Am I expecting too much..??
- Thread starter Guest
- Start date
lesworth
New member
When I decided to bite the bullet and buy a 911, I decided that I didnt want anything too perfect (I wanted to drive it after all) and set my sights accordingly.
I took advice from previous posts and looked at and drove as many as I could. the search took me all over the country and I eventually found my car in Hull (I live is Essex). It cost 12.5k with 107k miles on the clock. I spent two hours going over every square inch and took a bit of a risk and bought it without an inspection [&:].
It paid off. All I had to do is have the stronger anti-sway bar brackets fitted as one had sheared off (very common).
The car has had some paint applied but this is very good quality (as Richard says, it is probably unusual to find a car of this age that hasnt had some form of body work.. There is no sign of any rust anywhere apart from the usual bumper bubbles. Interior is generally good apart from the drivers seat bolster which is a little tired. The engine is as tight as a nut (hasnt had a re-build), not a sinlge drip of oil on the garage floor and I have used 0.3 of a litre of Oil in a year and four thousand miles. It took me on the recent register trip to France and did not miss a beat (I did when I came a nats whisker of writing it off in Calais but thats another story...).
I intend to replace the driveshafts before the end of winter (two of the CV boots are split so this is probably abit ott, however I've read these should be replaced after 100k miles or so).
I realise that I would have had to pay more for a coupe, however, I'm very much in agreement with the "keep looking and you will find one" advice. I would say just dont expect perfection.
I took advice from previous posts and looked at and drove as many as I could. the search took me all over the country and I eventually found my car in Hull (I live is Essex). It cost 12.5k with 107k miles on the clock. I spent two hours going over every square inch and took a bit of a risk and bought it without an inspection [&:].
It paid off. All I had to do is have the stronger anti-sway bar brackets fitted as one had sheared off (very common).
The car has had some paint applied but this is very good quality (as Richard says, it is probably unusual to find a car of this age that hasnt had some form of body work.. There is no sign of any rust anywhere apart from the usual bumper bubbles. Interior is generally good apart from the drivers seat bolster which is a little tired. The engine is as tight as a nut (hasnt had a re-build), not a sinlge drip of oil on the garage floor and I have used 0.3 of a litre of Oil in a year and four thousand miles. It took me on the recent register trip to France and did not miss a beat (I did when I came a nats whisker of writing it off in Calais but thats another story...).
I intend to replace the driveshafts before the end of winter (two of the CV boots are split so this is probably abit ott, however I've read these should be replaced after 100k miles or so).
I realise that I would have had to pay more for a coupe, however, I'm very much in agreement with the "keep looking and you will find one" advice. I would say just dont expect perfection.
jerry911sc
New member
ORIGINAL: whitechameleon
Okay but it just goes to show how different people are - I'm with Pete - there are some colours of 911 exterior that you could not give away to me (if I had to keep the thing and drive it)! And no a decent, err Rosewood Metallic isn't one of those colours provided it is has a good gloss and depth to the polish/ laquer!
And interiors
]
Guest
New member
Thanks Twinny.. I had a look at Ed Dohertys in Brighouse, very nice but a little over my budget. i didn't want to insult him with my one and only best offer..!! Had a look at another near Blackburn still nice but not quite what i was after. too much bodywork required. It went like stink though..I was only in the passenger seat and I was still smilling!!
Will be trying a few dealers shortly..do you think they will have a big margin in their prices..? ( i would expect so )
Will be trying a few dealers shortly..do you think they will have a big margin in their prices..? ( i would expect so )
Guest
New member
Hello men.
Just an update on the search. Travelled four hundred miles round trip, to see the £12950 89F Black Carrera advertised on Pistonheads. All was going well until the moment we cast our eyes on the car. A bloody respray with a healthy chunk of orange peel ..... bugger.. as soon as we got within five yards of it I knew it was not going to be the one. Also, fair warning to anyone else going to view it.... the front two suspension legs (Where they are mounted under the bonnet), seemed to be covered in a rubbery matt black gunk which was concealling a hole on the drivers side and a lot of cracking on the near side. Must be some accident damage with the respray tying in with that. .. Nice trip down the M6 in heavy rain their and back.... it's all a learning curve.... Next time i will not make the assumption that the seller on the end of the phone knows what he is talking about. Still not deterred, they are great looking cars..
Db
Just an update on the search. Travelled four hundred miles round trip, to see the £12950 89F Black Carrera advertised on Pistonheads. All was going well until the moment we cast our eyes on the car. A bloody respray with a healthy chunk of orange peel ..... bugger.. as soon as we got within five yards of it I knew it was not going to be the one. Also, fair warning to anyone else going to view it.... the front two suspension legs (Where they are mounted under the bonnet), seemed to be covered in a rubbery matt black gunk which was concealling a hole on the drivers side and a lot of cracking on the near side. Must be some accident damage with the respray tying in with that. .. Nice trip down the M6 in heavy rain their and back.... it's all a learning curve.... Next time i will not make the assumption that the seller on the end of the phone knows what he is talking about. Still not deterred, they are great looking cars..
Db
jerry911sc
New member
Hmm, that seller sounds like more than deserving the health warning. 400 miles for that - it's not right. Don't give up - have faith!
Guest
New member
Hi Bronco
This is an experience thing, but I can guarantee you that you will never find a decent black 3.2 Coupe for that kind of money. You'll need at least £15k.
You really need to guage what you can realistically get for your money and then stick to those criteria - a decent £12,950 '89 Black Coupe is just dreaming.
This is an experience thing, but I can guarantee you that you will never find a decent black 3.2 Coupe for that kind of money. You'll need at least £15k.
You really need to guage what you can realistically get for your money and then stick to those criteria - a decent £12,950 '89 Black Coupe is just dreaming.
graham tompkins
New member
Hi Bronco,
I've been following your exploits, not without sympathy as I've bin there sinit and dunnit!
I am inclined to agree with Iain, and you should use the asking price as a clue as to the cars condition. An 89 3.2 for less than £12950K is going to be a dog. To get a decent one of that year you are looking north of £15K.
I know there are bargains out there, but not many that aren't snapped up straightaway. Check how long a car has been advertised as it will give you a clue, especially if its cheap and unsold, it probably means that its crap.
I started in similar vein and disappointment after disappointment led me to the conclusion that either I give up or increase my budget.
I did the latter and still it was a slog. Best advice I was given was to buy a car from an enthusiast as they tend to be honest..especially PCGB members. The Downside is that they know what their cars are worth so you are unlikley to get a real bargain, but you will probably avoid a nightmare as well.
Keep lookin and don't give up, but don't get desperate...the pleasure when you get the right car is worth it.
regards
I've been following your exploits, not without sympathy as I've bin there sinit and dunnit!
I am inclined to agree with Iain, and you should use the asking price as a clue as to the cars condition. An 89 3.2 for less than £12950K is going to be a dog. To get a decent one of that year you are looking north of £15K.
I know there are bargains out there, but not many that aren't snapped up straightaway. Check how long a car has been advertised as it will give you a clue, especially if its cheap and unsold, it probably means that its crap.
I started in similar vein and disappointment after disappointment led me to the conclusion that either I give up or increase my budget.
I did the latter and still it was a slog. Best advice I was given was to buy a car from an enthusiast as they tend to be honest..especially PCGB members. The Downside is that they know what their cars are worth so you are unlikley to get a real bargain, but you will probably avoid a nightmare as well.
Keep lookin and don't give up, but don't get desperate...the pleasure when you get the right car is worth it.
regards
jerry911sc
New member
Perhaps it was LHD?
Iain could LHD could be the answer for a 3.2 on £12-13K? I don't really follow 3.2 prices?
[8|]
Iain could LHD could be the answer for a 3.2 on £12-13K? I don't really follow 3.2 prices?
[8|]
Guest
New member
I think it would yes - again, add that to the list of possibles and stick to it.
With regard to Graham's comments on bargains, I honestly believe that there aren't any - with 911s and especially 3.2s, you get what you pay for. The only variation on that is that some cars are overpriced.
I do believe that Graham is wrong, however when he says "An 89 3.2 for less than £12950K is going to be a dog". You won't get a RHD Coupe for that money but I do reckon that you'll get a perfectly good Targa in an unpopular colour.
With regard to Graham's comments on bargains, I honestly believe that there aren't any - with 911s and especially 3.2s, you get what you pay for. The only variation on that is that some cars are overpriced.
I do believe that Graham is wrong, however when he says "An 89 3.2 for less than £12950K is going to be a dog". You won't get a RHD Coupe for that money but I do reckon that you'll get a perfectly good Targa in an unpopular colour.
Guest
New member
Well thanks men. some more good advice.. I didn't want to talk the seller down too much as he seemed to be a little clueless as to resprays etc. I think someones done him up like a kipper. I supposed if he knocked 3k of for a good respray and god only knows off for the suspension work it might be worth it.!!!!! ( do you think I should offer him £7k..... heheheh only joking..) I am going to stick to my first thoughts of Black 3.2 or SC,,,,, then if i'm really not getting anywhere then I'll adjust to Red.... If thats the case I'll be down to see Nessie's ...London way.... Thanks again for the info.. Also really should look into joining the club,,,,, how much is it and what are the benefits etc??
graham tompkins
New member
Iain,
OK point taken, but a black 3.2 coupe? Late model 3.2's are seldom found in the "unpopular colours" unless they have been re-sprayed. British Leyland Brown?,Allegro Orange, Ford Blue, even a 997 in those will be cheap.
Careful on colours though as its a sensitive subject with those who have them but won't admit it.[].
I was trying to be helpful to bronco, not cause controversy, but []
OK point taken, but a black 3.2 coupe? Late model 3.2's are seldom found in the "unpopular colours" unless they have been re-sprayed. British Leyland Brown?,Allegro Orange, Ford Blue, even a 997 in those will be cheap.
Careful on colours though as its a sensitive subject with those who have them but won't admit it.[
].I was trying to be helpful to bronco, not cause controversy, but [
]
Hi,
Autobahn have a Red W reg 3.0 SC for sale @ 12K
http://www.autobahn.co.uk/Autobahn_2005/pre_owned_focus.php?id=143
Pete
Autobahn have a Red W reg 3.0 SC for sale @ 12K
http://www.autobahn.co.uk/Autobahn_2005/pre_owned_focus.php?id=143
Pete
jerry911sc
New member
Bronco
For some techie reason (flash?) can't e-mail a link to the exat pages but there you go:
http://www.porscheclubgb.com/frame.html
it should be easy enough to find the stuff you want in the how to join tab.
I know you're were joking but even then £7k - sounds generous![:'(]
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