Taking the plunge, but testing the water first...
 

Hey Guys,

Long time lurker, second time poster. I'm currently bidding on a '79 930. Drove it recently and seems to track pretty well despite a slight wobble in the steering wheel which I'm told is related to a flat spot on a front tire. It's got 100k on the clock but went through a rebuild 20k miles ago top and bottom end I'm told. Also a new clutch during the rebuild. It appears bone stock. Fires on the first crank.

PPI is part of the deal

Issues:
Needs new tires
Windshield wipers don't turn off (they're removed) I figure it's the switch
Some door hardware is missing (plate covering the opening where the articulation goes inside the door)
Exhaust leak that closes up over time when it warms up (stock unit)
Some paint is a little rough.
Clearcoats coming off the Fuchs (or replica Fuchs)

Besides tires which I figure it going to be $600-900 anything that's going to break the bank here? This is the first one I'm bidding on so I don't have a lot of 930's I've driven to reference against. I got in trouble once before when I bought on emotion and would value you knowledgeable input. Thanks.

Price? Documentation of rebuild? A good PPI will turn-up concerns and issues not seen by most.

It would be in your best interest to drive and look at a few before making the choice.As with any car there are good and bad examples out there and a bad one will empty your bank account in a hurry, heck a good one will do that but that's a different story!!! What will your plans be with the car, a driver, restoration project , weekend abuser. You will know a good one after seeing a few. You may have to travel to see them or many people in here will go and take a look for you if a car is in our area. There is allot of good information, knowledge, and people on this forum that will help you along the way. As it has been said many times ALL 930's are $30,000 + cars pay up front or pay later . Also a link to the sale ad will help us take a quick look and maybe point a few things out for you. Good luck with the search and the fun really begins after you get it home.........Ben:D

I'd say under $20K with what you've written so far.

EDIT: I just read what LOWFAT wrote, "ALL 930's are $30,000 + cars pay up front or pay later". Truer words probably haven't been written in this forum :D

The price of entry dictates everything else... If you buy it right, you'll have the money to fix things that need it, but remember this, you will always spend more money on a car that needs to be fixed than on one that someone has already done all of the work. Better to buy a car that doesn't need fixing. A PPI goes without exception, I would ask about the rebuild too, paperwork or documentation ?

$ 600- 900 doesn't go very far to fixing some off the things you are talking about, even if you do them yourself. One thing usually leads to another and before you know it you have spent your entire budget. While cost of ownership does not have to be over the top, (especially if you have a decent car to start with) these cars are 30 + year old, and they just seem to have the tendency to suck the dollars right out of your wallet. Good luck....

Unless you have owned a few 930s get a PPI pay now or pay later....

Hi guys,

Thanks. I appreciate the thoughts. Here is a link to the car.

Porsche : 930 | eBay

I spoke with the mechanic who has been working on the car and did the rebuild. He remembered the car very well. Everything sounded right but I would want to have a neutral mechanic take a look at it. Yes, several hundred now could prevent several thousand later. I'm with you on that. With this being said I think I'll put in a fair offer and see what happens.

Why are there 2 different odometer readings?

not to nit pick. does it have the correct headlight washers?

The bidding on this car is pushing 30k now. Very interesting. If it really sells at that price I might start to become optimistic about an improving market for our cars.

To the OP, the best advice I ever got when I was first taking the plunge was to have $10k-$15k in reserve for maintenance, repairs, and "while you're in theres." I don't care how much the cost of entry is on this car, I will be willing to bet you it can suck down $10k faster than it can accelerate to 60 mph. As long as you are prepared for that possibility, you can have a blast. If you are unprepared, it can really take the shine off of owning one of these old beasts.

the car looks nice, it would seem if the engine was rebuilt you got the big stuff out of the way. but I agree with all the other guys that a 10K-15K allowance would be ideal to get the car all squared away. I bought my 930 last september and have spent about 8K on tires, dash refurbishment,brakes, oil leaks(still have one) etc. etc. Mechanic says I need to pull the engine to get the last leak and already warned me that it will get pricey with all the while your in there stuff that he is sure to find. That being said there is nothing better than when that boost hits. They are just awesome cars!

Hi

I wish best of luck in your seach. Before you get real excited and maybe too spontaneous. Do a search on my name (jsveb) under threads in the 930 section.
It will show you how things may evolve if the car you buy, is not exactly what you expected.

I have searched and lurked on this forum since the day I joined - a lot. But, still didn't make the right choice when I took the plunge.

Listen to the advice above, it is all very true.

Good luck. You are about to own the most awesome car ever build.

The car looks pretty nice even with the picture discrepancies.

Do we know who bought it?

Hi Guys,

Sorry, was off for memorial day weekend. Appreciate ALL the words of wisdom from those who have spent small fortunes before me ;) I was willing to put in a 28,500 bid to get it but it looks like someone picked it up for 29,100. Within "throwing" distance for me but I stick to my budget and all of your sage advice. The owner stated to me he picked it up from Portland for around the same price and drove it down to LA hassle free 7 years ago. Anyway, nice owner and seemed like a decent car for me. Someone will have fun.

I'll keep my eyes open and maybe spend some time stockpiling a little more "while you're in there" cash. I had budgeted a couple grand for that kind of stuff but that might not cut it. I plan to do as much work as I can however and am inclined enough to drop an engine and crack the block open I think if need-be.

I'm glad about all the cars, well a lot, of the cars I missed out on! You'll find the right one at the right price. The prices you guys pay for these cars still make my head spin, that car would be worth 3 times that over here... but anyway, best of luck.

There are plenty more out there, take your time and the the car will find you. Also don't overlook the car's that have been modded correctly, you could save allot of cash since the mods are expensive and add very little to the value of the car.I stress you have any car looked at by somebody who knows these 930's well and the mods so you don't wind up with a money pit. You're doing it right by coming here first since we have all been in your shoes.