Buying a 930

[Ccporsche]

I've been looking for a Porsche for over a year. Originally I thought I might buy an early 911 or maybe a 912, but a great 930 just fell into my lap for what seems like a good price.

I know the 65-73 911s pretty well, but this 1979 930 is a whole different car. What do I need to watch out for, what do I need to look for and what do I need to know before buying a 930?

Any information is helpful.

[T77911S]

do as much research on the car as you can.
ask for receipts then call the people that have worked on the car.
search the internet for 79's and see if you can find where it has been list/sold/bought.
talk to the previous PO if you can find them
PPI
see what other 930's are beeing SOLD for, not listed for.
the 79 was the last of the true 930. everything else is titled as a 911 turbo

[JFairman]

If a great 930 just fell into your lap for what seems like a good price and you like the color and already know the early 911 it isn't much different. Now there's a turbo and CIS fuel injection added on.
You already know about head studs, oil leaks, possible chassis rust, mechanical wear and tear, and repairs to look for.

If it runs good, compression's good and the spark plugs look good after running, it has good maintenance history and isn't smoking or leaking oil from the usual places with the addition of the turbo then go for it because it probably won't be around long.

[porche]

.
The 930 market is on the up. As a result, we’re beginning to see some rather nice examples come on the market that are selling for close to ask. Unfortunately there are also some “lesser” examples being marketed that the sellers (knowingly or unknowingly) think should follow in price. Its very hard to rough estimate what the ’79 930 you are interested in should sell for without knowing more information. Descriptions and pictures would help.

But, to start with, you sound like a Porsche person that knows something about the earlier 911 cars. In ’79 Porsche was still building the 930 similar to how they built the ones you seem familiar with. Spend some time with the ’79 930 you’re interested in and look at and feel those same areas that you’re familiar with on the cars you know. When you run your hand inside the fenders of early 930’s you’ll feel the weld joint for the larger flares (the wheel wells should be black). How is the paint? Interior? The glass should even be manufactured by Sekurt as previous cars.

If you get past the visuals you should have a pretty good feel if you want to go forward. However, once you get past most of the body panels and the fancier interior you’ll need someone that knows 930’s to do a PPI. Know and read what T77911S and Jim said previously, it’s all great info.

Another area that is finally getting the attention it has needed for a long time is “Actual Mileage”. First, note that there were 2 different speedometers used on the US ’79 930. The early 1979 build ’79 930’s had a 150MPH unit, the later 1980 build ’79 930’s had an 85MPH unit. These units can be swapped out and if the car looks rough in relation to the miles CHALLENGE IT! There’s a good active thread over on RENNLIST regarding this, entitled “B E W A R E of claimed "Actual mileage" odometers”.

Good Luck!

Bud


.

[Robbbyg]

If its an original car (matching numbers)
No Rust
No smoke after starting
Under 100K
And your ok to do maintenance yourself on it

Its a Bargain !!!!



If i had the money id buy them all

[Ferraripete]

Originally Posted by Robbbyg

If its an original car (matching numbers)
No Rust
No smoke after starting
Under 100K
And your ok to do maintenance yourself on it

Its a Bargain !!!!



If i had the money id buy them all

I have a friend that did in fact do that. he owns 7...all well before price run up!! good on him.

[yasir]

Originally Posted by Robbbyg

If its an original car (matching numbers)

How do you confirm or where do you look for matching numbers on a 930/964?

[Norm K]

Originally Posted by Robbbyg

If its an original car (matching numbers)
No Rust
No smoke after starting
Under 100K
And your ok to do maintenance yourself on it

Its a Bargain !!!!

How does one ascertain that without knowing the price?

[voitureltd]

Originally Posted by Ferraripete

I have a friend that did in fact do that. he owns 7...all well before price run up!! good on him.

( Lake Norman? ) He has some great ones ( one he bought new ) and predicted years ago they would be a 6 figure car.

[tomdeg]

Tony,
Are you talking about Tim? He DOES have a nice collection.

[voitureltd]

Originally Posted by tomdeg

Tony,
Are you talking about Tim? He DOES have a nice collection.

Probably, its been quite a few years since I spoke with him. He thought he might sell me or cellison a silver one but changed his mind. Good choice.

[Tt surgeon]

The market is on a huge upswing right now, cars that were 45 two yrs ago are now pushing 60k selling price.
The 930 market has enjoyed the ride along from the 3.6 craze last yr, however, there were a ton more 930s imported to the US. At some point soon we should see a hockey stick flattening of the price curve, as people who impulse bought find out they actually have a pos and try to unload them. The best cars are as original as possible, fuchs, and super clean without stories. condition and records outweigh miles by a wide margin. Original 505 cars are rapidly increasing in value, very high asks for sure.

[cellison]

Originally Posted by voitureltd

Probably, its been quite a few years since I spoke with him. He thought he might sell me or cellison a silver one but changed his mind. Good choice.

yes he has a nice collection and wanted to buy one of each year. when I looked the silver 77 (or it may have been a 76 can't remember without looking at my notes) for Tony, he had just bought white 79 out of Atlanta.

[voitureltd]

He had 2 of the same year ( 76 or 77) so he thought he might let one go. It was a special smoke silver, pretty original except for later electric seats and maybe after market radio, with about 35K miles with an egg size shallow dent on the right rear quarter wheel lip. I opted for a red 77 pristine, no sunroof. 31K miles. Those days to have this kind of option ( both were @ reasonable market at that time prices based upon needs) , seem long gone. Should have figured out a way to get both. Oh well.

[jsveb]

Originally Posted by Tt surgeon

The market is on a huge upswing right now, cars that were 45 two yrs ago are now pushing 60k selling price.
The 930 market has enjoyed the ride along from the 3.6 craze last yr, however, there were a ton more 930s imported to the US. At some point soon we should see a hockey stick flattening of the price curve, as people who impulse bought find out they actually have a pos and try to unload them. The best cars are as original as possible, fuchs, and super clean without stories. condition and records outweigh miles by a wide margin. Original 505 cars are rapidly increasing in value, very high asks for sure.

Agreed!

Please tell that to the insurance guy handling my claim on my absolutely unique 78 930.