914 current value and pricing, WTF? Options

[ptravnic]

this means the cars are an INVESTMENT, not just a money pit.

While I like the wishful thinking, I humbly disagree.

An investment is putting money into something with the expectation of profit. Very few folks on this board/914 enthusiasts have or will ever come out ahead financially. Maybe here and there but largely these cars, like boats, are money pits.

When you put a price tag on fun, friendship, etc. it is a different story but I laugh til it hurts whenever someone tries to pull the "it's an investment" card.

-pt

I disagree. Whether or not something proves to be an investment depends on many things. Market conditions & timing are very important. A rust-free stock 914 is a work of art. Like most works of art, if you're in a hurry to sell it, it won't prove to be a good investment. With the right market & an enthusiastic buyer, you should be able to make some money. Keeping the car stock is very important in terms of market value. FWIW, you now have my opinion. Thank you.

Rainbows and unicorns. This reminds me of many (most?) golfers. They'll say that they are a bogey golfer or better but on average they are lucky to break 100.

I'm not trying to poo poo 914's - hell, I have the same disease as most on this board but c'mon - if most of us were to *honestly* add up our receipts the odds of getting more $ out of it than $ we've put into it are extremely slim.

I say this as someone who is embarrassed about how much money I've spent on the 914's over the past 20yrs ($30k? $40k? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) ). I wouldn't change this part of my past even if I could but if someone were to pitch the idea of the average 914 as a potential investment he/she should be ashamed of him/herself.

Then again maybe some of us have a different definition of an investment. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

[Haudiosolutions]

Investment or not, the average selling price going up makes it easier to swallow the cost to repair and upgrade parts. Spending a load of cash on parts and hours working on it may have a small return on investment but knowing it isn't going into a car going down in value (on average) creates just enough leverage in discussions with my wife on the cost of Porsche parts boxes being delivered " But babe, these cars are generally going up in value" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[Slick914]

I honestly think the current gas prices are a big factor. Not a whole lot of classic cars that are as fuel efficient as a 914. I'm currently looking to get a 914 again. I was shocked at how much the asking prices have increases since 2 years ago! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[JeffBowlsby]

The best quality 914s have always commanded higher pricing. See my list of of pre- and post-recession sales history.

http://bowlsby.net/914/Classic/RecentSales.htm

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[914itis]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

Don't forget all the rusty cars that sell for a couple hundred bucks. Gotta average them in to the mix.

914's are an investment in both fun and frustration but probably not the best "vehicle" to increase your net worth.

[tracks914]

I have one in the classifieds. It's been there for a year and I finally have a tentative deal.
914 For Sale
It's a turn key deal, pay and drive, everything works, everything has been restored, it looks as if it were a one or two year old very well kept used car. (Except for the unnoticeable dash cap)
It's appraised at almost $18K. I'm into it for just over $10K in parts and materials. (no labour because I do it all from engines/tranny to body/paint and upholstery)
I agreed to sell it for almost $10K after being able to drive it for 7 years.
I was hoping for more but living a days drive north of Toronto, the market in Northern Ontario isn't the best.
I'm ok for selling it for what I have into it after having enjoyed it for many years. Now to pay some University tuitions. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) for my daughters.

If the market picks and value goes up, great for our cars....I still have another one. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[enderw88]

The argument I make with myself about "investing" in my hobby is that I won't make money on the car if I take all the costs into account. But, if I divide the sunk cost (total spent owning the car - the price I get for the car when it leaves) by the number of hours I spent enjoying it it comes out pretty good. I have around $35,000 into my Stalker (including tools which I usually don't count because "tools are free!). When I sell it and divide the difference by the thousand hours or so I have spent building it (which I enjoy) and driving it then I am spending around 10-15$ per hour of entertainment. That's not too bad in comparison to the same calculation on SWMBO clothing budget!