Compression & Leak Down Results - Advice Needed
 

1986 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2L

80,000 original miles

Compression: 160, 142, 150, 150, 165, 135

Leak Down: 30%, 60%, 30%, 35%, 30%, 80%

I am possibly purchasing this vehicle.

Original price was $35,000.

As a result of the tests above, dealer offered to sell for $25,000.

It appears that a rebuild is in my future, but the car actually runs well and no smoke.

The motor did have some normal seepage but no active leaking.

Pictures attached.

Question: Should I purchase this vehicle? What do the test results say? Risk? Future cost assessments? What would you do? How would you negotiate this?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I am a first time Porsche buyer.

THANK YOU!!!

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hmm ??? is this a wide body? Looks like a Turbo kit..can you provide more pictures?The rear rims are aftermarket 9th ..front original Fuchs 7th..really more pics will help to help you.Otherwise the price is nice...also check the engine numbers..do you know where to look?..herehttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1597265086.jpg

the black arrow and where finger is pointing...is it the original color ...?

Ivan

ps..i wonder about the clutch ,there is a return spring missing on the bottom..that is all i can tell you from what i see.....

Wide body kit. Paint is not original (they said they would repaint Guards Red for $5K). I don't have the engine number (what will that help me with? to see if matches?). H4 lights. They are going to repair the seats. Cab top is new. Shifts a little rough into 2nd gear. Does not downshift to 1st unless completely stopped. 915 transmission. More pics below. Let me know if you have any advise, info, or suggestions. THANK YOU!!!

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Wow..that car looks pretty clean for $25k

The leak down numbers are very poor, but $25k is cheap!

Yellow cabriolet.........
 

Adam,

If that yellow car has a legitimate registration and title, I will buy it even if the motor is not running. Let’s look it this way:

• The value of the chassis less transmission and motor at $15K.
• The value of the transmission at $2K (core value).
• Assume the motor needs a rebuild and a core at $8K.

If you pay $25K for this car even if it is not running, you will make a profit for this purchase. Someone will take it right away if you don’t decide fast enough. My two-cents.

Tony

Check the VIN, was it a targa converted to a cab? is it a factory widebody car, or was it done later - and why. Was it in a collision and that's when it was decided to change things up?

A rebuild is going to be 10-20 grand if your paying someone to do the work.

Carfax is clean... no collisions and says its a convertible (cabriolet).

Have you had an independent PPI?

If everything else checks out even if you factor in a rebuild sounds like you're still money ahead.

No PPI but the dealer put her on the rack for me and I checked for rust and leaks. I did not see anything of concern. Noticed Bilstein shocks were added.

so, you are saying it is 1986 Cabriolet,Turbo body???very strange..i`d say

Ivan

I would sure as hell get an independent PPI done before I bought a car I know needs at least a top end build - the while your in there cost could add up quick if it needs other work

The wide body was a kit. Not a factory turbo-look or turbo body...

Where is car located?

i know that;-)more strange to me;-)80 k on the vehicle;-)

Is it a good thing or a bad thing in your opinion? Im a newbie Porsche buyer...

Adam...to the outsider the 911 looks nice..but please do some checking into it.
1.service records
2.who and why was the conversion to 930 done.
3.really check the engine numbers
4.is there a carfax available?
5.before you put any $$$ down have it checked by Porsche specialist,if you can find one nearby?
6.check it and report here we will help you out..
Ivan

Can you advise me the importance of checking the engine numbers? Is the purpose to determine whether it is the original engine? How do I confirm that once I obtain the numbers off the engine? How does this affect value or utility?

Thanks a million.

Wide body conversion........
 

Adam,

Was the wide body conversion done with steel flares or Fiberglas? Steel is more desirable and add more value to the car compared to Fiberglas. Keep us posted.

Tony

Adam - In general, you want to know if the motor is original because a "numbers matching" car is generally more valuable than a car with a replacement motor. In this case, it appears that the car has already been modified, so the value will not be the same as an all original car.

Regarding your original question - asking for advice - there may be some potential here, IF the car does not have any skeletons. The motor is only one piece of the puzzle. For a first time buyer, this one seems to present a number of questions/concerns, any one of which could make this a nasty transaction for you.

Answering a few questions might help you decide - Are you the kind of person with a high tolerance for risk? Why are you attracted to this car?...because the price dropped?