The search begins

[dmcummins]

Well Iv'e started the search for a 911 of my own. Ive looked at a 73T coupe but after reading 100's of post on this board Im afraid it has too many problems. Mainly rust.

Im going to look at a 78 euro model today. No air or power. It has approx 175K on it and apparently has been hit in the front at some time as the paint is not as good. Im not sure what to look at on this car and im concerned about it passing the smog check.

I also plan on looking at a 72 911s that was posted here. Not sure if I want that big of a project but ive restored a 66 vette and a 69 bronco so Im not afraid of giving it a shot. Im just not sure how to value a project porsche since the parts are so high.

Maybe I should just buy a driver and a project. Well wish me luck and if anyone knows of any cars in the midwest for 10k or under let me know.

Thanks.

[Jim Richards]

If your budget is $10k, you might want to find yourself a nice driver (SC or mid-year car). If you want to drive in the winter, you'll want a galvanized body. An early car would not respond well to salted roads. Finally, avoid the project cars (like the 78 euro) unless you have a $20k budget to work with.

[Shuie]

For $10k you can find a decent car. Being patient and open minded about things like color and factory options and willing to travel to go get it will help. Then again, you may get lucky and find a well sorted out local SC that the owner just wants out of. Just buy the best car you can afford and make sure you have extra cash for the 'gotchas'. Also, don't ever buy anything without a PPI.

Good luck

[trj911]

Looking can be a great adventure. Drive as many as you can that way you can learn the subtle differences between years and models and you will know better which one you like best. Good luck!

[VaSteve]

Originally posted by Shuie
For $10k you can find a decent car. Being patient and open minded about things like color and factory options and willing to travel to go get it will help. Then again, you may get lucky and find a well sorted out local SC that the owner just wants out of. Just buy the best car you can afford and make sure you have extra cash for the 'gotchas'. Also, don't ever buy anything without a PPI.

Good luck

If you get a bad feeling about a particular car, run away! I walked from a car the PO put in a lot of work, but certain things didn't add up - I found a much nicer car.

As far as travelling, there's no better way to get used to your new car than spend 7 hours on an innauguaral journal. It also helps to have nice PelicanHeads check it out for you beforehand!!


Steve

[dmcummins]

Thanks the 10k price is to get it past the wife. After that she doesn't pay much attention. Im buying one just because I want one for weekend drives when its nice. Im just looking for a new toy.

[VaSteve]

Originally posted by dmcummins
Thanks the 10k price is to get it past the wife. After that she doesn't pay much attention. Im buying one just because I want one for weekend drives when its nice. Im just looking for a new toy.

My orginal idea was to spend about $10K, once I showed her a car in that range (that was basically falling apart - '77 S) she OK'ed increasing my price range. Unfortunately, I knew someone several years ago that drove an '85 Cab that wasn't great, but OK. She told me she paid $5K and that # has stuck with me for years. She must have stolen it!!

Steve

[chrisp]

A few thoughts....

If she is going to spend time in it and likes to have nice things around her, include her in the process. If you show her cars that are not-so-nice (to her) for $10k but there's something she likes for $12k then maybe she'll sign off on it.

However, you should be able to find an SC with under 120k miles, needing no bodywork, and in good overall shape for around $10k if you are patient. It will probably need updates though (tensioners, bushings, shocks, etc.).

Definitely try to find a warm weather car. That's what I did and it paid off. The cars in the colder climates that are in good shape are priced high. A no rust car in CT for example is markedly more money than the same condition car in North Carolina from what I saw.

[Rot 911]

Keep in mind almost any 911 you get is going to be a "project." Keep in mind most of the people on this board have 911's at least 15 years old and most are much older. Even if they are in good condition, they still need a bunch of small things worked on to keep them on the road. My advice would be to find a good driver and then fix all the little things as your "project." You will get a lot of satisfaction out of fixing it up and still get to drive it.

[dmcummins]

Thanks for the advise. Im not stuck on the 10k price, just a starting point. If anouther 5k makes a big difference thats fine too. Im like everyone else just looking for a good value. If I find a nice car for 7500 and have to put 7500 in it thats fine as long as its as nice a car as I could have bought for 15k. And I know this usually doesn't happen.

[Jim Richards]

Im buying one just because I want one for weekend drives when its nice. Im just looking for a new toy.

Now it's time to fill in some more details for your search criteria.
- Do you have a preference on what era 911 you buy (early, mid, SC, etc.)?
- What's your preference based on (looks, galvanized body, power, nimbleness, civilized feel, etc.)?
- Will you drive it at all in the winter?
- What body style do you prefer (coupe, targa, cab)?
- Are you looking for something stock or modified?
- Are you likely to track the car?
- Are you going to work on the car yourself or take it to a shop?

Best wishes on your search. Hope you find a nice one.

[dmcummins]

Jim,

I don't have a preference at this time for era.
I don't plan on driving a car that looks bad. If it needs paint or interior I will replace the interior or repaint.
If I drive it in the winter it will be on dry roads. But probably very little.
I prefer a coupe but have not ruled out a targa.
I would not rule out a modified car.
I don't know about the track. When I get a car I hope to join the local club and we will have to see.
I will definatly work on the car myself as much as I can.

Mark

[dmcummins]

Im very interested in performance. Thats why I want a 911. I understand the early cars are going to be different than the later cars. I use to have a 66 vette and a 86 vette. The cars were very different but I liked them both.

[JeremyD]

Then I would maybe spend just a little more and shoot for a Carrera. '84-'89. No needs for upgrades then they come standard with Carrera chain tenshioners, Advanced, Motronic engine control... Carrera Brakes, more ponies too! Probably the SC crowd will not agree - of course they never do with a Carrera guy... VASteve has a good point too. I bought my car in Chicago (live in FL)

[dmcummins]

Well I just got back from looking at the 78sc. The car ran great but I just didn't get that good feeling. The car had been repainted and they didn't remove anything. overspray everywhere and paint lifting off the hood. Also had a rust hole about the size of a quarter by the driver side door post. The car had been hit and with the poor paint I wonder how good a job they did with the rest of the car. He wanted 7400 for it.

[Jim Richards]

He wanted 7400 for it.

Maybe offer $4700 for it, given you'll spend nearly $10k to get the body and paint right. Of course that might not fly. And you'd still have to wonder about the condition of all systems on the car. Naaah, run away!

[chuckw951]

Originally posted by Kurt V
Keep in mind almost any 911 you get is going to be a "project." Keep in mind most of the people on this board have 911's at least 15 years old and most are much older. Even if they are in good condition, they still need a bunch of small things worked on to keep them on the road. My advice would be to find a good driver and then fix all the little things as your "project." You will get a lot of satisfaction out of fixing it up and still get to drive it.

And the tinkering is part of the fun. If it isn't bring money to fund your mechanic's son's college fund. One can go broke quickly at P-car shop rates. Well, I suppose I should speak for myself.

[chuckw951]

Originally posted by dmcummins
Im very interested in performance. Thats why I want a 911. I understand the early cars are going to be different than the later cars. I use to have a 66 vette and a 86 vette. The cars were very different but I liked them both.

Well I think Porsches are similar to Corvettes in this example. Both a '66 911 and '86 would be fun to drive even though they are very different cars. I also think that there are different approaches to "performance" and that both the early and late cars can provide high performance.

[dmcummins]

How does the handling compare on a early car compared to a SC?

[JeremyD]

I think you need to drive a slew of cars - they all have different personalities. you have to decide what you like better