous bubble that has made even a Targa “desirable.” If you want a decent 911 driver now, you’re looking at spending $25K or more just to get something that isn’t a heap of shit.

It’s sad. They made a lot of these cars but now they’re “investments” and most are being hoarded in garages instead of being driven like they ought to be. I almost never see any on the roads anymore.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > WiscoProud
08/07/2015 at 11:30

911s do go for under $20k, but the majority of them are 996s since that is generally the least desirable generation. Just use a filter on eBay or Autotrader and you should find some. I did a quick search and found a ton of 996s but only one 964 that wasn't wrecked and in decent condition.

wantafuncar > WiscoProud
08/07/2015 at 11:33

Maybe if you jump in the old DMC, turn on the flux capacitor, and hit 88mph.

911 values are high right now (and may not go back down).

WiscoProud > Jagvar
08/07/2015 at 11:35

Side question, what do you use to search multiple CL cities? I use the "search nearby areas" but nationwide would be better.

WiscoProud > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/07/2015 at 11:36

A 996 wouldn't be my first choice, but after reading about how to fix the IMS on CarBuying, they're not as undesirable for me.

WiscoProud > Master Cylinder
08/07/2015 at 11:37

That's what I was afraid of. When I graduated college 10 years ago it seems it was easy to find them under $15k or even $10k.

Jagvar > WiscoProud
08/07/2015 at 11:38

http://www.adhuntr.com/ is the best way to do it.

WiscoProud > Jagvar
08/07/2015 at 11:39

Thanks!

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > WiscoProud
08/07/2015 at 11:42

If you can accept the looks (I’m indifferent to the look of the facelifted version, but the original is awful), the 996 is fine. However, no one really accepts the 996, so you can get a good one for under $20k.

WiscoProud > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/07/2015 at 11:53

Since its a fun car, rather than my main vehicle, I would like to keep it traditional, or at least vintage looking. If it was my DD, then I would probably look for a more recent one to get the creature comforts.

I certainly don't hate the 996s, but they're more complex than I really want.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > WiscoProud
08/07/2015 at 12:05

I know what you mean, and the 996 is more of a daily driver than a second car. It's not bad as a fun car, but there are better 911s for that. Good luck with the rest of your search though!

Tapas > WiscoProud
08/07/2015 at 12:18

Only if they have herpes :)

Kidding. I’m sure they do. But no Porsche has ever cost exactly the price you pay when you buy it. Because it requires more costly maintenance than most cars (I assume?).

WiscoProud > Tapas
08/07/2015 at 12:23

Not sure. I presume the simpler air-cooled ones would be cheaper since there is less that can go wrong, even if the individual parts cost more.

Tapas > WiscoProud
08/07/2015 at 13:47

True. The engine won’t require as much work, even though parts cost a little more.

But then you have the body/paint and trim pieces that need fixing/replacement that comes with cars built 30-40 years ago...

Jake Girardet > WiscoProud
08/07/2015 at 14:27

Unfortunately, you and I are a bit late to the party! Ten years ago, it was down-right easy to find the heralded manual, air-cooled, coupe for less than half of what you see them going for today. I am thoroughly upset by the state of the market, because everyone is catching on to the fact that these cars were some of the very best driver’s cars, ever, and that they will never make anything like them ever again. It sickens me to think about the vehicles I could/would have if I was born in 1981 instead of 1991. Regardless, I will go to any means necessary, and wait any amount of time that I have to, in order to get my dream 911. It will happen. I’m also not at all opposed to buying one that isn’t exactly what I want, so long as it can be modified to fit the description of what I want (for example, I would have no qualms with doing a motor and/or transmission swap if I had to settle for one with a less desirable combination). Detestably, the only decent examples of a 911 you can get for less than $20K in today’s market are either not coupes, not manuals, and/or not air-cooled.

That being said, 996 have become increasingly more appealing lately for this very reason.. It likely won’t satiate your our desire to own an air-cooled example, but it’s a fine start, if only to tide you over in the meantime ; )

Coincidentally, we seem to have very similar (and excellent, might I add) tastes in cars! I noticed your BMW post; I aspire to own many of those one day myself, and I actually just picked up my first one recently: I bought a running, driving 1972 BMW 2002 (Malaga exterior, black and natural-leather-color interior, 4 speed manual) that has very little rust, and is amazingly original for its age. It has a beautiful used look to it that it actually wears quite nicely, as though it’s been driven and enjoyed throughout its life, rather than trapped in a garage. Haven’t even had her a month yet, but I’m having a blast getting acquainted with her!

I try to diminish the longing that I have for an air-cooled, rear-wheel-drive, fixed-roof 911 by telling myself that if I get the 911 too early, it might spoil the joys of some of the other cars that are also on my list, such as my long-dreamed-about, engine-swapped E30 325i Coupe, or the E36 M3, and E46 M3 that I’ve always had my eyes on. It may not be totally logical, but I kind of like the idea of owning them in a particular order. [Wow. This reply got lengthier than I anticipated. Sorry for the novel! Hope you find it interesting and/or helpful!]

WiscoProud > Tapas
08/10/2015 at 11:15

Yeah, but that's just par for the course.

Tapas > WiscoProud
08/10/2015 at 18:29

Yes, I’m just saying that that should be considered before making the purchase...