[V8] Buying Used Cars

[Paul Jager]

It's true no matter how nice, you'll have to have the typical failures and
wear items taken care of. But car buying is an emotional thing so "window
stickers" and toolkits, original mats, tires and gas are big deals.

My favorite purchase is a one-owner that cosmetically is in average shape,
nothing special and electrical issues (my specialty!). That way the car is
still pretty much stock, and the less work by mechanics the better! Most
every part can be restored to look very nice - paint, interior, electrical
you name it - without a lot of re-work or cost.

I bought my last three cars like that including the '93 V8Q which still
drives like new. They have been great to own and for maintenance too.

However our latest project the 944S we are going the other way.  We are
taking on a basket case. This is for good reason - to examine in detail
problems and solutions for this model of Porsche with the end result of
developing new products. We start at a $2000 special (delivered) rather than
tearing a part a $7000 nice one.

There is a video to look at on this link...
http://www.jageng.com/944S.htm


Paul




Its been fun reading different folks perspectives on buying used cars, and
what the best approach  might be.  I own and work in a restoration shop
specializing in early Porsches and Jags.  When buying for myself, or
advising
my customers who seek perfection, I always advise them to buy the worst
complete and structurally sound car they can find.  After all, if you're
heading
for a high end car, anything that isn't perfect has to be redone.  So why
pay for it
twice?  If the interior isn't perfect, you'll be replacing it, so why pay
for a good
one?  If the engine isn't exactly what you want, get one that's run out,
since you'll
be completely rebuilding it anyway.

You have to look at your skills and interests before deciding what level to
buy at.
If you can't do a thing, and it's always off to the shop, the best car you
can find is
the way to go.  But if you can do much yourself, have some friends in the
industry
who can help, etc. buying a bit of a beater can save you a lot of money.
And buying
a project lets you pay as you go, eventually ending up with a better car
than you
could have afforded had you needed to pay for all of the value up front.

As well stated earlier, the vast majority of V8s- the 1990 and 1991 cars,
are now
well into middle age or better, and are going to need attention.  Sure, that
rare jewel
is out there, but at a real premium, and probably in the hands of an owner
who knows the
costs and rarity associated with what he has.  Fewer and fewer screaming
deals are
going to come along as time moves forward.  I bought my V8 5 speed out of
the Midwest,
2000 miles away, even though I didn't want a Midwest car.  But how many
choices did
I really have with probably less than 50-60 still on the road?  Soon the
situation won't be
much different for the automatics- almost all will be wrung out, and the
focus will change to
the best way to sleeve the blocks, what pistons can be made to fit, etc.

If these cars are what you want to focus your car hobby on, then get started
with what
you can.  And either learn more diverse and in-depth skills, or get a second
job to pay
for it!  The situation is very similar to that which existed for the early
Porsche 928S-
a semi-rare, interesting, and very difficult/expensive car to maintain.
Their values have
finally started to climb.  Let's hope the same happens for early Audi V8s-
they can't go
much lower!  Cheers.
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