Mistakes we make.

[Ray]

From being a young man I had always longed/yearned for a 911 Air Cooled. Some years ago I purchased my dream. Sadly my bubble burst slightly when it came to everyday motoring. I found the 915 gearbox a bit of a handful and the lack of power steering made parking in tight spots tiring.
The car was a head turner and a pleasure to drive on m/ways and quite roads. Around town and in traffic it was a nightmare. I had however become soft in my driving approach. With the loss of the modern equipment I was talking myself out of love for the vehicle. Her indoors said, along with friends, sell it. The rest is history.
Now I am looking for a replacement and this is becoming a quest of torture as there are many for sale. The prices are ridiculous from private sellers who give you no comeback whatsoever. You pay your money and you are then on your own, so long buddy.
When it comes to the workings of vehicle insurers I am completely in the dark. A vehicle I have come across is a Cat N write off. The price is, £38,500 for a 1985 911 Carrera 3.2 Coupe. The damage was a broken headlight and a damaged/scraped front wing. Why would that be enough for a Cat N and more to the point why would you place a tag such as that on a vehicle? Surely a repair would not be over the value of the vehicle?
So I am repenting this mistake and wondering if I shall ever be able to source another in as good a condition for less than the cost of a London house.
Ray

 

[38F3E1]

When buying second hand cars "CAT write off due to minor damage" is one of those things to take with a pinch of salt along with "failed MOT but cheap to fix" …

:- )

 

[Ray]

When buying second hand cars "CAT write off due to minor damage" is one of those things to take with a pinch of salt along with "failed MOT but cheap to fix" …

:- )

Ian,
I'm a Yorkshireman and I usually know when something is too good to be true but when it comes to cars I let my heart rule my head sadly. The gentleman who replied to my querie made it sound like a throw away comment and all is well with the world.
Thanks for the reply.

Ray

 

[IndischRot]

The Cat N designation has only been around for 3 years or so - struggle to comprehend that a headlamp and a wing replacement were all that was required. Can you post a link to the car in question?

 

[Ray]

The Cat N designation has only been around for 3 years or so - struggle to comprehend that a headlamp and a wing replacement were all that was required. Can you post a link to the car in question?

The Cat N designation has only been around for 3 years or so - struggle to comprehend that a headlamp and a wing replacement were all that was required. Can you post a link to the car in question?

Cat N was in the past called Cat D.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303437384452?ul_noapp=true



Ray

 

[chrishak]

I feel your pain Ray, but take heart from the fact that many private sellers seem to price their cars in accordance with the agreed insurance valuation rather than the realistic market value. My '88 3.2 was valued at £50k eighteen months ago because it is in exceptional condition, has a water-tight history and has some very desirable factory fitted options, only its mileage stopped it from being valued as a £65k car. However, I'm under no illusions that it would fetch £50k on the open market because a) the market has softened considerably over the past year and b) it would be a private sale and c) unless a potential buyer was actively looking for a car spec'd like mine, he would be unwilling to pay a premium for it. I'd say that £40k is nearer the mark and even that is probably optimistic. Keep searching, I'm sure there are good cars at £40k or less out there!
By the way, I'd agree that there is no way a Carrera 3.2 would be written off due to the damage quoted!

 

[T911UK]

If it happened 20 years ago, car worth £10K?, repair £3K? easily happen

 

[chrishak]

If it happened 20 years ago, car worth £10K?, repair £3K? easily happen

But surely if it's CAT N it's a recent write-off, or do they change the categories retrospectively so a car that was a D is now an N?

 

[Ray]

If it happened 20 years ago, car worth £10K?, repair £3K? easily happen

But surely if it's CAT N it's a recent write-off, or do they change the categories retrospectively so a car that was a D is now an N?

Good point Chris.
I have asked the question regarding when the accident happened.

Ray

 

[Ray]

If it happened 20 years ago, car worth £10K?, repair £3K? easily happen

Turns out it was just over 12 months ago.

Ray

 

[T911UK]

Oh, that needs further investigation then.

 

[Ray]

Oh, that needs further investigation then.

I think I shall be giving this 911 a miss. It's a long way to go to just turn around and come home. Some people forget when they are selling privately that they are offering no security to the purchaser in the form of warranty etc. Yet some sellers are looking for showroom prices for their vehicles.
I have a 2001 Boxster S 3.2 which I am considering selling to assist in a purchase of a replacement 911 3.2 Carrera. Trying to get a price to pitch it at is a nightmare. You don't wish to under value the vehicle but you wish to cost it as a price which will sell the vehicle. Finding a like for like vehicle for a rough estimate is the way I am going to go.

Ray

 

[Motorhead]

Ray,

Assuming you were genuinely interested, surely you wouldn't contemplate buying a car of that age without a comprehensive PPI by a reputable Porsche Independent or inspection firm? At least that would give you a basis for either walking away or making an offer. Money well spent I would have thought?

Jeff

 

[Ray]

Jeff,
I have done madder things in my life, like purchasing a classic Carrera for £40k+ without even seeing it. I even bought my Cayman S without seeing the vehicle, her indoors thinks I am mad, she's not far off the mark, but point taken Jeff.
This time however I am going to be a little more reserved. I like to think that people are honest but the reality is that there are some who are not and this time I think I shall get an inspection unless I buy from a very reputable dealer/seller.
I am no different from most people, we want RR cars for Mini money. If you find one drop me a line. Thanks.

Ray

 

[38F3E1]

Best approach is to do the first viewing yourself and get savvy on what to look for. If things look good and you like the car then get a PPI. It can get very expensive having PPI after PPI with each car turning out to be not up to scratch.

 

[spook]

Ray, Please email me at macan@porscheclubgb.com as I have a friend whose car might be of interest to you.
Mike Allen

 

[chrishak]

Oh, that needs further investigation then.

I think I shall be giving this 911 a miss. It's a long way to go to just turn around and come home. Some people forget when they are selling privately that they are offering no security to the purchaser in the form of warranty etc. Yet some sellers are looking for showroom prices for their vehicles.
I have a 2001 Boxster S 3.2 which I am considering selling to assist in a purchase of a replacement 911 3.2 Carrera. Trying to get a price to pitch it at is a nightmare. You don't wish to under value the vehicle but you wish to cost it as a price which will sell the vehicle. Finding a like for like vehicle for a rough estimate is the way I am going to go.

Ray

I have a sense of deja-vu here...you'll hate me for telling you this but I bought my 3.2 when they were at or near the bottom of their value curve, but unlike yours, mine has a G50 'box and is everything I hoped it would be - and more. When I took on a new work contract, I needed a daily driver so kept the 911 and bought a 2001 Boxster S. The pair together cost me less than a third of the current value of the 911 and make the perfect pairing, so I'll certainly be keeping both for the foreseeable future - and the 911 until legislation says otherwise! I'm so glad I hung on to the Carrera because there's no way I could afford to buy it now!

 

[Ray]

Chris,
If you are trying to make me feel better it ain't working. But joking apart how you decided to use your cars was also going to be my plan. My problem was the 915 g/box and clutch/gear changing in traffic. I really struggled but having said that I should have toughed it out longer than I did.

Ray

 

[Ray]

The U.K. government wants to end the sale of new diesel and petrol (gasoline) cars by the year 2035. The plans, which were announced Tuesday and are subject to consultation, also include hybrid vehicles. U.K. authorities had previously said the sale of new petrol and diesel vans and cars would end in 2040.
So, where does this leave the present petrol diesel vehicle owners. And, more to the point what of other petrol driven items such as motor cycles, lawn mowers etc etc.

Ray

 

[tscaptain]

It only applies to cars and, I suspect, 2034 will be a very good year to sell a petrol or diesel car! They need to get very busy creating 25m charging points before then...I think there are about 250k at present[] That's only 4500 per day between now and 2035 Good luck with that.

https://www.ft.com/conten...11e9-b018-3ef8794b17c6

I guess the photo on the attached Government doc is what our streets will look like in the future.

Now, where's that Tesla dealership..

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