Dan Crouch Blog

I had never heard of this hardtop option before, but check out this really cool aftermarket option from Zeintec. It's called the Zeintop and by removing a couple panels from your early first generation Boxster, it fits in place like a hard top but also incorporates a hatchback design that utilizes the stock trunk area. The result is remarkably similar in design and look of the much newer Porsche Cayman.

And according to this thread on Pelican Parts, there is a promotion offer right now that prices the top at around $3k! Mix in a low miles, second hand Boxster like this one, and viola, a budget Cayman for around $20k:

quote from seller's Craigslist posting in San Francisco:

1998 Porsche Boxster-17,500mi-Original Owner-Very Clean - $15500 (saratoga)

[...]

This white, 1998 Porsche Boxster is offered with less than 17,500 miles. I’m the original Owner of this beauty and kept the Boxster in the garage. It is an instant classic. Its extremely clean. Enjoy the thrill and excitement of your new Boxster.

As most readers have noticed, I'm watching used Boxsters and this sure looks like a really interesting option!

dc

Here are my picks for this week's online classifieds highlights:

• 1991 BMW e30 M3 For Sale: Alpine White Driver with Tasteful Upgrades
• Porsche DP 935 Turbo: Previously Owned by Mario Andretti and Pete Rose
• Suzuki GSX-R Blowout Post: 5 Classic Gixxer’s on eBay Right Now!
• 1988 Suzuki GSX-R 1100: Clean and Recently Rebuilt Motor
• Black e28 BMW M5 For Sale with Only 44k Miles!
• 1988 Volkswagen Scirocco 16v For Sale, only 50k miles!
• 1988 Suzuki GSXR 750 Slingshot: Beautiful Survivor For Sale with Upgrades
• 1994 Honda NSR 250 Rothmans For Sale in Reno
• 1993 Suzuki RGV250 For Sale with Title
• 1994 911 Carrera 4 Factory Widebody: Nice Hips!
• 1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S For Sale in White on Black
• Sharp Looking 1989 Yamaha FZR400 For Sale
• 1989 Honda NSR250: Another West Coast Bike For Sale
• 1987 Porsche 928 S4: 5 Speed and Black on Black - This is Rare!

I spotted this car a couple of weeks ago on the side of the road with the for sale sign in the window. As a previous owner of three Volvo's (144S, 145S, 244) I was intrigued. But I also recall that my Dad had one of these very early 544's when he was in college, and since it's his birthday today, I figured all the more appropriate.

Happy 63 Dad! Let me know if I should pick it up on the way home tonight

dc

I originally posted this Alpina as a car I spotted for sale on eBay. I noted the condition wasn't perfect but it was an Alpina B9 for sale in the U.S. Todd recently emailed me the following:

I just want to drop a quick note to show you how the 85 B9 Alpina that you featured in June 06 turned out. The car won the BMWCCA Peachtree Chapter Concourse in 07 and actually turned out to be a great find. The original paint was reconditioned and the original leather interior was salvaged as
well. The car is now undergoing a complete undercarriage detail along with reconditioning the worn suspension and mechanical components.

I have attached a few pictures of the car as in the ebay add along with current pictures.

[...]

I was really worried when I first saw the car and thought it actually looked better in the pictures but I had to tell myself that it was an Alpina and not just a BMW. I was preparing to do a repaint and had removed all the trim and bumpers when I decided to try and salvage the original paint. What did I have to loose? Anyway, I was very surprised and pleased with the way it transformed.

{I'm having issues making the Flickr gallery work, so I'm just going to post all the pics }

A dancrouchblog.com success story, and for an Alpina no less! Congrats on your purchase and resurrection Todd! The car looks fantastic!

dc

I saw my old e36 M3 drive by me yesterday, and I was instantly depressed. It looked great and still wears all the upgrades I had applied, especially the Stromung exhaust upgrade.

So as I cried myself to sleep last night wondering why I had let this one go, I went through old directories scouring up unpublished pics. Some are actually duplicates, some are new, and the image above was created last night from an old photo. It's a bit over the top in terms of post-processing, but it was fun to make. Hope you enjoy,

dc

BaT has once again spotted an amazing e30 M3, but this time, it's a museum piece with only 4k miles!

The asking price is $59,500. Yes it's alot, but as stated in their post, this could be the lowest mileage, privately held, e30 M3 in existence.

Question of the day: If you woke up and found $60k in your account earmarked for an M3, would you buy the original in like new condition, or would you buy a brand new e92? Leave a comment with your choice.

dc

BringATrailer beat me to the punch featuring this great MK1 GTi for Sale on VWVortex (FL, $10.5k):

I had actually spotted this MK2 GTi, for sale by the same owner as the car above, this morning surfing the Vortex before work:

1992 Black GTI 2L 16 valve, 100% restored to factory correct specs (FL, $11.5k):

A bunch of whining kids start piling on about how high the prices are on these cars in both threads. While the prices are potentially record setting, I have actively been on the lookout for a clean MK2 GTi or GLi and examples of decent quality often have asking prices of $5k+. The fact that these are FAR nicer than the decent one's I've seen, they should command a significantly higher asking. And while the kids would love to own these, the kids that grew up with these cars can see the value and can actually afford to buy them. I doubt they'll sell overnight, but an enthusiast or a creative investor will eventually step up.

dc

After going up to Portland and back a few times by rental car in the past few months, I find myself seriously regretting the sale of the e36 m3. It handled this duty so well, and the Dodge Avenger rental car... Well it's a pile of shit in comparison except that it's nearly brand new. I have no other words of praise for it.

So naturally while hanging out on the Portland I-5 parking lot coming back from Webvisions, I fantasized about eating up back road in a comfortable German sports touring machine. Not new of course, because that's not reality. A modern classic, used German car, in the $10-15k range. AKA "the so affordable range, you could get one at a moment’s notice." Or so I always care to believe!

Naturally I hit crazedlist.org to check out all the west coast listings for a German Tourer. First up:

1988 Porsche 928 S4 in Portland, Oregon for $10.5k on Craigslist

The Exterior Paint Is Original & In Very Good Condition Without Dents Or Door Dings. The Interior Is Near Perfect With Only Minor Warping On the Right Rear Panel. The Dash & Pod Are Flawless.

The Car Comes As Shown and Priced With Porsche Factory 993 Cup Wheels. I Will Reduce to $10,500 With Stock Slotted Wheels. New Price Reflects Brand New Shocks With Ride Height Adjustment and Alignment.

I know 928's are maintenance nightmares, but they are so sexy. And the one I drove years ago was a 1984 928S model. It was a very comfortable car, but with a terrible 3 speed auto transmission. This car being a later model 1988 year and an S4 features much more horsepower, and 4 speed auto. This combination should really make this car much more alive. And the white on white, while very Miami Vice, still appeals to me as a product child of the 80's. It's already a standout car; why not make the interior just as eye popping?!

This car has important recent maintenance and looks sharp with the 993 rims for $11.5k. If you can handle the couture interior, this looks attractive to me!

Check out other Porsche Cars For Sale Posted on dancrouchblog.com

dc

Here's a gray market 323i that sold while I was gone. Very cool and original upgrades:

1985 EURO BMW E30 323i with Alpina / Zender C1 2.3 M3 on eBay (Dallas, Sold for $5200):

Offered here for sale is one very rare and collectible 1985 EURO BMW E30 323i with an Alpina / Zender C1 2.3 package, based on BMW's 323i (E30 body style)

This car was purchased new in Europe Germany at the time, and then imported it to the US. The car was federalized in the USA. The service was done not long ago as well (all fluids being changed, the sparks and wires replaced, new hoses, new exhaust, etc.). It is a Texas car with no rust, shinny paint and it is registered in Texas. German tags all around, never wreck. The car is registered in Texas as a 1985 323i. This Bimmer has new upholstery. Original German front plate. The plastic and moldings are complete and in great shape. I have owned MANY e30 and e30 M3 and I never seen a cleanest and tightest e30 like this car. The interior is extra clean as well as the bay engine. No weird noises, and is really strong and very responsive when driving

This car has the following Alpina or Schnitzer parts installed: 323i-based 6-cylinder engine, limited-slip finned-cover differential, super light weight BBS 7Jx15" wheels (two pieces) , Alpina wheels emblems, Zender front fiberglass spoiler, Zender rear spoiler, and Schnitzer Side skirts. Front and rear Alpina emblem, sport springs, shocks and struts. Alpina Racing gear box with close-ratio 5-speed transmission, fuel injection system, ZF slip diff, center muffler, twin rear mufflers, instrument cluster in km(106.300) not miles, wiper and washer headlight kit. Power windows, power mirrors, power sunroof. New light tint windows, yellow beams. It is equipped with sport suspension; German Bleinstein shocks and sport short springs. Alpina rare fender turn signals. Momo gear knob. Sony exploid stereo (I rather to have the original but I bought the cat with that stereo).

I've also noticed quite a few enticing BMW's on EnthusiastAuto.com that have been listed on RoadFly. They have not one, two, or three sweet e30 M3's, but several other cool BMW's as well. Here are a few pics:

dc

I know, I know, the top 10 posts are way too sportbike oriented, but I can't help it. It seems spring has sprung and sellers are anxious to capitalize on the adrenaline allergy (orgy?) season. Here are two more beautiful examples from the Bay Area Riders Forum:

1991 Honda NSR 250 SE MC21, Title and For Sale in California for $6k on BARF:

1991 NSR 250 SE. Current CA registration, clear CA title in hand.
The SE model gets you adjustable front and rear suspension and the zoomy and always exciting dry clutch.
Near original, all stock condition with the exception of chambers and front / rear steel brake lines. Original exhaust/mufflers included. Overall, it's in really nice shape. The chassis, swing arm, forks, wheels and other hard parts are in top condition.
Bodywork has the usual chips here and there and a bit of scuffing on the underside of the lowers.
Currently runs rich but a jet kit is on the way!
$6000

For $6k with title -- you have to be kidding me! What a killer deal on a gray market specialty. Is the market dead or is the seller in a hurry? Someone call him up before he changes his mind!

1988 Yamaha FZR1000 For Sale in California with 37k miles and "entertaining offers of $2000-2500" on BARF:

Ask anyone who's seen this bike, it's clean.
All stock, except after market chain and sprockets, 1 down, 2 up.
37K miles.

Best offer.

I can't remember the last time I saw an FZR1000, let alone this clean. Granted, it probably makes less power than this year's R6, but who cares. How cool and original is this sweet bike - and for under $3k!

dc