First test drive and need to make decision
 

Took my first drive in a 930 last week and now I have to make a decision. The owner got an acceptable offer, but is allowing me to match it since I was the first to see the car. This was the first Porsche I’ve ever driven so I’m hesitant, but willing to pull the trigger. I just have to speed up my decision.

It’s a 1986 with 95k miles and no rebuild. The current owner is the second owner and has had it for only a year. The original owner passed down a stack of receipts and kept it up very well. Current owner has also done a good job maintaining it and is an enthusiast. It has seen the track with both owners. Based on the receipts, the original owner used daily for the first 5 years, then mileage per year dropped significantly.

The major advantage of the car is a conversion to a G50/50 transmission about 35k miles ago.

The major downside is a 100k mile car without a rebuild. When I first saw the car I thought it had one, but after going through the receipts one by one the current owner and I could not find one. The original owner told the current one had been done. When the transmission was converted, it looks like a valve job was done. Maybe this was really a rebuild?? Or the owner’s memory was foggy.

The owner thinks the clutch will need to be replace in about 10k miles and the rotors probably need to be replaced soon. Minor items include a needing some touch up paint and some of the rubber trim probably needs replaced. The wheels have seen a few too many curbs and no Fuchs.

My location makes it difficult to see cars. I'm more willing to pay up for a good car then spend weekends/vacation days driving/flying around looking at cars. Granted, I wanted a larger sample size, but that will prove difficult. I’m hoping comments here can help lead to a decision.

Assuming a PPI with leakdown proves the car is in good condition, what would be a fair price? Does the G50/50 offset the lack of a rebuild.

Oh, this was the first time I’ve ever driven a Porsche not to mention a 930. I think the 930 is exactly what I’m looking for when I started searching for what would be the most fun weekend car under $50k.

Thanks for any comments.

Aggie,

Lots of nice 930's out there for sale. If you have a $50 K limit you could buy about any of them. A new clutch is going to be around $800 bucks and that's if you do the install, new rotors aren't cheap either. Don't feel pressured and don't be in a hurry,
100K miles and no rebuild could get expensive. Take your time look around and buy the best car you can find for your money.

Cole

+ 1

Doesn't look like you've spent much time here, take a seat and look around, there is so much to learn from this group of guys. Be very patient when buying, look at some of the cars here for sale and ask lots of questions. There might even be a pelican that will check out a car and let you know if it's worth getting on a plane to look at. I drove 500 miles with an empty trailer with a real expectation that I would drive home with an empty trailer. The right car for you is worth it. Stay patient and good luck!

Sounds like a typical sales / scare tactic to me ;)

It's your first drive in a 930. Don't make it an emotional decision. Keep looking around and you'll most probably find a better one for the budget you have :cool:

Greetings

INMOP--As much as I love 930's and you have 50+ I would steer directly to EFI or 996tt. Its a tough call to see a car you like but with high mileage and would keep looking. Not saying its bad, but your wallet will soon open for maintenance no matter what. Hopefully, you have a good mechanic awaiting and you are somewhat handy. If not, stay away. It can be your worst nightmare with CIS. The 996tt's is the best value for the money.

GL

Walt

Do not rush in and buy one Aggie. Take your time, this might be the right one but look at a few more before buying. And 50k should get you a pristine 930. I obtained my 22k garage queen for much less.

Don't rush into it. If you find a car you are interested but can't easily go look at it, post a feeler out on this board and maybe someone can look at it for you. Then if it pases the screening test and you are very interested, then decide if you want to spend the time to go look at it personally.

"It’s a 1986 with 95k miles and no rebuild.......... It has seen the track with both owners."

Uhhhhhhhhhh...

Keep looking dewd... tons of better stories out there to consider. A sub-50k budget makes the selection set WIDE OPEN for you.

Don't rush.

Consider your priorities - are you a "keep it stock / original" guy or will you likely mod it?

If the latter, you're best to reap someone else's efforts as mods can be had for 'free' in the selling price. You can easily spend $20-30k in mods that can be had in a car that's the exact same price as a stocker (sometimes less even!), is what I'm saying.

Don't over pay, and be picky. But be ready to pull the trigger on the right car. I see a few here that troll the boards for years(!!!) and always seem to be 'looking'. The right car can't have not popped up, some folks seem to like the thrill of the chase I guess - whatever...

Anywho, good luck and report back.

Thanks guys. I planned on passing on the car, but wanted to make sure the G50 transmission shouldn't be weighted more heavily in the decision.

I do know the overwhelming suggestion is to buy the best car the budget allows, but everything has a price where it makes sense. I don't need to spend my budget. I need to save some for that slippery slope.

One neat side note on that car, it was the car C&D used to for its test drive back in the 1986 issue.

Valve job could be translated into top-end rebuild, which might then be shortened into "rebuild" by some. Specifics of the receipts would tell you just how much was done on this valve job and to what extent it may have been a comprehensive top-end refresh.

Either way, I hear you on the desire to just find a good one, pay up and to hell with the chase. Travelling around to see cars can get expensive and time consuming. So I guess the message here is don't rush it, but don't wait too long either.

As others have said if you can blow up 50k, you should have no problem finding something. I'd look for a nicely modded, enthusiast owned car. Look to spend about 35k and have 15k in the bank for maintenance/upgrades.

Regarding 5 speed vs. 4 speed gearbox, use the search feature and read up on the debate, or better yet drive examples of both to determine what value you ascribe to the extra cog.