1980 911SC Help

[Par911]

Hello,
I am still on the hunt for my first 911. I came across an 80 SC euro silver exterior w/black interior. The guy is asking $7,800, which is high considering the fact that it has 133k, bad rust damage that ate through the front left fender, minor rust damage to the hood and rust in the doorjams, there is a hole in the doorjam because of rust. Most of the rust is on the exterior, because the guy kept it outside without a car cover for 15 years. There is a small hole in the muffler, the headliner needs to be replaced, and the 911 needs a new left sideskirt since the genius got a flat tire and decided to jack it up using the sideskirt. The car has the ugly cookie cutter wheels. A major concern of mine is that when I went to check it out, it had just stopped raining, and when I opened the door and lifted the driver side mat, there was a huge puddle of water. The fool says that it is leaking water through the windshield beause the seals are all worn out. I am worried that there may be alot of rust hiding in the interior that will become visible when I go to strip the carpets and interior. This would require more work than I really want to take on, I think I can handle the exterior rust. It upsets me to see someone treat a 911 with such abuse. The only good thing about the car is that my 911 mechanic said that the motor runs strong, and is mechanically sound despite some minor issues (the typical little oil leak, and a bit of smoke). I wish I had pics to post, but I don't so I hope I described the major problems of the car well enough. I need some advice, should I consider purchasing the car? I don't want to get stuck with a 911 that will give me a love/hate relationship because of rust issues.
Thanks, I truly appreciate the help.
Pari

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Yes, Brian, you are right. This is a parts car.

Pari,

Keep looking. This is waaayyyy more trouble than you know. If the motor is not rebuilt, look at 4K if you do the work, 8k if you pay for it. I have no idea how many thousands on the body stuff but would rough it out at $20k to redo motor and body from what some more experienced people have stated in the past. There are some good cars for sale listed right here on this website. Get with some of the guys in Maryland and see where they can direct you.

[banjomike]

Don't walk away from this car, RUN! If an SC has serious rust issues then it has been really abused. I hear that porsche has had a galvanized body shell sitting in front of the factory since 1976, no rust. Either it has had some serious salt exposure or body panels have been replaced with ungalvanized parts, which means an accident. In either case the neglect you described certainly goes beyond what you have seen. If someone wouldn't pay to have the windshield seals fixed when their @#%& car was filling up with water, what is the chance that they spent $500 every 15,000 miles for a major service? You could easily spend another $7800 on body and paint only to find mechanical problems. Another $5000-$6000 for an engine rebuild, and you are solidly into nice carrera price range.

Oh, btw, the 'doorjams' are not really an exterior body part. They are a part of the monocoque frame, and rust here may mean rust on other structural parts. Thank the seller politely and run away.

One last note, there are a few really good 911 buyers guides out there. Buy one, read it, and be willing to walk away from problem cars.

[Par911]

Thanks Brian, and Groesbeck Hurricane, and banjomike
I figured it would be too much trouble, but I was tempted because he said he would give it to me for like a $1,000 less than he listed it for. But you guys seem to be right, I don't want to dump alot of money, blood,sweat, only to have tears after I realize how much I invested in the car. I am not about to invest $20K to $30K, which I don't even have in an SC, I would much rather get a 964 for that money. The funniest thing is this guy tried to argue with me that his car would go for $15K if it didn't have the rust issues. Gotta love this forum, you guys are a big help. Thanks,
Pari

[Moses]

Don't even consider it at any price.

If you are patient, a good clean garaged specimen will show up in your price range.

In terms of economy, a well cared for high mileage car may be just the ticket for you. These motors don't age like U.S. built stuff. Don't dismiss a clean car with high miles.

[Eric Mckenna]

you should call this guy..
His name is Phil Noble... he has a 79 SC that is a great running car and may sell it for about that much..
his number is ..937-372-6775
It's dark brown and has a great strong non smoking always starts on first try.. and no matter how long you let it sit .. still no smoking.. 3.0

just if you wanted to check it out..


Eric

[Superman]

Good luck. The car you're looking for is out there. It's certainly not this one, though. Don't fall in love and you'll be fine.

[Bob's Flat-Six]

Pari
Try to find a car that if you do end up putting money into it, it is a worthy candidate in the first place. Trying to get a car like you mentioned into good shape both mechanically and cosmetically can be a nightmare.
I would rather deal will mechanical issues on a nice clean example than a car that has a lot of sun damage, body rust etc.
Mine had 2 broken head studs when I bought it, but the interior and body etc. were in great shape and it had only 59k miles.
So it has responded well to my dollars and still is
Good Luck

[BlGMlLL]

Pari,
you really do need to be patient and just keep your eyes open. It took me a couple of months to find mine, but i am very happy with it. Aside from a few small things, my car was nearly perfect and paid $8000 for it. A 1980 coupe with 132k. Just dont get in a hurry.

Ryan

[Jadams1]

Do not buy this car. A 911SC should be more rust free than rusted. I picked up a 1980 Euro two years ago for $10,500. The car was in excellent condition and had over $14,000 in maintenance records. Find one that is in better condition and you'll save $$$ in the longrun.

[Silveresrty911S]

Same advice as others KEEP LOOKING! Found mine after a couple of months, paid $10,000 owner wanted 12,000. The previous owner put in a 3.2 a 1 1/2 years earlier and the reciept was for $9,800. Also got all the maintenance records from the 2.7 and all the other work done on the car. Good luck

[Par911]

Thanks all of you 911 and SC owners, I learn something new from you guys every day. I made up my mind (thanks to all of your help) I am not going to touch that 80SC euro, so the hunt continues. Hey Eric, I appreciate you giving me the info for the Brown SC for sale. I will get in touch with Philip and check out the condition of his 911.
Pari

[clnilsen]

Flee, Flee for your life... I think just about everythign can be put up with except rust damage..

A rule of thumb on rust.. however much you see, there's twice as much you can't.

Keep looking, you'll find your car!

Chuck

[Emission]

I know of a 1980 SC Targa that just came off a complete re-build and body-off painting (Slate Metallic Gray/Black Leather). There are a ton of upgrades on the car too (including Boxster brakes). It was owned by a good friend in Los Angeles who sold it to another friend in Los Angeles - who was promptly transferred to New York. The car has barely been driven since, so he is selling it. The car has less than 95K on it, and is very nice. I think he is asking $15,000. E-mail me for some pics and all the specs.

[Par911]

Thanks Emission and Eric for providing me with 911sc info. Unfortuately, I am not interested in a Targa, or Cabriolet SC. Also, I am looking for a specific color scheme, white/black interior, yellow/black interior, silver/black, red/black, or black/black. So I am going to wait and keep saving up until one of these combinations appears for a reasonable price. Eric, good luck with your battles with the pork chop patrol, you might want to invest in a good radar detector, it might end up saving you more money in the long run. Thanks again.

[kevinf911]

I have a '82 SC coupe that I will probably be selling in the next couple of weeks. It is guards red with black interior. I have over $13,000 in receipts from the past 2 years (3.2 liter engine, rebuilt trans, new clutch, new half shafts, fuel lines, shifter bushings, new tires, ignition switch, etc.). It has front and rear spoilers as well. Will probably ask around $12,000 for it. Let me know if you are interested and I can send some pictures.

[sasaki]

Save your money Pari...keep looking...that sc is crap...that car was rusted all over the place, and we didn't even pull out the carpets yet...That guy should not be driving a porsche judging from the way he tore that 911 up...some people i tell ya...

[Par911]

I know what you mean Tim, the funniest thing was when the guy explained how dumb he was for trying to jack the car up with the sideskirt and when he said that his gearbox locked up in 5th gear on the highway. What a fool. Keep looking out for SC's for me Tim, I heard that there's a nice white SC down around your way in Virginia. Let's go check it out when you get time. Thanks bro.
Pari

[Wayne 962]

Thumbs down. Unless, of course, you want to send another $8K of your money to me (at Pelican). Then you might have a $12K car...

-Wayne

[Mike Kast]

And one little irrelevant detail being the condition of the car otherwise sounds terrible enough, But the odometer reading on a euro is wrong anyway. The odometer is changed to 0 when it crosses into America and changes from metric to American standard. If I am correct a euro could have a million miles when it gets here and the new odometer get set at zero. The records will say unknown mileage