PPI, hi mileage, 1st Porsche

[GeorgeW]

I am scheduling a PPI on a 89 3.2 with 120+k miles, 10 yrs in NY, and NO other history. Price is 16k.

It will be my first Porsche and know that I am tempting fate in buying hi miles with no history.

How reassuring should PPI results be in light of no history? Should compression/leakdown reveal if engine has been 'apart' and if so, extent of valve work if any ?

In addition to rust, which other system problems would strongly suggest major bills in near future ?

Thanks for any suggestions and advise,
George

[stomachmonkey]

George,

Where in NY are you? Who is doing PPI?

Scott

[GeorgeW]

Car is now in Miami. Was in NY for about 12 yrs, about 2 in Miami.

[rjp911]

120K is not high milage for a car that old! I have had more trouble with " low milage" cars than I ever had with high milage. My SC has 259800 miles on it. The worst car I ever owned had low milage of 32000 when I bought it. CARS ARE BUILT TO BE DRIVEN!!!

[Superman]

That's not high miles. Make sure the PPI is done by someone very good, and pay extra for thoroughness. Have head studs checked. Someone like JW, in a period of a couple of hours, could have a pretty darned complete idea of the condition of the car and components that will need attention. Again, be sure it is someone who has worked on a bazillion of these things (911's). John can get a better idea of a 911's condition in two hours than most mechanics will find in ten hours. For the price, you probably got yourself a deal, but the PPI should tell you with some certainty.

[GeorgeW]

Hi Superman,

I have contacted 2 shops. One wants 500 and is a hi performance Porsche specialist. Other is German Car specialist and wants 86/hr and recommends compression test if other systems pass for additonal 86. 500 vs 170.

Think 500 is too hi ?

George

[VincentVega]

89's are not common and are some of the best made. If the car is clean and the PPI turns out ok go for it. Just make sure the PPI'ing shop knows their stuff and you have a few k in just in case money.

[cowtown]

Check valve guides, get a leakdown test, and try to find out what oil consumption is. Has the flywheel sensor been replaced? Temp sensor? DME relay? Are the fuel lines that run to the injectors, on top of the intake manifold, ok? Mine started leaking at ~100K. Just get a thorough inspection and you'll be fine.

Other than valve guides and a few of these more minor things, the '89s are just about bulletproof and you will have many enjoyable miles in the car.

Good luck!

[stomachmonkey]

If the car is in Miami now I know a couple of people down there.

One is Jose at Turbowerks.

1000 N.W 51 Court
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl 33309
Tel954) 771-1177
Fax954) 771-9975

Great rep and really nice guy.

Bought my car out of Palm Beach and he looked it over.

Brain went dead on the car 2nd week I had it, can't predict that one.

Took it to my guy in NY and they also gave the car a good going over and their assesment matched Jose's exactly.

Scott

[APKhaos]

I agree - 120K is reasonable for an 89. If oil consumption is not excessive, and the PPI checks out, it could be a good buy.
Check carefully for rust. The galvanized body is much more resistant, but 10 years in NY salt-laden roads IF it was winter driven might have started some pockets of corrosion.

[Neilk]

George,

Let me guess, it was $cott Finley who wanted $500. A friend of mine use to laugh at his rates. They are basically the same price as the Porsche dealer minus about 5-10%. There used to be great mechanic on the same street as Finley, but he retired about 5 years ago.

Go with the other guy. If you can agree on a price, maybe you can get the mechanic to adjust the valves for you while he is checking their condition.

[GeorgeW]

Neil - Yes, that is the shop. Not sure I am buying more value with the higher price.

[Rick Lee]

I'll chime in now and tell everyone George has been looking for a very long time and has/had a bad case of tire-kicker-itis. So let's all encourage and congratulate him. He's getting a great car for a great price and even if it needs some work, we have a super support group of DIY Pelicanheads in this area. George has wanted to join our clique since he helped out with my G50 clutch update - oh what fun. Now he's pulled the trigger and needs convincing that these cars are manageable with some determination and mechanical inclination. Welcome to the Porsche OWNERS club now!

[caliber60]

Redline in Santa Monica toll me the regular rate for PPI should be $500. They don't charge that much. They charge $150 instead. $500, they rip you off.

[GB83SC]

In Miami, you might give Vertex auto a call 305-442-1072 ask for the shop. There have been a few guys on this board that have had work done and have been very happy with them.
There shop is always busy, they also do motor and trany rebuilts so they know Porsche's inside out.
Good luck.

[speeder]

120k on these cars is not all that much, but it is the point where certain normal maintenence items are going to need replacing if not done already. That is where service records would be a big help, but a good PPI should determine what is new or worn out. Someone made a good point about oil consumption, but how does one determine the consumption of a used car you are looking at? These cars can drink a lot of oil w/o visible smoking, etc.

A friend of mine just sold a nice '86 w/ same miles and records for $16k, really a beautiful car, the market for toys is not exactly raging at the moment.

Cost of PPI completely depends on what tests they perform and time involved. I would be curious as to what the $500 PPI includes, removing the engine and trans? That figure reflects ~6-7 hours of highly skilled labor at current shop rates. A quick test drive and peek underneath takes 1/2 hour. Shop around, for car and PPI mechanic. Some shops must not like doing these, based on prices posted.

[cowtown]

Originally posted by Richard LeSchander
Now he's pulled the trigger and needs convincing that these cars are manageable with some determination and mechanical inclination.

Well, yeah, they are. As long as you're willing to give up the rest of your life. And if you're prepared to wake up in the middle of the night thinking about obscure car parts.

Welcome to the club, George.
Colin

[GeorgeW]

Thanks to everyone for input and welcome.
I now have a demanding seller wanting his deposit which I want to send but with some protection beyond his word that it is refundable in case PPI is not good.

[911SC Pilot]

Um.,.,im going to look like an idiot, but what is PPI.,.,Pre Purchase Inspection??

[jyl]

My 89 was 138K miles, very little history, several owners - but the PPI came back excellent, the car felt great, and the seller had clearly been fastidious in fixing things, so I bought it. Has worked out fine - car has been a pleasure with no problems not disclosed by the PPI and the seller. I did get a compression and leakdown and in fact had the owner pay for a valve adjustment and then did the compression / leakdown again - it was a thorough PPI.

I would definitely NOT send a deposit. You are already spending $200-$300 on a PPI, that is deposit enough. This is a buyer's market for used Porsches, repeat that to yourself over and over, and if the seller doesn't know that then let him figure it out while wondering why the sale fell through. Odds are he'll come back to you later, and odds are you'll have found another car by then. If you are willing to buy from FL then you presumably have the whole country to shop in, including SoCal where something like 25% of all Porsches ever made were delivered.

Also, will you have any chance to check out the car at all prior to spending money on a PPI? Photos don't say that much. Any way to have a Pelican member in FL drop by to take a quick look at the car before you pay for a PPI?