Thinking of buying a High Mileage car

[2.4te]

Going to look at an '84 3.2 on Sat. Has 164k miles on it, but a ton of money has been spent lately including total gbox rebuild and top end rebuild (new valve guides and rings etc, but not new pistons/cylinders). SS heat exch and exhaust. Also had a (reputed) bare metal repaint 3.5 years ago.

Should I be worried about the high mileage?

Any comments would be welcome.

Oh yes, intend to use it as a daily driver.

 

[bones]

I wouldn't let that put me off but you are aware that it will probably need more TLC and consequently money spent onit than a younger car. Make sure you get a PCGB recommended PPI.

 

[Jacob]

depends on how much you are getting it for!

 

[Guest]

I paid £7400 for my 1984 3.2 Carrera 3 months ago with 106,000 miles on the clock with the paintwork bubbling on both wings especially round the fuel cap, the engine had been rebuilt at 100,000 miles by Club Autosport Ltd back in 1998 at a cost of £3000 and looking at the invoice it had the same done to my engine as the one your looking at,my Porsche has got no oil leaks,the oil pressure is fine and it runs great,if everything checks out and its at the right price I would go for it!. Neil Fox 84 3.2 Carrera

 

[colin smith]

I have a 85 3.2 with 123K on the clock, yes it needs some work on it , but any 3.2 the going to be over 15 years old. They all need work, so be ready to spend money!!!!. Mine cost £9000 to buy last year but apart for a £500 service and some tyre it hasn't cost me a penny. Ok needs new wings and probably a gearbox rebuild, but it's still fun to drive and to me thats the main point!!![]

 

[Alan_Armstrong]

Mines an '84 car, with 115,000 on the clock, g/box rebuild in mid 90's but original engine, no oil leaks...etc. original paint, apart from some tidying up at the front (from stone chips etc)

The rebuild you describe is quite normal, if no problems found when the top end was split apart, the heads are nikosil lined and extremely tough, and believe it is quite normal for all of this to carry on until 250,000 miles., although I think it is normal to replace the rings. Going through my maintenance history, apart from discs and normal pads, rear shocks have also been changed, but the rest is still original.

I currently do 3-4000 miles a year, pay £320 ish for a full service, and £160ish for an intermediate service (alternate years)

Hope this is of help to you.

 

[2.4te]

Thanks all, for your comments. Had the car inspected- ok, some rust. Drove 250 miles to see it on Sat and started my own inspection (I have a '72 911 so know where to look for rust!) and after half an hour the guy totally lost it with me, said I was wasting his time, got very aggressive etc etc.

May be I had a lucky escape.

He was asking £10.950 and despite what my PPI said, I think that was too much, at least for me to pay. Now totally despondent, doubt I can find a rust-free 3.2 or SC to use daily, and I mean including slated roads in winter.

 

[plhorner]

Dave,
This was on titanic this morning, might be of interest to you.

pasted info:
You spend all winter getting a car ready for the summer, and then the unexpected happens. I shall be leaving the world of 3.2 Carrera to become a 996 softie. This means that my much loved 'Porker' is available. I would rather a true enthusiast take the car on rather than it go through the dealer in p/ex. So if anyone knows someone who wants to get a well fettled 3.2, please call me on 0780 396 4349. The only catch is that the deal needs to be closed by April 30th. The car is available to view in Gwent (30 mins from Gloucester, Bristol, Cardiff, Hereford). Spec and pics attached.

911 3.2 Carrera Sport Coupe. 1984. 96k miles. Slate Blue Metallic, Blue "˜Porsche' logo interior. Full history, OPC and Specialist including all MOT's and receipts and original bill of sale. Esr/m/w. Face-off stereo with CD changer and electric aerial. Cobra alarm/immobiliser. Crested Fuchs. Garaged, waxoyled and zymoled. Just had 12,000 mile service at Discount9autotech. Extensive work over winter including new Bilsteins all round, rebushed suspension, new brakes with high performance pads and lines, turbo track rod ends. All ready for the summer. Very original and clean example owned by PCGB and 3,2 Carrera register member. See photos. Best offer over £10,000 secures. Tel: Simon 0780 396 4349 (Gwent). email simonb@medtel.com


HTH

 

[bones]

If the guy was serious about selling the car he wouldn't have reacted like that knowing you had driven 250 miles. Just take it on the chin and be positive, there are good affordable cars out there. Before you go to see the next car tell the owner that you will be eexamining the car thus , then describe to him what process you will go through and ask if the seller is agreeable to that. Good luck , don't get despondent it was the first car.