$14k to spend, how?

kenpac · 08-14-2003, 07:13 PM

Here's the deal. I've been diligently looking for a 911 for some time. I can spend at most $14,000. This figure includes the car purchase price, any tax, PPI cost, transport cost (if needed) and any short term required work/maintenance (if needed

).

I'd really like to stay within 1978+ model years (SC, Carrera) and I would really prefer a coupe (may consider a very very nice Targa). The car would have to have a clean title and history, good maintenance records are a real plus. Mileage, while not the most determining factor, would be a major issue if the car has no maintenance history and has changed hands very often over the last 10 years. Color is also an issue; black, silver, dark blue preferred, red would also be OK, white and browns are not.

What do you think?

Any sellers ready to talk?

HarryD · 08-14-2003, 07:22 PM

I do not think you will have enough.

All Porsches cost at least $20,000 by the time the truth is tallied.

I would suggest you look for a rust free example of a 73 or earlier 911T and use the left over money to pay for the inevitable repairs.

You also may get "lucky" and get a well sorted out 2.7 L (if you really like the bumper car look) in this price range.

2 years ago I went bottom fishing and have a nice expamlpe of an early car. Not quite the cpomfort of an SC but classic lines and simplicity!

Good luck.

pwd72s · 08-14-2003, 07:24 PM

14K to spend? Hmmmm. Lots of vices for sale out there for that amount.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

Harry is perhaps exagerating a bit...but not much. If you are willing to put up with a car that is "as is", I think you can do it. Your choices would be to find a decent early T, a well sorted middle car, or an SC.

I would probably budget $10K for the car and have the remaining $4K to fix the things that absolutely need attention. Then in a year's time be prepared to fork out a few $K more.

If you are on a budget I think finding a 2.7 car that has been redone *right* can be the best deal. You will have to look for some time to find a clean T. There are plenty of higher miles SCs out there, and you can find one for $10K. The trick is getting a *good* one for $10K.

HarryD · 08-14-2003, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nostatic
Harry is perhaps exagerating a bit...but not much. If you are willing to put up with a car that is "as is", I think you can do it. Your choices would be to find a decent early T, a well sorted middle car, or an SC.

I would probably budget $10K for the car and have the remaining $4K to fix the things that absolutely need attention. Then in a year's time be prepared to fork out a few $K more.

If you are on a budget I think finding a 2.7 car that has been redone *right* can be the best deal. You will have to look for some time to find a clean T. There are plenty of higher miles SCs out there, and you can find one for $10K. The trick is getting a *good* one for $10K.

Nostatic,

ya got me.

I am not yet at the $20k mark but am getting there. The good news is that in the past two years I have resolved all of the original issues with my car. This included: repair many oil leaks, upgrade to turbo valve covers, turbo tie rods, carrera tensioners and renewed the top end. I also upgraded to later seats and added adjustable sway bars.

I still think that to have less than $15-20k ready to spend in the first few years is a risky proposition due to the cost of some of the repairs these cars require.

I would be hesitiant to blow all my cash ont he car only to find that I need $3-4k a year or so down the road and can't get it so I have to sell the car at fire sale prices.

Currently, no oil leaks, runs like a singer sewing machine and over all a good ride.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

I'm over the $20K total at this point, but right now (knock on wood), I've got a car with 55K miles that runs like new.

I think you can get by a bit cheaper, but unless you do a lot of work yourself, I think a budget of $2-4K per year is not unrealistic. The problem with an old car is that stuff just goes.

bigchillcar · bigchillcar's Garage

Consider the 'sorted out' mid-year car. I got probbaly one of the best deals around a few years ago when I purchased mine. Firt of all, I stole it for 6.5K. The paint was redone the year before I bought it at a cost to the P.O. of 4K. The tensioner, head stud upgrades etc. were all done for an engine with only 69k miles on two owners who took great care of the car. It doesn't leak a drop and still hits book performance. It's a daily driver and the a/c works perfectly, sunroof smooth...in short everything works on this car. I've spent money on new tires, new headliner, do my own maintenace (oil, air, fuel filter, plugs, points, cap, rotor, etc.). I'd say I've spent 2k all together and enjoyed every minute of my sweat equity, every week bringing this car back closer and closer to like new condition (my goal). So, for about 8.5K, I'm one of the luckiest for sure (with a mid-year car) and happiest. I wish you could see in person what 8-9K has bought me. If I'd had 14k to spend on this car, I'd be earning interest with the 5k leftover...just a thought. Take your time and think positive! Think mid-year!

(Easy, flamers!)
Ryan

HarryD · 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bigchillcar
Consider the 'sorted out' mid-year car. I got probbaly one of the best deals around a few years ago when I purchased mine. Firt of all, I stole it for 6.5K. The paint was redone the year before I bought it at a cost to the P.O. of 4K. The tensioner, head stud upgrades etc. were all done for an engine with only 69k miles on two owners who took great care of the car. It doesn't leak a drop and still hits book performance. It's a daily driver and the a/c works perfectly, sunroof smooth...in short everything works on this car. I've spent money on new tires, new headliner, do my own maintenace (oil, air, fuel filter, plugs, points, cap, rotor, etc.). I'd say I've spent 2k all together and enjoyed every minute of my sweat equity, every week bringing this car back closer and closer to like new condition (my goal). So, for about 8.5K, I'm one of the luckiest for sure (with a mid-year car) and happiest. I wish you could see in person what 8-9K has bought me. If I'd had 14k to spend on this car, I'd be earning interest with the 5k leftover...just a thought. Take your time and think positive! Think mid-year! (Easy, flamers!)
Ryan

No flame here. For me, it sounds like a great way to go.

kenpac · 08-14-2003, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HarryD
I do not think you will have enough.

All Porsches cost at least $20,000 by the time the truth is tallied.

I would suggest you look for a rust free example of a 73 or earlier 911T and use the left over money to pay for the inevitable repairs.

I think you are probably correct, but I'll keep looking anyway

I'd prefer to stay away from the earlier p-cars.

HarryD · 08-14-2003, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kenpac
I think you are probably correct, but I'll keep looking anyway

I'd prefer to stay away from the earlier p-cars.

I would suggest you add a sorted out 2.7L to your list. If you are concerned about rust, start with a 76 when they went to full galvanized bodies.

Several of my AutoX buddies run a 2.7L in their cars (one in swb 911 and the other is a 914-6). No smoke, leaks or other lack of performance.

EdT82SC · 08-14-2003, 09:38 PM

Ken,

If you don't know already, any Porsche you buy is going to be a money pit. Believe it or not, you will actually save a lot of money if you send me the $14K.

Randy Webb · 08-14-2003, 09:40 PM

The bargains are '74 to 77 as one post noted, IF you are certain the engine has been strengthened. I'd go for the '74 as its lighter and had less smog stuff on it. Most of the cr was galvanaized by then anyway.

You could also get an SC with that amount of $$.

I would not buy an east coast car because of rust. Cal. cars will be spendy. I'd look around in Idaho and that area and the western midwest if it was me.

racea911 · 08-14-2003, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kenpac
I'd prefer to stay away from the earlier p-cars.

I feel the same way. Those early cars are just too damn good looking, and I only see one on the road maybe once every two or three weeks. Who wants out of the ordinary, classic and great looking? Not me, but then again I go in to Baskin Robbins 31 Flavors and order vanilla....

JackT · 08-15-2003, 05:22 AM

Harry, You may find a 911SC that is the way you want it and will not require more money to be put in it itnitially, but it will take alot of shopping. The thing is, once you get the car, even if it looks perfect during inspection, you will get on this board and find some other things you will want to do to it. These things will nag you until you do them so you will be forced to go ahead and spend the money now. Eventually, you will have in the upper teens in $$$'s in it.

lendaddy · 08-15-2003, 05:37 AM

Hmmm, must be lucky. For the first 5 years I had my 930 I bet I didn't put 2-3k into it(and that includes the RUF wheels and two sets of tires). In the last year I would say another 4k or so( only 2 was neccassary). It seems to come in clumps. If you can avoid "this would be cool" and "while I'm in here" type stuff they are not that bad on the wallet IMHO.

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

MIdwest is a great place to look or down in Texas. Most Midwesterner only drive their P cars from late April to early November. Than it's time to take out the 4 wheel SUV and go out and play in the snow.

kenpac · 08-15-2003, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by EdT82SC
Ken,

If you don't know already, any Porsche you buy is going to be a money pit. Believe it or not, you will actually save a lot of money if you send me the $14K.

OK send me your address; I'll get the check in the mail unless you prefer cash.

And yes I do know about the "money pit" aspect, that's why I want to find a good car for under $14,000 so I can have some to throw into it as needed.

kenpac · 08-15-2003, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by racea911
I feel the same way. Those early cars are just too damn good looking, and I only see one on the road maybe once every two or three weeks.

Don't see many SC or mid 80s Carreras around here that often either. Did get a chance to drive a 74 not to long ago - nice car the fresh air vents in the floor were nice as well

turbo6bar · 08-15-2003, 06:12 AM

I bought a '78SC Euro coupe in January. I paid $10k. It has seen just over 5000 miles since January, and the only required work has been adding gas and oil. It is possible to buy a nice car that doesn't need tons of work. One piece of valuable advice I received was buy the car with excellent mechanicals. This SC has a fresh engine, tranny that shifts well, and A/C that can freeze the balls off a polar bear. The paint has blemishes, but still beats the finish on 9 out of 10 cars on the road today. The next major upgrades/projects will be suspension bushings and a turbocharger.

My point is you can find a car in your budget. You just need to be patient. Your dollar will buy a lot of car in this economy.

78 Super Carrera Euro coupe

Good luck,
jurgen

kenpac · 08-15-2003, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by turbo6bar
I bought a '78SC Euro coupe in January. I paid $10k. . .
My point is you can find a car in your budget. You just need to be patient. Your dollar will buy a lot of car in this economy.

Thanks jurgen nice to know good deals are out there. Your car looks great and that was a great price

I talked with someone regarding a very nice 78sc Euro as well, but the asking price was $14k+. I would have jumped on it for about $12k.