1st 911 buyer's dilema

[jayse]

Hey all,

Been hunting around for my first 911 this weekend. Seen a couple that i'm interested in and now have a dilema of which is the better buy...

Car1
- 86D 911 coupe, 126k with a fully stamped booked by porche dealer and specialists. Folder full of invoices for work done, body in good condition. Only done 20k in last 8 years with current owner. however has an oil leak that gave a lovely ploom of white smoke from the drivers side rear wheel when it stopped after returned from the test drive. Being my first 911... no idea how concerned I should be about this oil leak and more importantly how much it'll cost to put right???

Car2
- 88E 911 Targa, 150k, history up to 100k, then local garages, not porsche specialists. done 50k with the current owner again in the last 7/8 years, been used as the daily commute. Has a few more extra's (AC, criuse), engine is dry and not leaking at all. Body needs some work, rust coming through in a few places, but all appear to only be surface rust. Concern on this one is the history, effectively for a 1/3 of it's driven life, it hasn't been to a porsche specialist, but does it need to if is has had the normal serivice items done regularly???

Prices are about £500 different, so not an issue here nor there.

Dilema is do i go for the fully documented car (car1), although it may need some immediate serious work to correct the oil leak, or go for car2, although the history is not as complete, has been used everyday and the engine appears to be in condition in terms of no oil leaking....

Your opinions and advice would be welcome

Thanks

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: jayse

Dilema is do i go for the fully documented car (car1), although it may need some immediate serious work to correct the oil leak, or go for car2, although the history is not as complete, has been used everyday and the engine appears to be in condition in terms of no oil leaking....

Your opinions and advice would be welcome

Thanks

Not sure that the oil leak has to be serious or expensive to sort. But as there are 1000's of cars out there be patient and keep looking maybe the best advice. Don't let you first 911 be the American 911 ie Emergency situation []

Personally I prefer Car 1's M.O. and would investigate the oil leak further before deciding to walk on by

Either way good luck with the hunt []

 

[paul kelley]

Hi

Would strongly suggest that you get any car you are considering looked at by an expert to give you a full report.

I looked at over 15 cars before I found the one that I still have (16 years)

Have fun

Paul Kelley

 

[Gordon Attar]

You need a specialist to look at te first one because the smoke could be due to lack of use and the leak likewise and may be minor.

You've not said where you are based for independant recommendations or mentioned the prices the Targa should be quite a bit cheaper and around £7/8k I would suggest!

 

[nathan 1981 930 G50]

I would get a Pre Purchase Inspection (PPI) carried out on car 1.

The other car should be much cheaper being a targa and no full history.

 

[jayse]

to give you guys a more complete picture, car1 is available for 9k, car2 8.5k, links to the ad's are below:

car1

car2

 

[totsnap]

Just to echo the other guys deffo get a PPI done prior to getting any car .... unless you really know the finer quirks and intricaces of 911's.
A good car can be run with good maintainence without breaking the bank, a bad car can be a bottomless pit or something you get stuck with ... either way not good.
Also dont be in too great a rush to get one, as tempting as they seem, I spent 4 yrs looking for mine and walked away from a lot just because they didnt feel right, the right car for you will be out there, you just need to to be patient and keep the search up.
Where in the country are you based??

 

[jayse]

I'm in middlesex / NW London...

It's going to be hard to control this urge to buy...

 

[totsnap]

Ok I can rec. JZ as a great place to get a PPI and your in the right area, got them to do mine and was v pleased....

 

[Guest]

I am about to put my 84 model year 3.2 Targa up for sale; 48k miles, 2 owners, FSH (OP then JZM), 12 months MOT, last serviced at JZM 1500 miles ago - this was my first Porsche - now have 996 and can't justify both - let me know if you're interested - jonathanmbrewer@btinternet.com - happy to submit to independent survey;