Rust - repair this or forget it?

LeeH · 10-10-2003, 03:54 PM

Here's the Reader's Digest version of my story:

Flew to Denver to look at an '82 SC w/'92 3.6L. Owner says "no rust" (just checked his e-mail to see if I was dreaming). Here's what I saw:

Hmmm... didn't see the fly!

A repaint is obviously needed, but is it a waste of time to fix a car like this? Cost prohibitive?

Aussie · Aussie's Garage

I guess it all comes down to what price you are going to get the car for.

If its average price you might as well keep looking as there are lots of SC to choose from.

Harlan Chinn · Harlan Chinn's Garage

Looks pretty rough. Plenty of rust areas that would require some substantial disassembly to reach and to attempt to stop from further rusting. The fly picture ding happened when someone forgot to lock the trunk lid before driving off. The windshield cowl shot shows rust that has formed under the windshield and seal at the channel, a tough area to treat as the rust appears to be pretty advanced. The mirror base shot shows rust underneath the mirror base. The openings for the mirror control wiring and mounting bolts are well centered in the base of the mirror and for that amount of rust means it too is advanced.
The passenger door latchside jamb picture shows a bit of rust and evidence of a pretty mediocre to poor attempt at a repaint or repair. You can see the masking and lack of masking in this are on the black rear quarter window trim. This is a shame, you could spend $$$ trying to control/stop the rust and remove a shoddy paintwork but there are no guarantees. Fortunately there are plenty of better cars out there but you do have to sift through a lot of these to find them.

LeeH · 10-10-2003, 05:38 PM

I guess the sad part is that this is a 3.6 conversion w/MAF, RS door panels, roll bar, Momo wheel, rebuilt gear box, Center Force clutch, etc.

I told him I couldn't see paying more than $10K - about the value of the drive train for the car. No shock, but I haven't recieved a reply to that e-mail yet.

mjshira · 10-10-2003, 05:50 PM

if you can get the car for less than 15 than I'd think that even with fixing it you'd be ahead. That is if you want a 3.6 upgraded car. Figure that if you took a perfect cosmetic car and did a 3.6 you'd have to spend about 10-15 for the 3.6 upgrade. Good luck!

Rot 911 · 10-10-2003, 05:57 PM

I think that car has been painted once already and it wasn't a very good job. Go to the picture that shows the side glass with the PCA sticker. The bottom edge of the rubber trim has paint on it. Then the picture just below it shows paint on the door hinge pins, not to mention those door hinges are awfully shiny.

Doug Zielke · 10-10-2003, 06:03 PM

Nice GruppeB(astard) material. Go for it!

dtw · 10-10-2003, 06:58 PM

Owner sounds FOS. I'd run- no telling what else he lied about.

Kurt B · 10-10-2003, 08:18 PM

I would just worry about the rust aroud that mirror, I guess. The rest is fixable--well If you get a car from Denver, expect rust. That's realistic. I think he meant, there's no "major 914 style rust"
You need to get a CA car. It will not have any rust at all. My 84 doesn't have rust anywhere of any kind...and yes, there is some funky respray action going on there....someone mentioned it on the rubber--well someone could have gotten white on there with a little touch up paint. It's actually the wire (to electric mirors in fact) in that area underneath the fender, between the door and the fender; it's got white paint on it indicative of a respray. Then again the allen bolt that holds on the mirror doesn't have any paint on it, which it would if it were resprayed. So who knows if it was or not.

LeeH · 10-10-2003, 08:29 PM

It's had at least one and maybe two resprays. The car has spent some time in AZ and HI.

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

Just passing this on - no relation - no knowledge - but a 3.6 car for $15K...

Link

From Ad:
1984 PORSCHE 911, 3.6L, burgundy red w/black int., C2 motor was professionally installed, 280HP, very fast, no rust, never hit, 77k mi., needs ac compressor, $15,000, 386-734-8323 or 407-758-8213 cell.

LeeH · 10-10-2003, 09:24 PM

Funny! We've come full circle. Thanks Jeremy, but that car started all this. I found it in the Trader and posted this:

'84 Euro coupe w/3.6 for $15K in Deland, FL...

And then someone added the post about the car in Denver. The burgandy car is sold, but the guy has another drive train for sale:
Anybody need a 993 3.6 w/915?

Tom F2 · 10-11-2003, 02:08 AM

This car looks like a patch job, based on your photos. With rust like that showing, I believe that there's likely to be rust through in the rocker/sill area, and in the front inner apron, near the oil lines on the passenger side and the windshield washer fill hose on the driver side.

Kraut Wagon · 10-11-2003, 02:16 AM

I agree with Kurt B. Its all fixable but Id be worried about that mirror.

My 86 came from Hawaii and had a couple of small rust spots on it...just surface rust which I ground down, primed nd repainted. The spots were small enough to take care of with touch up paint.... Im attributing this to the ocean air in Hawaii.

My point is that those things can be fixed if just surface rust.

Allenk · 10-11-2003, 05:38 AM

It comes down to price for my .02
My concern is that the rust is coming from around the seals which makes for a difficult repair if it's to be done right. You need to go with your gut and be able to live with any future surprises w/o complaining since you'll be buying a car from someone that obviously lies or doesn't know what rust is.

Hetmann · 10-11-2003, 06:59 AM

Denver has a dry climate and it is possible to find rust free cars, but we also get snow and I have seen many with rust. This car looks worse than many I've seen. Too bad the seller couldn't just be honest about it. I'd be concerned about the mechanicals too with this guy. Looks like a pass to me.

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

The '82 is a galvanized car. Typically rust only gets a start like that when there has been prior body repair or paint work that removes the galvanizing.

Two things: if it is all surface rust, i.e. 'outside in', it's not difficult to repair and monitor. if it is coming from underneath (unlikely), you should absolutely pass.

Second, it looks like you're in Phoenix. If rust progresses at all in your climate, it will be a very slow process.

Not too many SCs come with 3.6 engines. I'd look for a price concession to help with the paint and strongly consider going for it -- just not for $12.5K+.

LeeH · 10-11-2003, 09:38 AM

Look what I found on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10156&item=2436726113

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

Looks nice - I guess that is the car - interesting to see what it goes for...

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

I don't see the "R" word mentioned anywhere...don't ask, don't tell I presume?