Time for my first 911

[Guest]

Hi all,

The time has come for a second car. The kids are growing up, my business is doing well and my better half doesn't want a Lotus Elise!

Always loved the 911 from a distance, never thought I'd be in a position to buy and run one. I've got a budget of between 6-7k which I know is entry level SC but I've seen a few that seem to fit the bill, not mint but straight.

I'm still learning the ins and outs of buying an SC, can anyone recommend a 'what to look for when buying a used 911' web site?

I think it may take some time to find the right car but I'm in no rush.

PhilB.

 

[Bertroex]

Hi philB,

Welcome to the forum.
The budget indicated for an impact bumper 911 is a bit too tight. Ball park for good Sc's is £8500 to £12000, 3.2 carrera's £9000 up to £15000.

There are cheaper ones on the market: cosmetically challenged, converted from LHD to RHD, crash repaired, RHD but a "few cosmetic problems", loads of owners, one that was bought as "just a cheap porsche", trashed to death and now having to sell coz of the missus, innit etc

What you are looking for with a 911 is
1. good maintenance history
2. cared for owners.

What you will find however is often rustrustrust (despite being galvanised they do rust in the typical spots - have a look here at Nick Moss' website over here): http://www.early911.co.uk/html/problems.html
Furthermore, you might encounter a smokey engine (top end £3500?), knackered heat exhangers (£300) gear box overhaul (£1800 +) maybe it has lost it Fuchs wheels (£400 + tyres), clutch £600 and and and.

Ergo: by buying a bad one, you end up spending close to £6000 in order to bring it up to a reliable condition, not to mention the frustration and weeks and weeks without being able to use the car. Therefore, a £9500 SC is miles better than a £6995 one needing spending.

buying guide: http://www.pelicanparts.com/911/technical_specs/911_guthrie_faq.htm

have a look on www.impactbumpers.com

buy yourself the Peter Morgan book "the original porsche 911" and come perhaps to a few PCGB meetings or other meetings.


Good luck in your search,


Bert

 

[Guest]

I think i've a lot to learn and some books to buy!
Thanks for the advice.

 

[bones]

Another indication ofa cared for car will be a massive pile of invoices. Service history on older cars isn't paramount, condition is and the invoices substantiate the cars unseen condition. ie inside the engine, running gear etc.

 

[Guest]

OK, I'm starting to know what's what with regards to buying a 911. After a few posts on this site, IB's and Pistonhead's I've received lots of friendly advice.

My original idea was to find a nice clean 911 which probably required a little work but was usable all the same. Intended budget was 6-7k so I was looking at an SC. Looking at the used car market during the last week produced all sorts of 911's in all kinds of conditions. Unfortunately, most of the descriptions rang alarm bells and anything that sounded like it was worth a look was miles away.

What have I learned?

Snapped head bolts on the engine
More power after 1980
Air pump is not required
No rear three point seat belts (but you can retro fit them)
A porsche assembled engine is more robust than a rebuilt engine (but needs one at 150-200k)
Oil leaks
Fuchs alloys are expensive
Look for converted LHD cars
Gearbox crunch between gears
Rust! Rust! Rust

The first thing I wanted to avoid was rust, from what I've hear its just not worth the hassle. Second think I looked for was low owners or an owner that had had the car for a number of years. Originality is also high on my list, I'm sure a standard car will be worth a lot more in years to come rather than a 911 that's had modifications (wheels, trim etc).

So where am I after my first week? I'm in no rush, I don't mind if this hunt takes me 6 months. However, there is a nice SC with just over 100k on the original engine, always garaged and an owner who has had it for many years that sounds OK. Its totally standard, has had the usual rust areas repaired and runs as sweet as a nut (so I'm told). Only down side is the loss of the service history. It's complete from when the guy bought it but the first 10 years is lost. It's up for close to 9k but there may be room for negotiation.

The thing is, now that I'm touching 9k I could be into Carrera money. And if I could just find a nice one (maybe a thousand more) then I'd be a happy bunny. But now that I'm talking 10k, there's a 964 C4 locally that is up at 11k and there may be a deal to be done! Oh well, at least the bank are happy with me at the moment.

The search goes on, watch this space.

 

[bones]

Sounds like you're learning fast but don't be listening to anyone who tells you service history is everything, these cars are old now and so it's not nearly so important as bills for parts, repairs, maintenance and CONDITION. Condition is everything - don't make the mistake of walking away from a great car just because the service history isn't consecutive with owners etc.

 

[wblackw9]

Dont always dismiss cars that are cheaper as being a future moneypit. My advice would be if you see something cheap ask someone who knows about these cars to take a look. Im sure there are plenty of people on here that would help. My car is a 1977 which i picked up cheap with full history and it was mint. It was part exchanged through a company i worked for and the owner wanted a new car and just wanted it out the garage due to lack of use. So keep your eye on the cheaper ones as well and dont be pushed away by stories of cheap cars being money pits thats not always the case! But as i said seek advice or some help with viewing, i think the first budget you had was ok but you will come across some not so nice cars but if you dont mind some work to get it into shape then it doesnt matter. I always say when viewing a car if the price is good but the condition worries you then imagine how it could look as opposed to how it does curently look, the nice thing about these cars is they are so easy to personalise.

 

[Guest]

Well its been a month since my last post and still no sign of my 911. At least I now know what I want after seeing all the combinations of age, trim, wheels, specs etc.

Its going to have to be a coupe and either a later SC or a Carrera 3.2. Budget is now between 6-8.5k although I'd still like to see what I can get for around the 6k mark. Can't believe how few cars there are for sale at the moment especially within 100 miles of South Cheshire.

I'd started to look at BMW M3's this week but have now stopped myself, I must stay focused!

Anyway, if anyone knows of a car for sale just let me know.

Phil.

 

[Guest]

Went to see a 77 SC yesterday up for £5700ono. Looked ok in the pictures and was decribed as having a full rebuild and respray in 2001.

It was fine apart from the fist size rust hole on the drivers sill (no really!) and both kidney panels trying desperatly to hold on with the help of a little rust, I was scared to open the passenger door fearing I would rip the side of the car clean off. Strange that it had just passed an mot and came with a full 12 months ticket.

It drove fine, engine was good and strong but the gearbox was shot, crunched in all the lower gears.

Must have been tempting for someone, it was only on autotrader for a day and has now gone.

Still looking

 

[Gary C]

After seeing the hole, You drove it !

I would be worried looking in this price range (and higher maybe), too many cover ups and polished turds.

Would it be better to look at a cheap & honest 3k car and budget for a professional restore ?

 

[Guest]

I figure the more cars I drive the greater the chances of spotting a good one.

Don't fancy going down th restoration route, I'd rather wait for a sound car to turn up. It may take a while but I'm sure I'll find one eventually.