Looking to buy my first 911 questions

[ba_reefer]

Hi im new to porsches but not new to cars or engines. Im looking to purchase a 911 and currently looking at a 84 with 230k everything is original other than cam chains and tensioners.

What price is these cars going for with this mileage?
What to look for in terms of Problems with the engine and tranny?

Am i looking to rebuild a 230k motor considering the mileage?

Worst case scenario?

Thanks hopefully I will be a 911 owner soon.

Also where is the best place to look for used 911 89 or eariler?

Thanks in advance and looking to meet new friends and learn about these amazing cars.

[DRACO A5OG]

Welcome aboard

How are the leak down numbers?

So it never had a rebuild or top end done?

[ba_reefer]

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

Welcome aboard

How are the leak down numbers?

So it never had a rebuild or top end done?

no leak down test done, what the owner told me is it has never been rebuilt engine runs strong etc. thats what im worried about.

asking 20k for car.

[kyngfish]

Get a PPI - I'd also be wary of the transmission. I think if the engine needs a top end only, it would run you somewhere between 6-7k - if it needs the bottom end done, then closer to 10-12. If it needs a rebuilt tranny... no idea?

If you're buying an 84 3.2 carrera for 20k, I'd simply assume it needed around 10k in repairs sooner rather than later. If the PO says the car runs strong and the PPI and leakdown is OK, I'd still assume there were some things I had to do and save some money. If the car was in top physical condition, he wouldn't be taking 20k for it.

If you're handy with tools and have other reliable transportation, I would take that deal in a second though, as long as the body and chassis was pretty clean. I don't think these cars are going down in price any time soon.

[bbturbo]

I wouldn't be afraid of the miles if it checks out. Don't assume it needs rebuilt just because of the miles. a leak down test will tell all.

[T77911S]

i would price it with a 20k rebuild, perhaps a tranny rebuild at the min,
so look at what others are SELLING for with less miles and better condition.

[SiberianDVM]

My 1st 911 was a '84 with 235k miles. Engine ran great and is still running great, with only a reseal. Transmission needed a rebuild, mostly for synchros, but having this done by an expert is $$. It also needed a complete suspension and brake rebuild, which any decent home mechanic can do.

[Jrboulder]

I wouldn't buy a vintage Porsche without anticipating having to do internal work on the engine and transmission. Anything else is just setting yourself up for failure. The only exception would be very recent extensive work done by a reputable shop.

[Ziggy925]

I got a '79 SC in '89 and it's still going strong, so I've been there and I'm still there. I would not let the high mileage scare me away, but I would definitely have any car you are looking at checked by a Porsche mechanic who knows these cars. Some dealerships are only up to speed on the newer cars and only know how to plug a computer into the port and read the results.

On a car with that mileage I would definitely do a compression test and a leakdown test would not be out of the question. It's hard to hide problems on these cars, so if the car lacks snap on acceleration or doesn't shift well you may be looking at expensive problems but "most" owners take very good care of their cars.

If I'm not mistaken there are two trannys on the cars you are looking at, the 915 and the G50. Both are good, but the G50 is the better shifting of the two. As one expert put it to me, "Shifting an SC is like stirring a bucket of tar with a stick." You get used to it, although I did have to replace 2nd gear.

Prices are all over the map and going up. I would say the best cars are late '80s, but all of them are a blast to drive. I would also look locally, only because it will be easier to inspect and check out. That said, my neighbor bought one of the first air cooled models on eBay and had very few problems with it. Have fun shopping and keep in mind even "normal" maintenance ain't cheap on these cars.

[Roswell]

Budget another 20k for repairs and rebuilding.

[DRACO A5OG]

No leak down, no deal.

[nicfranc]

Look around you can find these cars sitting in garages not being driven enough.

I bought a 1980 SC Targa from the original owner it now has 350,000 miles and counting.

I had the transmission rebuilt and I rebuilt the CIS myself.

Installed M&K pre muffler and sport muffler and it now sounds great !

The engine is original with no broken head studs and no Pop-off valve.

The engine does not burn or leak oil.

[930cabman]

Originally Posted by Roswell

Budget another 20k for repairs and rebuilding.

+1 smart to be conservative, these machines can chew up alot of $$ quick

[pmax]

Originally Posted by ba_reefer

Hi im new to porsches but not new to cars or engines. Im looking to purchase a 911 and currently looking at a 84 with 230k everything is original other than cam chains and tensioners.

Carreras already have the most up to date tensioners. What are you referring to ?

What price is these cars going for with this mileage?
What to look for in terms of Problems with the engine and tranny?

Do a leakdown test.
Does the tranny shift easily into all gears ? Can you shift into first at low speeds ?

Am i looking to rebuild a 230k motor considering the mileage?

Worst case scenario?

$20K+ sounds about right if both engine and transmission go. P-car mechanics do not work cheap.

Also where is the best place to look for used 911 89 or eariler?

CL and PP classifieds are good resources. Just watch out for the scams.

[Bill Douglas]

As you have probably gathered from browsing this site and others; 911s are expensive to fix. My advice would be to buy a really nice one, even if you are paying quite a premium for it. And not have to pay for a lot of stuff further down the line.

Take your time and enjoy the ride, these cars come up for sale all the time

[Discseven]

BA... suggest you check out a number of Porsche shops where you live---might ask Forum about what great shops are in your area. Idea is to get a feel for who you're going to associate with. Take a tour. Clean? Dirty? Organized? Work in progress look good? Don't know what you're looking at?... take pics and post here for input. Will suggest to tell shops you want to "see work being done" when it suits you. Any shop that won't let you look---insurance is no excuse---is not worth working with IMHO. With due respect to Bill, I come from a different perspective... I'd rather buy econo and put money in myself making repairs and upgrades that I know are done to a certain standard. Even a beautiful car that's well documented... who knows how things were done? Other guys have suggested $20 rebuild/preservation budget. Agreed. You buy the right priced car and add that budget to it and have the repairs done by a quality shop... in the end you'll have a great car and you'll personally know where it stands mechanically. That translates into being able to drive the car without doubting what's what.

[Josh D]

Originally Posted by Roswell

Budget another 20k for repairs and rebuilding.

That's the "drop it off and call me when it's done" pricing.

A basic rebuild can be done for a lot less than that if your willing to get your hands dirty.

[Rodsrsr]

Confirm the year. You seem to be describing an SC when you mention chain tensioner updates.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Josh D

That's the "drop it off and call me when it's done" pricing.

Yes. ba-reefer states he has experience with engines.

From one viewpoint you can say the 911 engine is exotic. From another, you can say it's a beetle motor on steroids.

Valve guides are long toast given 3.2 history.

[pmax]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

Yes. ba-reefer states he has experience with engines.

Looks like we have scared ba-reefer away for good.

From one viewpoint you can say the 911 engine is exotic. From another, you can say it's a beetle motor on steroids.

Regardless, I believe these are all $35K cars now.