Help me understand what I might get myself into!

[ibprcan]

First,

Congrats on a very informative forum. The interaction within this site is amazing. It's a great reasource.

I am in need of some input, info, ....your preverbial 2 cents worth.

I am preparing to purchase a vehicle..within the next two months. I've given myself a budget of about 10 to 15 thousand dollars. Initially I'd resigned myself to purchasing some new car that I could care less about. But I've always dreamed about a 911. Based on budget restrictions..this is what you guys have unknowingly helped me decide. Should I go with a 911, it would prob be an SC, 1979 through 1983-ish. I've already been in contact with several sellers. As much as I have read..I still don't have a solid idea of what I should expect my yearly maintenance expenses to be. I think I'll be fine with minor items, Oil Chainges....but being a 911 novice I expect that I'll be taking the car in to the shop / mechanic for most of the normal maintenance.

Assuming the following the vehicle is a 1979 911 sc, 165k miles, with normal wear and tear, and has been maintained reasonably well, what can I expect a normal years expenses to be like.....(Yes I realize this barely gives you enough info...I just want generalizations.)

Cost of Oil Changes = ?
Allingment / Tune up= ?
Timing issues = ?
Brake replacement = ?

What else should I expect / be concerned with?


Again..I know this is very vaugue considering the kind of technical post I've been reading on this site. Any info you can give would be helpfull. I just want to know what my new tow could end up costing me over a year or two of solid 15k a year driving.

Respectfully,

Al

[ChrisBennet]

Welcome to the board Al! I would say that on a car as old as an SC that the real costs aren't going to be the "normal maintance" costs so much as the unscheduled "surprises" like body rust, fuel pumps, broken head studs, etc. This is why a PPI and good records are sooo important.
I recommned Peter Zimmerman's book "The Used 911 Story". It is a booklet specifically on buying 911's. If Wayne doesn't have it, you can order it online from Barnes and Noble.
-Chris
-Chris

As a beginner you should find yourself a Porsche expert and have him look over the particular car that you consider. That is the best way to avoid economic disaster!

It's hard to say what ownership costs will be. Some are DIY people some aren't. Some use only OEM parts others don't. Will you upgrade or keep the car standard? Etc.

Generally you CAN own a 911 without risking bankrupt, but somehow you always end up spending more on a 911 than you planned

An oil change needs 10 liters of oil + a filter. Depending on where you live that's about 100-150 USD in parts.

Prices for brake discs/pads and other typical wear parts can be found on this very homepage. Wayne carries the most for 911s.

Alignment is probably 100+ USD in labour (I guess).

Check if the SC you consider has been upgraded with hydraulic tensioners as on the later Carrera's. Also check the chassis number for originality.

[jester911]

For the money you are talking you should be able to better than a car with 165k miles. Don't settle.
Your best bet usually is to find the newest example for the price.

When I say newest that can mean in years but also in miles, usuage, etc.

With 15k miles a year you will need to figure in valve adjustments once a year at least and with other maintanence it will probably cost you a couple grand a year give or take.

Obviously the more diy the less cost. As you learn the car, and if you hang around here, you will end up doing more yourself.

The cost that I am not figuring in is the money you will spend because you want to.

The guy that sold my car to me said this car is worse than a beautiful girlfriend. You won't intend on spending money on her, you just won't be able to help yourself

[dc96819]

What else should I expect / be concerned with? Mods, seems like thers always something elese that you would like done.

[ibprcan]

I should add that your previous posts have convinced me to get a PPI.

Is it better to purchase from a loyal P owner or a used dealership / showroom. I tend to trust the true P owner more that a dealership.

[dotorg]

Couple tips, having done just what you were talking about this year:

First, buy a $10k car. You'll need that $5k for things that are broken, things you want to make better, and this forum has a tendency to make people's project list grow. Quickly

To Mikkel's comment: buy your oil from Walmart. I'm running 15w50, and two five quart jugs runs less than $40. In fact, if your car is old enough you can buy a lot of stuff for it there.

No idea what tuneups would run, can't be that much, maybe $200? Or DIY. Strict alignments (not corner balancing) should be cheap, $50? $75? Any shop should be able to do it. I haven't done brakes, but looking at prices on here, its not bad, maybe a couple hundred dollars if you do it yourself. Sure beats the $350 for pads and $750 for rotors just to do the front of my S4.

Big thing, because I didn't do this. Get a PPI from someone who doesn't know the previous owner. In my case the previous owner was a friend, and the guy who did my PPI was a long time p-car mechanic he recommended. I've found one thing after another he missed, and I paid quite a bit more for the car than I should've.

Its been worth it though!

[JoeF]

Al,
Like Chris says, the normal maintenance stuff seems to be about the same or only slightly higher than a regular car. An SC with 165k should be checked out throughly by a Porsche mechanic. Spending a couple of hundred to have the car checked before you buy it could save you thousands later. The seller should have no problem taking the car to the mechanic of your choice for this inspection. If he does have a problem with it, walk away. There should be a bunch of SC to check out in that price range. If you plan to use the car as a daily driver, and air conditioning is very important to you, plan to spend a few $$$ on this each year.
JoeF

[Silveresrty911S]

I did this about a year ago and found that the general maintenence isn't bad. DIY oil change with correct filter 25.00/ DIY (84-89motronic) tune up 125.00, DIY brake pads,fluid 90.00.
It's the aftermarket goodies you want to put on or replace an item that is not up to snuff. I've put down 50% of what I paid 14 months ago to get her the way I want and I still have a bit to go. Good Luck!

Rick

[Cornpanzer]

I would recommend that you start driving as many as you can find. Even some that might be slightly out of your price range. This will help you understand some of the good and bad things that you may otherwise miss.

[ibprcan]

So far this is great feedback, thanks all of you and feel free to keep it coming.

What can I expect to pay for a PPI. Are there any customs refference who pays for the PPI or is it all absorbed by the buyer?

Again TKS

[Jcon]

Even at the lower end of your spending range you will be able to pick up a well maintained SC with fewer than 165,000 miles. I bought my SC for around $15,500 with 50,000 miles in excellent condition about 4 years ago and I over paid. If I new half what I know now I'd have done better. ( by better I mean price - the car is great) These cars have a reputation of being bullet proof, and they can handle amazing mileage numbers without a rebuild, but all the other little stuff does get expensive. This will be true of any 15 - 20 year old car. Someone up top said it right though, take it slow and look for a solid car at a great price. They are out there. The market is quite slow and people are willing to come down from asking. Take the total you have to spend and keep 2 grand in your pocket for all the things you will want to do after the purchase. Even if nothing breaks there will be improvements and tweaks you want to make. There will also be the surprise. With a solid PPI it won't likely be a major (i.e. engine meltdown), but could easily be a failed fuel pump etc. If you've been lurking very long you must have seen the posts on Lelands new purchase. There are always small surprises. It's part of the character of older cars.

Just remember the hunt is one of the best parts, the people here will gladly help.

Good Luck

Jeff C

[surflvr911sc]

Get out and drive some different types. Drive worn out cheap cars, nice expensive cars, old cars, new cars, stock cars, and modified cars. You need to see the difference and decide on what feels right.

Save some money for those "new owner" repairs.

I live about an hour north, and I work in Mo Valley. Email me if you ever need anything, take your time and good luck!