911SC. Do I, Don't I???

dawn lang · Mar 14, 2004

Hi, have been offered a LHD 911sc Targa 1982 for £5K and I do not know if I should take it?

I have checked the car out and on the whole it is a good one.

Minus points are bubbling wings (although nothing too bad), corroded battery box (looks like its been cause by a spill), Bubbles in the bottom corner (towards the rear of the car, inline with the targa bar) of the door shut on the passenger side, and the traditional Targa leak! 200,000KM on the clock as well.

The good bit. Mechanically the car is sound. Other Targas I have been in have been rattly and they generally feel looser compared to the Coupe, but this one was solid and drove well. Gearbox, typical 915, and engine strong with no rattles. Lots of receipts for work, generally loved and the seller checks out aswell.

I am new to the 911 (have extensive experience in working on 944 and Boxster), and am unsure if I've missed anything. I will admit that the paint work side of things isn't my forte (although I am happy to weld and replace pannels), and this concerns me.

I have to make a snap decision on this (like in the next day), and would appreciate any advice you may have.

Thanks

Steve (Dawns other half!)

Mrkjblue · Mar 14, 2004

First off I wouldnt make any snap decision on a car like this, the deals just not good enough for the gamble.

200,000kms? what engine work has been undertaken? topend rebuild? you know any corrosion you can see is going to be a LOT worse underneath.

rust check

(all imho)
Kevin

dawn lang · Mar 14, 2004

Thanks for that - i've been looking for a definitive guide of what to look for when buying an old 911 for a while.

Think i'll go armed with this information and take another look at the car. Would also be interested to hear if anyone else has a veiwpoint on this or the SC Targa in general.

Much appreciated.

Steve

AirCooledExcellence · Mar 14, 2004

Be very wary of rust!!

Mine had just a few minor bubbles coming through in various places, see here for what was uncovered:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=152931

Cheers,

Tim.

Peter_Bull · Mar 15, 2004

Dawn
I had a 911 Targa ('84 Carrera) a few years ago and it seemed in very good condition apart from the odd bubble on the B pillars. Anyhow to cut a very long story short, I had the 'bubbles' and the rest of the car looked at and BOY - did I get a shock! £10,000 later the body was perfect (and so it should be!) and I understand that the next owner spent another £10,000+ getting the engine and gearbox made perfect.
My advice? Its easy to let the heart rule your decision, but unless you have plenty of money or/and can do the work yourself - stay clear! It'll be a money pit!
By the way - Targa motoring is absolutely superb - the best of both worlds!
Best of luck,

sib8292 · Mar 15, 2004

I wouldn't go near it at that price. £5k for a rusty LHD. Someones having a laugh. It will cost you £3k or more to make it look anything, and then there's the mechanicals. You could buy a decent RHD one for £9k.

As to whether to go for Targa at all; well I wouldn't do that either but thats a personal preference thing

Martin Perry · Mar 15, 2004

Steve

For comparison, I bought a RHD '82 911 Targa 2 months ago for £8500. Engine sound, so far, heaters work, clutch on the way, possible 1st and 3rd synchro problems but perfetcly OK to drive. The bodywork was the best of the 4 cars I viewed and I think is probably substantially better than the one you describe. 74,000 recorded miles. Top end overhaul done 10 years & 50k miles ago.

Costs so far £650 for an MOT! (Some welding around torsion bar mounts, rear suspension bush mounts, washer pump, other minor things). Plenty of other stuff on the list as well, and this was certainly the best one I saw within my budget.

Don't know what your budget constraints are but I'd steer more towards buying the best condition car you possibly can than going for a cheapie and having some cash left as a fighting fund - it probably won't be enough by about 50% and you'll have all the agro. of getting the car sorted.

As to Targas - I agree with Peter, great mix of roof and open top whenever you like. Brilliantly distinctive shape as well.

Good luck

Martin

bones · Mar 15, 2004

Couldn't agree more with everyone about the Targa experience, I love the coupe shape too, I would have both if I had the facilities, space, time etc.
I would walk away from that £5K car unless you are really into restoration, the bubbles below the Targa bar may mean it requires new rear wings as well which is a glass out job. You are looking at £5K or more for new wings all round , paint and preparation. For £10K you could get a very good SC but get a PPI from someone recommended by the club.

dawn lang · Mar 15, 2004

Thanks for the advice, I have decided to leave well alone! The original idea was to do light to medium restoration work on the car, but the research I have subsequently done, and the advice from you guys has brought me to the conculsion of...... RUN AWAY!! (with this particular car at least).

The reasoning for the Targa is so that I fit! I'm 6'3", but tall in the upper body, so many cars (sadly including any of the 993's, which is what I really wanted when we sold our Boxster) I do not fit! The Targa however I do. Ideally I will be looking for a 964 Targa, but thats once I've sold my 944. It was just that this one came up that I even considered and original 911.

Thanks again

Steve

dawn lang · Mar 23, 2004

Just to update you, the guy has just come back to say that his buyer (we do know he actually had a serious purchaser) has fallen through so he's had the car MOT'd and it went through with flying colours.

He's wondering if we're still interested - if it was offered to you for £4,250 (my suggestion to Steve rathr than the sellers offer to us) would you buy it with a full MOT? Does this change the goalposts?

Dawn (as opposed to Steve earlier - cars, I know nothing! [

] )

Martin Perry · Mar 23, 2004

For my part, no it doesn't. All it does is make Shelby's suggestion a realistic proposition, if if that's what you want to do then fine, but the car's still going to need money spent long term to get it right. Also, remember that if this guy's having trouble selling it then so will you!

Martin

bones · Mar 23, 2004

If you can get it for £3k then breaking for spares should give you a nice profit . The 915 g'box is in massively short supply and the engines worth quite a stash too.

Peter_Bull · Mar 24, 2004

Dawn
Walk away from it - don't let your heart win, as it could cost you plenty of money to get it sorted.
There are plenty of good 911's out there at reasonable prices.
Good luck.

sib8292 · Mar 25, 2004

Dawn; I'm just having some minor rust repair work done; repairing a jacking point that is weak though not wholly rusted out, and repairs to the areas round the door locks on both sides of the car. Small areas each. Cost will be c£750 plus VAT and materials. Its worth it on my car because it will resolve some minor blemishes on what is otherwise a good car.

But it gives you an idea of costs of body repairs. And if you don't have them done, do you really want to drive around in a tatty car? And if someone has let the car go physically why will they have looked after the mechanicals any better?

I wouldn't run with it.