Air-cooled market cooling?

"superdave847" (superdave847)
06/04/2020 at 22:54 • Filed to: None

I was watching a really clean ‘77 911 auction on Bring-A-Trailer finish today f0r $29k.

Granted, it was a Middie, rather than a SC, and a Targa—but for a rust-free entry, this is a good price adjustment.

I mean look at this--that’s a clean ride.

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DISCUSSION (24)

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > superdave847
06/04/2020 at 22:59

The market has really cooled of for a year now. 930s had gone nuts, and were the first to start dropping.

Ssfancyfresh > superdave847
06/04/2020 at 23:02

Targas never really got hot. A nice targa under $30k seems reasonable.

Coupes, widebody non-turbos, and turbo cars are still nutty.

superdave847 > Ssfancyfresh
06/04/2020 at 23:10

Most Targas are still being listed in the 40s and 50s—at least the SCs, Carreras, and F-bodies. I don’t see man y clean Middies.

superdave847 > superdave847
06/04/2020 at 23:13

** One qualification on that, the clean soft top Targas don’t go for less than $5 0k.

Future next gen S2000 owner > superdave847
06/04/2020 at 23:15

To the non-911 aficionado, what's a middie?

superdave847 > Future next gen S2000 owner
06/04/2020 at 23:21

From 1974 until 1977, the first generation of impact-bumper cars are called, “middies”.

They lack the elegance of the early long-hooded cars, the rust-proofing of the later cars, used a magnesium block, and were saddled with power robbing emissions equipment called “thermal reactors”.

So kinda a nightmare.

It’s definitely smarter to buy a 911 SC, but middies are usually the cheapest air-cooled 911s.

There are a few exceptions—like the ‘74 Carrera RS, rare cars that used mechanical fuel injections (MFI) and the Carreras 2.7 and Carrera 3.0 cars .

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > superdave847
06/04/2020 at 23:34

Only ‘75-77 got the thermal reactors. Our ‘74 isn’t tied down by those things.

superdave847 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
06/04/2020 at 23:36

Right—I find a good ‘74 almost as desirable as an F-Body. And, correct me, but the thermal reactors are only on California cars, right? Which are almost all of them...

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > superdave847
06/04/2020 at 23:40

I could’ve sworn all ‘75-77 911s got saddled with thermal reactors regardless of location. Not sure if ‘74s in California ever did. I really should get back to fixing it this summer.

superdave847 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
06/04/2020 at 23:42

*grabs Bruce Anderson book*

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > superdave847
06/04/2020 at 23:50

Sounds like a very technical read. Unfortunately, my 911: 50 Years book will not be up to this task.

ranwhenparked > superdave847
06/05/2020 at 00:21

So, basically the Carter Corvettes of the Porsche world?

RallyWrench > superdave847
06/05/2020 at 01:10

Not bad. Targas have always been the weakest, but it’s definitely and rightfully cooling. If you want a flawless black/tan ’77 Targa with an SC engine and the smoothest shifting 915 I’ve ever driven I know of one for $35k. Maybe less. Also a really good red ‘75 coupe (no smog!), also with an SC engine, for about the same coin. Both super clean california cars with records. ;)

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > ranwhenparked
06/05/2020 at 01:55

Ford,

Saracen > superdave847
06/05/2020 at 02:21

That’s a good air-cooled p-car for the money.

superdave847 > ranwhenparked
06/05/2020 at 07:50

^ This

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > superdave847
06/05/2020 at 10:22

I’ve noticed the same thing; more listings in general and slightly more reasonable listing prices. I don’t know the ins and outs of air cooled cars very well but there is a pretty nice looking 74 Targa near me for even less than this and it caught me by surprise a little.

superdave847 > Ssfancyfresh
06/05/2020 at 23:32

So... one day later this happened:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-porsche-911-carrera-targa-21/

superdave847 > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
06/05/2020 at 23:32

I take it all back: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-porsche-911-carrera-targa-21/

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > superdave847
06/05/2020 at 23:46

Kinja'd!!!

IDK. I was on the fence selling last year. Then back in march kicing myself when the market was all tipsy all of a sudden some 991s popped up for low 50s, on the cusp dropping into the 40s.

superdave847 > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
06/06/2020 at 08:52

I think the insanity in the classic Porsche market spilled into the water cooled market for awhile. But Porsche built a ton of the 991, including GT3s, and those prices should keep dropping as the 992 sells and the 991 comes off lease. But aircooled cars are probably safe money.

Although a Targa at 100k is bonkers.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > superdave847
06/06/2020 at 09:19

That targa is just nuts.

The watercooled market is all screwed up. A) the (base msrp) price keeps going up faster than inflation,

B) something like 1/2 of 911 production is GTS or GT3 which were originally rare options look at the number of units built. has been viewed as an investment, which i think is crazy. As they aren’t that rare. Like gt3rs that people were throwing 200k on top of msrp.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_911_GT3

Its a great game. Porsche produces a new special edition sells 1000 of them. and then a bunch sit in garages. How long can they keep it going?

superdave847 > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
06/06/2020 at 09:38

Good point. I can’t believe how expensive the 992 is. The Turbo S is like 40k more than the 991 version without options!

And why buy a base Carrera when a Boxster Spyder or GT4 can be bought cheaper?

The only new Porsche I’m really excited about is the Cayman GTS 4.0. In Python Green.

Ssfancyfresh > superdave847
06/06/2020 at 14:14

Saw that. That’s crazy money.