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VIN Question

Rodney Naghar

Rodney Naghar

PCGB Member
Member
Hi all,

I am looking at this 964 Targa this weekend.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1533113.htm

The owner has given me it's VIN on the chassis plate as wp0zzz96zls410379 and this has been confirmed by a picture of the VIN.

However, when I insert this VIN into Scouser's VIN decoder on Renntech it comes up as


Model 964 - Manufacture Year 1990
Carrera RS America Coupé (USA spec)
3.6-Ltr, Flat 6-Cyl, 5-Spd Std, DME Bosch L-Jetronic

Which clearly it isn't. The figure '1' after the 4 should be a '3' for it to be a Targa (which it is)

So is the decoder wrong, or is the VIN plate wrong?

Any help would be most appreciated, and any views on the car too (as it does seem a bit cheap for what it is)

Thanks!







B3689B5874BA4BA2B05B6CA845C37887.jpg
 
Rodney,

LS41xxxx is correct for a 1990 model year Targa. In was only in 1991 (M series) that the MS43xxxx was used for the Targa. The VIN plate is absolutrely correct and the decoder is not quite specific enough.

The car looks to be a reasonable spec - sports seats too which he doesn't mention in the ad. There seems to be some curious stuff around the blower plenum although it might be to do with the alarm sounder which seems to be attached to the underside of the engine lid. It looks like the distributor vent is fitted and it seems to have a K&N air filter. No aircon (as is often the case) and, bear in mind that Targas are less desireable than Coupes so that may explain the pricing. Check out the Targa top too - they are quite expensive to refurb well and unbelievably expensive to replace!!

Regards

Dave
 
ORIGINAL: Dave Wilkinson

Check out the Targa top too - they are quite expensive to refurb well and unbelievably expensive to replace!!
Click to expand...

I recently bought a targa for a similar price in good condition with the odd noted exception, the Targa being one of them. The targa had some cracking to the vinyl which was discussed during the purchase, but on further inspection it leaked. I've just had it refurbed with addtional seals etc and the bill is around £1100 plus VAT (I'm waiting for the confirmation email [&:]). It will be worth seeing if you can find someone with a decent one to compare it with and assess wind noise. A leak test is a good idea, though falling short of a rainy day find a watering can[:D]

Check the carpets and the sound proofing beneath (if its accessible without removing the glue) for water, though this is a common problem and not something to worry about too much.

Check between the headliner and the window seal (there is a channel you should be able to run your fingers through) for dampness

Take the roof off and Check the front/rear bar seal for any tears. Replace the roof and check how well it engages along with general fit.

I bought my car knowing it had the odd minor blemish, but the targa is something I learnt about very quickly to my cost. It seems leaky targas are quite common, but its a definate expense to get it sorted.

I'm in London if you would like to have a look at mine, but its still at the work shop for a week.

Good Luck [:D]
 
Ah, thank you both very much for your help, that solves that little mystery! I'll let Berny know his decoder needs changing.

Can the K&N filter be a future possible problem with regard to messing up the MAF, I know this is a common problem on the 996?
Being a 1990 car would it have had the Freudenberg dual mass flywheel fitted and would it have been replaced as a matter of course do to it's unreliability? Or do I need to check for this?

I will bring a couple of bottles of water to pour over the targa to check for any leaks, good tip! [;)]

Anything else I need to look for (except the usual panel gaps/rust/smoke etc)
 
The K&N is only likely to be a potential problem if it's been over-oiled. I've had mine for more than 5 years and have suffered no problems. It would have had the Freudenberg flywheel from the factory and it may be worth checking the invoices (if there are any) to see if it's been changed for the LUK unit. As I mentioned before, it looks like it's got the distributor vent fitted and it's worth checking what, if anything, has been done to the suspension. 20 year old shocks are never that great!!!

As Chris says, the majority of the potential money pit problems surround the Targa top. Oil leaks are almost a given to some degree although everybody likes to think their car is dry!!

Good luck with the viewing.

Regards

Dave
 
Thank you Dave,

Yes well spotted on the distibutor vent being fitted, that's one thing crossed off my list from the buyer's guides I've read.
He says the suspension has been lowered and poly mounts put in, so I'm assuming new suspension all round (harder ride too)

Along with a full engine rebuild he's had undertaken (so assuming no leaks) the only thing I really have to worry about is the top (which he says doen't leak) might be a good'un then.

I hope it's better than the 3.2 I test drove a few weeks back. The guy wanted 17k, 2 oil leaks, horrid gearbox (G50 so should have been nice) and new Odometer which he failed to mention at 30k lol. This one at £12.5k seems a bargain?
 
How do you know it has a K&N Dave, as photo only shows standard air box? Am I missing something?
 

ORIGINAL: mr pg

How do you know it has a K&N Dave, as photo only shows standard air box? Am I missing something?
Click to expand...

I just knew somebody would ask that!!! The answer is deceptively simple - the standard paper air filter has an orange edge (just check in many of the other engine compartment photos), but the K&N filter is black - hence the obvious difference. I only know it because I've got one!!

Regards

Dave
 
i bought a black targa this time last year.Overall delighted with the car. After refreshing the suspension it drives superbly and
it makes an ideal fine weather classic. I wouldnt choose a black targa as a daily driver though.good luck.
 
Thank you everyone for all your help. Unfortunately the owner took a deposit on the car on Friday night so I didn't get to see it :(
 
Never mind Rodney. On the up side, another will soon turn up and most probably be better than the one you've missed [;)]
Do you specifically want a targa?
 
Thanks Paul, no a cab would do also do nicely (I guess a preferable choice to a Targa in terms of reliability)
If anyone knows of any in and around the London area let me know.
Thanks!
 
Ooh thanks Steve I only just noticed your updated post, thanks for the link!
Quite hard to find manual cabs/Targas though.
Seems only a few on the market. Mutley's is nice but I'm not sure about white interior[:-].


Might have a look at this one http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/1529164.htm

If there are any other manual cabs/targas for sale please do let me know, I'd really appreciate it.
 

ORIGINAL: Rodney Naghar

Ooh thanks Steve I only just noticed your updated post, thanks for the link!
Quite hard to find manual cabs/Targas though.
Seems only a few on the market. Mutley's is nice but I'm not sure about white interior[:-].


Might have a look at this one http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/1529164.htm

If there are any other manual cabs/targas for sale please do let me know, I'd really appreciate it.
Click to expand...

This looks remarkably like one that I looked at when I was searching for mine (from the mileage that the rebuild was completed & the cost)

I rejected it for a number of reasons, one being that I decided that I didn't really want a cab the other being some serious rot in the driver's side door piller check strap mount thingy. The price looks fairly similiar to the price being asked at the time (2 1/2 years ago).

If the rust has been sorted, with a new hood certainly could be worth a punt at that price.
 
Lol yes the Boxster does look good too, I had one not long ago, best value for money Porsche by a mile - love them! :)

Excellent spot Colin, I'll send an email to see if the work was done.
I'll keep you posted.
 
ORIGINAL: Rodney Naghar

Lol yes the Boxster does look good too, I had one not long ago, best value for money Porsche by a mile - love them! :)
Click to expand...

No I meant the 964 advert directly above the white one [:D]

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/1067654.htm

I agree about the boxster being a great car though....I often borrow the wife's [;)]
 
Oops oh yes, that is a nice one thanks for that.[;)]
993 power hood - they were interchangable?
Doesn't say anything about engine rebuilds or other fat bills though, hope he's had it done.

BTW Steve it looks like we were both on the same Prodrive driver development day in August '07 (I was in the Silver 996 cab) happy days!
 
ORIGINAL: Rodney Naghar

BTW Steve it looks like we were both on the same Prodrive driver development day in August '07 (I was in the Silver 996 cab) happy days!
Click to expand...

Happy days indeed! Drifting sideways round that high speed bend on the Tower circuit at 100 mph was a blast! Would love to do it again. [:)]
 
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